News

Thieves target charity Basics Bank

Published

10 years ago

December 3, 2014

patch A MONKTON based charity which is committed to helping the poorest of the poor has had to relocate its distribution centre because thieves have been stealing their stock. PATCH Charity whose HQ is located in Milford Haven has been offered temporary space in the CAB building in Pembroke Dock. Voicing his regret that the charity would no longer be able to operate from their base at Long Mains Monkton Chairman Dennis O’Connor said “Recently we have experienced several incidents involving theft from the food bank. Regrettably, despite repeated attempts to ensure security, the most recent theft was discovered on Friday (Oct 31).

Dyfed-Powys Police have been informed and are currently investigating” Coordinator Tracy Olin is saddened by this unexpected development but remains clearly undaunted in her determination to continue to meet the needs of those who rely on PATCH for help. She said “The numbers affected vary from week to week and month to month. We are probably helping some 40 – 69 people a month. And although I feel devastated by what’s happened the people of Pembrokeshire have rallied around again and supported us wonderfully.

We are very disappointed of course but we have reached the conclusion that we really believe this is God’s timing and that the provision will continue to come. The support we have received from churches, individuals and companies is fantastic. I am constantly amazed by peoples’ generosity” She continued “I cannot stress how grateful I am to CAB for the way they have stepped in to help us at this crucial moment. We can use a room in their building in Meyrick Street. We will be there11am – 1pm on Tuesdays until we find a new home. It will be just for food as they have no storage space. We will bring food parcels from Milford. And I would ask anyone visiting PATCH please to use the client entrance only. All referral will have to be phoned through first so we know what food to take over” “Parcels will only be available between 11 and 1 on Tuesdays and clients cannot pick up from there at any other time.

We are incredibly grateful to CAB who we have worked with for a very long time. They are an amazing charity that support and help many of our clients and we sign post on to them often” “Clothing and Household items will have to be collected from our Milford HQ. We apologise for any inconvenience, but the situation is out of our control and we would have been really stuck without the help of CAB” PATCH Charity, which celebrated its sixth birthday recently, operates as a Basics Bank rather than a simple food bank.

Consequently PATCH provides food parcels for people who for various reasons are unable to feed themselves. It also provides clothing for people who cannot afford clothing and household basics such as kettles, pots and pans. It aims to support individuals, couples and families ensuring that people are able to access the support they need to help them, whether that be through the provision of food and clothes, or by signposting to other agencies. Pembroke’s Deputy Mayor Councilor Pauline Waters told The Herald: “This kind of initiative is desperately needed however the help is given.

And we need to find ways of helping those out of the loop and who do not have access to the normal channels of help. Sadly incidents like this only remind us what type of society we are living in today where so many people are just out for themselves” “As a local councilor I would appreciate feedback from those have been help[ed over the years so that we can do all we can to enrich the life or our town and community. Local people are so sad but they are also saying maybe we should be praying for those who have done it”

Business

UK government commits £3.27m to mental health support in Port Talbot

Published

5 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Funding aimed at helping steelworkers stay in or return to work

MORE than £3 million is being invested by the UK Government and Neath Port Talbot Council to boost mental health services for Tata Steel workers, their families and the wider Port Talbot community.

The £3.27 million package, announced by Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens on Wednesday (March 27), forms part of the Tata Steel / Port Talbot Transition Board’s wider £80 million support fund. Over £50 million has already been allocated to help steelworkers and supply chain businesses as the company moves to greener steelmaking.

The new funding will focus on mental health and wellbeing – an area identified as crucial for helping those affected by the transition to secure and sustain employment.

Services set to benefit include:

Recruitment of additional counsellors to support affected workers
Grants and resources for existing mental health provision
Expansion of peer and community support networks such as Men’s Sheds and She Sheds
Support in schools for children impacted by changes at Tata Steel
Specialist advice on welfare and debt for affected families
Suicide prevention and awareness training for council and trade union support staff

The funding is flexible and could be increased depending on demand.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:
“The past 18 months have been incredibly difficult for the steelworkers of Port Talbot, their families and the wider community. We said we would back them in whatever ways were needed.
“We are helping people learn new skills, but we also need to help protect people’s mental health. Well-being is crucial to getting back into work and staying in work.
“By boosting direct support services, we are investing in the people of the area and supporting growth in the local economy.”

Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning Rebecca Evans MS added:
“Working alongside our Transition Board partners, we will continue to ensure the right assistance is in place for those impacted, as well as providing opportunities for growth, investment and employment wherever they arise.”

Neath Port Talbot Council Leader Cllr Steve Hunt welcomed the funding, saying:
“We know the impact of change at the steelworks is being felt deeply across the area, particularly in Port Talbot where most households are affected in some way.
“This is a vital addition to the support already being delivered as we adapt to the future of steelmaking and prepare for the new opportunities brought by developments like the Celtic Freeport.”

Martyn Wagstaff, a local mental health advisor, said:
“It’s really important that anyone struggling with their mental health asks for help.
“This funding means that people in Neath Port Talbot will be able to access more support when they need it.”

The Transition Board will announce further funding for regeneration and job creation projects in the coming months, with tens of millions of pounds still to be allocated.

Community

Final closures begin as long-awaited A40 bypass nears completion

Published

7 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ROAD DUE TO OPEN WEEK COMMENCING APRIL 28

THE MAJOR A40 improvement scheme in Pembrokeshire is entering its final stages, with the Welsh Government confirming the new road will open in the week beginning April 28.

Construction of the long-anticipated bypass around Llanddewi Velfrey began in summer 2021. Once completed, the new dual carriageway will remove all temporary traffic management, including bollards and reduced speed limits. The entire stretch will carry a 60mph speed limit.

Wales transport secretary Ken Skates, responding to a written question from Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MS Samuel Kurtz, confirmed the road is on schedule.

He said: “Section 1 of the A40 Llanddewi Velfrey to Redstone Cross Improvements Scheme is programmed for completion week commencing 28th April 2025. Section 2, the detrunking works through Llanddewi Velfrey village, will commence thereafter.”

The scheme is being delivered on behalf of the Welsh Government by Alun Griffiths Contractors Ltd. Although the final cost has yet to be announced, the project was originally estimated at £60 million, including £45 million from EU funding.

In preparation for the opening, the final three weekend road closures are now underway. The first closure began last weekend (March 21-24), with the remaining two scheduled for this weekend (March 28-31) and the following weekend (April 4-7).

The closures affect the section between Penblewin roundabout and Robeston Wathen roundabout, allowing the new A40 to be connected to the existing route at a location known as Jacobs Park.

All closures begin at 7:00pm on Friday and end by 6:00am on Monday morning.

Scheme spokesperson Matthew Davies said: “Due to the significant level differences between the new A40 and the existing road, the principal contractor requires three weekend closures.

“To ensure minimal disruption to local communities, commuters, and the economy, the work has been timed to finish before the Easter holiday.”

Emergency services have been fully briefed and will use carefully planned diversion routes to minimise the impact on North Pembrokeshire. Access to homes and businesses along the affected stretch of road will be maintained throughout the closures.

Mr Davies added: “Preparation work is already underway to reduce the closure duration, and all parties, including the local health board, are prepared for the temporary measures.”

Crime

Majority of stolen sheep recovered after public appeal

Published

7 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE says it has recovered 63 of the 75 sheep reported stolen from a farm in Rhydlewis, near Newcastle Emlyn, following a public appeal for information earlier this week.

The ewes were located at three separate sites within the Dyfed-Powys Police area over the past four days.

Inspector Matthew Howells said: “I would like to thank everyone who shared our appeal, and the appeal from the owner, which was shared over 700 times and reached communities all over Wales and further afield. The support from farming communities near and afar has been vitally important in securing a positive outcome. I’d also like to thank those who came forward with information which enabled my officers to respond quickly, ensuring the safe return of these animals to their rightful owner.”

A 40-year-old man who was previously arrested on suspicion of theft has been released on bail while police enquiries continue.