News

Haverfordwest: Rugby Club saddened fireworks company ‘failed to turn up’

Published

11 years ago

November 6, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Fireworks company failed to turn up: Haverfordwest RFC display

HAVERFORDWEST residents were left disappointed last night when an advertised fireworks display did not take place.

The Bonfire Night display, organised by Haverfordwest RFC, was cancelled after the company employed to organise the display failed to turn up.

Alun Wills, Chairman of the club told The Herald: “Our annual fireworks display is an extremely popular fixture on our events calendar and up until 6.30pm last night we were still in contact with Westcoast Fireworks, but since then we have had no communication from them and no explanation.”

Mr Wills added: “We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused and we ask that you pass this message on to any family and friends who attended the club.”

Disappointed customers took to social media to express their disappointment.

Catherine Davies said on Facebook last night: “Absolutely gutted for Haverfordwest RFC who were let down by Westcoast Fireworks tonight with no explanation. They had dropped off equipment last night ready.

“Not only did they not turn up but refused to answer the phone so the club were left in limbo what to tell people. I hope they realise how much preparation from volunteers go into organising an event like this and how many people they have let down.

She added: “Well done Haverfordwest RFC for refunding everyone and apologising but Westcoast it doesn’t make up for all the disappointed children.”

Haverfordwest resident Gemma Dando, who is eight months pregnant, said: “What a crappy day. No fireworks after breaking my back. I stood for an hour and a half. I’m look forward to getting into bed.”

On Facebook Nick Chilton who was working for West Coast Fireworks on the Milford Haven display last night said: “The firer didn’t turn up, West Coast [were] absolutely at capacity for firing displays. We need more trained [staff].”

On Saturday (Nov 7) Matthew sand Lindsey Spencer of West Coast Fireworks released a statement:

They said: “We would like to apologise to everyone who attended the Haverfordwest RFC event on the 5th of November. We wish to extend our apologies to all the children, adults and organisers who went out of their way to attend a once a year event and were let down and left extremely upset and disappointed. There were circumstances beyond our control that unfortunately left us unable to attend.

“We also offer our most sincere apologies to the organisers also for not communicating with them better.

“Our teams are all allocated their displays and each team have their display, equipment & tools prepped and organised ahead of the display and are allocated a vehicle.

“On Wednesday evening we loaded the equipment and tools into a vehicle and transported it to the HRFC site, ready for the next day. This was done to save time during an already busy day. On the morning of November 5 each team collected their vans and equipment as arranged and left at a time suitable to arrive at their designated site. The time arriving on site is dependent on how long it takes to set up and rig the display.

“The team for Whitland and Milford Haven left first thing in the morning as they are our largest displays and take the longest time to erect.

“The HRFC display vehicle was scheduled to leave at 4.30pm and would have been the last one to leave as the equipment had already been dropped off the night before to save time on site on the day.

“Unfortunately due to a catastrophic communication error the HRFC display team failed to collect their vehicle. During the on site build process, all of our phones, lighters or anything that can cause a spark are left in our vehicles for safety. When, by chance, a phone was heard ringing – we were told that the HRFC team had not arrived on site as scheduled. This was around 6.30pm.

“We tried contacting the HRFC Display Team to no avail. We found ourselves in an awkward situation.
Do we: Take crew off other displays, making those displays run late or not happen at all?
Or do we hope the team turns up in time?

“If we had pulled resources from other displays, (Milford Haven/Whitland/Hook/Newcastle Emlyn) then each of those displays would have failed to be ready on time & disappointing more people in the process.

“The HRFC display should have taken 2 hours to build on site and by the time other crew could have got to the site with the products, it would have been at least 7.30pm and the display would not have been ready until 9.30pm at the earliest.

“A decision was made for our crews to stay at their designated sites and to go back to rigging their displays as planned for health and safety reasons, plus they would not have been ready on time, letting down all our other clients too.

“It was not a decision that was made lightly as we never wish to disappoint anyone, let alone all the children who were attending, but it was a choice that had to be made at the time.

“Our biggest failure during the situation, was not communicating our decision to the organisers of the HRFC display as all our crews had gone back to building their displays.

“We strive to provide our clients with the best display possible for the budget that has been allocated to us and our track record is second to none.

“Having been in business many years, it is not a situation we have ever encountered before and never wish to repeat in the future.

“We cannot apologise enough to everyone who attended.

The statement concluded: “HRFC have been loyal clients for many years and we are devastated that we have also let them down.”

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

8 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

18 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

18 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.