News
Ocean rowers launch gruelling Irish Sea leg in £57m fight against MND
A TEAM of ocean rowers has today (Saturday, March 7) set off on the next leg of an extraordinary endurance challenge to raise £57 million for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research and treatment.
The ROW4MND team, made up of four experienced endurance athletes, began the demanding second stage of their mission from Dale in Pembrokeshire. Over the next ten days, they are expected to row continuously across the Irish Sea towards the Western Isles of Scotland, battling cold temperatures, darkness and unpredictable conditions.
The campaign builds on last year’s successful challenge, during which the team raised more than £140,000 while rowing around 1,000 miles of UK coastline. The latest leg forms part of a four-year campaign which aims to raise £57 million for MND research and treatment by 2028.
Funds raised will support My Name’s Doddie Foundation, the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Leeds Hospitals Charity.
The 2025 challenge unexpectedly drew national attention when the crew were mistakenly identified as “illegal migrants” by MP Rupert Lowe while rowing past Norfolk. The incident quickly became one of the year’s most talked-about news stories, but the team turned the publicity into momentum for their cause — even receiving a £1,000 donation from the MP afterwards.
This year’s rowing team consists of Mike Bates, Matt Parker, Aaron Kneebone and Gareth Timmins. The campaign’s £57 million fundraising target is symbolic, inspired by the shirt numbers worn by rugby legends Doddie Weir (5) and Rob Burrow (7), both of whom died after battling MND.
The crew includes some of the world’s most experienced endurance rowers. Joining the team this year is Gareth Timmins, a former Royal Marines Commando who is now a bestselling author, behavioural and cognitive performance strategist, and researcher.
He rows alongside campaign co-founders Mike Bates, a solo Atlantic rower and former Royal Marines Commando, and Matt Parker, chief executive of cyber security firm Xypher and a purpose-driven entrepreneur who has completed numerous endurance challenges. Aaron Kneebone, an accredited ocean rowing coach and Royal Marine veteran, also returns to the crew.
Matt Parker, co-founder of ROW4MND, said: “When people go out of their way to sacrifice and suffer in the name of such an incredible cause, we hope it gives people hope that change is possible in the future.
“We can’t lose sight of the fact that this is an endurance mission which will bring short-term pain for us. We are determined to do everything we can to raise £57 million for MND research and treatment by 2028 and we are grateful for the support we receive every row of the way.”
Mike Bates, also a co-founder of the campaign, added: “We are even more resolute this year in our ambition to raise vital funds for MND research and treatment. The challenge ahead will be tougher because at this time of year it will be colder, wetter and darker.
“What we will have in our minds is the fact that one in 300 people are affected by MND. That is a hard reality to face and it means almost everyone in the UK knows someone impacted by this cruel disease.
“These challenges are tough, but they are nothing compared to the pain experienced by those diagnosed with MND and their families every day. ROW4MND is about helping change the future of treatment.”
Readers can follow the crew’s progress and support the campaign by visiting www.row4mnd.com
Community
Doorstep warning issued after reports of suspicious callers in Pembrokeshire
Residents in Haverfordwest and St Davids urged to watch out for vulnerable neighbours after social media alerts
A WARNING has been issued to residents in parts of Pembrokeshire after separate social media reports of suspicious doorstep callers in both Haverfordwest and St Davids.
In Haverfordwest one resident said a man called at his home at around 6:10pm on Tuesday (Apr 14), claiming he was an ex-convict from South Shields selling cheap household goods in an effort to get his life back on track.
The Merlins Bridge resident said the man claimed there was a wider team operating in the area in a similar way. He reported that the caller then knocked at several more homes along Venns Close before heading towards Greenhill Drive and the roundabout.
The man was described as wearing black waterproof trousers and a royal blue waterproof coat, with dark medium-length hair and no hat. He was also said to be carrying a large holdall, possibly containing items for sale.
In a separate post circulating online, residents in St Davids were also warned to be cautious after reports of men wearing backpacks and baseball caps going door-to-door.
The post claimed police had been in the area several times during the day looking for the individuals. Residents were urged to keep doors locked and to contact police if they saw anything suspicious.
While none of the claims have been independently verified by The Herald, the reports have prompted calls for people to remain vigilant, secure doors, gates and vehicles, and check in on elderly or vulnerable neighbours.
Residents suggested the activity may be linked to so-called “Nottingham Knockers”, a term often used to describe cold callers selling goods door-to-door, sometimes amid concerns that vulnerable households may be targeted.
He said he had reported the Haverfordwest incident to Dyfed-Powys Police via the force’s website. The reference number given was CDS-76190-26-6300-002.
Anyone who sees suspicious behaviour is advised to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police.
Crime
Romino’s licence revoked after illegal workers found and fire risks exposed
Takeaway in Cardigan ordered to shut by 11:00pm after council hearing backed by immigration officials, police and fire service
A TAKEAWAY in Cardigan has lost its premises licence after repeated enforcement visits uncovered illegal working and serious fire safety failings.
Ceredigion County Council’s Licensing Sub Committee decided to revoke the premises licence for Romino’s Pizza and Kebab following a hearing held on Monday, April 7.
The review was brought by Home Office Immigration Enforcement and supported by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Dyfed-Powys Police.
During four separate visits to the business, officers found a total of eight people said to be working illegally at the premises.
Fire safety inspectors also identified a number of serious breaches, leading to prohibition notices being issued because of the risks posed to staff, customers and the wider public.
The committee concluded that revoking the licence was proportionate and necessary in order to uphold the licensing objectives, in particular the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of public safety.
As a result of the decision, the business will now be required to close at 11:00pm unless an appeal is lodged.
A spokesperson for Ceredigion County Council said: “We welcome the Licensing Sub Committee’s decision to revoke the Premises Licence for Romino’s in Cardigan. This reflects the seriousness of the issues identified and the clear risks posed.”
The action follows earlier enforcement steps taken in March.
On March 5, immigration officers visited the premises and found two Turkish men allegedly working there illegally. A closure notice was issued at once, preventing access to the site and stopping any work from taking place.
The Home Office said that on three previous visits, a further six people had been found working illegally at the same business. Those responsible were handed fines totalling £135,000.
An illegal working compliance order was later granted at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 6. Such orders place strict conditions on a business, including requirements to carry out right-to-work checks and permit ongoing inspections.
Although the takeaway later reopened, the Home Office pressed ahead with its application for a licence review on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder.
A spokesperson said illegal working harms lawful businesses, drives down wages and can be linked to organised immigration crime.
Business
Sauna Uno brings coastal wellness experience to West Wales
Bespoke mobile sauna offers sea views, cold-water immersion and private group bookings along the Pembrokeshire coast
A UNIQUE mobile sauna experience is bringing a fresh take on relaxation and wellbeing to the West Wales coast, combining traditional heat therapy with sea air, cold-water immersion and some of the region’s most dramatic views.
Sauna Uno is a custom-built mobile sauna designed to offer guests the benefits of a Nordic-style sauna experience in a striking coastal setting. Operating from selected locations in West Wales, it allows visitors to step from the warmth of a wood-fired sauna into the open air, with the option of a cold plunge or sea swim as part of the ritual.
Set against the backdrop of beaches, cliffs and Atlantic skies, the experience is built around contrast — intense heat followed by cold water, shared conversation followed by quiet reflection, and the comfort of the sauna against the raw beauty of the Pembrokeshire coastline.

Designed for comfort
Inside, Sauna Uno has been carefully designed to create a welcoming and practical space for both individuals and groups. The sauna includes a spacious seating area, large viewing windows, heated changing facilities, and a selection of herbal teas, cold water and natural essential oils to enhance the experience.
The aim is to combine the health benefits of sauna use with the calming effect of the coastal environment, creating something that feels both restorative and memorable.
Its owners say the concept is about more than simply getting warm.
Sauna Uno is intended to offer people the chance to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy a moment of calm in a busy world — whether that is after a sea swim, as part of a wellness session, or simply as a social experience with friends.

Popular for groups and private hire
The mobile sauna has proved especially popular for group bookings, with enough space for friends, families and small parties to enjoy the experience together.
Bookings are regularly made for birthdays, private gatherings, group wellness sessions and retreat-style coastal days out. The setting, combined with the shared nature of the sauna experience, has made it an increasingly attractive alternative to more traditional celebrations.
To encourage group celebrations, Sauna Uno is currently offering a ten per cent discount on birthday group bookings.
That offer is expected to appeal to those looking for something a little different — an occasion centred on wellbeing, the outdoors and spending quality time together rather than the usual restaurant or nightlife options.
A growing wellness trend
Sauna culture has grown in popularity across the UK in recent years, with more people turning to heat therapy, cold-water immersion and outdoor wellness experiences as a way to support both physical and mental health.
Regular sauna use is commonly linked to improved circulation, muscle recovery, reduced tension and stress relief. Many enthusiasts also say the combination of heat and cold helps improve mental clarity, resilience and overall wellbeing.
At coastal sites, that effect can be heightened by the surrounding landscape, fresh air and sea views, turning a sauna session into a more immersive experience.
Visitors to Sauna Uno have praised the quality of the heat, the design of the sauna and the peaceful atmosphere created by the coastal locations. Sunset sessions and winter bookings have proved particularly popular, with many describing the combination of hot sauna and cold sea air as both invigorating and deeply calming.
Making the most of the coast
By operating as a mobile unit, Sauna Uno is able to make use of carefully chosen coastal spots across West Wales, bringing the experience closer to the sea and giving guests access to some of the area’s most scenic locations.
For many, that sense of place is what sets it apart.
Rather than being tucked away indoors, Sauna Uno makes the natural environment part of the experience itself — offering a way to enjoy the coast in all seasons, whether under clear skies, in the golden light of sunset, or with wild weather rolling in off the Atlantic.
With interest continuing to grow and weekend sessions often booked in advance, organisers are encouraging people to plan ahead for private hire, birthday bookings and group visits.
For bookings and enquiries, their Facebook page can also be found by searching Sauna Uno.
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