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Puffin found 110 miles inland released back into the wild in Pembrokeshire

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Rare rescue sees seabird named Oona nursed back to health after landing in Herefordshire garden

A PUFFIN that somehow found its way more than 100 miles inland has been returned to the sea in Pembrokeshire after being rescued in a Herefordshire garden.

The bird, affectionately named Oona after a children’s book character, was discovered in June in the landlocked county — some 110 miles from the coast — and taken to Vets for Pets in Hereford. At just 218g, around half the normal weight for an adult puffin, she was underweight but otherwise alert.

Wildlife vet David Couper from the RSPCA provided guidance on her initial care, and once stabilised, Oona was transferred to the charity’s specialist West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Somerset. Staff there say puffin patients are extremely rare — only six have been treated at the centre in the past ten years.

Ryan Walker, Wildlife Supervisor at West Hatch, said: “Finding a puffin that far inland is extraordinary. She quickly became a bit of a star here. Our team gave her a good clean-up, helped her regain strength, and she did really well during her stay with us.”

Following her rehabilitation, which included nutritious fish meals and time in a recovery pool, Oona was returned to the sea off the coast of Pembrokeshire — home to Wales’ best-known puffin colonies, particularly on Skomer Island.

Puffins typically breed in coastal colonies, raising their chicks in burrows during spring and summer before spending the rest of the year out at sea. It’s rare for them to be found inland unless blown off course or affected by illness or exhaustion.

Oona’s story is just one of thousands seen by the RSPCA each year. In 2024, the charity took in over 10,000 wild animals across its four dedicated wildlife centres, with many found injured, orphaned or sick in people’s gardens.

The RSPCA is urging the public to act quickly if they find an animal in distress. Where safe, they should take the animal directly to a vet or consult advice on the charity’s website: www.rspca.org.uk/reportcruelty

 

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Residents return home after major Carmarthenshire fire as probe continues

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RESIDENTS forced to evacuate their homes following a major fire in Kidwelly have now been allowed to return, as emergency services confirm the scene has been stood down.

The blaze broke out at a property on Lady Street in the early hours of Tuesday (March 24), with emergency services called at around 4:20am. Several neighbouring homes were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters tackled the incident and assessed the safety of surrounding buildings.

In the latest update, Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that officers have now left the scene and displaced residents were able to return to their properties on Thursday evening (March 26), following work to make the affected building safe.

The incident caused significant disruption in the town, with Lady Street remaining closed while further work is carried out to ensure the safety of the highway and surrounding structures.

Emergency services, including Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, were on the scene for several hours during the initial response. Crews were understood to have dealt with a serious property fire, prompting a large-scale emergency operation in the centre of the town.

While the immediate danger has now passed, authorities have confirmed that investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with relevant information to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have CCTV, doorbell, or dashcam footage from the area between 11:00pm on Monday (March 23) and 4:00am on Tuesday (March 24).

Anyone with information is urged to contact police quoting reference 027 of 24/3, either via 101, online, or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Authorities thanked residents and the wider community for their patience during the incident, which saw homes evacuated and roads closed while emergency services carried out their work.

Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.

 

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West Wales fire crews sharpen skills in major training exercise

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FIREFIGHTERS from across west Wales took part in a large-scale training exercise designed to sharpen operational skills and strengthen teamwork.

Crews from the Western Division of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended the development day at Earlswood Training Centre on Sunday (March 22).

Personnel travelled from stations including Carmarthen, Tumble, Newcastle Emlyn, Milford Haven, Narberth and Pontyates to take part in the exercise.

Realistic scenarios

Firefighters were put through a series of realistic scenarios designed to reflect incidents they may face on duty.

These included house fires with people reported inside, kitchen fires, and multi-vehicle road traffic collisions. Crews also carried out specialist line rescue exercises as part of the day.

Support staff played the roles of casualties and members of the public, adding to the realism and allowing firefighters to test their responses in lifelike conditions.

Large-scale finale

The training culminated in a complex car fire scenario involving a vehicle inside a garage attached to a property, with reports of people trapped.

Teams worked together as they would at a real incident, tackling the fire while carrying out rescues within the building.

Building capability

The exercise was described as a success, helping to build operational confidence and improve coordination between different stations.

It also provided an opportunity for crews to share knowledge and specialist skills, strengthening the overall capability of the service.

The training forms part of ongoing efforts to ensure firefighters remain prepared to respond to a wide range of emergencies across the region.

 

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Three Amigos Easter Run roars through Pembrokeshire

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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

 

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