Volunteers diverted mid-exercise to help casualty at slipway

CREW from Angle RNLI were called into action yesterday afternoon after being diverted from a training exercise to assist with a medical emergency at Neyland Slipway.

The all-weather lifeboat was afloat on an extended navigation exercise when the request for assistance came in at 2:44pm. At the time, the crew were operating off Milford Shelf and immediately made best speed towards Neyland.

On arrival, the lifeboat’s inflatable Y-boat was launched, allowing casualty care-trained volunteers to reach the shore quickly. Crew members assessed the casualty and provided immediate assistance while coordinating with emergency services.

Working alongside Dale Coastguard Rescue Team and the Welsh Ambulance Service, the volunteers helped safely extract the casualty from the slipway and transfer them for further treatment.

Once the incident was concluded, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station, where it was cleaned, refuelled and readied for service again by 4:30pm.

A spokesperson said the call-out highlighted how quickly routine training can turn into a real-life rescue, with crews ready to respond at a moment’s notice.

Community to gather for Jozef Polak’s funeral after sudden death in Cyprus

THE PEMBROKESHIRE community will come together on Valentine’s Day to say a final goodbye to much-loved scaffolding firm boss Jozef Mcleod Polak, who died suddenly while abroad.

Jozef, aged 41, of Johnston, passed away unexpectedly in Cyprus on January 14, leaving family, friends and colleagues devastated by the loss.

Well known through his business, JP Scaffolding, and his long-standing support for local causes and sport, he was widely described as a warm-hearted, larger-than-life character who would help anyone without hesitation.

Tributes poured in within hours of the news breaking.

“My best mate… taken too soon,” wrote Adam Rogers. Timothy Jones added: “Sad news. RIP mate,” while Gareth Williams said: “RIP Joe thoughts with all the family.”

Others spoke of his humour and generosity. Ginge Davies said: “Rip JP truly a great guy… a complete nutter with a heart of gold… he was such a good laugh.”

Friends who had known him since childhood remembered a polite and kind young man. Simon Narbett said: “Spent many weekends around our house as a kid in Johnston… always very polite and well mannered boy, nice family too. RIP Jozef.”

The sense of shock was clear across social media, with many saying the news was hard to believe.

Jozef was also a long-standing supporter of The Pembrokeshire Herald, advertising regularly and remaining a valued customer for more than a decade. The Herald team worked with him on a number of stories over the years, including coverage linked to the collapse of Mustang Marine which affected several local contractors.

At Johnston Football Club, where he was a familiar and trusted figure, tributes described him as a “club legend”.

The club said his connection stretched back years through family sponsorship before he stepped up his own involvement around 2012 — a period that saw Johnston enjoy one of the most successful spells in its history, including lifting the West Wales Cup.

His backing was practical as well as financial. Over the years he helped provide more than 20 senior kits, along with junior and minis kits, balls, training gear and tracksuits. He also stepped in to help with maintenance work around the ground.

“We never had to ask twice,” the club said, adding that in recent years it became routine to call him whenever something needed sorting. “He’d simply ask, ‘How much do you want?’”

Family and friends will now gather to pay their respects at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, on Saturday, February 14 at 1:00pm.

Family flowers only are requested. Donations in Jozef’s memory may be made to NSPCC, supporting the charity’s work protecting children.

For many in Johnston, his passing leaves a gap that will be hard to fill — a familiar face, a generous supporter, and, as one friend put it simply, “one of the good ones.”

Artist Jeanne Lewis recognised as Pembroke celebrates 20 years of historic artwork

MRS JEANNE LEWIS and her daughter were guests of honour at a special presentation at Pembroke Town Hall on Tuesday to mark the 20th anniversary of the historic murals installed inside the building.

Two handcrafted benches, gifted by Pembroke Town Council, were presented in appreciation of the artwork created by Jeanne and her late husband, George Lewis, whose striking panels have become a defining feature of the Hall over the past two decades.

The murals, which vividly depict scenes from Pembroke’s past, have long drawn praise from residents and visitors alike for their scale, colour and intricate storytelling.

The Mayor of Pembroke, Gareth Jones, joined councillors and volunteers from Pembroke Museum to present Mrs Lewis with a Certificate of Appreciation and a bouquet of flowers in recognition of the couple’s lasting artistic legacy.

Councillor Jones said the town was “extremely fortunate and deeply privileged” to house the collection.

He added: “People often walk into the Town Hall and simply stop to look. The detail and the history captured in these murals are remarkable. They give visitors a real sense of Pembroke’s story and reflect the dedication and talent Jeanne and George brought to the project.”

Twenty years on, the artwork continues to enrich the civic building, ensuring the Lewis family’s contribution remains at the heart of the town’s heritage.

Photo caption: Jeanne Lewis receives a certificate from Mayor Gareth Jones at Pembroke Town Hall, marking 20 years since the installation of the town’s historic murals (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald).