News

Dispute erupts over missing veterans’ funds as CAMP BATH leadership splits

Published

11 months ago

May 28, 2025

A ROW has broken out over thousands of pounds raised for an unregistered veterans’ support group, with serious allegations of financial misconduct, unauthorised fundraising, and internal fallout between those involved.

The controversy centres around CAMP BATH, an informal veterans’ community operating without registered charity or company status. The group has recently come under scrutiny following a viral Facebook post by campaigner Eddy Cooper, who accused Darren Edmundson, also known as the “Pembrokeshire Patriot”, of taking £4,000 raised for the camp while controlling its donation accounts.

The post was shared over 2,000 times on social media and led to widespread public concern. However, it has since been described as “unauthorised and irresponsible” by Steve, a 73-year-old former Royal Marine who serves as second in command at the camp. Speaking anonymously to The Herald on April 17, Steve said: “The post put out by Eddy Cooper was done without authorisation from the camp. He did this of his own volition.”

Steve also denied claims that he had been “ripped off” by Edmundson, stating: “That accusation is false — because that is me.” He added that at the time, he remained in contact with Darren, who he said was “in Pembrokeshire on welfare business.”

However, Jo Drayson, who co-runs the camp with her husband Dion, alleges that more money may be missing, but did not provide specigics.

She claims Edmundson removed her as a signatory on the camp’s SumUp fundraising account and changed the login details, locking out other members.

In a series of private messages seen by The Herald, Darren defended his actions, insisting the funds are still there and that he could not access the account himself without a valid passport. He stated: “I was the only one with qualifications. All the funds were raised by my show — The Late Night Veterans Show.”

Company records confirm that Late Night Veterans Show Ltd was registered by Edmundson and used to open the business account that controlled donations. This arrangement was described by Darren himself as “a loophole”, since CAMP BATH is not a registered charity, company or CIC, and therefore has no formal legal standing.

Jo, meanwhile, says that she contacted Avon and Somerset Police, who advised that the dispute might be a civil matter, as Darren was legally authorised to access the account at the time. Nevertheless, she has raised concerns about transparency and accountability, particularly as the funds were solicited from the public for what donors understood to be a veterans’ cause.

The situation has been further complicated by personal tensions between key figures. Jo has accused campaigner Eddy Cooper of physical assault, which he denies. Darren, for his part, claims he left the camp temporarily due to family court proceedings and returned to find himself publicly vilified.

“The truth is I ran that place well,” he wrote. “I left, and it all went tits up.”

The Herald understands that access to the disputed SumUp account remains unresolved. Jo and her daughter have reportedly been unable to regain control of it since Darren allegedly changed the details, and there has been no formal audit of where the funds have gone.

A spokesperson for SumUp did not respond to a request for comment at the time of going to press.

The case has highlighted the dangers of operating community support groups without legal registration, safeguards, or financial oversight. Without charity or company status, there is no regulatory body overseeing CAMP BATH’s finances, leaving donors, volunteers, and vulnerable veterans exposed.

Pictured:

Darren Edmundson, also known as the “Pembrokeshire Patriot”

News

Sheep rescue called off at Stack Rocks as coastguard urges public to stay back

Published

10 minutes ago

May 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Public warned not to look over cliff edge as animals remain stranded near firing range

A RESCUE attempt to reach two sheep stranded below the cliffs at Stack Rocks has been called off, with the coastguard urging members of the public to stay well back from the cliff edge.

The sheep were seen on the rocky ground below the cliffs this afternoon, prompting concern from people in the area.

The Herald understands that a rescue attempt was made, but it was later stood down. The animals remain at the location.

A witness at the scene told The Herald that the coastguard was keen for the public to be warned not to approach the cliff edge or try to look down at the sheep.

The situation is further complicated by activity at the nearby firing range, where several days of live firing are understood to be scheduled, meaning a further rescue attempt is not currently possible.

Members of the public are being urged not to put themselves at risk by going near the edge of the cliffs.

Photo: The stranded sheep at Stack Rocks (Pic: Cerianne Palmer).

Community

Sub aqua club marks first serious sea-diving weekend of season

Published

16 minutes ago

May 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CARDIGAN Sub Aqua Club has completed its first major weekend of sea diving of the season, with 23 divers taking part across four days.

The club rounded off the weekend on Monday (May 4), meeting at Porthgain at 8:30am with two club boats for a dive before returning by 2:00pm.

Ten divers took part in Monday’s outing, with the group diving on the Leysion, where visibility was reported at around three to four metres.

The club said the weekend had been an important opportunity for members to refresh skills, refamiliarise themselves with equipment and procedures, and give newer divers valuable sea experience.

There was also a milestone for club member Katie, who completed her first sea dive.

A club spokesperson said: “This has been the first serious club weekend out in the sea. Lots of refreshing of skills. Lots of refamiliarisation of kit and procedures. Some newbie experiences and some extending of experiences.”

The weekend also helped the club identify maintenance work needed on boats and trailers, with notes taken so the committee can prioritise resources.

The spokesperson added: “It’s been a good weekend for club diving — four days, two different locations and 23 different divers.”

The club said it will now focus over the next month on helping members who have not yet been back into the sea this season to get diving again and continue progressing with training.

Monday’s dive was followed by a debrief at The Sloop Inn, Porthgain.

News

Fresh Hamilton wage claims raise new questions for Haverfordwest County fans

Published

2 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Herald Sport

Scottish reports of late and short wages add a new and more immediate concern for Bluebirds supporters already watching problems elsewhere in the same football network

REPORTS in Scotland that Hamilton Academical players were paid late, with some allegedly underpaid ahead of the club’s final game of the season, have added to scrutiny around the football network linked to Haverfordwest County AFC chairman Rob Edwards.

The latest claims were reported by Lanarkshire Live Sport and the Daily Record.

The relevance for Pembrokeshire lies in the links between Hamilton and Haverfordwest through Rob Edwards and Morley Sports Management.

Hamilton has previously stated that Morley Sports Management owns 100 per cent of 1874 Holdings Limited, and that 1874 Holdings in turn owns 97.5 per cent of Hamilton Academical FC.

Haverfordwest County has previously said Morley Sports Management has been the business vehicle behind Edwards’ takeover and funding of the Bluebirds since 2020.

Earlier this month, Haverfordwest County A.F.C. Ltd faced an HM Revenue & Customs winding-up petition at the High Court in London. The case was dismissed on April 15, but only after reaching a live hearing at the Rolls Building, with costs ordered against the company.

Separately, 1874 Holdings has faced a winding-up petition in Scotland. Hamilton later issued a statement acknowledging that petition, while saying the claim is disputed and that the company is seeking dismissal.

The latest Scottish wage claims come against a background of previous disciplinary action involving Hamilton. Earlier this year, the club was punished over failures to pay players on time and in full, resulting in a points deduction following an independent disciplinary process. Hamilton acknowledged that outcome in a club statement.

Companies House has also shown 1874 Holdings with overdue accounts and a strike-off notice. Those are separate processes from a winding-up petition, but they add to the list of recent off-field issues involving companies in the same football network.

There are also operational links between the two clubs. Haverfordwest publicly credited chief executive Beccy Nuttall with key work during the club’s licensing process earlier this month, while Hamilton has also announced Rebecca Nuttall in a senior role there.

The timing of the Haverfordwest case also drew attention because the club announced on April 8 that it had secured both its UEFA licence and FAW Tier 1 licence for the 2026-27 season, even though the HMRC petition remained live at that stage and was not disposed of until April 15.

The Herald contacted the Football Association of Wales for comment on the licensing position last week, but had received no response at the time of publication.

The Hamilton wage claims remain reports from Scotland, and there is no suggestion that Haverfordwest County AFC is facing the same issue. However, the developments are likely to be of interest to Bluebirds supporters because they concern companies and senior figures linked to the same wider football operation.