News

Neyland Town Council meeting descends in to chaos

Published

1 year ago

February 5, 2025

Public calls for mayor’s resignation as councillors clash as clerk’s mother seeks co-option

A MEETING of Neyland Town Council descended into chaos on Monday (Feb 3), with members of the public shouting for the mayor to resign and councillors yelling at each other. The mayor, who was chairing the meeting, lost complete control as tensions boiled over.

Adding to the disorder, the Council Clerk was notably absent, despite being expected to attend. Mayor Peter Hay claimed she had received an upsetting email earlier that day and was too distressed to turn up. However, this explanation was met with scepticism from several councillors, with Cllr David Devauden openly accusing the Mayor of dishonesty. In her absence, a substitute Clerk was present to oversee proceedings.

The Herald understands that a police patrol car was seen in the area before the meeting, following concerns raised about an unusually high public turnout.

***Council meetings are held at The Hub, Neyland (Image: The Herald)***

At the centre of the controversy was a dispute over the co-option of a new councillor. One of those present was the Clerk’s mother, Donna Matthews, who was expecting to be appointed to the council under agenda item 13. However, tensions escalated when it emerged that two members of the public had also applied for the position—applications that, if considered, would have required an election rather than an automatic co-option.

One of the applicants was in the meeting and directly challenged the Mayor’s claim that no applications had been received. He interjected, saying: “Excuse me, Mr Chairman, I applied,” contradicting Hay’s assertion that he was unaware of the emails. This led to accusations that the Clerk had deliberately ignored the applications to favour her mother’s appointment.

Cllr David Devauden, the most vocal during the meeting, spoke to The Herald on Wednesday. He said: “During the meeting, I called the Mayor a pathological liar three times because I could tell he was lying about the reason the Clerk wasn’t there, and about the missing emails from applicants who wanted to be co-opted.”

Summing up the meeting, he said: “The meeting was a success as we managed to stop the co-option of the Clerk’s mother. The electorate should be given the chance to serve on the council. Donna Matthews works at The Hub, and if co-opted, it would cause a conflict of interest in any case.”

***Cllr David Devauden is under investigation by The Ombudsman, but says the allegations have been made up for political reasons (Image: Herald)***

The chaotic scenes prompted Cllr Brian Rothero to leave just ten minutes into the meeting, saying he “couldn’t cope with the chaos” and needed to get away.

County Cllr Paul Miller, who does not usually attend Neyland Town Council meetings was present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, Cllr Devauden is currently under investigation by the Public Services Ombudsman following complaints filed against him by Mayor Peter Hay, Clerk Libby Matthews, and Cllr Ashleigh Phelan. The Herald has been shown a full arch-lever file of “evidence” that has been submitted to the Ombudsman. Devauden confirmed that he is in the process of preparing his defence.

This latest controversy follows previous concerns about transparency and governance within Neyland Town Council.

Critics argue that the handling of the situation was unprofessional, with calls for accountability over the Clerk’s role and working arrangements.

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

10 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

10 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.