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News

Heroes of the storm: How Council workers rallied during rare red wind warning

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PEMBROKESHIRE experienced a weekend of extreme weather as Storm Darragh brought chaos to the region, prompting an extraordinary display of teamwork and community spirit.

The rare red wind warning issued for the storm led to severe disruptions, with hundreds of trees felled and homes left without power. From late Friday (Dec 6) into the weekend, Pembrokeshire County Council’s highways teams worked tirelessly to clear roads and ensure public safety.

In the midst of 100mph gusts, crews braved perilous conditions, with around 50 trees reported down within a single hour. As one blockage was cleared, others fell, creating a relentless cycle of challenges.

Overwhelmed but not overcome

The Council’s Out of Hours service was inundated with over 400 calls, ranging from storm-related emergencies to unrelated issues such as broken boilers and carbon monoxide alarms. Meanwhile, social care teams and commissioned services acted swiftly to ensure the county’s most vulnerable residents were cared for amid the chaos.

More than 250 urgent call-outs were made to individuals with community alarms, followed by welfare visits to check on those without heat or electricity. Leisure service staff extended operating hours on Sunday to provide warm spaces for those in need, and community hubs, coordinated by PAVS, delivered critical information and support.

Leadership and gratitude

Chief Executive Will Bramble and Council Leader Cllr Jon Harvey visited the Templeton Depot to personally thank the highways teams and other staff who worked around the clock.

Cllr Harvey said: “The effort to clean up and repair damage from Storm Darragh will continue for some time. Huge thanks go to the members of our community who helped with the initial clean-up and checked on family, friends, and neighbours.

“The collaboration between the Council, Police, health services, and the fantastic communities of Pembrokeshire was truly remarkable. We are incredibly grateful for how everyone pulled together during such a challenging time.”

Meanwhile Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant said: “The effects of Storm Bert have been devastating for our communities and my heart goes out to everyone affected.

“It’s clear that the dedicated staff at Lido Ponty and Ynysangharad Park have worked tirelessly to secure their sites and undertake recovery works. Their efforts have been truly commendable.

“Our local authorities have also demonstrated incredible resilience and I would like to thank them for their collective efforts while responding to the flooding damage.

“We will continue to provide support as we recover from the storm. Our priority is, and always will be, to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities.”

Ongoing support

For those still without power or water, leisure centres, including the reopened Fishguard centre, remain available for warmth, showers, and device charging.

Support can be accessed through the Community Hub at 01437 723660 or by emailing enquiries@pembrokeshirecommunityhub.org. Generators are available for those in need by calling 01437 764551 or emailing enquiries@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.

Residents are urged to check on neighbours and the vulnerable. Concerns about anyone without power can also be directed to National Grid on 105, which has arrangements with the Red Cross to provide assistance.

The storm may have brought destruction, but Pembrokeshire’s resilience and unity have shone brightly in its aftermath.

Crime

Tenby man charged after robbery incident

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A MAN is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court next month after being charged in connection with a late-night incident in Tenby town centre.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that no one was injured during the disturbance, which took place at a restaurant in Tudor Square on the evening of Sunday, March 30.

Mohammed Miah, aged 44, has been charged with robbery, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and criminal damage.

He appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, where he was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, May 2.

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Farming

Pembrokeshire Show elects first joint presidents

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DAIRY FARMERS TIM AND MARGARET JOHNS HONOURED BY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

HAVERFORDWEST dairy farmers Tim and Margaret Johns have been unanimously elected as the first joint Presidents of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

The couple, who farm at Pencnwc in partnership with their son Graham, represent the third generation of their family to work the land. Their 550-acre holding in Castlemorris includes dairy cattle and the cultivation of both winter and spring cereals.

Margaret and Tim have a long-standing association with the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society and the County Show. Margaret, in particular, has achieved considerable success in equestrian showing at events including Royal Windsor, the Great Yorkshire Show, and the Royal Cornwall Show. She also founded and continues to run Castlemorris Equestrian and Pet Supplies from the farm.

Speaking following their appointment, Tim said: “Margaret and I work as a partnership. The County Show is a major part of Pembrokeshire and is an integral part of farming in the county. We are looking forward to the year ahead. We have chosen RABI and the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society as our charities to support over the next 12 months.”

During the Society’s Annual General Meeting, held recently at the Pembrokeshire Showground, Mr and Mrs James Evans were voted in as Presidents Elect.

Other appointments for 2025 include Miss Alys Owens, who was named as the Society’s Ambassador. Alys, who lives in Haverfordwest and works for Castell Howell, is an active member of Llysyfran YFC. She served as Club Secretary last year, a role for which she was named Club Secretary of the Year at County level. A talented musician, Alys plays the cornet with Goodwick Brass Band.

Outgoing President Adam Thorne used the occasion to thank all those who had supported him during his term in office.

Alys Owens, the 2025 Ambassador, is pictured between Margaret and Tim Johns, the 2025/26 Joint Presidents.

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News

Casualty airlifted after fall on rocks at Manorbier

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A PERSON was flown to hospital with a suspected broken ankle after falling on rocks at Manorbier on Sunday afternoon (April 13).

Emergency services were called shortly after 1:30pm, with Tenby RNLI, the Wales Air Ambulance, land paramedics, and coastguard teams from Tenby and St Govans attending.

Tenby’s inshore lifeboat launched first, with two crew members going ashore just as the air ambulance arrived to land nearby. They were soon joined by a land ambulance and coastguard rescue officers.

A stretcher was brought ashore from the all-weather lifeboat, and RNLI crew assisted in stabilising the casualty and carrying them up the beach for transfer into the waiting helicopter.

Once the airlift was complete, both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.

It was the third call-out of the weekend for Tenby RNLI volunteers.

The first incident took place at 2:20pm on Friday (April 11), when the all-weather lifeboat was diverted from a training exercise following a report of paddleboarders possibly in difficulty near Manorbier. As the lifeboat arrived, the paddleboarders were confirmed safe ashore and the crew resumed their exercise.

Later that evening, at 9:15pm, the lifeboat launched again to assist the operator of a seven-metre rigid inflatable boat that had broken down around a mile south of Old Castle Head. The boat was towed safely back to Freshwater East, from where it had launched earlier in the day.

(Photo: File image)

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