A £26,273 donation from the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group has helped create a calmer and more comfortable space for patients undergoing cancer treatment

A GENEROUS charitable donation has helped transform the patient waiting room at Glangwili Hospital’s Chemotherapy Day Unit.

Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has used a £26,273 donation from the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group to fund a major refurbishment of the unit’s waiting room and adjacent kitchen.

The West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group is a patient-led group of volunteers working across West and South West Wales, offering support to prostate cancer patients, as well as their families and friends.

The project has created a more welcoming, comfortable and calming environment for patients receiving treatment, along with relatives and carers who accompany them to appointments.

Before the refurbishment, the waiting area was described as dated, dark and uninviting, in contrast to the compassionate care provided by staff within the unit. Patients can often spend long periods in the space before treatment or clinic appointments.

The work included the removal of old fixtures, full redecoration, new flooring and ceiling, the purchase of more comfortable furniture, and the addition of artwork to help improve the atmosphere.

Gina Beard, Lead Cancer Nurse, said: “We are so grateful for the donation from the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group, which has enabled us to transform the space.

“This has made a real difference to our patients. We’ve been able to create a space that feels less clinical and more comforting. The calming colours and comfortable seating help ease anxiety and make a difficult time a little more bearable for patients and their loved ones.”

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, added: “We are deeply grateful to the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group for their donation.

“Your generosity has enabled us to create a pleasant and relaxing space for patients and their families.”

Hywel Dda Health Charities supports NHS patients and staff across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.

RSPCA Cymru warns heat and rising tethering cases could create a ‘deadly cocktail’ for horses across Wales

RSPCA CYMRU Senedd Members are calling for urgent Welsh Government action on horse tethering after reports to the charity almost doubled in a year.

The animal welfare charity received 122 reports concerning tethered horses across Wales in 2025, compared with 66 in 2024.

Since 2021, and up to June this year, the RSPCA has received 471 reports relating to horse tethering in Wales. A further 67 reports have already been made in 2026, with frontline rescuers expecting numbers to rise further during the summer months.

The charity has warned that high temperatures, combined with increased tethering, could create a “deadly cocktail” for horses left unable to seek shade, water or shelter.

Tethering involves restraining a horse with a rope, chain or strap attached to an anchor point in the ground. While the practice is not illegal in itself, owners have a legal duty to meet their animals’ welfare needs.

RSPCA Cymru says tethering can restrict a horse’s ability to exercise, forage, escape attacks from other animals, interact socially and access water or shade.

The Welsh Government’s Code of Practice for equine care states that tethering is “not a suitable method of management of an animal”, but the practice remains permitted in Wales.

Under the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014, local authorities have powers to seize horses that are fly-grazing, abandoned or straying on public land without lawful authority.

RSPCA Cymru is urging councils to use those powers where appropriate to prevent welfare issues from escalating and to protect community safety.

The issue was raised in the Senedd on Tuesday, July 7, by Huw Thomas MS, Member of the Senedd for Caerdydd Penarth.

He said horse tethering was a matter of “real concern” to many of his constituents, particularly where horses are tethered along approach roads into Cardiff.

Mr Thomas said: “Horse tethering is an issue of real concern for many of my constituents in Caerdydd Penarth.

“Yet horses continue to be tethered along approach roads into Cardiff, creating welfare concerns, particularly during periods of extreme weather like the recent heat, while also posing a risk to motorists.

“Following the sad death of a horse struck by a vehicle earlier this year, and with public concern continuing to grow, it’s clear we need to look again at whether the current legislation is fit for purpose.

“I’d hoped for a stronger statement of support from the First Minister to my question, but I will nevertheless continue to press for action on the issue of tethering.”

First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth acknowledged that while horse tethering is not illegal, it raises “significant welfare concerns”.

Mike Hedges MS, Member of the Senedd for Gŵyr Abertawe, has also recently called for a ban on tethering horses.

Billie-Jade Thomas, RSPCA Cymru’s Senior Public Affairs Manager, said it was encouraging to see Senedd Members raising the issue.

She said: “Tethering is not compatible with good welfare, and RSPCA Cymru continually receives calls concerning horses left tethered across Wales.

“Our statistics clearly show that concerns from the public and reports are rising each year, with the number having nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025.

“Clearly, Welsh Government action is increasingly urgent, and we welcome the new First Minister’s acknowledgement of the welfare issues associated with tethering.”

She said tethering should only ever be used for short periods where a horse is being given access to grazing.

She added: “For the remainder of the day, the horse should have access to shelter, opportunities to freely roam, forage and, where suitable, interact with other horses.

“We understand it can be hugely frustrating to animal lovers when they report animals being kept in conditions which they do not approve of but which meet the minimum legal standards, for example, when horses are tethered.

“It is upsetting to our officers too, many of whom are horse owners themselves, as they can only act within the law.”

RSPCA Cymru is calling for a review of the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014, which it says is now 12 years old.

Billie-Jade Thomas said: “The Welsh Government must now lead a review into the Control of Horses (Wales) Act 2014 to assess its effectiveness and determine whether any changes are needed to enable local authorities to utilise it better, and better protect horses.

“With us having experienced several heatwaves already this year, and with more likely in the coming months and years as a result of climate change, such action is needed now more than ever.

“The hot weather combined with increased tethering could be a deadly cocktail for many helpless horses. Tethered horses may struggle to seek shade or access water during spells of warm weather, and it can be highly detrimental to their welfare if they overheat.”

RSPCA Cymru has also written an open letter to Llyr Gruffydd MS, Cabinet Minister for Rural Resilience and Sustainability, calling for animal welfare commitments made in Plaid Cymru’s manifesto to be prioritised by the new administration.

The charity is calling for action in several areas, including granting RSPCA inspectors limited statutory powers, making pet abduction a specific offence in Wales, regulating livery yards, addressing horse tethering, improving farm animal welfare, and taking a humane approach to bovine TB that does not involve badger culling.

Billie-Jade Thomas added: “To truly protect animals in Wales, we would love to see action on specific penalties for pet theft, improvements to equine welfare, the raising of farm animal welfare standards, a humane approach to bovine TB, and more.

“We need your help to ensure these critical issues aren’t left behind.”

Members of the public are being encouraged to support RSPCA Cymru’s open letter and its Cruelty Hurts, Love Rescues campaign, which aims to highlight rising levels of animal cruelty during the summer months.

Former coxswain praised for four decades of dedication, major rescues and service to the Pembrokeshire coast

ST DAVIDS RNLI has paid tribute to Dai John after an extraordinary 40 years of dedicated service to the lifeboat station and the wider community.

Dai joined the crew in 1986, continuing a proud family tradition. His father served as coxswain at St Davids, while his grandfather was also a member of the crew.

Over the past four decades, Dai has been involved in countless rescues and emergency launches, serving as coxswain for 16 years and helping to save lives in some of the most challenging conditions off the Pembrokeshire coast.

Among the many incidents remembered by the station are the 14-hour rescue of the trawler Western Belle and her five crew during a night of rough seas and gale-force winds, and the dramatic rescue of three fishermen from the burning Yves Marie Amil near South Bishop Lighthouse in 2004.

Dai also recalls his very first launch, which was to a crashed jet while serving aboard the old wooden lifeboat Ruby and Arthur Reed. His service also included major incidents such as the Sea Empress disaster, as well as many other rescues which have left a lasting impression on him and his fellow crew members.

His contribution to St Davids RNLI has extended far beyond emergency call-outs. Dai was coxswain during the construction of the new lifeboat station, welcomed the arrival of the Norah Wortley lifeboat to St Davids, and helped mark the station’s 150th anniversary in 2019.

Reflecting on his 40 years of service, Dai thanked current and former crew members for their friendship, support and dedication. He also extended his thanks to RNLI fundraisers, supporters, neighbouring lifeboat crews and the emergency services he has worked alongside throughout his time with the charity.

Although his time at St Davids RNLI has now come to an end, Dai hopes to continue serving the charity by transferring to Penarth Lifeboat Station as a Launch Authority and shore crew member.

In a statement, St Davids RNLI said: “From everyone at St Davids RNLI, thank you, Dai, for 40 years of selfless service, dedication and friendship. We wish you every success in your next chapter and fair winds for the future.”