News

Superfast Cymru make an icy splash for RNLI

Published

10 years ago

January 28, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Making a splash: Superfast broadband team.

BT MEMBERS of the Superfast Cymru team have raised over £2,000 for the RNLI in Tenby as a result of their efforts at the Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim. Joining the hundreds of swimmers that took part in the popular annual event, the 12-strong team, made up of a mixture of managers, engineers and marketers donned their swimsuits and braved the icy conditions for the much loved charity. Speaking after the event BT senior project manager, Ynyr Roberts, said:

“We wanted to support a charity that plays a vital role in the community and we’re delighted to have raised over £2,000 for such a worthy cause. “Taking a dip in the Saundersfoot sea was certainly refreshing and a change to our normal day jobs of being up a telegraph pole or having our heads in roadside cabinets. “The people of Pembrokeshire will know we’ve been working hard around the county to bring fast fibre broadband to communities throughout the area. This will continue in 2015 as more and more premises get access to superfast internet speeds.”

Earlier this week it was announced that Saundersfoot had become one of the latest exchange areas in Wales to benefit from fast fibre broadband. More than 23,000 homes and businesses are already able to access fast fibre broadband in Pembrokeshire as a result of Superfast Cymru . Money raised by BT members of the Superfast Cymru team will be used to help the RNLI to train and equip Tenby’s lifesavers.

Tenby RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Phil Rees, said: “As a charity, which relies on voluntary contributions and donations for income, we are thrilled with this generous donation which will help our crews to save even more lives at sea. “People fundraise for the RNLI in many different ways, but the Superfast Cymru team certainly went above and beyond by braving icy seas to support us. We are so very grateful for their efforts.”

In addition to Ynyr Roberts the BT team was made up of Lee Marston, Owain Twitchett, Ashlee Thomas, Rhys Thomas, Alan Farmer, Wes Sheldon, Leighton Quick, James Stephens, Charlie-Ann Haydock, Susi Marston and colleagues from Carillion Telent, a contractor for BT. Delivering high speed fibre broadband across Wales, Superfast Cymru is a partnership between BT and Welsh Government, with additional funding from UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Funding of £205m has been provided by the Welsh Government, the UK Government and the European Regional Development Fund, with BT contributing a further £220m to deliver fibre across Wales via its commercial rollout and the Superfast Cymru programme. Fibre broadband will help transform the broadband landscape across Wales and enable local businesses in Pembrokeshire to compete on a global level.

Highspeed broadband makes it possible for businesses to be located anywhere and improves opportunities for business creativity and entrepreneurship. At home, fibre broadband enables a family to simultaneously download a movie, watch a TV replay service, surf the internet and play games online all at the same time.

A whole album can be downloaded in less than 30 seconds and a feature length HD movie in less than 10 minutes, whilst high-resolution photos can be uploaded to Facebook in seconds. In addition to Saundersfoot, superfast broadband is also available to residents and businesses served by the Pembroke, Milford Haven, Neyland, Johnstone and Haverfordwest exchanges.

Households and businesses which want superfast speeds need to contact an internet service provider (ISP) to sign up to receive fast fibre – the upgrade is not automatic. There are a variety ISPs offering fibre broadband in Wales so customers can shop around and choose the package that is best for them. If they choose not to upgrade to fibre broadband, they will be able to continue using their existing broadband service.

News

Police appeal after fatal collision on A48 near Cross Hands

Published

37 mins ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information following a fatal road traffic collision on the A48 eastbound between Cross Hands and Cwmgwili.

The incident occurred at approximately 5:05pm on Friday (Nov 15).

A grey Isuzu D-Max was involved in the crash, which tragically resulted in the death of a 55-year-old man at the scene. His family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers.

Emergency services closed both the eastbound and westbound carriageways while attending the scene.

The westbound carriageway and one lane of the eastbound carriageway reopened at midnight, with the eastbound carriageway fully reopening at 12:30pm on Saturday (Nov 16).

Police are urging anyone with information that could assist their investigation to get in touch. You can contact Dyfed-Powys Police via the following:
🖥️ | Submit information online
📧 | Email: [email protected]
💬 | Direct message on social media
📞 | Call: 101

Please quote reference: 24*970191.

Education

Haverfordwest High VC School raise £12,775 for Children in Need

Published

52 mins ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THIS week students at Haverfordwest High VC School have raised a record breaking £12,775 for Children in Need. The week has been led by an incredible group of Senior Prefects and their Year 12 and 13 Children in Need Army. The Sixth Form events have consisted of:

150 students taking a Big Dip at Broadhaven Beach.
Bushtucker Trial – where students went up against HHVCS staff to eat some gruelly delights.
Buffee and Barnes’ Wednesday Night Takeaway – a quiz night held at Haverfordwest RFC.
A carwash – where staff, pupils and brave members of the public had their cars washed.
Our Head Boy Harry shaved and dyed his hair. Closely followed by Year 12 Oscar and Kayden shaving their heads in front of the entire Sixth Form Block
Senior Prefects Katie and Ffion conducted a half marathon around Haverfordwest and were joined by Head Boy Harry and Deputy Head Boy Finn.
Year 12 Libby and Year 13 Molly held a sponsored silence – it was a lovely day!
Netball and football matches
A bake sale
Sweet shop led by Year 12 Leah, Queenie and Chloe.
Cyclathon – where students cycled all day outside the Sixth Form Block on spin bikes.
Leg waxing – Brave Year 12 and 13 boys had their legs waxed in front of the whole school.
Fun Run – which involved pupils from across the whole school.
Teddy and Pudsey ears sale.
The younger year groups also played a huge part in the fundraising efforts with Achievement Leaders planning a range of events including:
Year 7 danceathon – where students danced all day to some disco classics. Led by Senior Prefect Lucy and her sidekicks Brianna and Carys.
Year 8 Awesome Auction – hosted by Year 8
Year 9 Quiz
Year 10 and 11 football and bingo

The week was topped off with a whole school fancy dress. We couldn’t be more proud of what our pupils and staff have achieved. This amount of money will make a huge difference to children in need.

News

Three men charged with cannabis production after major bust in Llandysul

Published

1 hour ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men have been charged with producing cannabis following a police raid on the former school on Heol Llyn y Fran, Llandysul, on Friday (Nov 15).

During the operation, officers uncovered a substantial cannabis grow consisting of 737 plants, which were seized as evidence.

Armeld Troski, 29, Njazi Gjana, 27, and Ervin Gjana, 24, have been charged with producing a controlled class B drug. All three have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court today (Nov 18).

Officers remain at the scene as they continue to remove items and conduct further enquiries. Local police have assured the public that they will maintain a presence in the area while the building is secured.

A spokesperson said: “We are committed to making our force area hostile to those who produce and deal drugs. The local community can help us by continuing to report any signs of criminal activity. Any bit of information, no matter how small it may seem, could make a big difference.”

Residents who are concerned about drug-related crime or suspect someone is being exploited are encouraged to report their concerns. Reports can be made online via the police website, by emailing, or by calling 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Local officers have thanked the community for their ongoing support and cooperation.

(Cover image: BBC)