News

Badger and the ancient mariner

Published

10 years ago

March 4, 2015

badger and the ancient mariner BADGER is, by nature, a terrestrial sort. Subterranean by nature, he does not have much time for what goes on above his head. Cosy and warm in his sett, it seems to Badger that every time he peeks his grizzled snout out of his home he finds something to dislike about whatever it is humanity gets up to on the surface. As he is averse to the world above, imagine what Badger thinks about flying. Thin stuff air. You can’t dig and it’s impossible to find tasty hedgehogs upon which to dine 6,000 feet up. Still less is Badger fond of the sea. Awful stuff, water. It has associations with soap. flannels and rubber ducks. Badger’s acquaintance, Mr Toad. has tried to interest Badger in maritime pursuits. Badger read a book in preparation and discovered that some maritime pursuits are positively alarming.

He declined Mr Toad’s offer politely but firmly. However, while taking a turn around the docks one evening, Badger came across a grizzled old salt who was weary of making tasteless jokes about Captain Pugwash and discussing the impact of the EU’s fisheries policy, quotas and the total allowable catch. Deep in his cups, the sailor told Badger a tale of nautical naughtiness upon the River Cleddau that held Badger’s horrified attention.
“I’ll tell you a tale, said the salty dog As black as black can be Of what happens to those who do business, With the Port Authority.
I’ll tell you of a mighty ship, That brought a company low And how more was spent and wasted. The less we got our dough
“I was not always a sailor” At which Badger expressed surprise: “Once I had a house, a car, And a business that was my pride.
-Then came the Port Authority For credit to extend Saying ‘Trust us, doughty tradesman. Upon us. you can depend.”‘
His face went red, suffused with rage As he remembered the sad day When the Port Authority a-begging came And he didn’t send them on their way.
The sailor wiped away a tear From his pale and weeping eye As he remembered promises made That he’d be paid. By and by.

-Tomorrow!” he yelled. -Tomorrow! Always next month and not this! And every time, each empty word Was a Pembrokeshire promise.
“I believed them, friendly Badger. I took them at their word And now when I think of it It seems to me absurd

-Quite how a public body Worth many million pounds Can stand to see such as me Crushed into the ground.

-They had the same accountants The same directors too They must have known what was going on Before the whistle blew

-They built big shiny offices They paid themselves big pay All before the bubble burst Then they just walked away.
“So join me, good Badger, Let’s look across the water Let’s think of why the Authority Doesn’t do quite what it ought to.
“Greed is good, Wall Street says, Every rich man will want more And the greed of the Port Authority Will keep this poor soul poor.
-They’re dreaming of a revamp To change the Harbour round And the price of all their dreamings Is grinding good men down.
‘They’ll do away with trade and craft” Opined he in a rage “And they’ll have us bowing to tourists Grateful for minimum wage
-They don’t want local people Not like you and me They want visitors and Waitrose Do the Port Authority.
“Weep not for me. young Badger They’ll not catch me again Perhaps if they build their multiplex I’ll find a new job then:’
With that he turned upon his heel And vanished into the gloom While a very troubled Badger Went to his cosy room.
As he sat and pondered Badger thought of the cruelty Of an untrustworthy trust port, Milford’s Port Authority.

News

CCRC invites public to observe 5th Annual Open Board Meeting

Published

8 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is inviting members of the public to its fifth annual Open Board meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, 26 November 2024. The meeting will be held via Zoom, running from 10:30am to 12:30pm, and is open to everyone interested in attending.

How to join the meeting

To participate, you will need a device such as a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, or tablet with access to the Zoom platform. The Zoom application can be downloaded for free online by searching for “Zoom app.” A stable internet connection is recommended.

To join the meeting, use the following link shortly before 10:30am on the day:

Join the zoom meeting
Passcode: 034573

For any technical difficulties, please email: [email protected]

Meeting agenda

The agenda for the meeting is available here. Minutes from the session will be published on the CCRC’s website after the event.

Submitting questions

While questions cannot be addressed during the meeting, the CCRC will respond to inquiries related to the agenda items discussed. Questions should be submitted via email to [email protected] by 12:00pm on Tuesday, 3 December. Responses will be provided by email and may also be published on the CCRC website.

Please note that questions about individual cases will not be addressed.

For further details, visit the CCRC website.

Community

Find out more about what’s coming next in Haverfordwest’s regeneration journey

Published

33 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY evening will be held this week with the contractor taking on construction of the new modern Public Transport Interchange (PTI) for Haverfordwest.

Kier Construction Ltd will be at HaverHub on Thursday, 21^st November for people to meet the team and find out more about the development which is due to start its rebuild phase imminently.

The event will be open 3pm to 7pm and is a fantastic opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the plans.

The scheme forms part of the South West Wales Metro project and will provide a modern and innovative transport hub, integrating all transport modes.

Designs include improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities through the site, a more efficient and integrated bus station, and construction of a new modern multi-storey.

Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change and Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said: “This is another exciting step in the extensive regeneration of Haverfordwest and we are looking forward to seeing construction starting on this latest project.”

The bus station will be integrated within the PTI with seven bus bays and upgraded passenger facilities and a new multi-storey will have around 280 spaces, and be much easier to use for drivers.

Green credentials are also important with electric vehicle charging points included – with further vehicle charging expansion built-in and future-proofed – and solar panels installed on the new car park roof.

An upgraded public realm will further improve the environment around the Interchange and promoting Active Travel such as walking and cycling.

The project also involves improving car parking provision and local bus access at Haverfordwest railway station.

Local Member, Cllr Thomas Tudor said: “I welcome this public engagement event which is an opportunity for all to come together to share and learn about the various projects that are ongoing, which can only improve our county town for both residents and visitors alike.”

No booking is required for the event, just drop in at a time that suits you.

Jason Taylor, regional director at Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “We look forward to meeting with the residents of Haverfordwest at this community evening and sharing the exciting plans we have for this project.

“Kier is incredibly proud of its Welsh roots and can trace them back over 40 years and are thrilled to be extending this experience in Haverfordwest.”

Kier also plans to have a presence on the Riverside Shopping Centre, where people will be able to drop in to find out more once work begins this month.

The temporary Riverside car park has closed to allow for the development to start.

More information on car parking in Haverfordwest is available at: Haverfordwest car parks

News

Feedback wanted on Council’s My Account online services

Published

35 mins ago

November 19, 2024

Tom Sinclair

USERS of Pembrokeshire County Council’s My Account are being asked for feedback
to help continue to improve their experience.

My Account is the platform for all of the Council’s online services.

My Account allows customers to make payments, report problems, sign up for
service notifications such as waste and recycling collections and school closures,
and check local planning applications. These are just some of the services available.

The survey will take less than five minutes to complete.

Please complete the survey before Wednesday 27 November.

If you do not currently use My Account you can register online.