News
Health board will take over Goodwick Surgery
HYWEL DDA is working with Goodwick Surgery to ensure continued provision of GP services in the area, the Board has said.
After almost 25 years working as a GP in Goodwick Surgery, Dr Van Kempen has confirmed that he will retire in 2015.
In order to ensure continued local provision of high quality general medical services, Dr Van Kempen and Hywel Dda University Health Board have agreed the UHB will support the service as a managed practice from April 2015.
Dr Van Kempen will continue to work in the practice until his planned retirement in September; ensuring continuity of care for registered patients and stability whilst new clinical staff are recruited.
Both the practice and the UHB are working closely together to ensure there is a smooth transition and patients notice very little change.
It is expected that this arrangement will be temporary, allowing continued delivery of services and reassurance to local people and staff, whilst a permanent contract is sought. The opinion of the local community and patients will be sought prior to any decision about long term provision of the service.
Elaine Lorton, Assistant Director of Primary Care, said: “We are committed to maintaining the high standards of care that are currently provided at Goodwick Surgery and would like to reassure you that the provision of general medical services will continue in this area. We have agreed with Dr Van Kempen that the best way to secure services was to accept management of the practice. We will now work with the existing team to develop plans for the handover and delivery of future services, and we hope that continuity of care will be delivered in the foreseeable future by the same doctors, nurses and reception staff currently within the practice.”
Crime
Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation
DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.
Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.
Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.
Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.
Charity
Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes
THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.
Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.
During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.
Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.
Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.
In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.
Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.
Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.
The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.
In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.
Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.
“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.
Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.
Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.
For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.
Community
Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker
Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance
FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.
Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.






On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.
Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.
Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.
(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)









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