News
St Davids Lifeboat responds to Mayday call from wind farm support vessel

ST DAVIDS RNLI responded to a Mayday call at 5:55am on Sunday (Jan 19) after a fire broke out on a 19-metre wind farm support vessel, located 12 miles north-west of St Davids Head. Four people were onboard the vessel when the incident occurred.
The volunteer crew launched the all-weather lifeboat, Norah Wortley, into the pre-dawn darkness. Upon arrival at the scene, it was confirmed that the fire had been brought under control. Although the vessel’s engines remained unaffected, there were concerns about the fire potentially reigniting. To ensure safety, the lifeboat escorted the stricken vessel to Fishguard Harbour.
At the harbour, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue officers boarded the vessel to conduct safety checks and secure the situation.
St Davids lifeboat was stood down at 9:40am, returning to station by 10:40am.
Jane Palin, Duty Launch Authority for St Davids RNLI, said: “Thankfully, the vessel’s crew managed to contain the fire before our arrival, and all persons onboard were safe. Escorting the vessel to the safety of Fishguard Harbour gave peace of mind to both crews. This was the fourth call-out for the station in five days and demonstrates the commitment of our volunteers, whatever the time of year.”
The RNLI reminds the public of the vital role played by its volunteers, who remain ready to respond to emergencies at any hour.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 9.02am on Sunday crews from Fishguard and Haverfordwest Fire Stations were called to an incident at Fishguard Harbour.
“Crews responded following a fire on a 19-metre-long catamaran.
“The vessel’s fire suppression system was activated at sea which extinguished the fire and vessel was escorted to the harbour by the RNLI’s St David’s Lifeboat.
“Crews were set up and ready at the harbour to tackle any remaining fire or reignition. Once the vessel was at the harbour, crews carried out a thorough inspection of the vessel using two breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets, one 45mm jet, one thermal imaging camera and one gas monitor.
“Advice was given to the vessel’s crew and Fire and Rescue Service crews left the scene at 11am.”


News
New social services out of hours emergency contact goes live soon

THERE is now a new number to contact social services in emergency situations outside normal work hours with a bilingual call centre on hand to support residents.
Calls to the Emergency Duty Team will be answered out of hours by Galw Gofal, a compassionate, supportive and professional service designed to assist residents during evenings, weekends and Bank holidays.
The team is trained to handle a wide range of urgent social care calls.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Emergency Duty Team are here to help people with personal, family or accommodation problems which may have reached a crisis point and cannot wait until the next working day.
This can include difficulties with children and young people, concern about a child outside your family, acute mental health problems, older or people with a disability at risk and emergency housing advice.
The Galw Gofal team will liaise with the emergency duty team and arrange contact with an experienced social worker.
It’s hard to think straight when there’s a crisis, and many callers can be helped by advice given over the phone. If you already have a social worker, the team can offer advice to help you until you can make new plans with your social worker, and can send them a message to let them know what has happened. If you do not have a social worker, a referral can be made to your local daytime social work team if this would help your situation.
The new out of hours emergency contact number – 0300 123 5519 – goes live on February 19, 2025.
Anyone with concerns or issues during working hours can contact Pembrokeshire County Council on 01437 764551.
Education
Welsh Conservatives trigger debate on school catchment areas

CALL-IN OVER CABINET DECISION
WELSH CONSERVATIVE councillors Aled Thomas and Claire George have triggered an additional debate on school catchment areas for Johnston, Neyland, and Tiers Cross after calling in a decision by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet.
The Cabinet recently decided to maintain the current school catchment areas, despite significant community opposition. The call-in was supported by the entire Welsh Conservative group on the council.
Cllr Aled Thomas, who represents Johnston, said: “Thanks to the support of my fellow Pembrokeshire Conservative councillors, we have been able to continue discussions on this important matter, while the current administration is only concerned with kicking it into the long grass.
“Strong and safe education is the silver bullet in ensuring our next generation thrives, both at school age and beyond. Boundary changes were forced on Johnston’s residents against their will, and I will do everything I can to fight for their best interests.”
Cllr Claire George, who represents St Ishmaels, added: “It is a fundamental principle of education that children should feel safe and develop their independence, which means access to appropriate school transport—something that is not workable under the current catchment area arrangements for my ward.
“We must ensure that our children can travel to and from the school of their choice confidently and safely, giving them the opportunity to flourish in their education.”
An extraordinary Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be convened by the end of February to review the matter further.
Entertainment
Welsh crime thriller filmed in Pembroke Dock set for BBC debut

A NEW Welsh crime thriller, The One That Got Away—previously shown on S4C as Cleddau—is set to premiere on BBC One Wales and BBC Four later this month.
The gripping six-part series, featuring an all-Welsh cast, will debut on BBC One Wales at 9:10pm on Tuesday, February 25. A double-bill of the first two episodes will air on BBC Four on St David’s Day, March 1, with all episodes available on BBC iPlayer.
The series stars Elen Rhys (The Mallorca Files, Craith/Hidden) as DI Ffion Lloyd, who is forced to team up with her former lover, DS Rick Sheldon, played by Richard Harrington (Y Gwyll/Hinterland), to investigate the murder of a nurse in a Welsh seaside town.
Written by Catherine Tregenna (Law & Order UK, Lewis, DCI Banks) and directed by Sion Ifan (Y Goleudy), the drama explores the unresolved past between the two detectives while a disturbing murder case unfolds. The killing shakes the small community, raising doubts about a historic conviction and suggesting the terrifying possibility of a copycat at large.
Actor Elen Rhys, who returned to Wales to film the series, said: “Coming home to Wales to film was a joy—immersing myself in everything Welsh. The talented, close-knit crew worked together so well, making it a truly lovely and extraordinary experience. I felt so lucky.”
The series promises a gripping mix of psychological depth, crime investigation, and the emotional entanglements of its lead characters, set against the atmospheric backdrop of Pembrokeshire.
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