A Herbrandston carpenter has been allowed to keep his driving licence despite a previous driving disqualification for using his mobile phone whilst driving.

Addressing District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week, Simon Shaw stressed the disqualification was having a major impact on his work commitment as well as his ability to support members of his family.

“If the ban continues, at least two of my five employees will have to be lost” said Shaw, who works as a self-employed carpenter operating from Herbrandston and the Milford Haven Industrial Estate.

“We travel throughout the whole of West Wales and also work at Thorne Island, where we’ve been providing logistical support for renovations for the last four years.”

Shaw, of Triplestone Close, Herbrandston, went on to say that his business has only one other driver who works as a reserve fire fighter.

“As a result, he’s not available to provide the 24 hour cover we provide to various care homes in the county,” he said.

Simon Shaw concluded by stating that his daughter is also dependent on his support having recently given birth to twins while his son-in-law and his partner’s mother are both currently undergoing serious healthcare treatments.

“I’m trying to provide as much logistical support for them as I can, but without my driving licence, this is impossible,” he said.

After listening to his comments, Judge Layton granted Shaw permission to retain his licence.

A delivery driver has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel when he was over twice the legal drink-drive limit.

Twenty-nine year old Sam Rowe was stopped by officers just before 9.30 am on April 20 as he drove his Vauxhall Vivaro along Ferry Lane in Pembroke Dock.

“His speech was slurred and his eyes were bloodshot,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week.

“There was also a strong smell of intoxicants emanating from him.”

When spoken to by the officers, Rowe stated he’d drunk a pint of alcohol approximately an hour before being stopped, however subsequent breathalyser tests showed he had no less than 75 mcg of alcohol in his system.  The legal limit is 35.

Rowe, of Hazel Close, Pontypool, pleaded guilty to the offence and was represented in court by solicitor Michael Kelleher who informed the court that the defendant was holidaying in Pembrokeshire at the time of the offence.

“His daughter fell ill and he was attempting to find painkillers for her at a supermarket,” he said.  “He’s very remorseful and is now going to lose his job as a delivery driver.”

Rowe, who has no previous convictions, was disqualified from driving for a total of 20 months.  He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.

Formal Visitation highlights financial, structural, leadership and spiritual pressures at one of Wales’ most important religious sites

ST DAVIDS CATHEDRAL is facing a period of major renewal after a formal Bishop’s Visitation identified financial, structural, leadership and spiritual challenges at one of Wales’ most important religious and historic landmarks.

The report, published by the Diocese of St Davids on Friday (May 1), marks a significant moment for the cathedral, which is both the mother church of the diocese and one of Wales’ most recognisable places of pilgrimage.

The Bishop of St Davids, the Right Reverend Dorrien Davies, said the Visitation had been carried out as a “pastoral and constructive act” intended to support the Dean, Chapter, staff and wider cathedral community.

But the wording of the report makes clear that the cathedral is facing serious and practical pressures, including the need to strengthen its finances, protect the fabric of the ancient building, improve leadership structures, and renew its mission.

The Bishop said the purpose of the Visitation was to “direct and encourage ministry” and to enable a “faithful, practical response to the very real needs of the Cathedral — financial, structural, missional, and spiritual.”

Executive committee created

One of the most significant developments is the creation of a new Executive Committee, which has already been put in place following the Visitation process.

The Bishop said this was intended to support leadership, improve focus, and maintain momentum in dealing with urgent priorities.

He said the move showed “a willingness to engage seriously with the issues raised and to respond in a practical and timely way.”

The report adds that it is important this momentum is sustained, and that the recommendations are progressed with “clarity, purpose and due urgency.”

Although the Bishop stresses that the report was not written to criticise for its own sake, the language points to a cathedral at a crossroads, with governance and long-term planning now central to its future.

Ancient building

St Davids Cathedral is one of the most important Christian sites in Wales. It is a centre of worship, a focus for pilgrimage, a major visitor attraction, and a building of deep historical and spiritual significance.

The Bishop describes it as a “physical and visible sign of the Christian presence in this land — locally, nationally, and internationally.”

But ancient cathedrals are costly to maintain, and the report makes clear that the preservation of the building is now a major concern.

The Bishop refers to a detailed presentation by architect Andrew Faulkner and archaeologist Ross Cook, setting out a long-term vision for repair and preservation of the cathedral fabric.

He described that presentation as “both inspiring and reassuring”, saying it showed that careful and hopeful planning for the future was already underway.

The reference to fabric repairs is likely to raise questions about the scale of work needed, the likely cost, and whether further fundraising will be required.

Wider church pressures

The Visitation also sits within the wider context of the Diocese of St Davids’ “Pruning for Growth” strategy.

The Bishop said the cathedral, despite its historic status and national importance, had rightly been invited to undergo the same prayerful scrutiny as every other part of the diocese.

He said such scrutiny was “not a sign of failure, but of care and hope for the future.”

That wording suggests the cathedral is not being treated as exempt from wider pressures facing the Church in Wales, including falling attendance, financial strain, ageing buildings and the need to rethink ministry for the future.

Praise for staff

The report also contains strong praise for cathedral staff and departments.

The Bishop singled out Chris Crooks, the Dean’s Verger, and the vergers’ team, describing their work as “exemplary” and praising their role in worship, safety, and the care of the building.

He also praised the cathedral’s music, led by Simon Pearce and Laurence John, describing it as “one of its most powerful forms of proclamation.”

The Education and Pilgrimage department was also recognised, with particular thanks given to Janet Ingram for her work at Ty’r Pererin and her contribution to education at the cathedral as she enters retirement.

The Bishop also thanked librarian Mari James, the Friends of St Davids Cathedral, and advisers Arwel Davies and Medwin Hughes for their contributions.

Dean backed

The Bishop said he was especially grateful to the Dean for her cooperation throughout the process.

He said he wished to affirm her continuing leadership and her commitment to guiding the life and mission of the cathedral.

He added that he was confident in her resolve to lead with “openness, collaboration and faithful service.”

However, the creation of new leadership structures and the call for greater urgency suggest that the cathedral is now entering a period of closer oversight and reform.

The Bishop said the Visitation should be seen as an invitation to renewal, deeper collaboration and faithful courage.

He said: “Failure to recognise the positive developments emerging from this Visitation — or to read between the lines the appreciation of what is already being undertaken — would be to misunderstand why this Visitation was called.”

The Herald has asked the Diocese of St Davids whether the full financial position of the cathedral will be made public, what repair work has been identified, and what specific recommendations will now be taken forward.