News

Withybush: Outrage on social media over hospital Costa decision

Published

10 years ago

December 31, 2015

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Very sad day: The closure of the WRVS at withybush in favour of Costa. (Pic Lesley Cloud)

A PHOTOGRAPH showing the final day of the Cafe run by the WRVS at Withybush General Hospital caused outrage on social media on Wednesday (Dec 30).

By the time we were going to press on New Year’s Eve over 500 people had shared and 600 people had liked a post by Lesley Cloud saying: “A very sad say with the closure of the WRVS at Withybush is favour of Costa. Shame on you Hywel Dda Health Board.

Out of 117 people who had commented on Facebook at the time of going to press, not one person had said anything positive about the health board’s plan.

Here is a small sample of the remarks online.

Jane Merrony commented: “ Horrified to read this. The volunteers here are superb, always a smile for whatever news you may have just had or are waiting for. Don’t suppose you will get that from an employee somehow. Thank you to all you special ladies, it must be a very sad time for you all”

Caronline Quirk added : “I am so sorry, as much as I like Costa it has no place in Withybush or any hospital, the WRVS has done well over the years, a big thank you to all.”

Sally Mumford said: “This is really sad. I use this lovely cafe every couple of months with my son for his Audiology apps, lovely ladies make u feel welcome. I won’t be using Costa Coffee!”

Angela Atherton said: “ What a loss to the hospital, patients and visitors. Nothing better than a proper fresh sandwich and a cuppa. Costa is far too expensive.”

Hywel Dda has appointed Medirest, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, to provide new café and retail services for patients, staff and visitors across all acute hospital sites, following a competitive bidding process.

The board has given its approval for Medirest to provide Costa Coffee units and Amigo shops at Withybush, Glangwili, and Prince Philip hospitals, and a Deli Marche coffee and combined shop outlet at Bronglais.

Some facilities will be temporarily closed as the fit-out works are completed, however dining room facilities will continue to be available during this time.

The health board is also working closely with the Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) – which currently provides some of the cafe and shop services – to explore ways of retaining the services of its volunteers in the healthcare community, where they can continue to make a positive difference to patients.

Discussions have already taken place between health board representatives and the RVS with a number of initiatives proposed, including a hospital-based befriending service to complement the strong links the health board has with hospital care services and the RVS at Bronglais.

Steve Moore, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “Medirest demonstrated they could deliver a great quality and scope of service, as well as refurbished cafe areas.

“We are very mindful that for many years Glangwili and Withybush hospitals have been provided with highly regarded, first class services by the RVS for patients, staff and visitors.

“We hold the RVS employees and volunteers in high regard and we hope to continue to work with them in different roles within the healthcare setting in the future.”

As part of the bidding process, interested parties were asked to outline their plans for the refurbishment of areas of the hospitals at zero cost to the health board, in order to generate income for the organisation through rent and turnover rent. This can be used to improve the hospital environment for patients and visitors.

Andrew Jones, Retail Operations Director Healthcare, Compass Group UK & Ireland added: “We’re looking forward to working with the health board from January, to work across the four hospitals in Wales. We’ll be implementing our trusted partner brands in these sites and we think it will offer an enhanced service to patients, visitors and staff, as well as offer a source of income for the health board.”

Peter Llewellyn, Assistant Director of Strategic Partnerships at Hywel Dda, added: “A positive meeting was held with representatives of the RVS, and a number of initiatives are being proposed to manage volunteers at Withybush and Glangwili hospitals with a view to strengthening our relationship with the RVS in recognition of the huge contribution they have made over a number of years.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

12 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

13 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.