News

Urgent appeal to save 1,000 hens in Pembrokeshire and beyond

Published

7 months ago

July 20, 2025

British Hen Welfare Trust seeks homes before Friday deadline

AN URGENT appeal has been launched to find homes for more than 1,000 hens due to be rehomed next weekend – including from a rescue centre in Boncath, Pembrokeshire.

The British Hen Welfare Trust (BHWT) is coordinating the rehoming effort on Saturday (July 26), aiming to rescue ex-caged hens from slaughter and instead place them into loving homes. The appeal also covers rehoming centres in Locking, near Bristol, and Kineton in Warwickshire.

The charity says the hens have come to the end of their commercial egg-laying lives, but remain healthy and can thrive as pets. However, they must be rehomed by Friday (July 25) to avoid being needlessly killed.

“This is a time-sensitive and visual story that resonates locally,” said Andy Hill, Marketing & Communications Officer for the BHWT. “These hens have worked hard their whole lives and deserve a second chance.”

The organisation recently marked the rehoming of its one millionth hen – which was adopted by King Charles III – and the upcoming effort is part of its continued mission to improve hen welfare across the UK.

Local spokespeople are available for interview, and high-resolution images are available for media use.

For more information or to register interest in adopting hens, visit: www.bhwt.org.uk

Image for illustration purposes only

Crime

Drink-driver narrowly avoided collision in town centre

Published

2 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Motorist almost three times over legal limit

A DRINK-driver narrowly avoided crashing into another vehicle while almost three times over the legal alcohol limit, a court has heard.

Nathan Lloyd, 33, was seen driving a Nissan X-Trail in Haverfordwest in the early hours of December 20 without headlights.

Police followed the vehicle, which narrowly missed a car and struck a kerb before being stopped.

Lloyd, of Adams Drive, Narberth, recorded a breath reading of 97 micrograms of alcohol, nearly three times the legal limit.

He was disqualified from driving for two years and given a 12-month community order requiring 80 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation days. He was ordered to pay £114 surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Drug-driving linked to paddleboard tragedy anniversary

Published

3 minutes ago

February 4, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Court hears woman turned to cocaine to cope

A WOMAN struggling with the anniversary of the Haverfordwest paddleboard tragedy turned to cocaine to cope, a court heard.

Vicki McKinwen, 53, was stopped by police while driving a Volvo V70 in Milford Haven and later found to have 363 micrograms of benzoylecgonine in her system, well above the legal limit.

Her solicitor Jess Hill said McKinwen had been directly affected by the tragedy and her mental health deteriorates around the anniversary.

“She now understands the consequences and never wants to use drugs again,” she added.

McKinwen, of The Square, Hubberston Road, Milford Haven, was banned from driving for 12 months. She was fined £138 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £55 surcharge.