News
Combating loneliness: The Torch Theatre welcomes new ‘Cwtch Post Box’
A NEW bright red post box has been installed at Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre, but it’s not for ordinary mail. Instead, this special ‘Cwtch Post Box’ is aimed at tackling loneliness and spreading moments of joy to isolated residents across Pembrokeshire.
Behind this heartfelt initiative is local resident Sandy Davies, who has already introduced five similar Cwtch Post Boxes at venues throughout the county. Her goal is simple yet powerful: to combat loneliness among older people, foster connections across generations, and ensure those feeling isolated receive a thoughtful reminder that they are not forgotten.
Residents of Pembrokeshire are encouraged to submit letters, poems, short stories, cards, or drawings into the Cwtch Post Box. Sandy personally collects and reviews each submission to ensure they are suitable and free from safeguarding concerns before distributing them to nominated elderly individuals. This initiative is not designed as a pen-pal service; recipients aren’t required to reply, but simply to enjoy the comforting message received.
“Keeping in touch with others is essential to fighting loneliness,” said Sandy, who moved from London to Pembrokeshire with her husband fourteen years ago. “Please join me by nominating an elderly person in your community who would benefit from a handwritten message and a personal visit from me. Encourage your children to get involved too; their drawings and messages can genuinely brighten someone’s day.”
The inspiration behind the Cwtch Post Box comes from Sandy’s own family experiences. Her parents, Amritial and Vasantiben Natalia, regularly wrote airmail letters home to India after emigrating to the UK in the 1960s. Sandy also fondly remembers how her late mother-in-law, Nora Davies, kept her London-based family connected to Pembrokeshire community events by mailing handwritten notes and local newspapers.
Reflecting on how modern communication often leaves people feeling disconnected, Sandy remarked: “Nowadays, fewer people receive physical cards or letters. Many only get bills or junk mail, which can be disheartening. I’m passionate about helping the elderly feel remembered and valued.”
Sandy has a longstanding commitment to supporting older people. Since 2011, she has worked at St Thomas Surgery and began volunteering as a coordinator for Re-engage (formerly Contact the Elderly) a year later. Over the past thirteen years, she has organized various events including tea parties, film afternoons, quizzes, and lunches aimed at bringing joy and social connection to older adults.
“My dream is to host an annual gathering uniting those who write the letters with the individuals who receive them,” Sandy added. “Though currently a Pembrokeshire project, I hope to expand the Cwtch Post Box across Wales, helping end loneliness throughout our communities.”
A free writing session for children will be held at the Torch Theatre on Friday, 15 August, from 11am to 3pm, encouraging young residents to contribute their creativity and kindness.
Additional Cwtch Post Boxes are located at the Waldo Lounge, Haverfordwest Library, Redhill Prep School and Montessori Nursery, and Mary Immaculate Catholic High School. To nominate someone, or for more information, contact [email protected] or visit the campaign’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/cwtchpostbox/.
Business
First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead
THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.
The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.
A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.
Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.
“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”
The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.
Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.
The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.
A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.
Photo: Martin Cavaney
Crime
Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood
A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.
SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST
Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.
The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.
COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION
Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.
Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.
She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.
The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.
Local Government
Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works
Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure
SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.
County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.
“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.
Urgent works underway
Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.
Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.
Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.
Further updates are expected later this week.
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