News

Wales would ‘lose out’ over Brexit

Published

9 years ago

February 23, 2016

WALES would lose out if the United Kingdom left the European Union in the EU referendum. That was the message from one councillor at a meeting of the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The committee met on Tuesday (Feb 2), to discuss the consequences of the EU Referendum on Pembrokeshire.

The UK government has committed itself to holding a referendum before the end of 2017 and at a previous meeting, councillors asked for a report on the potential impacts of leaving the EU.

It was felt that the referendum was important to people across Pembrokeshire while Cllr Keith Lewis said that Wales had ‘no option’.

Cllr John Allen-Mirehouse said: “Wales, as a predominantly rural area, would stand to lose out if the UK left.”

Councillors were shown a brochure which highlights many of the impacts of EU funding in Pembrokeshire in areas such as business and economy, tourism and heritage.

They also heard from the Council’s European Manager, Gwyn Evans, who said: “Simply, the best estimates that are available to us, these are not Council estimates, show that although the UK is a net contributor to the European Union, Wales itself is a net beneficiary and that’s partly due to the European investment which we see in Wales through the European Structural Investment Funds.

“To that end we have recently produced a brochure on some of the investments taking place in Pembrokeshire through the convergence program.

“I think it’s important to stress that the membership of the European Union is about more than money.

“It’s also important in facilitating training for example. The only observation I would make is that it is not clear that any of the benefits that we presently draw will be replaced by others should the British electorate decide to leave the EU in the referendum whenever it might be held.”

Cllr David Lloyd said that this was of importance to people across Pembrokeshire.

Cabinet Member for Economy and Communities, Cllr Keith Lewis added: “I was part of a WLGA (Welsh Local Government Association) group who visited Brussels and had the opportunity of speaking first hand to some of the elected representatives and the message that I gathered as far as Wales is concerned was that there was no option.

“Without European money there was very little scope for hardly any economic development and nobody could offer any guarantee that if Britain were to withdraw that the Westminster Government would make the deficit to areas like Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“That was the views of the elected members and they certainly saw this as the only game in town for Wales.

“The NFU have not come down in support or against the referendum and the feeling was, amongst the WLGA group, that it was high time that they did, especially the Welsh branch.”

Cllr John Allen-Mirehouse said: “We don’t know what the EU referendum is going to be. Is it going to be do we stay in or go out? We don’t know what we’re being asked yet. I certainly agree with the principle that Wales, as a predominantly rural area, would stand to lose out if the UK left.”

Cllr Ken Rowlands highlighted the report which stated that Welsh lamb exports had increased by £76m from 2003 to 2013 and added: “That says it all.”

Cllr David Pugh added: “We’ve got to realise that this is a short term benefit to Wales because in five years’ time the funding streams will probably change. We’re not likely to get the same level of funding when this round of funding finishes. With the expansion of the EU, the former eastern block countries going in, they will receive a net benefit but Wales will probably lose out.”

Gwyn Evans highlighted that the current round of funding would end in 2020 and added that they did not know what Wales was going to get after that.

It was also highlighted that the Welsh Local Government Association has given its support to the UK’s membership of the EU but councillors were told that their decision would not bind Pembrokeshire County Council into that.

Crime

Man jailed for Pembroke Dock cannabis farm involvement

Published

14 mins ago

November 15, 2024

Madeline Knox

AN ALBANIAN man, Armando Beti, 37, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 15) for his role in producing class B drugs.

Beti, who has prior convictions in 2022 and 2023, was arrested on October 3, 2024, at 10:00am after police found him hiding in a neighbouring building’s attic. The arrest followed a raid on the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, where officers discovered three rooms containing 594 cannabis plants. The crop was described as part of a wholesale operation, with an estimated street value of between £64,000 and £196,000, depending on yield.

Using an aerial drone, police tracked Beti as he attempted to escape by crossing two rooftops. He pleaded guilty immediately after his capture, claiming the cannabis farm was already operational when he arrived 10 days earlier. Beti described himself as merely the gardener, tasked with watering the plants, and alleged he was coerced into the role by individuals he met at an immigration detention centre to repay a debt.

Beti’s defence counsel stated: “He is under no illusion regarding the seriousness of his offending. He is eager to start his prison sentence so he can ultimately reunite with his wife in Albania.”

However, Judge Geraint Walters rejected Beti’s claims, citing a pattern of similar excuses in previous cases. The judge noted that Beti had been convicted in Cardiff in 2022 for cultivating over 600 cannabis plants, during which he also claimed to be a coerced gardener with little knowledge of the operation.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Walters said: “People like you need to understand that judges are not completely naive. We know what is going on. We are well aware of the activities of criminal Albanian gangs in this country, as are you.”

Police believe the operation uncovered in Pembroke Dock is linked to a wider network of organised crime targeting rural locations for cannabis cultivation.

Community

Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

Published

4 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware. Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.

Community

Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

Published

15 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.