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Dealership boss speaks of heartbreak and hope after devastating fire

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THE MANAGING DIRECTOR of a prominent car dealership has spoken about the “heartbreak” of making staff redundant for the first time in its history following a “devastating” fire.

Philip Skinner, joint managing director of Ron Skinner and Sons, described “sleepless nights” and “a lot of worry” after the blaze that tore through the company’s Tredegar site in August. However, he also shared his family’s resolve to rebuild, with the recent opening of a showroom marking a “new era” for the business.

Philip Skinner, joint managing director of Ron Skinner and Sons (Pic: BBC)

The fire destroyed more than 350 cars and machinery, with estimated losses running into the millions. Eighteen employees were made redundant as a result, a first in the company’s decades-long history.

The fire, reported early on Saturday, August 16, consumed the entire Tredegar building.

“By the time I got here, the whole building was ablaze. I couldn’t believe the scale of it,” said Mr Skinner. Firefighters worked only on the building’s perimeter due to the fire’s intensity, which was exacerbated by the stock.

Philip and his brother Mark, also a managing director, were left in shock but knew they needed to inform their mother, 88-year-old Rachel Skinner, who co-founded the business in 1968 with her late husband, Ron Skinner.

“She had a good 10-minute cry,” said Philip. “But by that afternoon, she told us, ‘Boys, roll up your sleeves and get it put back up.’”

Rebuilding the business

The journey to rebuild has been challenging. “Nothing was recoverable—everything was completely destroyed, even cars outside were burnt to shells,” said Philip. Wages and large bills had to be met despite the devastation, pushing the family business to its financial limits.

Family and friends rallied to help, contributing funds to stabilize the company, which also operates showrooms in Cardiff, Pembrokeshire, and Carmarthenshire. Despite this support, talks with insurers made clear that job losses were unavoidable.

“It was heartbreaking to see people I’ve worked with for so long take voluntary redundancy and leave,” Philip admitted.

While the fire and redundancies hit the company hard, the Pembrokeshire showroom continues to thrive, playing a vital role in maintaining the business’s regional presence. “Our Pembrokeshire site has always been a stronghold, and the community here has shown immense support,” said Mr Skinner.

The company’s new Tredegar showroom opened recently, smaller than the old site but full of promise. Sales manager Jonathan Robinson, who has worked with the company for 12 years, said: “The response has been incredible. It was so heartening to see the community rally around us despite Storm Bert.”

Philip Skinner is optimistic about the future. “It feels like going back 25 years to one of our oldest sites and starting fresh. This is the beginning of a new era for Ron Skinner and Sons.”

Determined family: The Skinners have rebuilt the business after fire destruction (Pic: Ron Skinner and Sons).

 

Entertainment

Yourythmics brings Eurythmics classics to the Torch

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Full-band tribute show led by award-winning Annie Lennox lookalike Stacy Green promises a night of eighties nostalgia in Milford Haven

THE TORCH THEATRE in Milford Haven is inviting audiences to celebrate one of the biggest acts of the 1980s with a night of unforgettable hits and nostalgia.

Taking fans on a journey back in time, Yourythmics brings the music of Eurythmics to life with favourites including Love is a Stranger, Here Comes the Rain Again, Would I Lie to You?, Right by Your Side and, of course, the chart-topping Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).

Yourythmics promises the ultimate full-band tribute to the legendary duo, combining energetic musicianship, striking costumes and plenty of audience participation. Leading the show is Stacy Green as Annie Lennox.

Stacy has already earned recognition as the UK’s number one Annie Lennox tribute and lookalike, an honour awarded by the National Agents Association. She has also been recognised by Annie Lennox herself.

The production promises an evening of singing, dancing and classic songs that are sure to have audiences on their feet and joining in.

Yourythmics comes to the Torch Theatre on Saturday, June 20 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are £25 and can be booked through the Torch Theatre website or by calling the Box Office on 01646 695267.

 

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Crime

Victims left in the dark after release errors, commissioner warns

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Claire Waxman backs urgent reform after review exposes failures in how victims are notified when offenders are freed by mistake

VICTIMS are still being failed by the justice system when offenders are released in error, the Victims’ Commissioner for England and Wales has warned.

Claire Waxman OBE spoke out after the publication of Dame Lynne Owens’ independent review into releases in error, which was published by the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday (Apr 15). The Government said it had accepted all 33 recommendations in principle and would take forward those that can be delivered within the current spending period.

The review was commissioned after the mistaken release of Hadush Kebatu from HMP Chelmsford, but went on to examine wider problems across the prison and justice system. The Government said recent cases had exposed deep-rooted issues and described the number of release errors as unacceptably high, despite a recent reduction.

According to the Ministry of Justice, there were 179 recorded releases in error from prison between April 2025 and March 2026, a fall of 32 per cent compared with the previous year. Ministers said new checks and a dedicated query unit had already helped prevent further mistakes, while £10m has been committed to digital and AI-based tools aimed at reducing errors.

But Ms Waxman said the review had exposed serious failings in the way victims are informed when offenders are released by mistake.

She said: “Mistaken releases are an appalling failure of our justice system. They cause serious distress to victims and undermine trust and confidence in the justice system.

“Dame Lynne Owens’ report exposes serious failings in how victims are informed when offenders are released in error. In some cases, victims were contacted too late – with one learning through social media – because agencies could not identify which victim contact scheme applied or who was responsible for notifying them.

“I welcome the government’s acceptance of the review and the steps being taken to reduce these errors. But when mistakes do occur, it is paramount that victims are informed first, as quickly as possible and through official channels. Victims should never learn through the media, or by chance, that an offender has been released in error.”

The Victims’ Commissioner said victims should always be told first, as quickly as possible and through official channels, rather than finding out through the media or by chance.

She also backed Dame Lynne’s call for a clear national protocol on victim notification and repeated her own long-standing call for the introduction of a unique victim identifier, which she said would allow agencies to identify, track and contact victims more quickly across the justice system.

Without it, she warned, the system could lose sight of victims at the very moment they most need protection.

The Government said the review’s recommendations covered data and digital systems, governance, process improvements, training and culture. It added that further action would be taken in several areas, with some longer-term reforms dependent on future funding decisions.

The Ministry of Justice said it remained committed to reducing the risk of offenders being released in error and returning figures to pre-prison capacity crisis levels.

 

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Health

Tracy’s firewalk raises £528 for Withybush rheumatology unit

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Long-serving staff member and patient took on 800°C embers to give back to service that has supported her family for years

A MEMBER of staff at Withybush Hospital has raised £528 for Rheumatology Services after taking part in Hywel Dda Health Charities’ firewalk challenge.

Tracy Beynon, who has worked at Withybush for 23 years and has also been a rheumatology patient for 20 years, took part in the barefoot walk across 800°C embers in October to support the department.

She said she had always wanted to try a firewalk and jumped at the chance to do one for her local health board.

Tracy said: “Over the years, I have done some wild things to raise money for various charities, including shaving my head after a Six Nations rugby match 11 years ago.

“Rheumatology have looked after many generations of my family throughout the years, and I wanted to try and give something back to help the team and the patients they serve.

“I was stunned by how much money I raised. After I put a video on TikTok, I had a number of donations from people I have never even met. I will forever be thankful to my friends and family for supporting all of my mad fundraising ideas.”

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer for Hywel Dda Health Charities, said: “A huge thank you to Tracy for showing her support to the service that has taken such good care of her for so long.

“The generous charitable donations we receive do not replace NHS funding. Instead, they support additional items and activities outside core NHS expenditure. These small extras make a big difference, and we are so grateful for every donation we receive.”

Hywel Dda Health Charities said donations help provide added items and activities for local NHS patients and staff beyond core NHS spending.

For more information about the charity and how to support local NHS services, visit the Hywel Dda Health Charities website.

 

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