News

Crabb makes a flying visit

Published

9 years ago

August 7, 2015

surgery STEPHEN CRABB has been accused of failing to listen to his constituents after cancelling a surgery in Milford Haven at short notice last Friday (Jul 17). Pleading ‘urgent ministerial responsibilities,’ the Secretary of State for Wales’ constituency office apparently told everyone booked into the surgery on Wednesday that it had been cancelled. However, both Mr Crabb’s website and facebook page carried no mention of the cancellation, and the surgery, which was to have been held in Nantucket Avenue, was still advertised after it was due to have finished.

No amend mentor apology had been posted on his facebook page at the time of going to press. Among those with a pressing desire to see Mr Crabb were representatives of People’s NHS Wales, who organised a demonstration outside his surgery. Mr Crabb released a statement which said: “I am sorry that representatives from Peoples NHS Wales were not able to see me today. As they had not let me know that they were going to be attending my surgery, I was not able to inform them that it had been rescheduled.

Everyone who had been booked into the surgery had been notified on Wednesday that it would not be taking place due to urgent ministerial responsibilities. “I am very happy to meet with any individual or group in my constituency to discuss any issue of concern and everybody who writes to me receives a reply.” This met with a bemused response from People’s NHS Wales representatives, who told The Herald that they had been trying to contact the Preseli Pembrokeshire MP since July 6, through emails, twitter, and finally a letter hand-delivered to his constituency office.

We were shown an email from July 8 from David Williams, which expresses his concern surrounding the future of the NHS both in England and Wales, as a result of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment partnership (TTIP). This received an automated response, which stated that ‘This acknowledgement has been triggered electronically as I have not yet had a chance to read your message’. Mr Williams wrote to Mr Crabb the next day, to confirm whether or not he had received the email, or indeed had chance to read it.

He received the same automatically triggered response, and had heard nothing more at the time of going to press. The People’s NHS are protesting against the privatization of the NHS in England, something that Mr Crabb denied had taken place under the coalition government at a hustings in Haverfordwest before the General Election. There are fears that TTIP will lead to NHS privatization over the border becoming irreversible, and the knockon effects this may have for the NHS in Wales. The People’s NHS is calling for an 83 word clause to be inserted into the TTIP agreement.

This clause, in full, reads: “The UK reserves the right to adopt or maintain any measure with regard to the organization, the funding, and provision of the National Health Service in the UK as well as with regard to the public and/ or the not for profit character of the National Health Service in the UK, where services may be provided by different companies and/ or public or private entities involving competitive elements which are thus not services carried out exclusively in the exercise of governmental authority.”

The People’s NHS is lobbying MPs, asking them to put pressure on Minister for Trade and Investment Francis Maude to ensure that this clause is inserted. After meeting with People’s NHS Wales representatives, James Davies, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, wrote to Lord Maude asking for his comments on their request. The organization would like Mr Crabb to do the same, or at least reassure them regarding the Westminster Government’s stance. However, on this occasion Mr Crabb had urgent ministerial responsibilities.

The Herald phoned the Welsh Office on Friday to try and get some idea of what these were. When asked what Mr Crabb’s urgent ministerial responsibilities were, we were told that he was visiting north Wales with the Chancellor, and we could find out more from his Twitter page. Entering into the realms of Twit, we found pictures posted by George Osborne and Mr Crabb of two cabinet Ministers apparently assembling an aeroplane wing, whilst dressed in hard hats and suits. Assuming that this was not the sole reason for missing a constituency surgery, and discounting the notion that it was a brazen photo opportunity, we trawled the North Wales newspapers, and found an article on the visit in The Leader, one of Wrexham’s finest publications.

Apparently: “George Osborne MP visited the 700 acre site along with Stephen Crabb AM, where he also discussed how the Government’s long term economic plan will benefit the area.” The italics are ours. In what was described as a ‘hands on visit’, Mr Osborne described how North Wales was ‘absolutely a part’ of the Northern Powerhouse, and pointed out the extent to which HS2 would benefit north Wales. Mr Crabb also made a pertinent contribution: “It is particularly impressive to see the indoor facilities that have just been completed for the Beluga Aircraft at Broughton,” he said. “These huge craft can now be loaded in all weathers, and I hope that leads to ever busier order books for Airbus.”

When we told People’s NHS Wales representative Jodie Evans why Mr Crabb failed to attend the surgery, her response was to-the-point: “He is letting residents and constituents down. A number of residents have written to him asking for reassurance on this matter.” Mr Crabb has yet to announce when he will be holding another surgery in the Milford Haven area.

Charity

Over 1,100 festive bathers enjoy Tenby’s famous Boxing Day Swim

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RECORD-BREAKING number of 1,150 festive bathers have had a splashing time in the Tenby Boxing Day Swim this morning.

The fancy dress theme of Superheroes – in tribute to the RNLI in its 200th anniversary year – saw Batman, The Incredibles, Wonderwoman and a whole crew of emergency services dashing into the chilly water of Tenby’s North Beach.

RNLI mascot Stormy Stan was there amongst the huge crowds to cheer the brave bathers on their way.
The swim will be one to remember forever for one duo of dippers as they got engaged following a surprise proposal on the sand.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach Philip Frith, 34, made one of his best-ever moves when he popped the question to his girlfriend, former professional dancer Victoria Tansey, 34, who is originally from Hakin.

Said swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall: “”Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.
The swim has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities and good causes in its 52-year history, and this yeae’s event will see Tenby RNLI as the main beneficiary.

Town mayor Dai Morgan said: ”It’s great to see so many people from here, and for such a good cause. I just love it down on the beach on Boxing Day. The swim is such a fantastic tradition.”
The mayor’s daughter, 18-year-old Erin Morgan, who is Tenby’s town crier, gave a special ‘cry’ to welcome the swim.

Swim chairman Sam supervised 10-year-old Sam Fecci as he fired the swim’s starting pistol – a duty usually carried out by his dad, Stuart, who was not well enough to attend.

Festive tunes and a lively commentary from DJ Steve Briers ramped up the atmosphere on the beach and swimmers emerged from the sea to be presented with commemorative medals and warm up with hot soup donated by the Giltar Hotel and served up by Tenby and District Lions.

‘Taking the plunge’ at a festive swim in Wales this morning meant more than just a dip in the sea for one happy couple.

As hundreds of Boxing Day bathers at the legendary event in Tenby dashed for the water, a magical moment was happening between Victoria Tansey and Philip Frith.
Philip, 34, went down on one knee on the sand and asked Victoria, 37, to marry him.

Fortunately, she said an ecstatic ‘yes’ to the carefully-planned proposal, which saw the couple’s special song Ocean Eyes y Billie Eilish sound out over the beach as the newly-engaged couple celebrated with a splash in the sea.

As a former Royal Marine Philip – who is now a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu coach – has faced some scary situations in his life but the Boxing Day proposal was up there with the most nail-biting.
“I’ve been so nervous/special moment.

Victoria, originally from Hakin, Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire, worked as a professional dancer – appearing on the X Factor, Britain’s Got Talent and Pineapple Dance Studio: Survival of the Fittest -and before setting up her own entertainment agency.

Although now living in Guildford with Philip, she has always loved returning to her Pembrokeshire roots

“When we first met, Victoria couldn’t wait to show me all around Pembrokeshire and we have made the trip as often as work would allow us, to visit her family, go beach hopping and take in the breathtaking scenery,” said Philip.

“I absolutely love sea swimming, I believe that it is so worthwhile for your body and mind, however Victoria has never been one to enjoy the cold!

“So, on our first Christmas together as a couple, Victoria surprised me by taking me to Tenby for the Boxing Day Swim – it’s honestly one of my most fond memories from the start of our relationship!

“I wanted to return her the favour of surprising her by proposing to her at this year’s swim.”

Victoria’s mum and her childhood best friend , Sean Griffiths – who she set up Milford Haven’s Unison Dance Group with in 2004 –were on the beach to watch the proposal, with Sean bringing along the engagement ring in his pocket to fellow swimmers crowded round to congratulate Victoria and Philip, and swim chairman Sam Skyrme-Blackhall laughed: “Well, we said ‘come to the Tenby Boxing Day Swim and take the plunge’ but we weren’t expecting that! Congratulations to the happy couple”.

Charity

Letterston dog show raises over £750 for local charities

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ON SUNDAY (Dec 22), Letterston Ring Craft successfully raised £755.55 for two Pembrokeshire-based charities during a fun dog show event. The funds were equally split between South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue and Letterston Memorial Hall.

The event featured a variety of well-attended classes, including child handling and fancy dress, drawing participation from dog enthusiasts of all levels.

This fundraiser marked the first charitable event supporting South Pembrokeshire Cat Rescue. Founded and managed by Lizzy Austwick, the rescue organisation aids unwanted, feral, and sick cats across Pembrokeshire and responds to urgent cases in Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion. The rescue provides neutering support for stray and feral cats, directs owners to available resources, and specialises in helping stray cats with severe injuries, raising essential funds for their care.

For assistance, Lizzy can be contacted via the rescue’s Facebook page or at 07575 131443.

Letterston Ring Craft welcomes new members interested in training and showing their dogs, from local companion shows to prestigious events like Crufts. The club meets every other Sunday in Letterston, and further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Looking ahead, the next fun dog show is scheduled for early next year and will support Belle’s Story Charity. For more information or to get involved, contact Gentle Lowe at 07956 653401.

Charity

£3,800 donated to services across Withybush Hospital

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE CAMROSE VINTAGE WORKING DAY team has donated £3,800 to services across Withybush Hospital.

Their 37^th annual event raised a record breaking £25,000, which has now been distributed among 26 local charities.

They donated the funds to the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit and Heads Up! Hair Loss Initiative at Withybush Hospital. Each service received £950.

The Heads Up! initiative provides a person-centred, holistic hair loss service for cancer patients. It brings together healthcare and haircare professionals from local communities to give patients the knowledge and products needed to manage their hair loss with dignity and choice.

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “Thank you to Andrew, the team and the supporters of the Camrose Vintage Working Day for your generosity once again. Your donation to each service is amazing and will make a big difference. We are hugely grateful for your wonderful support.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

Pictured above: Andrew James, Chairman of Camrose Vintage Working Day with Withybush Hospital staff from the Stroke Ward, Specialist Respiratory Team, Chemo Day Unit, Heads Up! Hair Loss initiative.