News

Milford Haven: Newspaper editor in search for £1.4m hard drive

Published

8 years ago

November 29, 2017

IN 2009 a Pembrokeshire businessman spent £50 buying 175 Bitcoins. It was to fund a transaction that in the end he did not go on to complete – and the Bitcoin was left unspent.
But now, eight years on, Thomas Sinclair, now the editor of The Pembrokeshire Herald, is on the hunt for a computer hard drive which is now worth over £1.4million.
The value of the internet crypto-currency has skyrocketed in recent years with Bitcoins, which were valued at just a few pence when the currency was launched in January 2009 skyrocketing to £8190 each today – over eight times the value of an ounce of gold.
Thomas Sinclair said: “The computer I used to buy the Bitcoin years ago developed a fault with the graphics card and I stopped using it.
“I suspect the parts were cannibalised to keep other computers going at our offices. I never throw anything away so the hard drive is bound to be somewhere – we are currently conducting a hunt to find it – without it I will not be able to use the Bitcoin.”
He added: “To be honest, I had completely forgotten about the Bitcoins – it was only recently when going through my bank statements I saw the purchase back in 2009 and remembered that I had not spent the £50.
“After asking colleagues in the office to check the value of the 175 coins I purchased I nearly fell off my chair when the answer of £1.4m was given to me – it is simply unbelievable!”
Glenn Alcock, Head of IT at The Pembrokeshire Herald, said: “This is certainly an interesting scenario, but as hard drives have a long lifespan, I’m confident we will be able to retrieve the data successfully.
“As the business has grown, we have accumulated a lot of PCs, so it will take quite a few hours to search through everything.
“Previous employees have not been very organised with storing hardware, so the biggest challenge for me right now is finding every hard drive in the building.
“We are looking for a 6.4GB hard drive manufactured in 1998.”
Jokingly he added: “When I successfully find the hard drive, and retrieve the data, I expect Mr Sinclair will be very generous with his reward.”
Using Bitcoin allows people to bypass banks and traditional payment processes to pay for goods and services directly.
Banks and other financial institutions have been concerned about Bitcoin’s associations with money laundering and online crime because transactions take place anonymously.
The soaring value of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies comes despite growing warnings over a price bubble.
The starkest warning came from the JP Morgan chief executive, Jamie Dimon, who said Bitcoin was a fraud that would ultimately blow up.
Speaking in September to media in the USA, he said there was a limited market for the digital currency, arguing that it was only fit for use by drug dealers, murderers and people living in countries such as North Korea.
He pledged to sack any JP Morgan trader investing in Bitcoin, but also admitted he had not been able to dissuade his daughter from investing.
Jordan Hiscott, the chief trader at Ayondo Markets, said: “The returns are truly remarkable, especially given the recent ban on Bitcoin trading in China, where demand had previously accounted for at least 10% of all global volumes.”
Of the more than 16.7 million Bitcoins in circulation, nearly 4 million could be lost forever, according to new research from digital forensics firm Chainalysis, based on a detailed empirical analysis of the blockchain — the ‘digital ledger’ which records all Bitcoin transactions, and which gives the currency its value.
That amounts to a staggering $30bn.
On analyst has explained why the amount of lost Bitcoins is so high: “When Bitcoins are produced, they have a private key associated with them. It works using key-pair cryptography — you have a public address and a private key that go together. The public address is what you use to send Bitcoins, the private key is what you need to spend them.
“If you lose the private key, because of the mathematics involved and the strength of the cryptographic system, which is what makes it so safe, it’s impossible to ever get it back. What’s commonly happened is people have just deleted the file off their computer — the text document that holds the private key.”

Community

Three Amigos Easter Run roars through Pembrokeshire

Published

3 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MOTORCYCLE enthusiasts turned out in force today (Saturday, March 28) as the popular Three Amigos Easter Run returned to the roads of Pembrokeshire.

The annual ride, now a firm favourite in the local biking calendar, saw a colourful convoy of motorbikes travel through towns and countryside, drawing crowds of spectators along the route.

Riders of all ages and backgrounds took part, with everything from classic machines to modern superbikes on display. Many participants embraced the Easter theme, with bikes decorated and riders donning festive outfits, adding to the atmosphere of the day.

The event is not only a celebration of the region’s strong motorcycling community but also an opportunity to bring people together, with families lining the streets to watch the procession pass through.

Organisers said the run once again highlighted the camaraderie among bikers and the support the event receives from local communities.

One rider said: “It’s a brilliant day every year. The turnout has been fantastic, and it’s great to see so many people out supporting us.”

The Three Amigos Easter Run has grown steadily in popularity, becoming a key date in the Easter weekend calendar and a showcase for Pembrokeshire’s vibrant biking scene.

With fine weather and strong attendance, this year’s event is expected to be remembered as one of the best yet.

Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald

Community

Classic car show returns to Carew airfield this summer

Published

3 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hundreds of vehicles, family attractions and local traders set for popular annual event

THE PEMBROKESHIRE CLASSIC CAR CLUB will once again bring a spectacular display of vintage motoring to Carew Airfield this summer, as its annual show returns on Saturday (June 6).

The much-anticipated event, running from 10:00am to 3:00pm, is expected to attract large crowds from across Pembrokeshire and beyond, with organisers promising a full day of entertainment for all ages.

Hundreds of classic cars will be on display, ranging from iconic British models to American classics, offering enthusiasts the chance to get up close to some of the finest vehicles on the road.

Alongside the cars, visitors can enjoy a wide range of attractions including craft stalls, food vendors, trade stands and free face painting for children, making it a popular day out for families.

The event will take place at Carew Airfield, a location well known for hosting large-scale gatherings, with easy access and ample space for exhibitors and visitors alike.

Organisers are encouraging car owners, traders and exhibitors to get involved, with applications now open for those wishing to showcase vehicles or run stalls on the day.

Admission prices have been kept affordable, with family tickets priced at £10, while adults and OAPs pay £5 and children £3. Both cash and card payments will be accepted.

A spokesperson for the club said the show continues to grow year on year, adding: “It’s a great opportunity to bring the community together, celebrate classic cars, and support local traders in a fantastic setting.”

For exhibitor and trade enquiries, contact [email protected]. Stall holders and car boot sellers can apply via [email protected].

Community

Residents evacuated after Carmarthenshire fire as investigation continues

Published

4 hours ago

March 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

EMERGENCY SERVICES remain at the scene of a serious property fire in Kidwelly as investigations continue and efforts are made to make the building safe.

The fire broke out on Lady Street in the early hours of Tuesday (March 24), prompting a multi-agency response involving Dyfed-Powys Police, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, and Carmarthenshire County Council.

As a precaution, neighbouring properties were evacuated due to safety concerns, with residents temporarily displaced while the structural integrity of the affected building is assessed.

Safety work underway

Contractors were due to begin work at 9:00am on Thursday (March 27) to stabilise the structure and allow investigators to safely access the site. Authorities say the priority is to ensure the building is secure so residents can return to their homes as soon as possible.

However, officials have stressed that this will not happen until the site is deemed safe.

Lady Street remains closed while the work is carried out, with disruption expected to continue in the area.

Appeal for information

Police have thanked the local community for their patience and support during the ongoing incident.

Officers are continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. They are particularly keen to hear from anyone with CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage recorded between 11:00pm on Monday (March 23) and 4:00am on Tuesday (March 24).

Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.