News
Petition calls for councillor to step down
A PETITION has been launched calling for Narberth County Councillor Wynne Evans to step down from his role in the public office. Cllr Evans has been at the centre of a controversial planning application which will see a Sainsbury’s store built in the town. The Herald spoke to a number of traders in Narberth before Christmas who spoke of their concerns for the project. At the time of going to press the petition had been signed by 183 residents. The online petition states that the community has never been considered and goes on to say: “Pembrokeshire County Council has approved the plan without public consultation of any description.
This view is shared not just by residents, but by the Narberth Future Forum, the Town Council, the Chamber of Trade, the independent shopkeepers of the town and visitors to the town. It is astonishing that approval has been offered without public consultation, given the continuing local climate of opinion.” Earlier in January, a consultation meeting took place at County Hall, hosted by Narberth Councillor Wynne Evans. In the closed meeting, and in attendance, were three representatives of the developers, Abbeymore Estates, the architect of the proposed structure, a PCC officer, as well as eight people representing the Narberth Future Forum (NFF).
Speaking with the Herald after that meeting, Simon Montgomery of NFF, said: “We queried why there had been no public consultation. We were then told about the developer having booked the Plas Hyfryd to conduct a full public consultation. It took some pushing to find out why that meeting had been cancelled; apparently a banner had appeared in town encouraging people to support their independent shops because we didn’t want chain stores in Narberth. Wynne Evans stated that he had felt that the meeting should be cancelled because there might be aggressive opposition.
Wynne Evans is a county councillor. He is not in a position to make such a judgement.” Speaking at the Planning meeting, which also took place in January, Narberth County Councillor, Wynne Evans, spoke in favour of the application, stating: “I am very proud of Narberth and what has been achieved there over many years. We have an old school building – empty for 5 years – which is a source for vandalism and graffiti. It’s not good for the town, it’s frowned upon and it’s right at the entrance to Narberth.
The housing allocation provides 14 affordable houses for people with a local connection who live in Narberth. They need to be in the town and have their children go to school in the town. There are lots of opportunities to look at possibilities of new sites in Narberth (in relation to extra parking) and to move forward and work together. We must invest in the future and in Narberth.
I am looking for a small supermarket with some retail units and housing, and I have put together, in the last few weeks, a new working party. Narberth is growing and growing, but we must move forward.” Simon Montgomery’s petition adds: “You (Wynne Evans) have breached the trust of the people that voted for you to become their county councillor. You have presided over a situation in which the voice of the town, at a critical moment in its history, has not been given the opportunity to be heard.
You have benefited yourself with the baubles of office that you wear with such obvious pride. You have not benefited the town by a single brick. This is not the role of a county councillor, it is the role of a knave. We ask you to do the right thing and resign from your position as a councillor with Pembrokeshire County Council for the Electoral Division of Narberth.” The Herald tried to contact Cllr Evans about the matter but he was unavailable for comment.
News
Teenage girl dies after medical emergency at Welsh rugby club
A TEENGAGE girl has tragically died following a medical emergency at Amman United Rugby Football Club in Ammanford on Friday evening (Nov 15).
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed they were called to the scene, where the teenager became unwell. She was taken to hospital but, despite advanced medical efforts, passed away in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A police spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with the family at this difficult time.” The death is currently being treated as unexplained, and a report will be prepared for HM Coroner.
The Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed their attendance, stating that emergency crews were dispatched at approximately 9:55pm.
A spokesperson said: “We sent an emergency ambulance, supported by a Community First Responder and Cymru High Acuity Response Unit paramedics. Advanced critical care was delivered by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service, with support from the Wales Air Ambulance charity helicopter.”
As a mark of respect, Amman United Rugby Football Club postponed all games over the weekend. In a statement posted on social media platform X, the club said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the club will be closed, and all games are postponed, out of respect.”
News
Inquest hears social media bullying was factor in teen’s tragic death
MEGAN EVANS, 14, was found dead at her Milford Haven home on February 7, 2017, after what her family described as relentless online bullying. The inquest, held today, heard how Megan had attended a school meeting about a trip to France earlier that evening and appeared in good spirits.
Later that night, her parents left for Cardiff with her four youngest siblings while the four older siblings stayed at home. At 9:59pm, Megan’s brother called their parents, unable to find her in the house. His father told him to continue searching, and Megan was discovered in a locked upstairs bathroom. Despite the efforts of her family, paramedics, and hospital staff, Megan could not be saved.
A statement from her family described Megan as an intelligent, kind, and vibrant teenager. “She had a big heart and would do anything to help anyone,” the statement read. “She bought love and laughter into our home and was always full of energy. Her friends adored her, and she always stood up for what she believed in.”
The inquest was told Megan was a talented artist and hockey player who had been looking forward to attending a Justin Bieber concert. She was deeply loved by her family, who said she “poured so much love into everything and everyone around her.”
Megan’s mother, Nicola Harteveld, has previously spoken openly about the struggles her daughter faced in silence.
Nicola admitted she hadn’t recognised the signs of Megan’s distress at the time, including disrupted sleep and a secretive attachment to her phone.
In the years following Megan’s death, Nicola has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of mental health and the dangers of social media bullying. She founded the Megan’s Starr Foundation, which provides free professional counseling and peer support to vulnerable young people in Pembrokeshire.
Nicola reflected: “I see things now that I didn’t understand back then. I thought mental health struggles were always visible, but I was wrong. Megan was the life and soul of the house, and I never imagined the pain she was in.”
Through campaigns like “Step into January,” Nicola has turned her grief into action, creating a legacy for Megan that focuses on kindness and support for others.
The inquest continues.
News
Teen’s tragic death linked to online bullying
MEGAN EVANS, 14, a talented and kind-hearted teenager from Milford Haven, was found dead at home on February 7, 2017, following what her family believes were bullying messages on social media, an inquest has heard.
Described as intelligent, capable, and full of energy, Megan was a passionate artist, county hockey player, and beloved by her six siblings and parents.
On the night of her death, she had been in good spirits after attending a school meeting about a trip to France.
Later, she was tragically discovered in a locked bathroom at home.
Her family remembered Megan as brave, thoughtful, and endlessly loving, someone who brought joy and positivity to everyone she met. They vowed to honor her memory by promoting kindness and love.
The inquest continues.
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