News
2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards Finalists announced

THE finalists for the 2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been announced.
In total, 252 nominations were received and, following a selection meeting, the judging panel has named 39 finalists.
Matt Freeman, Manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide nominations.
“Every year it gets harder to narrow the nominations down to three finalists and once again the quality of the nominees was enormously high.
“The number and quality of nominees just shows the strength of the sporting scene here in Pembrokeshire.
All the finalists will be invited to a grand presentation ceremony at Folly Farm on Friday, November 29th, where the winners will be announced.
The ceremony will also reveal the winners of two further categories – the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award.
The awards are organised by Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire County Council’s sport development team.
They are sponsored by Sport Pembrokeshire, Valero, Folly Farm and Pure West Radio.
The awards aim to recognise those people who have excelled in sport over the last 12 months, or who have given their time to coaching and organising grass roots sport.
Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2024 – Finalists
(In alphabetical order)
Coach of the Year
Francesca Morgan (Swimming)
Philippa Gale (Netball)
Tom Richards (Tennis)
Female Sporting Achievement
Gracie Griffiths (Race Walking)
Helen Carrington (Powerlifting)
Seren Thorne (Shooting)
Male Sporting Achievement
Jeremy Cross (Tennis)
Rhys Llewellyn (Athletics)
Sam Coleman (Powerboat Racing)
Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement
Carter Heywood (Football)
Hugo Boyce (Cycling)
Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)
Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement
Cerys Griffiths (Swimming)
Chloe John-Driscoll (Shooting)
Ffion Bowen (Football)
Disability Sport Award
Evelyn Thomas (Powerlifting)
Jules King (Crossfit)
Marc Evans (Cricket)
Junior (U16) Disability Sport Award
Finnley Walters (Boxing)
Jac Johnson (Gymnastics)
Lewis Crawford (Boccia)
Unsung Hero
John Laugharne (Rugby)
Owen Shanklin (Pool)
Sue Christopher (Surf Lifesaving)
Team Achievement of the Year
Alan Evans, Andrew Evans & Michael John (Short Mat Bowls)
Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club
Pembrokeshire County Bowls Team
Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year
Chaos Thunder U12’s Netball Team
Hakin United AFC u16’s
Neyland Yacht Club Junior Sailing Team
Young Volunteer of the Year
Anna May (Tennis & Surfing)
Caitlin Chapman (Netball)
George Richards (Cricket)
Club Organiser
Nadine Tyrrell (Gymnastics)
Nick Shelmerdine (Cricket)
Paul Hudson (Short Mat Bowls)
Club of the Year
Camrose AFC Women & Girls Football
Haverfordwest Gymnastics Club
Strength Academy Wales Cymru
Pictured above: The 2023 Club of the Year winner – Pembroke Cricket Club.
Community
Carmarthenshire man missing in Thailand: Last seen on Phi Phi Island

A 26-year-old man has been reported missing in Thailand after his family lost contact with him more than eight weeks ago.
Daniel Davies was last seen on March 13 on Phi Phi Island, a popular tourist destination in southern Thailand. He had been staying at the Hangover Hostel in Bangkok prior to his disappearance.
A missing person report has been filed with Dyfed-Powys Police, and the case is now listed under reference number DP-20250329-215.
Daniel is described as being around 6ft tall, of slim build, with blonde hair and a beard. He also has tattoo sleeves on both arms.

Echoes of the Lost – a national missing persons initiative – has now joined the appeal alongside SARS Cymru, urging anyone with information to come forward. In a statement, they said: “Daniel, if you happen to see this post, please get in contact with your family. They are worried. If you wish to message us to pass information along, please feel free to do so.”
His aunt, Nicola Doran, has been sharing emotional appeals online, writing: “My nephew Daniel Davies, 26, from Llanelli – he’s gone missing in Bangkok, Thailand. He’s been reported and is now a missing person. No one has had any contact in weeks.”
Friends and family have been spreading the appeal across social media, hoping someone in Thailand may have seen him. One post reads: “Can all my mates out in Thailand, Bangkok area, please share this and keep eyes out for my lil’ kuzen – he’s been missing 8 weeks over there.”
Daniel’s disappearance has been reported to Thai police, and the UK Foreign Office is understood to be aware of the case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police by emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk or calling 101, quoting reference DP-20250329-215.
Farming
Nonsense to base farm funding on population, says union

FARMERS in Wales have warned that changes to the way agricultural support is calculated could see them lose millions in future funding, as allocations move from a needs-based system to one based on population size.
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has criticised the shift, branding the move “nonsense” and “concerning,” arguing it fails to reflect the reality that Wales has more farms per head than England.
Under the former EU model, funding was distributed based on need. However, from 2025-26, support for Welsh farmers will be included in the Welsh Government’s overall budget and determined by the Barnett formula—a population-based mechanism.
Guto Bebb, Chief Executive of the FUW, told BBC Radio Wales: “This latest decision is very concerning because if there is any future increase in farm funding, Wales will be allocated a population-based 5.2% rather than the 9.2% share we previously received based on need.”
The change, announced in the UK Budget last October, has raised alarm bells among the farming community. Mr Bebb urged farmers and unions to ensure that politicians in Cardiff remain committed to backing what he described as a “crucial part of the rural economy.”
The First Minister, Eluned Morgan, had already voiced similar concerns earlier this year, warning the Welsh Affairs Committee in Westminster that the new model could leave Wales short-changed. “When it comes to agriculture, we should be significantly higher than 5%,” she said.
Despite the concerns, both the UK Treasury and Welsh Government have insisted the new settlement will benefit Welsh agriculture.
A spokesperson for HM Treasury said: “The Welsh Government is receiving over 20% more per person than the equivalent UK government spending in England. This translates to over £4 billion more in 2025-26. The full amount of agricultural funding from 2024-25 has been baselined into this settlement.”
Meanwhile, the Welsh Government said it welcomes having full discretion over agricultural support spending and confirmed that more than £366 million has been allocated this year—an increase from the previous year when farm funding was still ringfenced.
However, farming leaders remain sceptical, warning that the shift could jeopardise livelihoods in rural communities if funding does not continue to reflect the true scale and nature of Wales’ agricultural sector.
Farming
Bird flu restrictions lifted after major outbreak in Shropshire

BIRD FLU restrictions requiring poultry and captive birds to be housed indoors in part of Shropshire have been lifted.
The measures were introduced in January following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at Griffiths Family Farms, part of Oakland Farm Eggs, near Wem.
A 3km protection zone and a wider 10km surveillance zone were established around the site. The surveillance zone extended into the Wrexham local authority area.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed that disease control measures have now been completed. The area previously within the protection zone is now part of the surveillance zone only.

Around one million hens had to be culled at the site—one of the largest poultry farms in the UK—after the virus was detected in the flock.
Under protection zone rules, all poultry and captive birds must be kept indoors. Surveillance zone rules require premises to keep records of all poultry and egg movements in and out of the area.
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