Community

Hatred towards minorities ‘frighteningly common’ in Wales

Published

7 months ago

October 17, 2025

HATRED towards minority groups is becoming “frighteningly” commonplace and “acceptable to some” in Welsh society, a Plaid Cymru Senedd Member warned.

Sioned Williams cautioned Wales faces deep divisions fomented by hatred – whether rooted in racism, religious intolerance, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia or ableism.

She told the Senedd: “What is frightening to me is that denying or justifying hatred towards people in Wales is now so commonplace and acceptable to some in our society.

“It’s a frightening time for minorities and people who are seen by some as legitimate targets, either for physical attacks, online attacks or political attacks.”

Ms Williams, the party’s shadow social justice secretary, reiterated Plaid Cymru’s calls for powers over justice and policing to be fully devolved to Wales. “We can’t tackle hate, which is growing, with our hands tied behind our backs,” she said.

The former journalist pointed to a stream of hostile comments on a Welsh Government anti-hate campaign advert on Facebook as evidence of deep and widening divisions.

Her comments came in response to an October 14 statement by Jane Hutt, the social justice secretary, who acknowledged a “worrying rise in hatred and division” in recent years.

Jane Hutt, secretary for social justice, trefnydd and chief whip

Marking national hate crime awareness week, Ms Hutt told the Senedd the Welsh Government’s stance is “unequivocal – hate and prejudice have no place in Wales”.

The minister expressed particular concerns about a 30% rise in religious hate crime in Wales compared with last year, which followed on from a 21% increase.

She said: “Some trivialise hate crime as mere name calling. We must remind the public that hate crime is… motivated by prejudice, it causes lasting harm and undermines cohesion.”

She told the Senedd: “Social media and tech companies must do more to protect users from harm. We continue to work with Ofcom to understand how new powers will protect people.”

Altaf Hussain, the Conservatives’ shadow social justice secretary, contrasted an overall 5% increase in hate crimes in Wales with a 5% fall across England and Wales.

Conservative MS Altaf Hussain — Altaf Hussain MS, Welsh Conservative shadow social justice secretary

The surgeon-turned-Senedd Member warned of “wild west” online communities fuelling people’s isolation, fear of others and driving hatred.

But he cautioned of a potential chilling effect on free speech and argued failing to tackle illegal immigration does little to foster community cohesion.

Welsh Lib Dem leader Jane Dodds warned online hate and misinformation is increasing, saying: “Many of us are targets… and the political language we use is absolutely critical.”

Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats

Ms Hutt told the Senedd the Welsh Government will set up an expert group, chaired by equality campaigner Gaynor Legall, following a committee inquiry into social cohesion.

Jenny Rathbone, who chairs the Senedd’s equality committee, applauded the minister’s rapid response in accepting the report’s first recommendation within four working days.

She told Senedd Members: “We are in a very, very difficult situation at the moment and it can only get worse as we move towards a highly contested election next May.

“I think the conversation I’m sure many of us had with a senior policeman today tells us that this is not going to be easy.”

Her Labour colleague John Griffiths agreed, reminding politicians of their responsibilities given the fevered and, at times, poisonous atmosphere surrounding political debate.

Community

Teifi river revival project secures £1.4m lottery funding

Published

17 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

COMMUNITIES along the River Teifi are set to play a central role in a major new project aimed at improving the health of one of west Wales’ most important rivers.

The Teifi Fyw — Living Teifi: People and Nature Together project has been given the green light after securing more than £1.4m from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The conservation project aims to respond to climate change, biodiversity loss and declining river health, while also recognising the Teifi’s deep cultural and historic importance to the communities which live and work along its catchment.

The first stage will be a two-year development phase, bringing together scientific evidence, local history, lived experience and creative work to help shape future restoration plans.

The project will be coordinated by Natural Resources Wales, working with the West Wales Rivers Trust, the Mining Remediation Authority, Strata Florida Trust, Mentera, Ceredigion County Council, UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

It will also build on existing work carried out by the Teifi Nutrient Management Board and local stakeholder projects including Llais yr Afon and P.R.A.M.

Cllr Clive Davies welcomed the announcement, saying he looked forward to seeing the project outcomes realised.

The River Teifi is one of Wales’ best-known waterways, flowing through Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire before reaching the sea at Cardigan.

Project leaders say the aim is to ensure that restoration work is not only based on environmental evidence, but also reflects the values and priorities of the people who know the river best.

Community

Henry Tudor Centre designs to go on display in Pembroke

Published

21 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Public invited to help shape new heritage centre exhibition

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to view the emerging exhibition designs for the new Henry Tudor Centre in Pembroke.

The centre, due to open in spring 2027, will be based at South Quay and will tell the story of Henry Tudor, the son of Pembroke who went on to become Henry VII and founder of the Tudor dynasty.

The exhibition designs will be on display at Pembroke Town Hall from Friday, May 22, to Friday, May 29.

The Henry Tudor Trust, which will operate the new heritage centre, is asking residents and visitors to give their views on how Henry Tudor’s story should be told.

The designs have been developed by exhibition specialists Image Makers, with feedback forms available for members of the public to submit comments. These responses will help refine the exhibition as the project develops.

The new logo for the centre, created by Haverfordwest-based marketing company Media2Motion, will also be on display.

Work is currently underway to refurbish the Grade II-listed building at South Quay, which will house the new exhibition. The centre will also include a new public library, replacing the current library on The Commons, as well as a café.

The capital project is being funded by the Welsh Government, UK Government and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Additional support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will fund a programme of events and activities at the new centre, alongside volunteering opportunities and educational resources for schools.

The exhibition plans can be viewed at Pembroke Town Hall from Monday to Thursday, 9:00am to 3:00pm, and Friday, 9:00am to 1:00pm. The town hall is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

Community

Pembroke Town Council Monkton vacancy following town councillor’s Senedd win

Published

24 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PEMBROKE’S Monkton ward will soon have a new town councillor after its previous representative secured a seat in the Senedd as one of six new members for the Ceredigion Penfro seat.

A notice of casual vacancy for the Monkton ward of Pembroke Town Council was publicised yesterday, May 11.

If no written request is made to the county council’s returning officer, the town council may fill the vacant seat by co-option.

The seat was made vacant following now-former town councillor Reform’s Susan Claire Archibald becoming a Senedd member for the new Ceredigion Penfro Senedd ward, one of two Reform candidates to do so.

At the Senedd count on May 8, the former councillor spoke on behalf of herself, fellow Reform winner Paul Marr, and the party’s supporters, saying the supporters would need “new shoes,” given Ceredigion Penfro’s “ginormous constituency”.

She added: “Paul and I are obviously very excited to get to work to representing our constituency of Ceredigion and Penfro.”

The six Senedd members for the new Ceredigion Penfro ward, which saw three Plaid seats, two Reform and one Welsh Conservatives gained, are: Elin Jones, Kerry Ferguson, and Anna Nicholl Plaid Cymru; Susan Claire Archibald and Paul Marr Reform; Welsh Conservatives Paul Windsor Davies.

A formal request for an election to fill the vacant Monkton seat may be made to: Returning Officer, Pembrokeshire County Council, Electoral Services, County Hall, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1TP.

The town council itself saw, last weekend, the inauguration of Councillor Jonathan Grimes, also joint county councillor for Pembroke Monkton and St Mary South, as the 647th Mayor of Pembroke.

Accompanied by his wife, Councillor Deborah Willcocks, a civic lunch was held at the town hall, Main Street, successfully raising £350 in support of his chosen charity, Sandy Bear.

The weekend also saw a service at St Mary’s Church, where the Bishop of St Davids offered a blessing for the newly installed bells.