News

Badger and the nature of evil

Published

10 years ago

February 26, 2015

THIS week, readers Badger offers you something different. Over the past year or so, you have had poetry, you have had satire, you have had parody – sometimes all three in one column. But this week, readers you have a short story. But first, readers, a few prefatory remarks: Cllr Mike Stoddart has confirmed that the opinion of Mr Bryn Parry Jones is that The Pembrokeshire Herald is ‘evil’. Strong word ‘evil’, readers. Badger cannot ever recall using that word about Mr Bryn Parry Jones: ‘Arrogant’, ‘dictatorial, ‘a bully’ – yes; several times over. But not ‘evil’. Badger checked his dictionary to check if ‘evil’ had a connotation or meaning of which he was unaware. Badger’s OED suggested ‘Profoundly immoral and wicked’ as a working defi nition. Well, readers, Badger is uncomfortable with absolutes: Immorality is a question of perspective; as is wickedness. One supposes that – from the perspective of the Spanish Inquisition – the countless innocents they tortured and burned counted as wicked and immoral.

From the point of view of the dictator, any voice of radical dissent is an evil threat. Having existed for far too long in an atmosphere where he was kowtowed to, perhaps Bryn’s skin grew thin to the barbs of criticism and the jabs of truth. Having been used – metaphorically only, readers – to having himself bathed by the eager boot-licking tongues of those willing to abase themselves for even trivial and menial powers, a short sharp shower of forensic scrutiny must have come as a nasty surprise. So, readers, in the spirit of Halloween and by a circuitous route, Badger invites you to join him in considering evil. Many years ago, when Badger was younger and sleeker, he found himself in a part of the woods he did not know.

The moonlight dipped down through the barren branches of the trees, its pale glow casting baleful shadows onto the damp leaf fall. Every one of Badger’s senses tingled; the soft acid scent of all pervading leaf mould; the soft scudding through the waste of autumn under paw; the sharp taste of creeping fear; the distant screech of an owl; and the monochrome world of hideous, reaching shadows. Under the wreck of a tree struck down by an early storm, Badger took a moment to gather his wits and look about himself. As a cloud cleared across the moon, Badger’s eyes saw a glint of something shiny tangled in the underparts of the tree he sheltered under.

Intrigued he shuffled closer, being careful not to make too much noise. While beetles, worms and small crunchy mammals like trees, Badger was even then aware that mankind was fond of traps and snares to catch the unwary and would place them in locations Badger might forage. Badger screwed his courage to the sticking place and moved towards the glimmer of metal in the gnarled and upended tree roots. Embedded there, Badger saw a short object on the end of a longer silver chain. He reached in and his claws touched something soft and shrivelled. He tugged and felt resistance, as though something were holding on to the object.

Narrowing his eyes, Badger looked deeper into the gloom, he thought he saw a pair of pinpoint eyes staring back at him. Badger staggered back in shock and with a strange sucking sensation the object came free. Badger found himself holding a small and soft leather-like sack connected to a silver chain with a clasp around the back. On the bag was a small faded inscription: Tenent me! Mentes, corda, sequar! Badger wondered at what the inscription could mean. He picked up the shimmering silver-link chain and scurried quickly back to his sett. At the edge of his hearing he thought he could hear a deep moan that slowly grew louder.

Sweating and increasingly unnerved, Badger sped on nearly falling over dead branches and slipping through murky puddles in which the moon and branches dissolved into strange shapes. Every time he hesitated to fi nd his bearings, Badger fancied he could hear a nasty, spiteful chuckle. Coleridge’s words came unbidden to Badger’s mind: Like one, that on a lonesome road Doth walk in fear and dread And, having once turned round, walks on And turns no more his head Because he knows a frightful fi end Doth close behind him tread Badger heard a footfall behind him and rushed onwards, ever onwards through the darkened wood; praying to the gods above and below in a sudden outpouring of faith that he would soon see the lamp outside his door.

There it was. A pale, yellow light calling Badger homeward. Gasping. Desperate. Terrifi ed. Badger sped forward fumbled with the lock and fell inside. Scrambling to his feet, he slammed the door behind him and slammed the bolts into place. Undoing the chain from around his neck, Badger looked again at the bag. It was soft to the touch and there was something inside – some things inside – moving around inside the fabric. Badger looked again at the inscription and stumbled over the Latin. He thought of checking his Latin dictionary when his heart leapt into his mouth at a sharp knock on the door. His chest pounding. Badger turned to face the accusatory portal.

The knock came again. Harder now. More demanding. Then the voice came. Low and wheedling it whispered through the oak and seemed to fi ll Badger’s head. “Give it to me.” Badger’s eyes widened as he saw the handle of the door turn, glad as the bolts held fi rm as the lock strained. Then the voice again. “Give it to me. Now!” The voice was greedier. More insistent. A pallid skeletal hand with long, yellow fingernails reached through Badger’s letter box, its fingers flexing, reaching. And then the voice again. Angrier and insistent. Badger looked at the wizened pouch in his paws. The chain, the motto, the strangely mobile objects in the small skin cache.

Was it worth it? The terror, the fear. Whatever was outside Badger’s door really wanted it. Thrusting his paw out, Badger jammed the thing into the entity’s outstretched hand. Badger gave an involuntary shriek as he felt the creature’s sharp nails and leaf-like skin scrabbling and then getting hold of the object of its desire. There was an unearthly howl and it seemed as though the very earth shivered in terror, as the hand withdrew clutching its trophy and the nails scraped over Badger’s fur. The voice burst into maniacal cackling. “I have it. I have it.” Slowly Badger heard dragging footsteps move away from his door and everywhere heard the sound of triumphant cackling. He woke the following morning, praying it was a dream. But, no, there on Badger’s paw was the scratch of the fi ngernail. Shaking, Badger reached for his Latin grammar. ‘Hold me! And their hearts and minds will follow!’ The motto translated as: Badger was puzzled. Years later, Badger discovered that it was Bryn Parry- Jones who had a tight hold on the legendary testicles of Pembrokeshire County Council. And by then, readers, it was too late.

Community

Milford Haven pays tribute on ANZAC Day

Published

7 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A COMMEMORATION service was held on Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, on Sunday (Apr 27) to mark ANZAC Day and to honour those who fell in all conflicts, especially at Gallipoli and Normandy.

The event also paid tribute to the crew of the Wellington bomber that crashed near the site during the Second World War.

A strong turnout gathered for the moving service, with local groups including the Sea Cadets, Royal British Legion, and military representatives in attendance. Milford Haven’s Mayor, Councillor William Elliott, laid a wreath on behalf of the town.

The service, organised by the Royal British Legion Club – Milford Haven, served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the ANZAC forces and others over the years.

A spokesperson for Milford Haven Town Council said: “A lovely turnout for the ANZAC Day memorial service. We will remember them!”

ANZAC Day is observed annually in Australia and New Zealand, and across the world, to commemorate the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli during the First World War, as well as those who served and died in all wars and conflicts.

(Images: MHTC)

Community

Raw sewage floods school playground hours after major development plans lodged

Published

7 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A MAJOR sewage flood at Broad Haven School has sparked outrage in the village, coming just hours after a planning application was submitted for a 76-home development that would put even greater pressure on the area’s already stretched infrastructure.

On Saturday (Apr 26), a burst sewage pipe flooded the school’s playground, covering it in raw sewage in scenes likened by locals to “cattle slurry.” Welsh Water responded quickly with vans and engineers to contain the incident. Pembrokeshire County Council contractors were on site on Sunday disinfecting the contaminated area and working to remove the worst of the stench.

Fortunately, the sewage did not enter the school building itself. However, the lower part of the playground — where the playgroup stores its outdoor equipment — has been badly affected. The Herald understands much of the playgroup’s equipment is likely beyond saving.

The school is hopeful it will be able to open as normal on Monday (Apr 28), although the playgroup section will remain closed due to the loss of equipment.

The timing of the flood could not be more controversial. Just the day before, Mill Bay Homes submitted a major planning application to the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for 76 houses on land east of Marine Parade in Broad Haven. Developers have pledged £500,000 to upgrade pumping systems to support the new estate, but villagers fear that these improvements will not address the broader, long-standing problems with the area’s sewage system.

A concerned local resident, who asked not to be named, told The Herald: “It’s such an old system, it all needs starting from scratch. Millbay Homes are paying £500,000 to upgrade pumps, but it will only mitigate their own 72 houses. It won’t solve the wider problem.

“The treatment works already can’t cope. Now with bigger storms and more extreme weather, this kind of sewage spill is just going to happen more often.”

Official figures show that Broad Haven’s sewage treatment works discharged untreated sewage into the environment for more than 600 hours last year, with dozens of separate incidents recorded.

Pembrokeshire County Councillor for The Havens, Nick Neumann, visited the flooded school site on Saturday and praised Welsh Water for acting swiftly to clean and sterilise the area. However, he said the weekend’s events proved beyond doubt that urgent infrastructure investment is needed.

He said: “Dŵr Cymru really do need to double down and invest more into the infrastructure of The Havens. The frequency of discharges onto the beach is evidence enough that the system is not fit for current purpose, let alone for more properties.”

Councillor Neumann confirmed he would be writing to Dŵr Cymru this week to press for action. He urged residents to contact local MP Henry Tufnell to increase pressure on the authorities to secure major upgrades.

Broad Haven’s sewage system, designed decades ago for a much smaller village, relies on pumps to push waste uphill out of the valley to treatment works. The Herald understands that these facilities are now operating at or beyond their intended capacity.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority will now face mounting scrutiny as it considers the 76-home application against the backdrop of widespread concern about whether Broad Haven’s basic infrastructure can cope with further expansion.

Despite the creaking infrastructure, the water company have been praised for their swift response to the school incident by locals.

Welsh Water have been contacted for a comment.

In a seperate incident much of Broad Haven was without water on the same day due to a burst water main.

Community

Service held at Freshwater West to honour those lost in 1943 naval disaster

Published

23 hours ago

April 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TRIBUTES PAID TO SAILORS AND MARINES WHO PERISHED IN LANDING CRAFT TRAGEDY

A MOVING service of remembrance was held at Freshwater West today (Thursday, April 24) to honour the memory of the sailors and Royal Marines who lost their lives when Landing Craft Gun (Large) 15 and 16 and HMS Rosemary were lost off the Pembrokeshire coast in April 1943.

The solemn gathering took place at the memorial above the beach where the disaster unfolded during a fierce storm 82 years ago. Wreaths were laid, prayers were said, and tributes were paid to the bravery and sacrifice of the men who perished in what remains one of Wales’ worst maritime tragedies.

Veterans, serving members of the armed forces, civic leaders, cadets, police, RNLI and residents joined together to pay their respects.

The disaster that should never have happened

On the night of April 25–26, 1943, LCG(L) 15 and LCG(L) 16, heavily laden and caught in a violent Atlantic gale, were refused shelter first at Fishguard and then at Milford Haven. Battered by enormous waves, both landing craft were swamped and ultimately sank off Freshwater West, taking dozens of men with them into the freezing sea.

HMS Rosemary, an ageing Royal Navy sloop, attempted a rescue but suffered tragedy of her own when six sailors drowned after their small boat capsized in the storm.

In total, at least 79 men—Royal Navy and Royal Marines—lost their lives. Many are buried in Milford Haven Cemetery or commemorated at naval memorials in Portsmouth, Plymouth and Chatham.

Community remembers

Representatives from the Royal British Legion, Milford Haven Sea Cadets, and local history groups attended today’s service, alongside members of the public who stood in silent tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

A minute’s silence was held overlooking the waters where the two landing craft went down, followed by the playing of the Last Post. Wreaths were laid on behalf of Milford Haven Town Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, the Royal Navy, and veterans’ organisations.

Speaking at the event, a representative said: “On this coastline where they were lost, we gather to remember not only their sacrifice, but also the tragedy of their passing. Their memory lives on in Milford Haven, and will never be forgotten.”

Relatives of some of the men travelled from across the country to attend, reflecting the enduring bond between those who serve and the communities they leave behind.

Calls for formal recognition

Despite the scale of the disaster, it received little public attention during the war, and the full findings of the Board of Enquiry were never released. Campaigners are continuing to call for a formal apology and greater national recognition ahead of the 85th anniversary in 2028.

As the wind swept across the beach today, the message from Freshwater West was clear: the sacrifices of April 1943 will always be remembered.