News

National Park team take home two awards

Published

11 years ago

December 1, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Team recognised: Wales’ Outstanding In-House Publications Relations Team.

THE NATIONAL PARK’S Communications and Marketing Team scooped two prestigious Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Cymru Wales PRide Gold Awards at a recent ceremony held in Cardiff. The evening saw the Authority’s visitor newspaper Coast to Coast named Best External Publication, while the team behind the paper was recognised as Wales’s Outstanding In-House Publications Relations Team. National Park Authority Communications and Marketing Manager Marie Edwards said: “To be shortlisted for two CIPR PRide Awards was a fantastic accolade, so to win Gold in both categories is truly an amazing achievement as the level of competition was so high.

The judges recognised that despite the team’s modest size, we have consistently delivered strong results, having adapted well to the various economic challenges we’ve faced in recent years.” “The awards are testament to the team’s commitment, innovation and creativity in promoting the National Park and Authority, and to have our success recognised by the country’s leading PR professionals is a huge honour.” Commenting on Coast to Coast’s entry, the impressed judges noted that the team had definitely ensured that it was a ‘must read for visitors to the county’ and that the great success of the publication came from an “understanding of its audience, purpose and objectives.”

The judges described the Outstanding In-House Public Relations Team submission as ‘a standout entry which is highly impressive considering the small team’. The Authority’s wellreceived retro poster campaign was also praised for taking a traditional idea and making it modern and interactive. Val Bodden, Chair of CIPR Cymru Wales commented: “All the hard work and perseverance has paid off for our deserving winners at this year’s CIPR Pride Cymru Awards evening. They should all be as proud of their achievements as CIPR Cymru Wales is to cheer them on as upholders of creative and professional PR standards of excellence.”

National Park Authority Chairman Cllr Mike James added: “These awards recognise the wide ranging efforts the team make to promote the National Park to local, national and global audiences. “The team has proved that it is able to punch above its weight, working on communications programmes across Wales and developing innovative ways to support the team’s core resources to promote the National Park and encourage more people to visit this world-class

Crime

Drug and weapon charges after Pembroke Dock arrest

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Court Reporter

Man remanded in custody following Diamond Street vehicle search

A MAN has been remanded in custody after appearing at Swansea Crown Court charged with drug, weapon and driving offences following an arrest in Pembroke Dock.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers from Pembrokeshire Roads Policing and response teams searched a vehicle on Diamond Street on Saturday (Apr 4).

Following the search, Zamurd Hussain, 43, was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Hussain was later charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, and driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He appeared at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Apr 6), where he was remanded in custody.

His next court appearance is due to take place at Swansea Crown Court at 9:00am on May 8.

Crime

Woman fights order taking four dogs from her

Published

2 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Swansea Crown Court hears appeal after long-running barking dispute in Trefin

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has told Swansea Crown Court that complaints about her dogs are unfair as she appeals against the sentence imposed on her by magistrates, including the order that led to four of her dogs being taken from her.

Julia Goodgame appeared before His Honour Judge Simon Hughes on Friday (Apr 10) in the latest stage of a long-running case arising from complaints by residents in Trefin about persistent dog barking.

The appeal follows a ruling by Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court in December, when Goodgame, of Bryn Y Derwydd, admitted breaching a Community Protection Notice issued by Pembrokeshire County Council.

Magistrates ordered the immediate forfeiture and seizure of four Border Collies, which Goodgame said were the only dogs in her possession.

The court heard on Friday that residents had complained of constant barking, with only short breaks of around 30 minutes, sometimes continuing until 10:00pm.

The dogs have reportedly remained in kennels since December while the appeal is dealt with.

Goodgame told the court: “My dogs are exceptionally well behaved.”

She also raised concerns about the conditions the animals are being kept in, saying the kennels were exposed to the weather and did not provide a suitable environment.

Goodgame said she had attended conflict resolution classes and had tried her best to resolve the issues raised by neighbours, but said she could not understand why the dogs had not been returned.

The original case followed months of complaints from residents in Trefin about dog noise and control. In addition to the forfeiture order, magistrates imposed a fine, costs and a Criminal Behaviour Order.

The case continues.

News

Plaid Cymru commits to review 182-day rule

Published

3 hours ago

April 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUPPORTING local tourism businesses is key, Plaid Cymru said as it launched its manifesto and confirmed it would review the 182-day threshold for holiday accommodation in Wales.

The party said it would also introduce clear and reasonable national exemptions in cases where accommodation should not be treated as a private home.

Plaid Cymru says many holiday-let business owners in Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire are struggling to meet the 182-day threshold each year due to factors beyond their control, including poor weather, and that this is having a serious impact on both their businesses and their wellbeing.

Under the party’s proposals, national exemptions would be introduced to ensure genuine holiday-let operators are treated fairly and given the support needed to help their businesses succeed.

Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru Senedd candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, said: “As a business owner myself, I know how much financial pressure small businesses are under at the moment and the toll that can take on owners, their friends and families.

“We have heard directly from many furnished holiday-let owners in both Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire that lowering the 182-day threshold for overnight stays would make a huge difference to their businesses.

“I am pleased that Plaid Cymru has committed to reviewing the 182-day rule for non-domestic rates in Wales and to introducing national exemptions to help genuine businesses that are unfairly affected by the rule, while excluding self-catering accommodation that cannot be used on the open housing market.”