Survivors warn reforms are ‘on paper only’ as Caldey prepares for Easter crowds of up to 60,000 visitors

CAMPAIGNERS say Caldey Island remains unsafe more than a year after an independent review into historic abuse, as survivors accuse church authorities and trustees of prioritising appearances over meaningful change.

The claims come as the island prepares to reopen to the public for Easter, when campaigners estimate around 60,000 visitors could travel to the monastery island off Tenby.

Caldey Abbey, long promoted as a place of peace, prayer and retreat, has been at the centre of serious safeguarding concerns for years. Survivors say abuse was enabled by isolation, secrecy and a culture in which those who spoke out were ignored, disbelieved or actively discouraged.

A long history of abuse

One of the most prominent cases involved former monk Paul Ashton, who arrived on Caldey in 2003. Survivors say Ashton groomed families over several years, using access to children and trust built through the monastery community.

Natalie Roberts, who has spoken publicly about her experiences, previously described how Ashton ingratiated himself with her family, including rehoming her cat in an apparent attempt to get closer. Ashton was arrested in 2011 after being recognised from a “Most Wanted” television programme.

Campaigners say Ashton’s presence on the island for years, despite concerns being raised, is emblematic of deeper safeguarding failures.

Independent review and unfulfilled expectations

In response to growing pressure, Caldey Abbey commissioned an independent safeguarding review led by Jan Pickles OBE. The review was published in December 2024 and examined historical abuse and safeguarding arrangements on the island.

The review found that victims had been treated with cruelty, hostility and disbelief, and that safeguarding systems were inadequate. All recommendations were accepted by the Abbey’s trustees.

However, survivors now say little has changed in practice.

“On paper everything looks fine,” one campaigner said. “But nothing meaningful has changed for victims.”

Survivor accounts: abuse, compensation and silence

Rebecca Philippart, one of the survivors who contributed to the review, said she was abused for around five and a half years until 1987 and again in 1989 or 1990. She said her abuser was Father Thaddeus, who later died in 1992.

In 2018, Philippart received £9,500 in compensation, which she said was handled by Father Daniel, the abbot at the time. She said further disclosures and information emerged after that payment, but she has since been denied additional redress.

Her husband, Eduardo Ormeno, said both had attended numerous meetings with church authorities and trustees.

“No one has really looked at the wider issue,” he said. “There were paedophiles living there until October 2025. That has never been properly examined.”

Philippart said she attempted to contact island residents and workers but was met with what she described as a “wall of silence”.

“They said I was lying,” she said. “Even though what happened has now been proven.”

Campaigners allege that fear of losing homes or livelihoods has prevented people from speaking out. They claim some islanders and boatmen were aware of abuse but never came forward.

DBS checks and public-facing roles

One of the most contentious issues remains vetting.

Campaigners say monks have daily contact with visitors, guests and island residents, including entering cottages, mixing with families, providing sacraments and offering pastoral guidance. They argue this makes them public-facing and therefore subject to Enhanced DBS checks.

They claim that while DBS checks have now been completed for monks, only one monk, Father Yann, has undergone an Enhanced DBS check.

Caldey Abbey disputes that monks are public-facing in the sense required for Enhanced DBS checks and says appropriate vetting is in place.

Tenancy agreements and transparency

Another key recommendation of the Pickles review was greater transparency around island housing and tenancy agreements.

Campaigners say these agreements have still not been made public, leaving residents fearful of repercussions if they speak out.

“They are scared of losing their homes or their jobs,” one survivor said.

Abbey trustees: progress claimed, NDAs denied

In a detailed statement to The Herald, Caldey Abbey Charity said it takes safeguarding extremely seriously and recognises the profound harm caused by historical abuse.

The trustees confirmed that all recommendations from the Pickles review were accepted and are subject to ongoing oversight.

They said the Abbey was audited in June 2025 by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, with the report published in December 2025. The CSSA assessed Caldey as “results being achieved”, while noting the need for continued vigilance. A further audit is scheduled for 2027.

On compensation, trustees said ex-gratia payments are considered with legal advice in line with Charity Commission guidance, and that therapeutic support has been offered to those who came forward.

They denied the use of non-disclosure agreements to silence safeguarding concerns and said there are no NDAs involving island residents, contractors or boatmen linked to safeguarding matters. They also denied that properties on Caldey or in Tenby were provided as part of any settlement.

The Abbey provided links to safeguarding policies, the Pickles review, and audit documents on its website.

Regulators and church oversight

The Charity Commission confirmed it received historic safeguarding concerns relating to Caldey Abbey last year. After assessing the information and engaging with trustees, it provided regulatory advice and guidance but did not open a statutory inquiry.

The Commission said it would take seriously any concerns about misuse of NDAs or governance failures.

The Archdiocese of Cardiff-Menevia said Caldey Abbey is an independent charity under the Cistercian Order and that safeguarding oversight is supported nationally through the Religious Life Safeguarding Service and inspected by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency.

It said Archbishop Mark had met survivors to offer pastoral and spiritual support and remained open to meeting anyone harmed within the Catholic Church.

Campaigners, however, allege that in private meetings the Archbishop expressed disgust and embarrassment at what had happened, but ultimately declined to intervene in governance or remove his blessing from the Abbey.

“Everyone points elsewhere”

Survivors say responsibility is continually deflected.

The Abbey points to audits and policies.
Regulators say they advised but did not escalate.
The Church says Caldey is independent.

“And in the middle are survivors who still don’t feel safe,” one campaigner said.

With Caldey reopening to the public for Easter, and tens of thousands of visitors expected, campaigners say the stakes could not be higher.

“We are not trying to tear anything down,” Natalie Roberts said. “We just want the truth acknowledged, accountability, and real safeguarding — not just words on paper.”

Timeline: Caldey safeguarding concerns

2003 – Paul Ashton arrives on Caldey; alleged grooming begins
2011 – Ashton arrested after being recognised on television
2018 – Rebecca Philippart receives £9,500 compensation
December 2024 – Jan Pickles safeguarding review published
2025 – CSSA audit carried out; Archbishop meets survivors
January 2026 – Campaigners say “nothing meaningful has changed”
Easter 2026 – Island reopens to the public

Comment sought:
The Herald has also sought comment from Jan Pickles OBE, the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency, and Pembrokeshire County Council. Any further responses will be reported.

New perinatal service aims to help families cope with the pressures of early parenthood

NSPCC CYMRU has launched a new perinatal support programme aimed at helping expectant and new parents across Wales navigate the challenges of caring for a baby.

The Baby Steps service, a redeveloped early-intervention programme, is designed to give parents the tools, confidence and emotional support needed during pregnancy and in a child’s first months of life.

The service was officially launched this week at an event held at BT headquarters in London, attended by The Duchess of Edinburgh, who is a Patron of NSPCC, alongside childcare professionals and public figures.

Baby Steps will initially be piloted through three NSPCC hubs, including the Wales hub, placing Cymru at the forefront of the charity’s rollout of the service.

Carl Harris, Assistant Director for the NSPCC Wales hub, said the evidence-based programme could make a significant difference to families during a crucial stage of a child’s development.

He said: “The early stages of a baby’s life can feel daunting for parents, as they face new challenges every day while trying to give their child the best possible start.

“It is a critical time for a child’s development, and perinatal services like Baby Steps can offer enormous support to help parents through what is an exciting, but sometimes very difficult, period.

“NSPCC Cymru is proud to be leading the way in rolling out this service and supporting parents and children across Wales.”

Figures released alongside the launch highlight the scale of need. During 2024/25, the NSPCC Helpline referred more than 3,800 children under the age of two to external agencies across the UK, including police and social services. This represented almost one fifth (18%) of all referrals made by the Helpline on behalf of a child during the year.

One father who contacted the service described the pressures faced by new parents, saying: “We just can’t get our baby into a routine. It’s been eight weeks, we’re new to parenting and have different opinions, and then our friends all have different advice. It’s causing major arguments and nothing’s working.”

In addition to Baby Steps, the NSPCC website offers a wide range of guidance for parents and carers, including advice on bonding with babies and raising children safely.

Chris Sherwood, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, said the charity was pleased to mark the launch with a royal visit.

He said: “It’s always a privilege to be part of a Royal visit, and we were delighted that HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh was able to join us to celebrate our Baby Steps service.

“As our Helpline data shows, the first couple of years of a child’s life can be an extremely difficult time for parents. Our Helpline regularly hears from parents struggling with the pressures of a newborn, as well as from concerned members of the community.

“The Baby Steps service provides essential building blocks to help parents navigate the earliest stages of their child’s life and ensure they thrive. Any parent or carer who needs support or advice can always contact the NSPCC Helpline.”
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Service honours shared history, service and friendship on the Quayside

A SYMBOL of Haverfordwest’s wartime and Cold War connections with the United States was formally re-dedicated on Tuesday (Jan 27), marking 30 years since the anchor was first presented to the town by the US Naval Facility at Brawdy.

The re-dedication service was hosted by Haverfordwest Town Council and brought together civic leaders, veterans, serving personnel and members of the public to honour service, remember history and celebrate enduring friendship between the UK and the US.

The Mayor welcomed guests including the Mayor’s Chaplain, the Reverend Heather Cale, along with civic dignitaries His Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenant of Dyfed, Patricia Mawuli Porter, and the High Sheriff of Dyfed, Ann Jones. Also present were fellow councillors, invited guests and veterans, including James Phillips, Colonel (RN) and Veterans’ Commissioner for Wales, David Griggs, Lieutenant Commander (RN) and former Royal Navy Liaison Officer at the facility, and Squadron Leader David Warneford (RN), former Commanding Officer of RAF Brawdy.

Representatives from the 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) at Brawdy and the Royal British Legion attended, alongside members of Pembrokeshire County Council, the town mayors of Neyland, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock, the Joint Presidents of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society/County Show and local historian Mark Muller.

Family links to the original ceremony in 1996 were also recognised. Jonathan, the son of the late Mayor Councillor D Twigg—who was Mayor of Haverfordwest when the anchor was first presented—attended with his mother. Apologies were noted from former Town Clerk Mrs Pat Lewis, who had been in post at the time of the original presentation.

The service opened with reflection and prayer from the Mayor’s Chaplain before Dr Simon Hancock, Armed Forces Champion at Pembrokeshire County Council and Haverfordwest Museum Curate, set out the historical context of the US Naval Facility at Brawdy, its relationship with the local community and the significance of the anchor’s presentation in 1996.

Town councillor Randell Thomas-Turner offered a personal reflection, recalling that his father had been stationed at the US facility and speaking of the human connections forged during the American presence at Brawdy and the lasting bonds between service families and local communities.

Veteran Squadron Leader David Warneford followed with reflections on shared service and alliance, and on the continuing relationship between the US and the UK. The Mayor then spoke of the anchor as a permanent part of the town’s heritage and the importance of international partnership, before the formal act of re-dedication was led jointly by the Mayor and Mr Warneford.

Music included Sousa’s Hands Across the Sea, underscoring the theme of transatlantic friendship. The service concluded with a blessing and closing remarks, with thanks extended to speakers, organisers and attendees.

With Storm Chandra moving in at the start of the ceremony at 12.30pm, proceedings were held upstairs at the Town Council offices, allowing guests to look out towards the Quayside anchor from a distance. As the rain eased by the close of the service, attendees joined the Mayor, Sheriff and councillors at the anchor site itself, where a newly painted anchor and new interpretation sign—installed by Town Council staff—were unveiled.

A live recording of the re-dedication service has been shared in two parts on the Pure West Radio Facebook page, with thanks given to Alex at Pure West Radio, council staff, speakers and the Reverend Heather Cale for their support in making the event possible.