News

Ceredigion WASPI women call on election candidates to back compensation fight

Published

2 months ago

April 30, 2026

CEREDIGION WASPI campaigners have written to local election candidates urging them to publicly back calls for compensation for women affected by changes to the State Pension age.

The group says 6,900 women in Ceredigion could be affected, with compensation worth up to £2,950 each under recommendations made by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

That would amount to a potential total of £20,355,000 across the county.

WASPI, which stands for Women Against State Pension Inequality, represents women born in the 1950s who were affected by changes to the State Pension age.

The campaign accepts the equalisation of pension ages, but argues that many women were not properly informed of the changes and were left with little time to make alternative retirement plans.

In a letter to candidates, Ceredigion WASPI campaigners ask “one simple question”: whether they will stand with local women in their fight for fair compensation.

The letter says: “This decision has caused enormous anger and disappointment to the 6,900 women in Ceredigion who have spent years campaigning for justice.

“With crucial elections approaching this May, voters in our communities will be looking closely at where their candidate stands on this issue.”

The group is asking candidates to publicly support compensation, write to their local MP calling on the Government to think again, and, if elected as councillors, table a council motion backing the campaign.

The calls come after lawyers representing WASPI wrote to Government lawyers earlier this month alleging “multiple legal errors” in the Department for Work and Pensions’ stance on compensation.

Campaigners say the move could lead to a second judicial review.

In spring 2024, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman found the Department for Work and Pensions guilty of maladministration over how changes to women’s State Pension age were communicated.

WASPI says some of the worst-affected women were given just 12 months’ notice of a six-year increase to their retirement age.

Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, said: “The upcoming May elections are a critical moment for WASPI women across the country.

“Women in Ceredigion, like WASPI women everywhere, simply want to know that their elected representatives will fight for them.

“The Government should act urgently to end this historic injustice. For many of us, time is running out.”

WASPI was founded in 2015 and continues to campaign for women born between April 6, 1950 and April 5, 1960 who were affected by the changes.

Local Government

Major improvement works completed at Fleming Crescent

Published

5 minutes ago

June 16, 2026

Tom Sinclair

NEW roofs, structural upgrades and solar panels have been installed across three residential blocks at Fleming Crescent as part of a major housing improvement scheme.

Pembrokeshire County Council said the project has delivered safer, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for residents, with the full replacement of roofs serving 54 flats.

The works also included structural improvements designed to support the long-term performance of the buildings, alongside the installation of solar panels to help improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for tenants.

The council received a funding contribution from the Welsh Government through the Optimised Retrofit Programme, which supports energy-efficiency improvements alongside wider investment works.

The scheme was completed on schedule, with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd appointed as the main contractor.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “Delivering a project of this scale on schedule is a significant achievement.

“The new roofs and external upgrades will help reduce future maintenance issues and improve the long-term resilience of the buildings, while the solar panels form an important part of our wider decarbonisation programme.

“By working closely with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, we have delivered high-quality improvements that will benefit tenants both now and in the future.

“Pembrokeshire County Council continues to invest in housing improvements across the county, ensuring homes remain safe, modern, energy efficient and fit for the future.”

The project has also received national recognition after being shortlisted for a Constructing Excellence in Wales Award.

Neil Griffiths, Managing Director of W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, said: “We are proud to have delivered this important project at Fleming Crescent to a high standard and within the agreed timescales.

“The combination of full roof replacement and solar panel installation will provide long-term value, improve the performance of the buildings and support better outcomes for residents.

“It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council on this scheme.”

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

Published

13 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

Published

13 hours ago

June 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.