News

‘Pembrokeshire voices need to be heard’

Published

10 years ago

August 20, 2015

Stephen Crabb MP: Met in Westminster with a senior member of the Review Team from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

FOLLOWING a meeting in Westminster with a senior member of the Review Team from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), local MP, Stephen Crabb, has called on residents to share their experiences of maternity and paediatrics services following the widely opposed changes brought in last year.

Mr Crabb requested a meeting with Sue Eardley, Head of Invited Reviews, at the RCPCH, who have been tasked by the Hywel Dda University Health Board to undertake an independent evaluation of the changes in women’s and children’s healthcare services in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. The changes saw the removal of consultant led maternity services and the Special Care Baby Unit from Withybush Hospital.

Welsh Government Health Minister, Mark Drakeford, requested the formal evaluation at the same time as he approved the changes to the services in Pembrokeshire. The review will look at ‘the impact of the revised neonatalserviceonnewbornoutcomes and patient experience’ and will be completed by September. The Health Board has also widen the review area so that it will also focus on Paediatrics following the closure of the overnight service in October 2014.

Mr Crabb was opposed to the changes being introduced and joined the local campaign to keep full maternity services, SCBU and 24 hour paediatrics in Pembrokeshire.

Following the meeting, held on Monday July 20, Stephen Crabb MP, said: “Health and the future of Withybush Hospital is the biggest issue on the doorsteps. The changes to women’s and children’s services sparked widespread concern locally and I am pleased that a review is being carried out which will assess the current service against national professional standards for quality and safety.

“I was keen to meet with Sue from the RCPCH to find out more about the review process and to talk through the issues that have been raised with me by residents who want their experiences heard during this evaluation. During the meeting I was able to discuss a number of specific issues about the ambulance availability, the experiences of paramedics, and the cramped and overstretched facilities at Glangwili which have caused some concern. I also stressed that in order for the review to be meaningful, it must take into full consideration the views of staff and the people who use the services.

I want to encourage those residents who want their voices to be heard on this very important issue to come forward and share their experiences as part of this review. There is a public meeting being planned at Withybush and people can take part in the online survey: https://www.surveymonkey. com/s/RCPCH-HywelDda.”

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

49 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

2 hours 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.