News

Badger and the little yellow god

Published

10 years ago

March 5, 2015

Badger0 THE LONG-FORGOTTEN J. Milton Hayes it was originally who told the story of Mad Carew and his attempt to steal the green eye of the little yellow god. Honestly: Badger had to look it up — especially after the great Keats/ Shelley debacle: Badger thought the tale of Mad Carew was by Harry Champion (who popularised such music hall classics as “I’m Henery the Eighth, I Am” and “Any Old Iron”). For those of Badger’s readers born into the great slough of despond that was education during the last thirty years or so, Badger recommends dipping into poetry now and again. it illuminates and entertains in equal measure.

Sitting in his sett on a chill evening, while above spring has sprung and young rascals take long refreshing walks with their (frequently temporary) beloveds, Badger likes to read poetry. One thing that Badger has realised is that poetry often provides uncanny parallels with life in Pembrokeshire. Who can read the lines “The boy stood on the burning deck, when all but he had fled”, and not be touched by the plight of “popular” one-time yoghurt salesman Jamie Adams as he heads full speed into an iceberg to try and douse the flames? But it is to Mad Carew we turn. Badger does not mean the estimable IPPG member for that ward. Councillor David Neale is a man who listens to his constituents’ his unfailing support for Jamie and the officers’ club that make up Meibion Bryn.

No Badger speaks of the protagonist of Hayes’ verse. You see, in the poem Mad Carew is set a dreadful task to perform by the object of his affections, his commanding officer’s daughter. Braving disaster he acquires the green eye of the little yellow god, only for her to refuse to take it from him and leaving him to a gloomy fate: “the vengeance of the little yellow god”. And so it is, when Badger sat in his sett pondering the words of the poem, he thought about the officers who are involved in the ongoing grants imbroglio that is rumbling its way on to a no doubt messy conclusion involving the weasel words that “lessons will be learned”. Consider them in the role of Mad Carew. Seized by the illusion of their acumen and vim, the County Council sent them out to grab the green eye of European funding.

With a healthy rake off the top for the Council, it was in its interests to encourage the officers to get as much as they could and then hunker down in County Hall while their gains were counted out. They have succeeded handsomely in grabbing oodles of Euro-swag. All in exchange for far too few questions asked. But the cost! What — apart from too-fat salaries, that is — has been Dave Pugh, Jamie-no-mates and the rest of Meibion Bryn to launch their scurrilous and untrue attack upon him in an attempt to stop the truth coming out, breached the code of conduct for Council staff which prohibits favouring one party over another, or acting in a manifestly self-serving way to cover-up their own inadequacies.

Those officers are now left gently swinging in the breeze; hoist by their own arrogance, unjustified self-belief and a failure to tell right from wrong and how many beans make five. Badger has pointed out before the actions of the person at their head, Dr Steven Jones, who was rapidly out of the blocks at January’s Audit Committee meeting to say, in terms, “the buck ain’t gonna stop with me!” Now Badger discovers that officers have been reduced to tampering with minutes of meetings to shore-up their desperate failure to properly scrutinise tenders, documents and bills of quantities: the officers, rather like Mad Carew, have returned panting and tattered from the ordeal of gaining their prize, only to find themselves objects of derision and despair. Desperate to shore up their tattered reputations and cover up further abject failure in scrutiny, officers have “creatively adjusted” the minutes of meetings to make it look as though they undertook scandal overseen by complacent and over-confident officers and a compliant and over-confident IPPG Cabinet, Badger does not know. But one thing is certain, an attempt to rewrite history to exonerate or exculpate officers from the consequences of their (in) actions is unlikely to be smiled upon by the rozzers. Links between evidence are vital in putting together events.

Move a link or adjust its setting, and the whole chain is jeopardised. For self-serving reasons, a senior manager at the Council thought it necessary to fiddle the record and attempt to mislead whoever depended upon the documentary record to make an informed decision. At worst they have tampered with evidence; at least, they are guilty of being idiotically self-centred and arrogant. In Pembrokeshire County Council terms, of course, Badger believes that the officer (and Badger has three strong sources who name the officer responsible) will be regarded as most culpable for getting caught. Much will be Bryn’s displeasure, no doubt. Mighty Bryn’s wrath.

The Eleventh Commandment of the little tin god in County Hall (Thou shalt not get caught) has been broken. it is only by the merest chance that this person’s attempt to establish that scrutiny that he realises with the benefit of hindsight should have been undertaken at the relevant time — i.e. now the grants scandal has been rumbled — was done when it mattered. Hayes’ verse warns that just because something glitters and is valuable, does not make it a prize of worth and prestige. For Hayes’ hero the reward for his exploit in seizing the green eye was a sticky end. Mad Carew, Badger ponders … A person who confuses his own self-interest with the public interest must be off their bloody rocker!

Community

Paddle-out protest sees 200 take to the water in Broad Haven

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

National day of action calls out sewage pollution across the UK

BROAD HAVEN was the scene of a dramatic demonstration on Saturday (May 17) as around 200 swimmers, surfers, and paddleboarders took to the sea in protest against sewage pollution.

The “Paddle Out Protest” was part of a nationwide campaign coordinated by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), with similar events taking place at over 40 coastal locations across the UK. It marked a growing wave of public anger over sewage discharges into rivers and bathing waters.

In Pembrokeshire, the Broad Haven protest was the flagship event for Wales. Campaigners gathered on the beach from midday, taking part in placard-making and a community beach clean before heading into the water at around 2:30pm for a mass paddle-out.

Organisers said the message was clear: enough is enough.

“This is about protecting our beaches, our wildlife, and our health,” said Kate Beardsmore, one of the local organisers. “We’re not just making noise – we’re demanding accountability from the water companies and from the government.”

Speakers at the event included Sian Richardson, founder of the Bluetits cold-water swimming movement, and Sue Burton, Marine Conservation Officer for Pembrokeshire. Both stressed the importance of clean water for local communities and the wider ecosystem.

The event ended with live music, food, and speeches at Rwts, formerly Sunshine Italian, overlooking the bay.

The protest comes amid growing scrutiny of the UK’s water companies, which have faced criticism for repeated sewage discharges and underinvestment in infrastructure.

Surfers Against Sewage say that public pressure is having an impact, but warned that without continued action, nothing will change.

News

Drakeford rebukes council over Welsh education comments as row deepens

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cabinet Secretary for the Welsh Language and Culture says parents should not be questioned on choosing Welsh-medium schools

A ROW over comments made by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Deputy Leader about Welsh-medium education has escalated, following public intervention by Mark Drakeford.

The Cabinet Secretary for the Welsh Language and Culture said he “could not see any reason” why councils should ask parents why they choose Welsh or English-medium education for their children, directly contradicting comments made by Cllr Paul Miller during a Cabinet meeting on April 28.

Speaking to BBC Cymru, Mr Drakeford said: “I can’t see why we would ask parents why they choose Welsh or why they choose English. Of course we must explain to parents the benefits of a Welsh-medium education — that’s why we’ve seen growth in the language — but the job of local authorities is to make the case for choosing Welsh-medium education, not to question those who do.”

Mr Drakeford confirmed that a conversation had already taken place locally between the First Minister and figures involved in the row. BBC Cymru reported that the discussion followed remarks by Cllr Miller, who had suggested that some parents might be choosing schools such as Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest not because of the language of instruction, but because the schools were new and had good facilities.

Cllr Miller’s comments prompted criticism from opposition members, including Independent Group leader Cllr Huw Murphy, who successfully requested a formal call-in of the Cabinet decision. That decision had asked education officers to “better understand the drivers of demand” for Welsh-medium education — wording that campaigners and the Welsh Language Commissioner feared could be interpreted as questioning the legitimacy of parental choices.

The Welsh Language Commissioner, Efa Gruffydd Jones, also criticised the move, saying: “It is not clear to me why there is a need to question the choices of parents regarding Welsh-medium education in particular.” She added that the approach risked contradicting the Council’s obligations under the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).

Speaking on social media following the BBC interview with Mr Drakeford, Cllr Murphy said: “Mark Drakeford gives clarity to everyone that I was perfectly correct in calling in the decision of PCC Cabinet in April. I now look forward to Cabinet next week accepting that position and removing any suggestion of gathering additional information as proposed by the Deputy Leader.”

The Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee voted last week to send the Cabinet’s original decision back for review, following concerns over tone and policy alignment. The issue will be reconsidered at the next Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (May 22).

In a further development, it has been highlighted that Pembrokeshire recorded the largest percentage growth in Welsh-medium education of any Welsh county between 2023 and 2024, according to figures released by the Welsh Government.

Cllr Julie Jones, who lives in Tenby and sits on the Cabinet, said: “You should see the growth in Welsh speakers and Welsh-medium education in south Pembrokeshire — it’s fantastic. In 2016 we had around 80 pupils in the first primary in Tenby, and now there are over 200. Everyone seems to be choosing Welsh-medium in the south of the county.”

The row has sparked wider debate about the role of language in education policy and how councils communicate their strategies to the public. The Welsh Government has set a target of reaching one million Welsh speakers by 2050 and has passed legislation to strengthen the provision and planning of Welsh-medium education across Wales.

Pembrokeshire County Council, like all local authorities, has a statutory duty to proactively promote Welsh-medium provision under the latest WESP regulations. The Council’s revised position on how it gathers information from parents — and how it communicates its goals — will be under close scrutiny when the matter returns to Cabinet this week.

Business

Plan to rescue Oakwood revealed as local man makes bid to save park

Published

10 hours ago

May 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE resident has launched a bold rescue plan to bring Oakwood Theme Park back to life — just two months after its shock closure was announced.

Oakwood, Wales’ largest theme park, closed its doors suddenly on March 4 after four decades of family fun. The site, owned by Spanish firm Aspro Parks, had faced a sharp decline in visitor numbers and growing financial challenges in recent years.

But now, a new proposal has been submitted by a local group known as Richens Leisure Projects (RLP), which aims to restore Oakwood to its former glory and turn it into a flagship attraction once again.

The man behind the bid, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the project is deeply personal. “I grew up in west Wales,” he told The Herald. “I remember every queue, every hill climb, every first drop. Oakwood wasn’t just a theme park — it was a rite of passage for so many children in Wales. You didn’t just go there. You remembered it.”

RLP says its proposal includes a phased investment plan, promising to repair and update ageing infrastructure, reintroduce popular rides, and generate over 100 seasonal jobs in the local economy.

“This isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about rebuilding pride. It’s about giving today’s kids the same memories we had, but doing it with proper community backing and long-term thinking,” the group said.

Since its closure, Oakwood has been stripped of several well-known attractions, and the future of the site remains unclear. However, the new bid aims to change that, and discussions with Aspro Parks have been initiated.

“We’re not here to pressure anyone,” RLP said. “We’re trying to do things properly and respectfully. But if the park’s future is undecided, we’re ready to step in. What we’ve put forward isn’t just an idea — it’s a fully costed, deliverable plan that can begin immediately if given the green light.”

Asked about funding, the group said it would not disclose specific backers at this stage due to the uncertain ownership position. However, it claims the business case is robust and based on professional financial modelling.

The campaign has already attracted support from local residents, many of whom were shocked by the park’s closure. A petition launched just days after the announcement gathered thousands of signatures.

RLP added: “We’ve kept this quiet until now, out of respect for the owners and the park’s legacy. But the time has come to show people that there is a serious option on the table. This doesn’t have to be the end for Oakwood — it can be the start of something new.”

The Herald contacted Aspro Parks for comment but had received no response at the time of going to press.

Background

Oakwood Theme Park first opened in 1987 as a small family attraction before expanding dramatically during the 1990s and early 2000s. It was home to popular rides including Megafobia, Hydro, and Speed, and welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors each year at its peak.

In recent years, however, the park faced growing criticism over ageing infrastructure, rising prices, and the closure of key attractions. In March this year, its owners confirmed that keeping the park open was no longer viable.

Whether the new rescue plan will be accepted remains to be seen — but for many in Pembrokeshire, it offers a glimmer of hope that the thrills and laughter of Oakwood might one day return.