Community

My remembrance

Published

11 years ago

December 2, 2014

FOR many , Remembrance Day is more than a commemoration of the thousands of men who gave their lives for our freedom. Men whose stories we hear but will never get to meet. For many of us, it marks a personal tribute to the men of our own families whose lives and innocence was lost and whose bravery must never be forgotten. This year marks the centenary of the First World War and the strength and courage of those men is more poignant than ever. This is my remembrance for the three generations of my family who fought in the First and Second World Wars. My Great Grandfather, George, was a Dockyard worker who spent his spare time repairing clocks. Like many of the young men he was called up with, he had no idea of what War would be like, of the conditions he would live in and the terrible things he would see. He was proud to be fighting for his country, so he left his home in Devon to become a soldier in WW1.

He was part of the machine gun co, spending most of his service in the trenches. He was also involved in the Battle of Somme in 1916 which is most likely where he sustained his injuries. He was lucky not to be one of 58,000 troops killed during the battle. I don’t remember much about Great Granddad, except that he was very quiet and watchful. He never talked about the war or its effects on him. My Granddad, Robert, was a bricklayer and keen motorcyclist from Devon. When he was enlisted, he offered his services as a bricklayer.

There wasn’t any need for builders so he began infantry training in 1942. He later became a motorcycle Dispatch Rider (military messenger), serving for 5 years in North Africa, Italy and Palestine in several antitank regiments. Granddad kept a diary, a very frank account of what he saw and felt during the War. He was badly injured when a passing shell hit a farm house on the road he was walking down. Throwing himself to the ground, he remembers being littered with debris and a sharp pain in his back. It was later found that shrapnel from the shell had gone into his back, leg and shoulder.

This was removed in an operation but years later he could still feel small pieces of shrapnel in his knee and finger. Like many soldiers, Granddad wrote home to his family during the War. We discovered these letters after he’d passed away. There was also a prayer book, with an inscription inside by my Great Grandfather. This little book came safely through World War 1… Darling Bob, hoping you will come safely back to us.

The letters are heartfelt exchanges between a worried mother and a brave son. My Great Gran talks of my Great Grandfather ‘fire watching’ and the ‘Yanks’ nearly running her over in their Jeeps. Also the terrible silence as my Great Granddad works on his clocks and she sits with nothing to do but wait and worry. My Grandfather reassures her that he is well, requesting small items of comfort and to pass on his good wishes to friends at home. On leaving the War, Granddad wrote his diary entries into a book which I typed up for him and he had printed in 2008. Sadly he passed away in 2011, but I will never forget the tall man, who talked modestly about the war, cracked jokes at his own expense and loudly banged the side of the chair in time to the band on the Festival of Remembrance.

My Dad’s Great Uncle John Harris, affectionately known as Jack, left his family in LLanfrynach, Brecon in 1914. He joined the machine gun co and was heavily involved in front line battle. He died in a POW camp in Belgium in Sep 1918 just weeks before the Armistice. My Dad’s Uncle still has the letter from the British Red Cross announcing his death. In 2010 my family travelled out to France, to find the War Grave of Jack. They talk about the rows of grave stones, looking out over the Channel and the way they are beautifully kept by the locals. I think this was a cold realisation of all the lives lost, the Sons, Brothers, Fathers and Grandfathers who will never come home.

I am proud of my family’s military history and of the men and women who continue to fight for us. November 11 is a day to remember these people and the way they suffered to give us the freedom we enjoy today. We should never lose sight of that, of what it means to be alive, to share compassion. It’s the only way we can ever truly be thankful.

Business

Calls for award-winning Pembrokeshire sauna to be permanent

Published

8 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to allow the permanent siting of an award-winning Pembrokeshire seaside village outdoor sauna, which has been featured in the national press, have been submitted to the national park.

Back in June 2024, a temporary two-year permission for a mobile wood-fired sauna at Saundersfoot harbour was granted by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee.

Since then, a further application by Kerry Evans of Hwyl Outdoor Sauna to make the siting permanent has been submitted to national park planners.

A supporting statement says, since its introduction the sauna has “become a popular and valued amenity for both residents and visitors, offering a space focussed on health, wellbeing and community connection”.

It went on to say: “The overall sentiment within the village has been strongly supportive, with many residents recognising the sauna as a valuable asset that enhances the amenities in Saundersfoot,” adding: “Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has received positive attention in regional and national press helping to promote Saundersfoot as a destination for coastal wellbeing and outdoor experiences.

“Media coverage has highlighted the sauna as an example of the increasing popularity of sea swimming and sauna culture around the UK coastline.

“Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has been featured in two books on the best saunas in the UK.

“The business has also been recognised through tourism and hospitality awards, further demonstrating the quality of the experience provided and the positive contribution it makes to the local visitor offer.”

Back in February, the business, set up by former superyacht worker and mum-of-two Kerry won Sauna of the Year 2026/27 at the Wales Prestige Awards.

At the time Kerry said: “I could not be more proud of what I have achieved with Hwyl. I am so grateful to my wonderful team, who have made this journey not only possible but genuinely so much fun.”

Kerry ploughed a legacy from her beloved late father into the venture of a Pembrokeshire seafront sauna.

The application for allowing the sauna to be permanent added: “Through the Welsh Government I have been able to secure the funds to install a cold-water shower on Saundersfoot Harbour, which will be open year-round. This will be achieved via Hywel Outdoor Sauna and a weather proofing fund, from the Welsh Government. This facility has also a GoFundMe to raise the remaining costs.”

It concludes: “Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has established itself as a valued wellbeing facility that benefits both residents and visitors. It enhances the amenities available in Saundersfoot, supports the local economy by encouraging additional visitor activity, and contributes positively to the community through charitable support and engagement.

“The permanent siting of the sauna would allow this successful local small business to continue operating and provide these benefits to the village in a stable and sustainable way.”

The application for a permanent facility will be considered by park planners at a later date.

Community

Motorcyclists targeted in Easter safety crackdown

Published

8 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has launched Operation Apex ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday, with officers stepping up efforts to keep motorcyclists safe on roads across the region.

The force says more riders are expected to take to the roads over the long weekend, prompting increased patrols, targeted enforcement on routes considered high-risk, and engagement with bikers at key locations.

Police are urging riders to take extra care by keeping their speed down on corners, watching carefully for other road users, and treating rural roads with caution, as conditions can change quickly and surfaces are often less predictable.

As part of the operation, motorcyclists are also being encouraged to sign up for a BikeSafe workshop. The police-led initiative offers expert advice as well as an observed ride aimed at helping bikers improve their skills and confidence on the road.

Officers are also reminding riders to carry out basic safety checks before setting off, particularly if their motorbike has not been used for some time. Tyres, brakes, lights, chain condition, oil and fuel levels should all be checked before any journey.

The warning comes as recent wet weather has left some road surfaces badly damaged, with potholes posing an extra hazard. Police also noted that while spring temperatures are improving, chilly mornings can still bring frost or icy patches in places, alongside the usual unpredictability of Welsh weather.

Dyfed-Powys Police said riders should enjoy the Easter weekend, but make safety and getting home safely their top priority.

Community

Withybush hospital Welsh Government intervention call

Published

16 hours ago

April 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A SENIOR member of the Welsh Government has been accused of “passing the buck” for declining a call to directly intervene in contentious changes to Withybush hospital.

Last year, Hywel Dda University Health Board consulted with its communities on options for change in critical care, dermatology, emergency general surgery, endoscopy, ophthalmology, orthopaedics, stroke, radiology and urology.

It said its Clinical Services Plan focuses on nine healthcare services that are “fragile and in need of change”.

The proposed changes included an option for Withybush patients needing specialist critical care being transferred to Glangwili.

At a recent two-day meeting, the board, amongst its many other decisions, backed changes into emergency general surgery which will see no emergency general surgery operations taking place at Withybush, but a strengthening of the same-day emergency care (SDEC).

Members stressed the changes would not happen overnight.

Following the decision, calls for intervention have also been made by local Senedd members Paul Davies and Sam Kurtz, who wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care to urge him to intervene and stop the Health Board removing services from Withybush.

That response from the cabinet secretary has been criticised by Mr Kurtz.

In his letter of response, Cabinet Secretary for Health and social Care Jeremy Miles MS stressed planning and delivery of local health services, in this case “scheduled to begin in the next Senedd term, with a time horizon of up to four years to complete,” were, under statutory arrangements for NHS Wales, “the responsibility of health boards”.

Responding, Sam Kurtz said: “The response from the Welsh Health Minister is regrettably, though perhaps unsurprisingly, deeply disappointing. Rather than demonstrating leadership and using the powers that he has as Health Minister, he appears to be passing the buck to the health board despite the profound impact these decisions will have on services in Pembrokeshire.

“There is clear and justified concern among residents. After years of cuts to services at Withybush Hospital, this response will do little to reassure our communities.

“People deserve clarity, accountability, and a meaningful voice in decisions affecting vital services. Paul Davies and I will continue to stand firmly in defence of healthcare provision across West Wales.”

The Minister’s letter added: “Since the decision was taken, both the First Minister and I have set out the Welsh Government’s position in answers to questions from members of the Senedd and in debates. We have been very clear that decisions of this nature rest with the health board.”

It went on to say: “In your letter, you raise points about services within the scope of the [Clinical Services Plan] as well as the future of the emergency department at Withybush Hospital. I want to be very clear that emergency department services were not part of the CSP decision.”

The county council has also debated the downgrade plans for Withybush.

A petition to the Senedd against the changes has been created by Crymych resident Ajay Owen, entitled Urgent Pembrokeshire Healthcare & Resident Safety – Withybush Hospital & Health Board Intervention.

The petition, running to August 23, has attracted more than 11,000 signatures to date.