BARCLAYS has given no commitment to reopening bank branches in west Wales, despite calls for the banking giant to restore full services in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

Paul Davies MS, Senedd Member for Ceredigion Penfro, wrote to Barclays UK Chief Executive Vim Maru urging the bank to consider reopening branches in Haverfordwest and Aberystwyth, with Tenby and Cardigan also suggested for review.

The call followed reports that Barclays is looking again at its high street presence and considering investment in its branch network.

But in a response to The Herald, Barclays stopped short of saying whether any west Wales towns were being considered for a reopened branch.

A Barclays spokesperson said: “Over the past year, we’ve added 47,000 hours of in-branch availability across the UK. We are now looking to enhance and invest in our branch footprint alongside our contact centres and app as we continue to meet the changing preferences of our customers. We’ll make more details known on proposed new branch locations at the appropriate time.

“Across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, we provide in person banking services from our local banking hubs in Pembroke Dock, Haverfordwest, Cardigan and Aberystwyth, and offer full branch services in neighbouring Carmarthen. Details of opening hours can be found on our website. We also operate a dedicated Welsh language telephone service available on 0333 202 7450, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.”

Barclays closed its Haverfordwest branch in May 2024. Its Aberystwyth and Cardigan branches also closed that year, leaving customers in large parts of west Wales without access to a full Barclays branch.

Mr Davies said the lack of branches in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion represented a significant reduction in service provision for both personal and business customers.

He said: “It’s extremely disappointing that Barclays Bank currently has no branches in either Pembrokeshire or Ceredigion. This represents a significant reduction in service provision for both personal and business customers across the two counties.

“However, I welcome the bank’s recent announcement and have written to the Chief Executive to encourage Barclays to take this opportunity to restore banking services in our area by reopening branches in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

“Access to face-to-face banking services remains vital for many residents, businesses and community organisations, and I hope the bank will give serious consideration to reopening the high street branches in west Wales.”

The issue is likely to be particularly significant in rural areas, where older residents, digitally excluded customers, small businesses, charities and community groups may still rely on in-person banking.

While Barclays says alternative services are available, critics argue that local banking points and hubs do not offer the same service as a fully staffed branch.

Barclays Local sites are generally cashless, while full branches offer a wider range of services. Banking hubs, operated separately through the national cash access scheme, provide counter services for basic cash transactions and access to community bankers on set days.

Mr Davies has called on Barclays to place Haverfordwest and Aberystwyth at the front of the queue if the bank proceeds with any programme to expand or reopen branches.

For now, however, Barclays has not confirmed whether any branch in Pembrokeshire or Ceredigion will return.

The Skewen-born singer became one of Wales’ biggest global stars with hits including Total Eclipse of the Heart and Holding Out for a Hero

WE:SH singer Bonnie Tyler, one of the country’s most successful and recognisable musical exports, has died at the age of 75.

The Skewen-born star, whose real name was Gaynor Hopkins, rose from South Wales to international fame with a string of major hits and a voice that became instantly recognisable across the world.

Best known for her 1983 power ballad Total Eclipse of the Heart, Tyler also enjoyed huge success with It’s a Heartache and Holding Out for a Hero, cementing her place as one of the defining voices of 1970s and 1980s pop rock.

Her distinctive husky voice became her trademark. It followed surgery on her vocal cords in the 1970s, after which her altered tone helped set her apart from other singers of the era.

Born in Skewen, near Neath, Tyler began performing locally before securing a record deal and achieving chart success in the late 1970s. Her breakthrough came with Lost in France, followed by It’s a Heartache, which became an international hit.

But it was Total Eclipse of the Heart, written and produced by Jim Steinman, that made her a global star. The dramatic ballad topped charts around the world and remains one of the most enduring songs of the decade.

Tyler continued to perform for decades, building a loyal fanbase across Europe and beyond. She represented the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 and remained closely associated with Wales throughout her career.

Tributes are expected from across the music world and from fans in Wales, where she will be remembered as one of the nation’s most successful international performers.

Her death marks the loss of a truly distinctive voice and a Welsh star whose music reached generations of listeners around the globe.

Beachgoers urged to take care as easterly winds increase risk of people being blown out to sea

THE RNLI is warning people heading to the Welsh coast this week to take extra care, with hot weather and offshore winds forecast across much of Wales.

With temperatures expected to rise and more visitors likely to head to beaches, the lifesaving charity is urging people to choose lifeguarded beaches where possible, especially if they plan to enter the water.

The warning comes as easterly winds are forecast for parts of Wales over the weekend and into early next week. On west-facing coastlines, those winds can blow people away from the shore and out to sea.

Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead in Wales, said: “In parts of Wales, the forecast for the weekend and early next week is predicting moderate easterly breezes, which will mean offshore winds at westerly facing coastlines that can blow you out to sea.

“For beachgoers, using inflatables like stand-up paddleboards during these conditions is not advised, as they can very easily be swept away from the shore into deeper waters and away from the safety of the beach.

“If you’re not sure about whether it’s safe to paddleboard on the day of your visit, ask a lifeguard or seek local advice.”

The warning follows a recent rescue by Llandudno RNLI volunteers, who were called to help two paddleboarders being blown offshore from Rhos-on-Sea on June 27.

Guided by HM Coastguard and Llandudno Coastguard Rescue Team, the lifeboat crew located the pair more than a mile offshore as they drifted towards the Gwynt y Môr wind farm. They were unable to paddle back against the wind and were brought safely aboard the lifeboat along with their boards.

The RNLI says anyone using a stand-up paddleboard should wear an appropriate leash and buoyancy aid, carry a means of calling for help, such as a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch, and keep it on their person.

Anyone in difficulty at the coast should call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

The charity is also reminding people that, despite warmer air temperatures, the sea remains cold enough in many places to cause cold water shock. This can happen if people enter deep water quickly or fall in unexpectedly.

Chris Cousens added: “We know that there will be a huge amount of people visiting the Welsh coast over the coming months and we want everyone to remember our Float to Live advice.

“Instinctively, most people who find themselves struggling in the water will begin to panic, swim, or thrash about.

“We’re urging people to ignore this instinct and remember to float. Tilt your head back, with your ears submerged. Relax and try to breathe normally. Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat if you need to. It’s fine if your legs sink, we all float differently.

“By doing this, you give yourself the chance to rest and recover your breathing. Once you’ve regained control of your breathing, you can call for help or swim to safety.”

The warning comes as RNLI lifeguards begin daily patrols at more beaches across Wales.

In Pembrokeshire, Amroth and Coppet Hall now have daily lifeguard patrols, with Nolton due to go live from Saturday, July 11. This will bring the total number of locations with daily lifeguard cover in the county to 14.

In Carmarthenshire, Pembrey has daily lifeguard patrols, with Pendine Sands also due to begin daily cover from Saturday, July 11.

In Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, Port Eynon now has daily lifeguard cover, joining Caswell, Langland, Aberavon and Little Beach / Side at Aberavon. Three Cliffs is currently covered at weekends only, before daily patrols begin on Saturday, July 18.

RNLI lifeguards are also now operating daily at Rhyl and Prestatyn in Denbighshire, Borth and Llangrannog in Ceredigion, Rest Bay, Coney / Sandy Bay and Trecco Bay in Bridgend, and Llantwit Major, Ogmore, Southerndown and Whitmore Bay in the Vale of Glamorgan.

RNLI lifeguards operate from 10am to 6pm.

The RNLI’s Float to Live advice is:

Tilt your head back with your ears submerged.

Relax and try to breathe normally.

Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat.

It is OK if your legs sink, as everyone floats differently.

Once your breathing is under control, call for help or swim to safety.

Anyone who sees someone in difficulty in the water should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

To find your nearest lifeguarded beach, visit the RNLI website.