News

Maenclochog man thanks ‘heroic people’ for saving his life 55 years ago

Published

11 years ago

May 4, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Looking back: Alun Ifans was talking to broadcaster John Hardy

A MAENCLOCHOG man has thanked the people of a North Wales community for saving his life 55 years ago.

Alun Ifans was talking to broadcaster John Hardy in the first programme in the new series of the S4C talk show Cadw Cwmni gyda John Hardy to be broadcast on Thursday May 7 on S4C (9.30pm, English subtitles available).

Alun was only 10 years old when he joined three school friends to go hunting for seagulls’ eggs near his original home of Abersoch on the Llŷn Peninsula in 1959. After getting into difficulties, he fell forty feet down the side of a cliff onto a shelf.

“I am so grateful to be alive after what happened to me. After I fell, I was bleeding, but I told the others I was fine, but I must have fallen unconscious. The others ran to a nearby farm to ask for help where the farmer’s wife, Mrs Nancy Smith and two farmhands came to my rescue,” says Alun, who was head teacher at Ysgol Casmael for 33 years.

“They tied a rope around Mrs Smith as they would do when a sheep had fallen down into a cove. But as they lowered her down, I slipped and fell another forty feet to the rocks below.

“They didn’t have enough rope to lower Mrs Smith all the way down to the beach, so it was up to a local policeman, a doctor and the owner of a boat to come and fetch what they presumed to be a body.”

However, Alun had fallen down into what is known locally as the ‘Unapproachable Bay’ and the three had great difficulty coming to his rescue.

“They almost gave up several times, but Dr Bob decided to wade through the water with his medical case raised above his head to come to me.”Alun was then taken to Bangor Hospital, where he remained unconscious for a week.

“I lost months of school and I had to catch up with work on my own, but I will never forget the letters and cards of support from fellow pupils, friends and relatives during that time. I really do owe my life to the actions and quick thinking of that community all those years ago.”

Also joining John in the studio is Siân Williams from Wrexham, who was the first Welsh woman to swim across the Channel. Siân will share her experiences of the crossing and unusual tips for anyone wishing to take up the challenge.

John Hardy, the show’s presenter says, “The series’ success and enduring appeal lies with the stories of real people and each guest has a different tale to tell. I’m constantly reminded as host just how good the Welsh are at telling a story.

“Many people think we’re a nation of introverts, and that we’re not always ready to give people who have interesting stories a platform. This series on S4C gives people that platform, and by doing so we hope it will encourage others to share their life stories with us too.”

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

37 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.