News
Trip of a lifetime for schoolboy


Welsh group: Including youth leaders with Charlie Marsh third on the right (standing up)
FOURTEEN YEAR OLD Pembroke schoolboy Charlie has just returned from the trip of a lifetime, as the solitary Pembrokeshire representative in a St John Cymru- Wales team of twelve cadets aged 14 to 17 selected to take part in the 2016 International Cadet Camp.
This exciting initiative, which brings together members of St John from different parts of the world, has been organized since the midnineties in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and leads to the strengthening of relationships among its members from different parts of the world irrespective of differences in culture, beliefs and resources.
Hong Kong was a particularly fitting location for this year’s camp, which was held between January 2- 10, because this is its centenary and the ICC was but one of a series of activities planned for this special year in the society’s history.
Charlie was clearly delighted by the Welsh team’s success (they came fifth overall) and is convinced that the experience has given him greater confidence to deal with his future work as a volunteer and then hopefully, as he pursues a career in medicine.
As for the teeth Charlie explained: “Hong Kong was fantastic. The food was brilliant and the weather was interesting and sticky. There were different scenarios in which we were all judged and I was really chuffed that Team Wales came fifth.
“We did a lot of different things such as working in homes for the elderly and in homeless shelters. The language barrier was obviously a challenge though, and my best memory is that of teaching a WW2 veteran how to clean his teeth when we didn’t speak the same language.
“I remember trying to explain that I was not going to touch his teeth. I told him ‘I’m not doing it for you. I don’t speak the same language as you but somehow I am going to have to get this done’. He did brush them eventually, and I am glad to tell you that he was smiling broadly at the end.
“But the best thing of all was meeting lots of people from so many diverse cultures. This has given me so much more confidence and I’ve been told others have noticed it too.”
Charlie had to raise £2500 to cover the cost of the trip and did much of this through such ordinary fund raising activities as bucket collections and curry nights. But he also raised support in more exotic style too by abseiling down the keep at Pembroke Castle.
He is keen to say thank you to all who helped him raise the funds not least St John Cymru Wales who covered the shortfall with a grant.
Charlie says he would do it all again without any hesitation and adds: “It’s definitely something worth doing. It might seem pretty daunting when you realize you have to raise that amount of money but I can truly say it’s definitely worth the effort”.
Speaking on behalf of the local St Johns group Sam Davies, Member in charge of cadets, said: “All of us at the Tenby/Pembroke division of St John Cymru-Wales are extremely proud of what Charlie has achieved. Charlie raised nearly £2500 which funded the trip and has come back a much more confident and enthusiastic person.
“I want to stress that this was a genuine competition in which they competed for Wales as a team and they were genuinely tested on their first aid and nursing skills. As a division we look forward to sending more young people from the area on international trips with St John Cymru-Wales.”
The next International Cadet Camp is scheduled for 2018 and will be held in South Africa.
Farming
Farming future at a crossroads as final Welsh support scheme unveiled

Unions, politicians and sector leaders respond to ‘once-in-a-generation’ changes in land policy
THE FINAL version of the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) has been published—sparking a fierce national debate over the future of food production, land management and the economic survival of rural communities across Wales.
Due to come into force on 1 January 2026, the scheme will replace the European Union’s Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), marking the end of a decade-long post-Brexit transition. It introduces a new three-tier model of support—Universal, Optional and Collaborative—with all participating farmers required to undertake twelve baseline actions such as maintaining hedgerows, improving soil health, and managing wildlife habitats.
The Welsh Government has framed the move as a bold shift towards sustainable land stewardship. But farming unions, opposition parties and rural campaigners have expressed serious concerns about the timing, funding, and long-term consequences of the proposals.

FUW: ‘A generational milestone—but not perfect’
The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) described the publication of the final scheme as a “generational milestone,” representing the culmination of years of intense discussions between the sector and Welsh Government.
FUW President IAN RICKMAN said: “We have left no stone unturned in our ambition to secure a viable post-Brexit farm support framework. This is a watershed moment for Welsh agriculture.”
The FUW welcomed several major concessions, including:
- A combined £238 million budget for Universal payments and BPS tapering;
- A reduction in Universal Actions from 17 to 12;
- Exemptions for tenant farmers;
- Removal of the controversial 10% tree cover requirement.
However, the union remains deeply concerned about the scheme’s remaining obligations, particularly the 10% habitat requirement, which many believe will reduce the amount of productive farmland available. Mr Rickman also criticised the “disappointing” tapering schedule for existing BPS payments—set to fall to 60% in 2026 and drop by 20% each subsequent year.
“We urged a gentler five-step reduction starting at 80%. Despite this milestone, we will continue to push for practical improvements as implementation begins.”
NSA: ‘Stark choice for farmers’

The National Sheep Association (NSA) acknowledged progress but warned that many producers now face a stark decision.
NSA Chief Executive PHIL STOCKER said: “Farmers must now ask themselves—do they work with government and adopt environmental delivery, or do they walk away and farm independently without public support?”
NSA Cymru’s HELEN ROBERTS noted the omission of sheep from the Welsh Government’s press release as troubling: “There will be winners and losers. Some of the actions reflect existing good practice, but we’re worried about increased red tape and a lack of clarity on long-term outcomes. The steep cut to 60% BPS is harsher than expected and creates uncertainty.”
Paul Davies MS: ‘Another blow to farmers’
Preseli Pembrokeshire MS PAUL DAVIES described the final SFS as yet another blow to farmers already struggling under government pressure.
“This is dressed up as a new approach, but it’s another blow to Welsh farmers already reeling from devastating government policies. The cut to 60% is cruel and unjustified.”
Mr Davies criticised the absence of a published economic impact assessment, accusing both the Welsh and UK governments of abandoning the rural economy.
“From inheritance tax changes to bovine TB inaction and new hoops for farmers to jump through, it’s clear that governments on both ends of the M4 have failed to support our producers.”
Samuel Kurtz MS: ‘Still no answers on funding or impact’

Welsh Conservative Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary SAMUEL KURTZ accused the Welsh Government of publishing the final SFS without full transparency or accountability.
“After seven long years, farmers still don’t know what this scheme will really cost their businesses. Labour’s relationship with rural Wales is broken,” he said.
Mr Kurtz also criticised the Cabinet Secretary for failing to release the impact assessment, which, he claims, ministers have already seen.
“I stood shoulder to shoulder with farmers on the Senedd steps last year—and I continue to stand with them against any policy that threatens food security and rural livelihoods.”
Plaid Cymru: ‘A step forward—but not far enough’
Plaid Cymru’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs spokesperson, LLYR GRUFFYDD MS, acknowledged that the final scheme had improved following sector engagement—but said serious funding questions remained unanswered.
“It’s clear that this scheme has evolved from its initial form. As the farming unions and others have rightly pointed out, the scheme is an improvement on the one originally proposed,” he said.
“While we welcome the £238 million funding for the year ahead, a one-year pledge is simply not enough. A Plaid Cymru government would guarantee that level of support in real terms as a minimum and introduce a multi-year funding cycle.”
Mr Gruffydd also raised concerns about balance across the scheme’s tiers, the structure of the transition period, and the still-undefined “social value” payment.
“We trust these issues will be addressed swiftly, because, as ever, the devil will be in the detail.”
Labour blocks call for Senedd vote
Amid mounting pressure, Welsh Labour MSs voted down a motion in the Senedd this week which would have required a binding vote on the scheme’s implementation before it came into effect.
“By voting against this, Labour has dismissed farmers’ concerns once again,” said Mr Kurtz. “Trust is at an all-time low.”
Looking ahead
The Welsh Government has pledged to publish a “ready reckoner” tool in the coming weeks to help farmers estimate the financial value of their participation in the new scheme.
The BPS tapering will begin in 2026, with recipients receiving 60% of their previous payments, and reductions of 20% annually thereafter.
An economic impact assessment—originally expected to be published alongside the final scheme—is now due in September 2025, just months before the scheme is set to begin.
Farming unions have said they will continue to work constructively with ministers, but warned that ongoing engagement will be crucial as technical guidance and implementation plans are finalised.
Health
Older Adult Mental Health patients benefit from charitable donations

HYWEL DDA Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, has supported the Older Adult Community Mental Health Teams (OACMHTs) and Older Adult Mental Health Inpatient Wards by funding board games and paint packs.
Generous donations to the NHS charity have funded seven ‘All About Us’ board games, a game developed for people living with dementia to focus on the power of life story telling and mindfulness, and seven ‘Aqua Paint Packs’ which have also been specifically designed for people living with dementia to express themselves creatively and find calm.
Lara Schmidt, Occupational Therapist (OT), said: “We’re incredibly pleased that charitable donations have allowed us to purchase these items for the OACMHTs and Older Adult Mental Health Inpatient Wards across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire.
“The ‘All About Us’ board game offers the opportunity to utilise as a one-to-one assessment tool as well as in group settings.
“From an OT perspective, the board game invites our service users to think and talk about who they are, their experiences, feelings and values as well as their life roles. This will support strengthening of identity, independence and sense of purpose whilst enabling OTs to build a therapeutic relationship and better understand personal histories of our service users.
“The illustrations on the Aqua Paint Packs are specifically designed for the older adult population and offer opportunities for reminiscence and conversation. For our service users, aqua painting is a low-risk activity that still offers an enriching experience as aqua painting can exercise imagination, and enable people to experience joy and a sense of accomplishment.”
Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
News
Council denies claims new Haverfordwest bridge is wrong size

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has rejected claims that the new pedestrian bridge in Haverfordwest has been fabricated 300mm too short.
The bridge, which forms part of a wider town centre regeneration scheme, was delivered to the site in late May and is scheduled for installation on the weekend of August 16–17.
In recent weeks, The Herald has received multiple reports alleging that the structure was slightly too short and that adjustments were being made to the concrete bases to compensate. One trusted source said the bridge was “300mm too short” and claimed: “They aren’t extending it, but they are re-doing the concrete bases to receive it.”
A town councillor, speaking anonymously, also told The Herald they had heard the fabricators used the old bridge as a reference and ended up “around 15 to 20 centimetres out.”
However, the council has issued a firm denial.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “This is incorrect/false information. There hasn’t been any modification undertaken to the concrete bases as originally designed and constructed. No adjustment was made or required. There are no contractor or design errors.”
According to the council, the crane required for lifting the bridge into place is due to arrive on site on August 11. The booking for the crane was made in February.
The bridge has been promoted as a visual centrepiece for the town, with ambitions to boost footfall and appeal to visitors and social media users. Some residents, however, have voiced frustration over delays and limited visible progress.
The Herald will continue to monitor the situation.
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