News
Drakeford: ‘doesn’t listen, doesn’t read’
WHILE protestors outside the Senedd called for him to address them face-to-face, Welsh Health Minister Mark Drakeford hid behind a statement consisting of bland and complacent reassurance. The crowd called his name and cried “shame” as the former social policy academic remained inside the building. Accused of not listening to protestors and ignoring their concerns, further evidence of the Minister’s tangential grip on his brief emerged following the publication of a letter to Rebecca Evans AM for Mid and West Wales dated June 15. Rebecca Evans had drawn the Minister’s attention to Dr Martin Simmonds’ open letter to the Health Board, which slammed the Board’s plans for scrapping paediatric care at Withybush Hospital and replacing it with a lick and promise. The closing part of Professor Drakeford’s letter has caused some surprise among Withybush staff at the sharp end of the Board’s decision to slash services in Pembrokeshire. Staff have been told to relocate or else leave, with no prospect of redundancy pay if they refuse to uproot themselves and their family to work at Carmarthen. Putting it in terms that Mark Drakeford will perhaps understand, the Health Board will centralize key services at a location as remote from Pembrokeshire’s western Coast as Brecon is from his home in Pontcanna. In relation to Paediatric care, Dr Simmonds’ letter read in part [emphases added]: “I do not know of ANY paediatricians in Hywel Dda who have given their support to this service model. “Work undertaken by two senior nurses at Withybush has produced research indicating that the risk assessment for a PAU here indicates that it is neither SAFE nor resilient enough to serve the needs of the local population this remote from the hub Paediatric inpatient base.” Apparently, Mark Drakeford read Dr Simmonds’ words differently. He notes that “the Health Board will CONSIDER DELAYING implementation of the paediatric component of change to ensure the maintenance of safe services.” The response appears to indicate that, contrary to the Health Board’s repeated claims, the proposed changes are far from being “clinician-led” Note, please, the conditional expression. It is the same as that which accompanied the original conditional pledge to maintain paediatric services at Withybush in January 2013. Events have shown the true value of those words. The CHC were duped by the Board’s reassurance. If they had not been, events would have been very different. Stripped of the pretence of their changes being clinician-led, the Board’s plan to downgrade Withybush would have been laid bare for all to see. That observation rather gives the lie to another bland statement made by Mark Drakeford in his letter to Rebecca Evans: “I am advised that paediatricians support [the changes to neonatal or maternity services].” Quite how Mark Drakeford squares his assertion on the change to neonatal and maternity care with the outrage felt by clinicians at Withybush that their concerns were swept under the carpet by the Board; or worse, as Dr Simmonds suggests, the Board kept asking clinical staff questions and harassing them until it got the answers it wanted. “Please be assured that Dr Simmonds’ comments have been noted by myself and the Health Board. There is no intention to implement a service which is not supported by clinical advice or presents a material risk to patients’ health.” Quite how Mark Drakeford squares the content of his last sentence with the categorical content of Dr Simmonds’ letter is not made clear. Whether Mark Drakeford read Dr Simmonds letter or merely “noted” it, his reply to Rebecca Evans demonstrates that he has not understood it. If Mark Drakeford is unaware of the catastrophic effect on Pembrokeshire of what the Health Board is up to, it is because he and the Welsh Government are wilfully turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the obvious.
Community
Doorstep warning issued after reports of suspicious callers in Pembrokeshire
Residents in Haverfordwest and St Davids urged to watch out for vulnerable neighbours after social media alerts
A WARNING has been issued to residents in parts of Pembrokeshire after separate social media reports of suspicious doorstep callers in both Haverfordwest and St Davids.
In Haverfordwest one resident said a man called at his home at around 6:10pm on Tuesday (Apr 14), claiming he was an ex-convict from South Shields selling cheap household goods in an effort to get his life back on track.
The Merlins Bridge resident said the man claimed there was a wider team operating in the area in a similar way. He reported that the caller then knocked at several more homes along Venns Close before heading towards Greenhill Drive and the roundabout.
The man was described as wearing black waterproof trousers and a royal blue waterproof coat, with dark medium-length hair and no hat. He was also said to be carrying a large holdall, possibly containing items for sale.
In a separate post circulating online, residents in St Davids were also warned to be cautious after reports of men wearing backpacks and baseball caps going door-to-door.
The post claimed police had been in the area several times during the day looking for the individuals. Residents were urged to keep doors locked and to contact police if they saw anything suspicious.
While none of the claims have been independently verified by The Herald, the reports have prompted calls for people to remain vigilant, secure doors, gates and vehicles, and check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.
Residents suggested the activity may be linked to so-called “Nottingham Knockers”, a term often used to describe cold callers selling goods door-to-door, sometimes amid concerns that vulnerable households may be targeted.
He said he had reported the Haverfordwest incident to Dyfed-Powys Police via the force’s website. The reference number given was CDS-76190-26-6300-002.
Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour is advised to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police.
Crime
Romino’s licence revoked after illegal workers found and fire risks exposed
Takeaway in Cardigan ordered to shut by 11:00pm after council hearing backed by immigration officials, police and fire service
A TAKEAWAY in Cardigan has lost its premises licence after repeated enforcement visits uncovered illegal working and serious fire safety failings.
Ceredigion County Council’s Licensing Sub Committee decided to revoke the premises licence for Romino’s Pizza and Kebab following a hearing held on Monday, April 7.
The review was brought by Home Office Immigration Enforcement and supported by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Dyfed-Powys Police.
During four separate visits to the business, officers found a total of eight people said to be working illegally at the premises.
Fire safety inspectors also identified a number of serious breaches, leading to prohibition notices being issued because of the risks posed to staff, customers and the wider public.
The committee concluded that revoking the licence was proportionate and necessary in order to uphold the licensing objectives, in particular the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of public safety.
As a result of the decision, the business will now be required to close at 11:00pm unless an appeal is lodged.
A spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council said: “We welcome the Licensing Sub Committee’s decision to revoke the Premises Licence for Romino’s in Cardigan. This reflects the seriousness of the issues identified and the clear risks posed.”
The action follows earlier enforcement steps taken in March.
On March 5, immigration officers visited the premises and found two Turkish men allegedly working there illegally. A closure notice was issued at once, preventing access to the site and stopping any work from taking place.
The Home Office said that on three previous visits, a further six people had been found working illegally at the same business. Those responsible were handed fines totalling £135,000.
An illegal working compliance order was later granted at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 6. Such orders place strict conditions on a business, including requirements to carry out right-to-work checks and permit ongoing inspections.
Although the takeaway later reopened, the Home Office pressed ahead with its application for a licence review on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder.
A spokesperson said illegal working harms lawful businesses, drives down wages and can be linked to organised immigration crime.
Business
Sauna Uno brings coastal wellness experience to West Wales
Bespoke mobile sauna offers sea views, cold-water immersion and private group bookings along the Pembrokeshire coast
A UNIQUE mobile sauna experience is bringing a fresh take on relaxation and wellbeing to the West Wales coast, combining traditional heat therapy with sea air, cold-water immersion and some of the region’s most dramatic views.
Sauna Uno is a custom-built mobile sauna designed to offer guests the benefits of a Nordic-style sauna experience in a striking coastal setting. Operating from selected locations in West Wales, it allows visitors to step from the warmth of a wood-fired sauna into the open air, with the option of a cold plunge or sea swim as part of the ritual.
Set against the backdrop of beaches, cliffs and Atlantic skies, the experience is built around contrast — intense heat followed by cold water, shared conversation followed by quiet reflection, and the comfort of the sauna against the raw beauty of the Pembrokeshire coastline.

Designed for comfort
Inside, Sauna Uno has been carefully designed to create a welcoming and practical space for both individuals and groups. The sauna includes a spacious seating area, large viewing windows, heated changing facilities, and a selection of herbal teas, cold water and natural essential oils to enhance the experience.
The aim is to combine the health benefits of sauna use with the calming effect of the coastal environment, creating something that feels both restorative and memorable.
Its owners say the concept is about more than simply getting warm.
Sauna Uno is intended to offer people the chance to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy a moment of calm in a busy world — whether that is after a sea swim, as part of a wellness session, or simply as a social experience with friends.

Popular for groups and private hire
The mobile sauna has proved especially popular for group bookings, with enough space for friends, families and small parties to enjoy the experience together.
Bookings are regularly made for birthdays, private gatherings, group wellness sessions and retreat-style coastal days out. The setting, combined with the shared nature of the sauna experience, has made it an increasingly attractive alternative to more traditional celebrations.
To encourage group celebrations, Sauna Uno is currently offering a ten per cent discount on birthday group bookings.
That offer is expected to appeal to those looking for something a little different — an occasion centred on wellbeing, the outdoors and spending quality time together rather than the usual restaurant or nightlife options.
A growing wellness trend
Sauna culture has grown in popularity across the UK in recent years, with more people turning to heat therapy, cold-water immersion and outdoor wellness experiences as a way to support both physical and mental health.
Regular sauna use is commonly linked to improved circulation, muscle recovery, reduced tension and stress relief. Many enthusiasts also say the combination of heat and cold helps improve mental clarity, resilience and overall wellbeing.
At coastal sites, that effect can be heightened by the surrounding landscape, fresh air and sea views, turning a sauna session into a more immersive experience.
Visitors to Sauna Uno have praised the quality of the heat, the design of the sauna and the peaceful atmosphere created by the coastal locations. Sunset sessions and winter bookings have proved particularly popular, with many describing the combination of hot sauna and cold sea air as both invigorating and deeply calming.
Making the most of the coast
By operating as a mobile unit, Sauna Uno is able to make use of carefully chosen coastal spots across West Wales, bringing the experience closer to the sea and giving guests access to some of the area’s most scenic locations.
For many, that sense of place is what sets it apart.
Rather than being tucked away indoors, Sauna Uno makes the natural environment part of the experience itself — offering a way to enjoy the coast in all seasons, whether under clear skies, in the golden light of sunset, or with wild weather rolling in off the Atlantic.
With interest continuing to grow and weekend sessions often booked in advance, organisers are encouraging people to plan ahead for private hire, birthday bookings and group visits.
For bookings and enquiries, their Facebook page can also be found by searching Sauna Uno.
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