News

1950s Women of Wales demand action: ‘We are not going away’

Published

9 months ago

May 22, 2025

Campaigners say Welsh Government must do more as pressure mounts on Pensions Minister to enter mediation over ‘historic injustice’

THE 1950s Women of Wales have renewed calls for justice over the state pension age scandal, vowing they “are not going away” until the UK Government addresses what they say is a historic financial injustice that has devastated the lives of thousands of Welsh women.

In a strongly worded statement released this week, the campaign group—representing women from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and across Wales—warned that if the UK Government continues to ignore them, they will pursue mediation through Civil Procedure Rule 2024.

Organiser Jackie Gilderdale questioned whether Labour’s Pensions Minister, Liz Kendall MP, is “afraid of the law”, adding: “What happened to Labour’s debt of honour? We will not go away until this has been resolved.”

The group has the support of Plaid Cymru, who have called for immediate compensation. Speaking in the Senedd earlier this month, Plaid Cymru MS Delyth Jewell said: “Women born in the 1950s were denied their state pensions at the time they needed that support. Many women have died without receiving the money. It is a bitter injustice and they deserve redress.”

Jewell called for formal mediation between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and campaigners, as well as a full public inquiry similar to that recently granted to sub-postmasters.

However, the newly appointed Counsel General, Julie James MS, appeared to dismiss the calls, arguing the courts had ruled the DWP’s actions lawful. The 1950s Women of Wales were stunned by the response.

In a rebuttal, the group pointed out that the High Court and Court of Appeal did not endorse the DWP’s decisions, but merely found the legal challenges out of time. “The most affected stakeholders—1950s women—were never consulted. No impact assessment was carried out. That’s a breach of their rights under the Equality Act 2010 and the European Convention on Human Rights,” the group said.

The women also accuse Labour of misleading Parliament, citing evidence presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on February 10, 2025, showing that claims by Liz Kendall, Rachel Reeves, and Keir Starmer about the level of awareness among 1950s-born women were based on a survey of just 40 people. “Parliament was misled,” the group claims.

The group says it is unacceptable that Liz Kendall continues to ignore repeated invitations to meet with them and engage in good-faith mediation. “We are demanding a Temporary Special Measure—an Erskine May-proof mechanism—to deliver financial compensation swiftly,” they said. Their proposal includes:

An initial lump sum and additional payments over five years
No tax on compensation
Benefits unaffected
Free NHS dental, optician, and prescription services
Named beneficiaries to inherit unpaid compensation in the event of death

On May 14, Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey MP met with Kendall and urged her to find a resolution. While the Pensions Minister reiterated that the government’s position on redress “had not changed”, she said work was ongoing to “learn lessons” and improve future communication.

But campaigners say the time for reflection is over. “It is clear that the APPG believes the incoming Ombudsman is likely to reject the government’s current stance. Rather than wait for another defeat, ministers should come to the table now,” the statement reads.

Susan Suter, one of the women attending the Senedd debate, said her experience is typical of thousands. “I had no notice—no letter—just a colleague telling me my pension age had changed. I’ve worked all my life, paid national insurance all my life. I never thought I’d still be fighting for equality and my pension in my seventies.”

Suter added: “Smoke screens are being used to prevent justice. I support the call for mediation. It is the only just and right way forward.”

The group is now calling on the Welsh Government to act on behalf of Welsh women and use its voice to pressure the UK Government into honouring legal and moral responsibilities under domestic and international law.

“Whether devolved or not,” they concluded, “our Government has a duty to protect our rights and demand accountability. We will not be silenced.”

Photo caption:
Campaigning continues: The 1950s Women of Wales protest outside the Senedd earlier this month (Pic: Supplied)

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after Carmarthen park incident

Published

9 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

57-year-old due in court following alleged knife and stalking offences

A MAN has been charged with attempted murder following a serious incident in Carmarthen town centre last week.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that James McKenna, aged 57, from Carmarthen, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and stalking.

The charges relate to an incident in Carmarthen Park on Thursday (Jan 29), which prompted a significant emergency services response and caused concern among residents.

Police have not yet released full details of the circumstances, but officers were seen in and around the park area for several hours following the incident while enquiries were carried out.

McKenna is due to appear before Llanelli Magistrates Court on Thursday (Feb 5).

The Herald understands the case involves allegations of both violence and targeted behaviour towards an individual, with stalking listed among the charges.

Public concern

Carmarthen Park is a popular and busy public space used daily by families, dog walkers and joggers, and incidents of this severity are rare.

The news has prompted concern locally, particularly as the alleged offences include possession of a knife in a public place.

Residents have previously raised questions about safety in parks and open spaces across west Wales, especially during darker winter evenings.

Court proceedings

At this stage, the charges remain allegations and the case will now proceed through the courts.

Magistrates will decide whether the case is sent to Crown Court due to the seriousness of the attempted murder charge.

Further details are expected to emerge during Thursday’s hearing.

The Herald will be attending court and will provide updates as they become available.

Crime

Sex offender jailed after living off grid in Pembrokeshire and refusing to register

Published

10 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Court Reporter

Man walked into police station after months avoiding authorities

A CONVICTED sex offender who told police he intended to live “off grid” rather than comply with legal monitoring rules has been jailed after handing himself in at a Pembrokeshire police station.

Christopher Spelman, aged 66, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence at Swansea Crown Court after admitting breaching the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

The court heard Spelman was released from prison in Dorset on July 4 last year but immediately refused to provide police with an address, despite being legally required to do so within three days.

Instead, he indicated he planned to buy a tent and live outdoors.

Prosecutor Brian Simpson said officers subsequently launched a nationwide search when Spelman failed to make contact with police. Public appeals were issued and his case featured on the television programme Crimewatch.

Detectives believed he had been travelling around the UK using public transport and staying at campsites. He was known to have links to several areas including Merseyside, Manchester, Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire.

His whereabouts remained unknown until January 3 this year, when he walked into Haverfordwest police station and was arrested. It is unclear how long he had been in Pembrokeshire.

Spelman previously served seven years in prison after being convicted in 2014 of 12 counts of sexually assaulting a girl under the age of 14. He was placed on the sex offenders register for life.

The court heard this was not the first time he had failed to comply with the rules. After an earlier release in 2016, he again failed to register his address and avoided police for around five years before being caught.

He has 11 previous convictions for 29 offences.

Defence barrister Andrew Evans described the case as unusual and said his client had long disputed his original conviction and had expressed a wish to live “outside society”.

However, he said Spelman had gradually accepted that he remained subject to court orders and now wanted more stable accommodation and a chance to rebuild his life. The defendant asked the court to impose a custodial sentence so arrangements could be made for his future release.

Judge Geraint Walters noted there were signs Spelman wished to change but warned that any further breaches would result in longer prison terms.

With credit for his guilty plea, Spelman was sentenced to 10 months in prison. He will serve up to half in custody before being released on licence.

Crime

Former Wales rugby star admits Christmas Day drink-driving offence

Published

16 hours ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ex-Ospreys captain was almost twice over limit in Pembroke town centre

Former Wales back row Jonathan Thomas has admitted driving through Pembroke town centre on Christmas Day when he was almost twice over the drink-drive limit.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates heard that Thomas, 43, was stopped by officers as he drove his Mercedes CLA 220 along The Green, Pembroke, at around 5pm on Christmas Day.

“The officers were very concerned at the manner of his driving, as the car was being driven erratically and was swerving to the other side of the road,” said Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan.

“When Jonathan Thomas got out of the car, the officers could see that he was having difficulty standing and was unsteady on his feet.”

Subsequent breathalyser tests showed Thomas had 62 mcg of alcohol in his system, the legal limit being 35.

Thomas, who has no previous convictions, pleaded guilty to the drink-drive charge and was represented in court by solicitor Jess Hill.

“He has family in the area and had travelled to spend time with them on Christmas Day,” she told the magistrates. “He’s very remorseful for his actions and hugely regrets his decision that day.”

Jess Hill concluded by saying that Thomas is currently “between jobs and living off his savings”.

Thomas, who gave his address as Main Road, Bredon, was disqualified from driving for a total of 18 months.

“The length of your disqualification reflects the fact that you were more than a little bit over the limit,” commented the presiding magistrates when imposing sentence.

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.

The former Wales back row left his role as Swansea RFC head coach at the beginning of December 2025 as a result of ongoing health concerns. He was forced to retire from playing in 2015 on medical advice after being diagnosed with epilepsy and is one of the 390 former rugby union players currently taking part in a concussion lawsuit against the sport’s authorities.

“Long-standing issues linked to the head trauma have caused me some concern recently and it has been impossible for me to give the role everything it needs,” he said in a previous interview with the BBC.

His rugby career started out with Pembroke RFC juniors before moving to Swansea RFC, which he captained when he was 19. He then joined the Ospreys where, over a ten-year period, he won four league titles and an Anglo-Welsh Cup. He was the youngest player to captain the Ospreys and, at the time of leaving, was the joint highest appearance holder, together with Andrew Bishop, on 188 appearances.

His international career saw him play for Wales at Under-16, Youth, Under-19, Under-21 and Sevens levels. He made his senior international debut against Australia in 2003, featured at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was part of two Six Nations Grand Slam-winning sides in 2005 and 2008. Between 2004 and 2011, Thomas was included in every Wales Six Nations squad. In his appearances for Wales, he scored seven tries.