News

Scam alert!

Published

10 years ago

December 17, 2014

FARMERS are being urged to be cautious to a new twist on an old scam which has seen the farming community lose hundreds of thousands of pounds over the past two years. Farm businesses are being warned to remain extra vigilant to the increased risk of fraud as the Single Farm Payment (SFP) start to arrive from Monday December 1. The fraudsters are aware of the timing of the SFP as a lot of information as to who receives the payments is publicly available, including the amount paid.

From this criminals are able to target specific individuals. Members should look out for fraudsters calling and claiming to represent their bank or the police. Normally, the criminals will claim that fraud has been detected on the farmer’s business or personal account and that immediate action is required to remedy the situation. The victim is then convinced to hand over bank account details in order to transfer funds into a ‘safe account’ which is actually controlled by the fraudster.

Once the money is transferred, it is often very difficult to recover as funds are then quickly moved into other account. The banks and the Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA) have advised there are a number of simple rules that can be followed to reduce the chances of becoming a victim: Be wary of:

• Unsolicited approaches by phone

• Cold callers who suggest you hang up the phone and call them back, Fraudsters can keep your phone line open by not putting down the receiver at their end Your bank or the police will never:

• Phone you to ask for your 4 digit card PIN or your online banking password, even by tapping them into the telephone keypad • Ask you to withdraw money to hand over to them for safe-keeping

• Ask you to transfer money to a new account for fraud reasons, even if they say it is in your name • Send someone to your home to collect your cash, PIN, payment card or cheque book if you are a victim of fraud

• Ask you to purchase goods using your card and then hand them over for safe- keeping Never disclose your:

• Four digit card PIN to anyone, including the bank or police

• FULL password or online banking codes

• Personal details unless you are sure who you are talking to Remember:

• It takes two people to terminate a call

• If you feel something is suspicious or feel vulnerable, hang up, wait five minutes to clear the line, or where possible use a different phone line, then call your bank or card issuer on their advertised number to report the fraud • If you don’t have another telephone to use, call someone you know first to make sure the telephone line is free

• Your bank will also never ask you to check the number showing on your telephone display matches their registered telephone number. The display cannot be trusted, as the number showing can be altered by the caller

• Criminals may already have basic information about you in their possession (e.g. name, address, account details), so do not assume a caller is genuine because they have these details or because they claim to represent a legitimate organisation Any farmer who is concerned or suspicious should contact their bank in the first instance. More information on fraud prevention can be obtained from Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA UK).

News

Extra funding boost for Saundersfoot Library

Published

6 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAUNDERSFOOT COMMUNITY COUNCIL has increased its donation to Saundersfoot Library in a bid to help the facility grow and continue providing a valuable service to both residents and visitors.

The library, which is one of the few in Pembrokeshire run almost entirely by volunteers, offers far more than books. Visitors can access photocopying, public computers, local newsletters and magazines — including those produced by the council — as well as food waste bags and a wide range of useful information.

The facility is also being used by a newly-formed Welsh Conversation Group, which meets on Wednesday mornings, and by the Saundersfoot in Bloom group. Plans are in place to extend public opening hours to include Mondays in the near future.

Councillor Alec Cormack, Chair of Saundersfoot Community Council, said: “We’re really keen to support the library in any way we can – it’s such a fantastic asset for the village. We hope this extra funding will help it become even more useful and accessible to everyone.”

The library is run under the leadership of Regency Hall Trustees Averil Upham and Moira Saunders, alongside support from Sam Woolley and Anita Thomas at Pembrokeshire County Council.

Pictured (left to right): Emma Price (Regency Hall Manager), Averil Upham (Regency Hall Trustee managing the library), Cllr Alec Cormack, and Sue Boughton-Thomas (Regency Hall Trustee).

Community

Hedgehogs successfully rehomed at Bluestone National Park Resort

Published

6 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THIS month, May 2025, Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales has rehomed three juvenile hedgehogs aged one year old as part of the five-star holiday resort’s long-standing partnership with Pembrokeshire Hogspital. Pembrokeshire Hogspital rescues and rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs, returning them to the wild in most cases.

Three hedgehogs, twin brothers and a single unrelated female, are now in the process of a soft release at Bluestone National Park Resort. A purpose-built lodge is made for them, gradually they are given more space, the fences are then taken away, and food will continue to be provided for them until eventually they are successfully integrated into the wild.

Marten Lewis, director of sustainability at Bluestone, said: “Over the past five years, Bluestone has been part of several heartwarming hedgehog releases. This spring we were delighted to have rehomed and released more hedgehogs who have received incredible care from Pembrokeshire Hogspital. This one is extra special as we also got a little help from our community, asking Bluestone’s social media followers to name the hedgehogs’ new ‘lodges’; so, the new official lodge names are Tŷ Draenog and Hodge Lodge.”

Bluestone has a longstanding partnership of five years with its local Hogspital, having donated money for an intensive care unit to provide incubators for looking after baby hedgehogs; and serving as an emergency release site, which is a safe place for hedgehogs that are ready to leave the Hogspital but for a variety of reasons can’t be taken back to where they were found.

Find out more about how people and the planet are at the heart of Bluestone National Park Resort and book a stay at bluestonewales.com

News

Public safety warning issued for Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay

Published

7 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN is urging members of the public to stay away from Ward’s Yard in Milford Haven and Criterion Quay in Pembroke Dock due to ongoing concerns over public safety.

Despite enhanced security measures, individuals continue to access both sites illegally—damaging fencing and ignoring prominent warning signage in the process.

Both Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay (also known locally as the offshore jetty) are privately owned by the Port of Milford Haven. The Port has warned that any unauthorised entry constitutes trespassing, and incidents involving criminal damage could result in prosecution.

Niall Yeomans, Head of Health, Safety and Security at the Port of Milford Haven, said:
“Safety is our key priority. Members of the public are continuously putting themselves—and our staff—at risk of serious harm by trespassing in these areas.

“Both locations are isolated and lie adjacent to deep water, making them particularly hazardous. There is a serious risk of slips, trips, and falls.”

The Port is asking anyone who witnesses suspicious activity at either site to contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately by calling 101.