Community

More progress for WASPI campaigners as Government reconsiders compensation

Published

12 seconds ago

December 9, 2025

Hopes raised for nearly 7,000 women in Ceredigion Preseli

ALMOST 7,000 women born in the 1950s across the Ceredigion Preseli constituency could be affected by an imminent UK Government rethink over whether they are owed compensation for receiving little or no notice that their state pension age would rise by up to six years.

In December last year, the then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall announced that no compensation would be paid, despite the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman recommending it. The Government did, however, accept that there had been maladministration, and said the women were entitled to an apology.

But on 11 November, her successor Pat McFadden told MPs that new evidence had been uncovered, prompting him to look at the matter again. The evidence relates to research commissioned by the Department for Work & Pensions on how many women would have benefitted from earlier notification letters about their rising state pension age — research which, he said, had not been shown to the previous minister.

The reversal came shortly before a Judicial Review brought by the Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) campaign, which was scheduled for hearings on 9–10 December. That case will now not proceed after the Government committed to:

Reconsidering the decision in full within 12 weeks, unless there is a compelling reason for delay that can be scrutinised by the court.

Retaking the decision entirely afresh, considering all relevant evidence.

Paying over half of WASPI’s legal costs, leaving the campaign with sufficient funds to challenge any future legal errors if necessary.

Pamela Judge, Co-ordinator of Ceredigion Preseli WASPI, said the development marked a major step forward.

“This is a major success for WASPI and would not have happened without WASPI’s legal action,” she said. “With Ben Lake’s help we launched our campaign locally nearly seven years ago when the national campaign was already in full swing. It’s taken a long time to get this far.

“The Government has now raised our hopes by saying, quite rightly, that it will consider the matter of compensation afresh. Our hopes must not be dashed again.

“We know the Government can do the right thing. It is already compensating victims of the contaminated blood scandal, the postmasters who suffered losses due to faulty accounting software, and it has revised the Windrush compensation scheme. It’s time the WASPI women were treated fairly too.”

Ben Lake MP for Ceredigion Preseli said he welcomed the development.

“I am pleased that the Judicial Review does not need to go ahead as planned and that the Government will reconsider evidence that wasn’t previously available to the former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

“The UK Government must now give a speedy decision on their reconsideration of the Ombudsman’s findings. After years of disappointment, these women deserve certainty and long overdue redress.”

The Government’s reconsidered decision is due by 24 February 2026.

Community

Bike challenge in memory of Samantha to raise funds for St David’s Hospice

Published

8 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A MILFORD HAVEN man will take on an eight-hour stationary bike ride early in the new year to raise money for the hospice that cared for his sister-in-law during her final months.

Ian Hobbs will complete the challenge at Inner Tiger Fitness on Friday, 3 January, in support of St David’s Hospice, Newport, which provided end-of-life care for Samantha, who died from bowel cancer earlier this year at the age of 44.

Ian and his wife Steph say the fundraiser is a way to thank the hospice for the “tremendous care and support” Samantha received during her illness. Ian set an initial target of £500, which has already been met, and has now increased the goal to £1,000.

The effort is also offering an opportunity for local businesses to sponsor Ian’s challenge. He will be wearing a T-shirt displaying the hospice logo, with space for additional business logos to be added ahead of the event.

Steph said the family hope the community will get behind the fundraiser to help raise as much as possible for the hospice, which relies heavily on donations to continue its work.

The JustGiving page for the challenge can be found here:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/ian-hobbs-1

Community

Scouts plant 1,000 purple crocuses to support the global push to end polio

Published

8 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people from 1st Johnston Scout Group spent their Saturday morning making a positive difference in their community by planting around 1,000 purple crocus corms in Withybush Woods, Haverfordwest, as part of a global movement to help eradicate polio.

The planting session contributes towards the Group’s Community Impact work and for many of those taking part, it offered the chance to take local action linked to a global cause.

The purple crocuses carry an important message. They represent a worldwide effort to end polio, a virus that mainly affects children under the age of five. Polio can lead to paralysis, breathing difficulties and in some cases, death. Routine vaccinations mean young people in the UK are protected, but the virus remains present in parts of the world. Until polio is eliminated everywhere, children everywhere remain at risk.

The colour choice is deeply symbolic. During mass vaccination campaigns in some parts of the world, children’s fingers are marked with purple ink once they receive the vaccine. This is an easy visual way for health workers to track progress. When the crocuses bloom in spring, they will stand as a reminder of the children still waiting for the vaccine.

This planting was delivered in partnership with the Rotary Club of Haverfordwest who supplied the corms through a national initiative, where donations support vaccination programmes backed by the World Health Organisation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Rotary International and the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Simon Preddy, Group Lead Volunteer said: “As we head into Christmas, the Scouts wanted to do something that gives back. Planting these corms is a small act, but the message behind it is powerful. When the flowers appear, they’ll remind us that even local efforts can support children across the world.”

Now tucked safely beneath winter soil, the crocus corms will wait for spring, ready to bloom into a field of purple hope. A simple gesture of care, community, and the belief that every child deserves the chance to grow up healthy and a meaningful way to mark the season of giving.

Community

Santa to tour Neyland before festive grotto opens at Community Hub

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND will welcome Father Christmas on Friday 19 December as the town’s annual sleigh tour and Christmas grotto return, organised by Neyland Town Council with support from Gareth Hughes Motors.

The Christmas Fairy announced the event on social media with the seasonal message: “It’s tiiiiiiimmmmmmeeee! I hope you’ve all been good… come and meet the big man himself. You might even get a little treat if you’re on Santa’s good list. We can’t wait to see you all there.”

Santa will begin his sleigh ride around Neyland at 5:30pm, with the elves from Gareth Hughes Motors escorting him through several of the town’s residential streets. The planned route will take in Rose and Willow at 5:30pm, Springfield Avenue, the entrance to Gordon Parry, the Forresters, Policeman’s Bank, the Yacht Club area, and Riverside Avenue by the cenotaph.

The sleigh will then arrive at Neyland Community Hub at 6:30pm, where Santa’s Grotto will open for families to visit. Hot festive food will be available to buy from The Hub’s kitchen throughout the evening.

The event is free to attend, with the Town Council encouraging as many families as possible to come along and enjoy the festivities.