News

Badger and the pay-off

Published

11 years ago

February 26, 2015

WELL, readers, what do you think of that? The Investigatory Committee into Bryn has met to no great effect and now it emerges that all along Jamie Adams has been beavering away in the background to settle up with Bryn. We can safely assume that Cllr Peter Morgan’s brief engagement with the truth is not likely to be repeated; after all, it wasn’t before the Investigatory Committee. Peter didn’t even have the good grace to knife David Simpson in the back: He did so in the front, knowing that the terms of his betrayal could not be fully reported. David Simpson laid down his cabinet position for Peter Morgan.

When it came down to the test of friendship, Peter Morgan laid down his honor. That is not to say that the line of questioning that led to that point was at all relevant to the committee’s terms of reference. The Committee had to determine whether allegations particularised were worthy of investigation by a designated independent person (a Q.C., in this case). They did not have to express an opinion, only assess whether the information they had was sufficient to shuffle it off to a third party to decide. The question the committee had to resolve was not whether pressure was applied to Peter Morgan – we already have enough evidence to suggest it was – but whether the tirade directed against him and Mark Edwards reported exclusively in this newspaper were sufficient to be investigated by a third party.

Any lawyer knows that it is not only enough to ask only questions to which you know the answer, but to ask them only when you have a very good idea about the answer you will get. Unless you are certain that a witness will approximately respond as you expect, asking questions is a very risky business. But even then, Peter Morgan’s macho words to the committee about ‘not doing pressure’ amount to nothing. They neither add nor subtract from the strength of his testimony in relation to Bryn Parry-Jones. Let’s boil it down to the essential elements, readers. It was confi rmed that Bryn had sworn at two councillors because of the way they voted. It is implicit in Bryn’s action that he expected ‘loyalty’ to him from them and that they should do and vote in accordance with his wishes.

Arguments within the committee that the above was not enough – ON ITS OWN – to refer the matter are self evidently cods wallop. Too many cooks spoil the broth. Equally too many people who have more than one agenda spouting irrelevancies and asking too many of the wrong questions produces a mess. Keep it simple, stupid, is a good method to adopt when approaching a diffi cult decision. Then the committee were faced with Bryn’s refusal to attend for questioning. He claimed he had not had enough time to consider the allegations. The amount of irrefutable material in the public domain – largely placed there by this newspaper, Jacob Williams and Old Grumpy – has apparently escaped Bryn’s attention since his long vacation began.

The key allegation was in this paper on the day he ‘took a period of absence’ in mid-August. It is now October. Either Mr Parry-Jones is a very slow reader indeed, or he was counting on the committee backing down. To Badger, the committee seems to have taken a pragmatic course of action. It is better to reach a position in which the effect of suspension can be achieved without confrontation than to engage in grandstanding for other purposes. Just because he is unpopular, divisive, overpaid, over-powerful, overbearing and the worst manifestation of the culture of secrecy and self-interest that has consumed Pembrokeshire’s local government, does not mean that Bryn Parry-Jones has no contractual rights and a complex statutory regime underpinning his appointment.

In light of that, readers, anyone with any ounce of common sense must know that it is far more likely than not that this matter will be resolved by some form of agreement between the parties. That is not to say that Badger agrees that an agreement is the best route, but it is simply the most likely to be cost-effective in the short and medium term. With the cameras probably off when any settlement is discussed at next week’s full council, Badger suspects that, denied an audience, those inclined to spout most effusively when the public is present and the camera is on will restrain themselves and keep it brief.

You can have all the principles you want, as long as you are prepared to pay the price of pursuing them, readers. Q.C.’s ain’t cheap: Look at the bill from the barrister engaged to defend the council’s unlawful payments to Bryn Parry-Jones. One Kerr by name, he was, and his bill was a very tasty five figure sum. Is it worth spending the same again, readers, in order to drag on the uncertainty and back-biting about the Chief Executive’s role? The only other ground that occurs to Badger upon which the chief could be removed is following a finding that an irredeemable breakdown in mutual trust and confidence had taken place between Bryn Parry-Jones and his employer, or vice versa. In those circumstances, he could be dismissed on notice.

If the designated person is appointed, conducts an investigation, and concludes that the necessary relationship between employer and employee has irretrievably broken down, then poor Bryn will have to wait for his pension pay out and be paid off with three months’ salary in lieu of notice. Having opted out of the Local Government Pension Scheme, Bryn would not be able to draw down his pension straight away. He would need the council’s permission. Oh the irony, readers! Let’s hope that the council’s negotiators have that card in mind, when it comes to working out the risks of simply proceeding with the investigatory process. T h e calculation of risk is what is important h e r e , readers. There are risks on both sides, and for the soon to be former Chief Executive, whatever happens, the economic and reputational risks for him should cause the council to drive a hard bargain. Otherwise, it is time for Bryn to take his chances.

Charity

Elvis has left the building! Six rescued seals take to the open waters after rehab

Published

18 minutes ago

February 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

After rescued from Welsh beach – Elvis has been released into the wild

It was a little less conversation and a little more action please, for one seal this week!

Elvis – who was rescued back in September from the rocks at Porthcawl seafront – has finally left the building after spending the last few months at RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre.

On Monday (February 2) Elvis (who is in fact a she) was released back into the wild alongside five other seals – named as singers and bands – Sleep Token, Wurzel, Arctic Monkey, Benson Boone, Fleetwood Mac – who have all completed a stint of rehabilitation with the RSPCA.

Affectionately named Elvis after the popular Elvis festival held in Porthcawl every September – the seal pup had been rescued by British Divers Marine Life Rescue with support from the local RNLI team. She was injured and malnourished and had also been separated from her mother.

She was taken into the care of the RSPCA and taken to RSPCA West Hatch where the charity’s wildlife rehabilitation team help the seals build up the strength they need to be fit enough to be released.

The seals are initially brought to the centre’s intensive care pens before they are moved into a pool when they gain weight and begin self-feeding.

Each seal pup rehabilitated by the RSPCA West Hatch can remain in care for a number of months and during this time the centre will be spending on average £1,400 a week on fish and veterinary care during seal season – which typically runs from September to March.

Before release, the seals are given identification tags in their hind flippers for ID purposes. The RSPCA often receives good feedback from sightings – and scientific results have revealed that seals that go on from rehabilitation to survive and thrive in the wild.

This group of seals were released from Devon which for a seal is just a short journey from where Elvis was rescued from.

Wildlife Supervisor Ryan Walker said: “It was such a wonderful moment to witness Elvis along with the other seals confidently swim out into the sea.

“Elvis progressed through rehabilitation very well. Upon her admission on 16 September, she weighed 13.6kg and completed a five-day course of antibiotics to treat wounds on her fore flippers and chin, which have since healed.

“She has spent a lot of time in one of our deeper outside pools with another seal named Dido and once she gained enough weight she was fit for release. Unfortunately we had a few storms and bad weather we had to wait to pass – but we’re delighted she is now where she belongs – along with the other seals too!

“As always their success story is down to a real team effort from the initial rescuers to all the vets, staff and volunteers at West Hatch and to the public.”

The other seals who were released alongside Elvis were:

Benson Boone – who was rescued from Pembrokeshire. He came into RSPCA care very lethargic and skinny.
Sleep Token – who came into RSPCA care after being rescued from Cornwall. He was underweight and had various wounds.
Arctic Monkey – was one of the first seals of the season and was rescued from Devon.
Wurzel – was rescued from Cornwall, and came in underweight and covered in wounds.
Fleetwood Mac – was rescued from Devon, was also underweight and had wounds.

Their progress and release was captured by RSPCA photographer Emma Jacobs.

She said: “I have been following Elvis’s progress and rehabilitation, so it was absolutely wonderful to witness her release into the wild.

“Our precious wildlife desperately needs our help and support. It’s been amazing to follow this group of seals as they gained strength ready for release.

“So many species of native wildlife are sadly threatened, and many have seen reductions in numbers, so it’s important for all of us to do everything we can to support wildlife to make sure every kind thrives in its natural environment.”

The RSPCA works in partnership with a number of other organisations to come to the aid of seals.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Ellie West added: “We’d like to thank the RNLI and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue for bringing Elvis to safety. Partnership working is so important in helping us to reach seals and we work closely with many organisations.”

The animal welfare charity advises that if members of the public spot a seal on a beach that they observe them from a distance and do not approach them. Seals are wild animals and have a nasty bite if they feel threatened. It is also advised people keep dogs on leads on beaches that have seal colonies too.

“It’s not unusual to see a seal pup by itself, as their mothers will leave the pups alone very early on in life, feeding in the sea then returning to feed them.” said Ellie. “If you find a seal pup that looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress, monitor it first from a safe distance for 24 hours.

“However, if the mother doesn’t return after 24 hours or the pup appears distressed, injured or unwell, or is on a busy public beach, our emergency line can be reached on 0300 1234 999. Please always stay at a safe distance and keep dogs well away – seals can have a very nasty bite if threatened.”

Business

Tenby pub toasting 150 years at the heart of community life

Published

35 minutes ago

February 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A LONG-ESTABLISHED village pub in Tenby is preparing to mark a major milestone this year, with celebrations planned to honour more than a century and a half of pulling pints and bringing people together.

The Evergreen Inn is believed to date back to the 1860s, opening its doors at a time when the railway was transforming the coastline. Local tradition says the pub first served labourers working on the nearby viaduct, offering ale and shelter to navvies who were too far from town to make the journey for refreshments.

***Always a warm welcome: Mel Sanders***

More than 150 years later, little has changed in spirit.

Today, the Evergreen remains firmly rooted in everyday community life, with regulars forming the backbone of trade and a steady mix of families, walkers and holidaymakers passing through its doors.

Manager Mel Sanders said the pub’s strength lies in familiarity and welcome.

“We’re very much a locals’ pub,” she explained. “Most people who come in know each other. It’s somewhere you can pop in for one drink and end up staying the evening.”

Recent years have seen a revival in fortunes, with themed nights, quizzes and live music drawing crowds back through the doors. Charity fundraising has also become a big part of the calendar, with thousands of pounds raised for health and animal welfare causes.

A popular fixture is live piano and singalong sessions hosted by a well-known regular, helping support lifeboat crews and other good causes.

The pub’s offer goes beyond the bar. Darts teams, card games and acoustic evenings fill the week, while dogs and children are equally welcome, reinforcing its reputation as a proper, old-fashioned local.

Owners Paul and Kat have also given the interior a gentle refresh, nodding to the building’s railway roots with period touches, warm wood finishes and a cosy stove for winter nights.

Despite rising costs across the trade, the Evergreen has kept prices competitive and introduced a loyalty scheme to reward those who treat it as a second home.

With anniversary events planned over the coming months, staff say the focus will be less about looking back and more about keeping the tradition alive.

After all, for generations of Tenby residents, it hasn’t just been a pub – it’s been the village’s living room.

Local Government

Work begins on Tŷ Haverfordia sheltered housing and reablement centre

Published

56 minutes ago

February 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CONSTRUCTION work has begun on a new sheltered housing and reablement development at the former Haverfordia House site in Haverfordwest.

Pembrokeshire County Council says the scheme will deliver twenty-six affordable apartments for residents aged fifty-five and over, alongside a twelve-bed reablement centre designed to help people regain independence after leaving hospital.

The project, known as Tŷ Haverfordia, is being built by Wynne Construction and forms part of the council’s wider plan to expand accessible housing and modernise health and social care provision across the county.

Initial works began on Monday (Jan 26) and include securing the site, installing temporary offices and welfare units, and setting up a contractor compound and parking area.

Pedestrian routes to nearby facilities, including the GP surgery and leisure centre, will remain open throughout the build.

A limited number of public parking spaces, including disabled bays, have been retained, with pay and display machines relocated to reduce disruption.

Rifleman Field impact minimised

To accommodate site facilities, a small section of Rifleman Field is being used temporarily.

The area has been fenced off and the footprint kept as small as possible. The council says any affected land will be fully restored once construction is complete.

Residents will have the chance to learn more about the plans at a community drop-in session on Thursday (Feb 19) from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at The Green Room in Haverfordwest Leisure Centre.

Housing officers and project representatives will be available to answer questions and gather feedback.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said the start of works marked an important milestone.

She said: “I am pleased that we have finally reached the stage of commencing on site and look forward to seeing the development progressing.

“We have been able to move forward after receiving much-needed Welsh Government grant assistance for both the housing and reablement elements of the scheme.
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