News

Badger and the long goodbye

Published

10 years ago

March 4, 2015

Badger0 BADGER could not let this week pass without a short comment on the cancellation of the joint meeting of two scrutiny committees to discuss the Council’s closure of Community Learning Centre.

As this paper reported some weeks ago, the motion to close the centres appeared without consultation on the Cabinet’s agenda last month. Swift and furious was the reaction of local councillors in Fishguard: not only had they not been consulted but the decision to close was not even part of the seminars they had attended on the budget over the last few months.

As Cllr Pat Davies revealed, even the claim that the closure was the fault of those beastly left-wing types in Cardiff Bay was a load of codswallop.

Speaking of codswallop, Badger has seen the exchange of opinions and emails flowing from Laurence Harding and Claire Incledon to councillors. Badger exposes himself to that stuff so that you don’t have to readers.

It is difficult to find harsh words for Ms Incledon, who has been elevated to her role only recently: it will, no doubt, take her some time to get used to being in the cross hairs of direct questions.

It was rather touching that Ms Incledon felt she had to say that she had not been asked to seek external legal advice in relation to the flawed call in procedure over which she had presided and on which she had decided. It was all her own work, readers. There was no copying off the swot next door.

Having blithely said all was in order and there were no problems, on Monday evening it turned out there were problems and things were not in order. But at least what she had said was all her own work: well done you!

In any event, as the swot next door was Laurence Harding, Pembrokeshire’s very own Sunshine Boy, it was perhaps just as well that her opinion was all her own work.

It is quite bad enough for the Monitoring Officer to be supposed an institutionalised time-server suffering from some weird species of Stockholm Syndrome from being around Bryn Parry-Jones too long, but then he committed his thoughts to paper and dispelled all doubt.

Badger does not know if it is the air conditioning at County Hall, or simply the rarefied atmosphere of the commanding legal heights occupied by Mr Harding and Ms Incledon, but common sense and humility seem in short supply.

It is okay to be wrong, readers. Just don’t try to spin a mistake as anything other than a mistake.

Ms Incledon’s exposed position will – eventually and hopefully – lead her to that conclusion. Badger ain’t holding his breath, though.

As for loveable Larry the lawyerly larrikin, it is soon farewell. It’s been a long goodbye. Very long. Too long.

Badger senses that overwhelmed with his impending freedom from durance vile, Larry’s latest opinion should be read as a cunning post-modern satire. Like The Office. But with laughs.

News

Teenage girl dies after medical emergency at Welsh rugby club

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

3 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

3 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.