Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

Community

Transport minister rejects calls for free youth travel

Published

on

THE WELSH Government poured cold water on calls for free public transport for young people.

Ken Skates, Wales’ transport secretary, warned that financial pressures make it impossible to both bring buses back under public control and offer free transport for youngsters.

In his response to a Senedd report on free public transport, Mr Skates said the Welsh Government would instead focus limited resources on reversing 40 years of privatisation.

He said: “We cannot commit to free fares for young people at this time.”

Wales’ children’s commissioner, petitioners and the Welsh Youth Parliament have all added their voices to a chorus of calls for a free travel scheme.

And, as part of an inquiry, Senedd members took evidence on the feasibility of Wales following Scotland’s lead by making buses free for under-22s.

But the Welsh Government rejected half of the petitions committee recommendations.

Carolyn Thomas, who chairs the committee, raised petitioners’ concerns about public transport being unaffordable, with rail, coach and bus tickets up 33 to 74% in ten years.

She said this is especially worrying given that 23% of people have no access to a car.

Leading a Senedd debate on October 9, the Labour MS said the Welsh Government had hoped to explore capped fares but budgetary pressures have made this difficult.

Ms Thomas, who is also chair of the cross-party group on public transport, warned much is hanging on planned bus reforms and the introduction of franchising.

She told the Senedd: “I believe that the will is there to replace existing concessions with universal free or low-cost travel for our young people here in Wales.

“I am hopeful that, even in these straitened times, a way can be found to achieve this sooner rather than later. And, in the meantime, young people will continue to struggle.

“They deserve the best that can be offered to help them to thrive.”

The Conservatives’ Peter Fox said free public transport for young people has long been a policy that his party has advocated for.

Mr Fox, who represents Monmouth, told the Senedd a free travel scheme would help young people broaden their horizons and reach their full potential.

The former council leader raised concerns about the accessibility of public transport, particularly in rural Wales, due to “chronic underfunding”.

Mr Fox said Wales desperately needs investment to drastically improve public transport as he urged Welsh ministers not to “settle for being shortchanged” by Westminster.

He said: “This Welsh Government must make Wales a more inviting place for young people, providing them with more opportunities and a greater ability to move around.”

Peredur Owen Griffiths, Plaid Cymru’s shadow transport secretary, described the context for the committee’s report as stark with a cost-of-living crisis, a pandemic and years of austerity.

He asked: “Is it any wonder our young people are looking for some hope?”

Mr Owen Griffiths criticised “chronic underinvestment” in the rail network and “massive cuts” to bus services while the costs continue to increase.

He said soaring fares hit young people hardest because they often rely on public transport to access education, employment and social opportunities.

Mr Owen Griffiths, who represents South Wales East, warned Wales has the highest number of young people not in employment, education or training across the UK.

Responding to the debate, Mr Skates stressed that the Welsh Government fully supports the conclusions of the report and recognises the potential benefits.

But, pointing to continued funding constraints, the transport secretary said the focus will be on driving forward progress on a bus bill to enable changes to fare structures.

He told the Senedd he has asked officials to work with the children’s commissioner’s office to understand the barriers to encouraging more young people to use public transport.

Mr Skates pointed to the Welsh Government-funded MyTravelPass discount scheme.

The transport secretary committed to developing a fairer fares scheme in future “as we take back control of public transport in Wales”.

Community

Cadets take aim at success with new shooting range

Published

on

Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Air Cadets make history

A HISTORIC first for young aviation enthusiasts in West Wales! RAF Air Cadets from 2420 (Whitland & District) Squadron are celebrating a game-changing moment after securing vital funding from Sport Wales to enhance their training and skills.

Thanks to this boost, the squadron has officially launched its first-ever air rifle range, bringing a brand-new dimension to cadet activities in the region.

Hitting the target

The funding has allowed cadets from Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to access top-tier marksmanship training, with their inaugural air rifle range session taking place in January 2025.

Not only does this initiative provide cadets with essential shooting skills, but it also gives them the chance to compete in the prestigious BSA Silver Trophy postal competition this March. Success in the competition could see them earning the coveted gold shooting badge—an honour not achieved in the area for years!

“A fantastic opportunity!”

Squadron Officer Commanding, Flight Sergeant Rick Fisher, hailed the new range as a game-changer for cadet training: “It has been fantastic to see the cadets engage with air rifle shooting. Access to a new range and equipment has given them a unique opportunity to develop their skills and work towards a significant milestone in the squadron’s history.”

Shooting for success

With the squadron now firing on all cylinders, the future looks bright for these young cadets as they hone their marksmanship and set their sights on competition victories.

If you’ve ever dreamed of being an Air Cadet, this could be your moment! Cadets can join from age 12 (if in Year 8) up to 17—and with thrilling experiences like flying, adventure training, and now air rifle shooting, there’s never been a better time to get involved.

📍 Local squadrons meet in Tenby, Pembroke Dock, and Haverfordwest.
🔗 Find out more: RAF Air Cadets website

Continue Reading

Community

Drenched ride dismantled at Oakwood Theme Park

Published

on

ONE of the main rides at Pembrokeshire’s Oakwood Theme Park—where a girl tragically died more than 20 years ago—is being dismantled for good.

The high-speed water ride Drenched, formerly known as Hydro, has been at the centre of activity this week, with photos online showing large cranes surrounding the structure. Sections of the ride, including its 85-degree drop, are missing, fuelling speculation that it is being permanently removed.

Oakwood Theme Park has now confirmed the ride’s removal.

A spokesperson for the park said: “We can confirm that after 20-plus years of operation, Drenched has been retired from the Oakwood Theme Park offering and is being dismantled.

“We look forward to sharing other park updates when we commence the build-up to the 2025 season.”

Tragedy and controversy

Hydro first opened at the park near Canaston Bridge in 2002. However, just two years later, tragedy struck when 16-year-old Hayley Williams, from Pontypool, fell 120 feet from the top of the ride.

An inquest into her death heard that a safety bar meant to restrain passengers had not been lowered before the ride started. The attraction was closed for a year before reopening with over-the-shoulder restraints fitted to its 24-seater car.

In 2008, the park’s then-owners, Oakwood Leisure, were fined £250,000 after admitting that staff had failed to ensure passengers were safely restrained.

That same year, Oakwood was acquired by Spanish international leisure park company Aspro, which rebranded the ride as Drenched in 2011.

Ride stood idle for two years

Drenched, a record-breaking Intamin Mega Splash water ride, has not operated for over two years.

Speculation over its future grew this week after a photo surfaced on theme park forum TowersTimes, showing the ride being dismantled. A post on the CoasterForce Facebook group questioned whether the attraction was leaving Oakwood for good.

The post read: “Oakwood’s Intamin Mega Splash water ride, which first opened in 2002, looks as though it could be about to leave the park permanently.

“News of the ride’s rumoured departure broke online on Wednesday (Feb 5) when an image showing Drenched being dismantled surfaced on TowersTimes.”

The user who shared the photo noted that three large cranes were in place, and significant sections of the ride, including its iconic drop and turnaround section, had already been removed.

Mixed reactions from fans

Theme park enthusiasts reacted with disappointment to the news.

One forum user wrote: “Really sad to see, but not overly surprising.

“As someone who really loves the park and has such nostalgia for it, it’s painful to see the lack of investment from the parent company.”

With Drenched now being dismantled, Oakwood Theme Park is yet to reveal what, if anything, will replace it.

Continue Reading

Community

National triumph: Pembrokeshire pub ranked among the friendliest in UK

Published

on

A PEMBROKESHIRE pub has been named one of the friendliest in the UK, according to a new study.

The White Hart Inn in St Dogmaels has been ranked the second friendliest pub in Britain, with 66.67% of its Tripadvisor reviews highlighting its welcoming atmosphere.

The study, conducted by security experts at Get Licensed, assessed community pubs across the UK by examining Tripadvisor ratings, the percentage of reviews mentioning words like ‘friendly’ and ‘welcoming’, and local crime statistics.

The White Hart Inn scored 8.27 out of 10 for friendliness, narrowly missing out on the top spot to The Fishers Arms in Horncliffe, Northumberland, which scored 8.57.

A Community’s Triumph

The White Hart Inn, which began trading in 1769, faced closure in May 2019 when its previous owners decided to sell the property. Refusing to let their last traditional pub be lost, the residents of St Dogmaels embarked on a two-year fundraising and campaigning journey to purchase and refurbish the establishment. Their efforts culminated in the successful acquisition of the pub on January 18, 2021, transforming it into The White Hart Community Inn. Today, the pub thrives as a community-owned hub, supported by over 550 shareholders from around the world, including locals and supporters from as far as Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada.

A Hub for Local Events

Beyond its role as a pub, the White Hart Inn serves as a central venue for various community events. It hosts regular live music sessions, quiz nights, and themed events that cater to both locals and visitors. The establishment also supports local artists by displaying their works, contributing to the village’s vibrant cultural scene. Additionally, the pub offers a selection of locally sourced food and beverages, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Pembrokeshire.

Top 10 Friendliest Pubs in the UK

  1. The Fishers Arms – Horncliffe, Northumberland
  2. White Hart Inn – St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire
  3. Case is Altered – Bentley, Suffolk
  4. Station – Knebworth, Hertfordshire
  5. Plough Inn – Longparish, Hampshire
  6. Garibaldi – Bourne End, Buckinghamshire
  7. Lamarsh Lion – Lamarsh, Essex
  8. Cask Inn – Scarborough, North Yorkshire
  9. Black Horse – Walcote, Leicestershire
  10. Y Pengwern – Llan Ffestiniog, Gwynedd

According to the study, the friendliest pubs are often found in areas with lower crime rates, with researchers suggesting that these venues play an important role in fostering a sense of community.

Shahzad Ali, CEO of Get Licensed, said: “Prioritizing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in pubs isn’t just good for business, it’s essential for creating a safe environment. Our research shows that the friendliest pubs tend to be in areas with lower crime rates, highlighting the role pubs can play in deterring crime.”

While Pembrokeshire’s White Hart Inn is among the most welcoming, the study found that London had the least friendly pubs, scoring just 0.56 out of 10. Researchers found that nearly 24% of reviews for London pubs included words such as ‘unfriendly’, ‘hostile’, and ‘rude’.

For the full ranking and research details, visit Get Licensed’s website.

Continue Reading

Business2 days ago

Shoplifting crisis: National attention on Pembrokeshire’s favourite seaside town

THE PICTURESQUE seaside town of Tenby, known for its golden beaches and bustling tourism industry, is now making headlines for...

News3 days ago

Threatening email revealed: Why Neyland’s clerk missed controversial meeting

A THREATENING email sent by Neyland Town Councillor David Devauden has been revealed, shedding new light on the Clerk’s absence...

Crime3 days ago

Man in court over baby’s death in Tenby car park

A MAN accused of causing the death of a six-month-old baby in a car park incident in Tenby has appeared...

featured4 days ago

Culture of fear exposed in damning fire service report

Haverfordwest ‘at the centre’ of Mid and West Wales Fire Service scandal A DAMNING independent cultural review into Mid and...

Business4 days ago

£8.2 million for Port Talbot regeneration—what it means for West Wales

THE FIRST of Port Talbot’s growth and regeneration projects is set to receive £8.2 million from the Tata Steel /...

News5 days ago

Neyland Town Council meeting descends in to chaos

Public calls for mayor’s resignation as councillors clash as clerk’s mother seeks co-option A MEETING of Neyland Town Council descended...

Crime5 days ago

Gwent Police officer from Pembrokeshire accused of making sexual comments to women

A POLICE officer from Pembrokeshire has been accused of making degrading sexual comments to women he met while on duty...

News6 days ago

Welsh Government budget faces fresh hurdles as scrutiny intensifies

Finance committee slams spending plan amid political deadlock THE WELSH GOVERNMENT is facing mounting challenges in passing its 2025-26 budget,...

Crime7 days ago

Girl, 14, guilty of attempted murder in school stabbing

A 14-YEAR-OLD girl who stabbed two teachers and a pupil at a Carmarthenshire school has been found guilty of attempted...

Crime7 days ago

Dyfed-Powys police precept was increased despite ‘transparency concerns’

Panel backs 8.6% rise as funding pressures mount, but questions remain over spending priorities THE DYFED-POWYS POLICE and Crime Panel...

Popular This Week