News

Burst water main leaves thousands without water

Published

11 years ago

November 4, 2015

Welsh Water are dealing with the problem (File image)

THOUSANDS of people in north Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion could be without water for the rest of the day after a water main burst.

A rupture in a high-pressure main at the Llechryd Water Treatment Works is responsible for the problem, according to Welsh Water. It appears that Crymych is among the worst-affected areas.

A Welsh Water spokesman said: “This main runs from Llechryd water treatment works and helps us provide drinking water to many communities across parts of Cardiganshire and parts of Pembrokeshire.

“The repair has been hampered by significant engineering difficulties, but we are continuing to work around the clock to resolve these issues and restore supplies as safely and as quickly as possible.”

“Water may be discoloured for a period of time, but this is normal.”

UPDATE 18.51HRS

The latest statement from Welsh Water says: “We are working on repairing a burst main on an important water main near Pontrhydyceirt in West Wales. This main runs from Llechryd water treatment works and provides drinking water to many communities across parts of Pembrokeshire. The communities affected are Crymych, Boncath, St Dogmaels, Tegryn, Moelgrove and Nevern.

“The repair has been hampered by significant engineering difficulties, but we are working hard to resolve this and restore supplies as safely and as quickly as possible. We have already contacted the customers affected. We are really sorry for the inconvenience. We are distributing bottled water at Crymych Water pumping station: SA41 3RQ and expect water supplies to be restored from later tomorrow morning.”

Managing Director of Water Services, Ian Christie, said: “We are very sorry to those customers affected by the disruption. Our teams have been working tirelessly through the day to repair the damaged main, and will continue working through the night to get water supplies back to normal as soon as possible.”

Welsh Water have said that those customers with additional needs or families with young babies who are affected by this interruption are also being supplied with bottled water . Any requests can be made on 0800 052 0130.

UPDATE 5 November 2015, (06.40am)

From Welsh Water: “We have been working overnight to repair the burst on the water main near Pontrhydyceirt in West Wales. This main runs from Llechryd water treatment works and provides drinking water to many communities across parts of Pembrokeshire. The communities affected are Crymych, Boncath, St Dogmaels, Tegryn, Moelgrove and Nevern.

“The repair has been completed and we are working to restore supplies to these communities over the morning. While we continue to get supplies back to normal, we are distributing bottled water at Crymych Water rugby club station, SA41 3RQ, The Salutation Pub in Felindre, SA41 3UY and the car park opposite Penybryn Arms, SA43 3NJ, for those customers still affect. We are also tankering water into key local network points.

“We are really sorry for the ongoing inconvenience.

UPDATE 5 November 2015 (11:30am)

OUR team has been working throughout the night and has completed the repair on the burst water main near Pontrhydyceirt in West Wales. We sincerely apologise to customers who are without water in Crymych, Boncath, St Dogmaels, Tegryn, Moelgrove and Nevern.

We have begun refilling the local network. However, we need to do this carefully and at a steady speed as refilling too fast can damage the pipes and cause further bursts.

Whilst water supplies will begin to go back to normal during the afternoon, it will take longer to fill the whole water network. This is not unusual in rural areas and water supplies should be restored by this evening.

We are continuing to distribute bottled water at Crymych rugby club (SA41 3RQ), The Salutation Pub in Felindre (SA41 3UY), and the car park opposite the Penybryn Arms (SA43 3NJ), for those customers still affected. We are also tankering water into key parts of the network to maintain supplies.

As supplies return to normal, this may result in discoloured water for a period of time. This is not unusual after an incident of this nature and should clear within a short period of time. We would like to assure customers we are working as quickly as possible to restore supplies to normal.

We apologise again for the inconvenience that this burst has caused.

If anyone has concerns about their water supply, we would ask they call our helpline on 0800 052 0130.

: (Photo credits:: Mark Evans)

: (Photo credits:: Mark Evans)

: (Photo credits:: Mark Evans)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.