News
Could you find the missing ink?
BEACHCOMBERS around Pembrokeshire are being asked to help as part of a nation wide cleanup operation, which is currently underway after thousands of printer ink cartridges have been washing up on the Welsh coast.
The Hewlett Packard (HP) printer ink cartridges were lost at sea more than a year ago, and are only now making their way to European shores. The cartridges have reached countries such as Ireland, France, Portugal and even as far north as the tip of Scotland.
In Wales, the cartridges have so far been spotted on the shores of many beaches, including Freshwater West, Abereiddy and Poppit Sands in Ceredigion.
Although only making appearances on a smaller number of beaches so far, those organising the beach cleanups have stated that there is a definite possibility of the cartridges appearing on even more of Wales’ beaches as time goes on.
Beachcomber Tracey Williams from Newquay found the first batch of printer cartridges and has been recording reports of more cartridges being found on beaches ever since.
She said: “We’ve only been recording them for the last month or so, but now that word has spread we’re getting daily reports of people finding 8 or 10 at a time. There must be many more out there. We had a report this week of 100 being found on an island in the Azores.”
Groups of conservationists and environmentalists in Fishguard and Goodwick have been combing the local beaches in search of cartridges, but none have been discovered yet.
Frances Chivers, a local Fishguard resident, said: “Hewlett Packard, together with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) are offering support to non-profit organisations who are undertaking beach clean-ups in areas where cartridges have been found.”
“The environmental and planting groups of the Fishguard and Goodwick Community Forum were on Lower Town beach last weekend and although they didn’t find any cartridges, perhaps others residents have,” she continued.
Due to the incident, HP have allowed funding for the Marine Conservation Society to help with ridding beaches of the cartridges.
Gill Bell of the Marine Conservation Society said: “A fund will support nonprofit organisations, individuals and local authorities who are undertaking beach litter clean-ups on UK beaches in areas where HP cartridges have been found.”
There was an uproar about the incident from conservationists, who are now urging the public to collect the cartridges if they happen to come across any, as any plastic in the sea could present itself as a hazard to wildlife.
Gill continued: “Studies have shown that up to 52% of sea turtles may have ingested various debris, and 95% of northern fulmar birds in the North Sea had plastic in their stomachs. We advocate that containers on ships are properly fastened and secured, and hope there’s a fast response from companies when containers are lost at sea.”
She concluded: “It’s not their direct fault, but it is important that companies look at cleaning it up. As soon as the MCS were aware of this issue, HP set the fund, administered by the MCS, to ensure the cartridges were removed quickly.”
HP have also set up a cartridge collection and recycling service for safe disposal of any more cartridges found on beaches around Europe.
News
Police bundle away sex offender after large protest in Hubberston
AROUND 70 residents of Wentworth Close and surrounding streets protested last night (Tuesday, December 3) against a man released on bail after pleading guilty to possessing child abuse images.
Jamie Hughes, 34, who admitted in court earlier in the day to possessing over 400 Category A images — the most severe type — remained on bail in their neighbourhood, prompting outrage among the community. Hughes also admitted to possessing 236 Category B and 886 Category C images.
The protest saw residents expressing their anger and demanding action. Police intervened to maintain order, eventually placing Hughes in a van and removing him from the area.
Earlier yesterday, Hughes appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to offences involving indecent images of children. The offences occurred over a five-year period, between May 1, 2018, and November 29, 2023, and were uncovered at his home on Wentworth Close.
Due to the seriousness of the offences, the magistrates declined jurisdiction, referring the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing on Christmas Eve.
Hughes was released on unconditional bail and will be placed on the sex offender’s register.
The decision to release Hughes on bail sparked immediate anger among residents, who voiced concerns about safety. Protesters gathered outside his home, calling for stricter measures to protect the community.
One resident said: “It’s horrifying to know someone like this was allowed back into our street after admitting such serious crimes.”
Police have confirmed they moved Hughes to another location but declined to provide further details, citing operational reasons.
Hughes will face sentencing on December 24 at Swansea Crown Court, where a judge is expected to determine the appropriate punishment for the offences.
Farming
57% of Welsh people expect food prices to rise due to Family Farm Tax
New research sparks concerns over food affordability
SHOCKING new research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats reveals that 58% of people in Wales anticipate food prices will rise due to the Family Farm Tax introduced in the recent Budget.
In response, the Liberal Democrats have tabled an amendment to reject the government’s Finance Bill, citing its damaging impact on family farms and wider rural communities.
Worrying changes in food habits
The research highlights alarming trends in how Welsh residents plan to cope with rising food costs. Nearly half (47%) of those expecting increases said they would switch to cheaper alternatives, while 32% revealed they would cut back on the amount of food they buy.
These changes could have significant health implications, with 19% of respondents admitting they are likely to buy less fresh fruit and vegetables if prices go up. The knock-on effect on small businesses is also evident, with 16% of respondents saying they would turn to larger supermarkets, posing further challenges for independent retailers already grappling with the rise in employers’ NIC contributions and the potential impact of the bus fare cap on foot traffic.
Liberal Democrats push for action
The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to scrap the Family Farm Tax, arguing that its effects extend far beyond the farming sector. They warn of serious consequences for families and pensioners struggling to manage rising costs, urging support for their manifesto pledge to boost farming budgets by £1 billion, including £50 million annually for Wales.
“A tax that hits every family”
Welsh Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader David Chadwick MP said:
“I will fight this disastrous tax hike every step of the way and ensure Wales’ voices are heard in Westminster. The impact of this tax hike goes beyond farming communities—families and pensioners across Wales will be hit if food prices go up.
“The Budget has proven that the new Labour government does not understand rural communities or farmers and their vital role in food security, environmental protection, and the Welsh economy.
“We are urging the Labour government to axe the tax now. If not, the impact on already struggling communities will be catastrophic.”
News
Welsh Government urged to keep rural landscapes pylon-free
Underground cabling technology from Carmarthen firm hailed as alternative to pylon eyesores
A LOCAL politician has called on the Welsh Government to preserve Wales’ iconic landscapes by adopting underground cabling as an alternative to overhead pylons.
Speaking at the Senedd on Tuesday, Mid and West Wales MS Jane Dodds urged First Minister Eluned Morgan to prioritise underground cabling over the construction of pylons, which she described as damaging to rural scenery and communities.
Dodds praised the work of ATP Cable Ploughing, a Pencader-based Carmarthenshire company, which uses an innovative “spiderplow” machine to install cables underground with minimal environmental impact. The company is already laying over a kilometre of high-voltage cable daily in sensitive areas across the UK.
Highlighting the benefits of underground cabling, Dodds explained that it not only protects the landscape but also improves the resilience of the power grid. She noted that underground cables are far less susceptible to damage from extreme weather events, such as high winds, which are becoming increasingly common.
Dodds told the Senedd: “There is a real chance for Wales to become a world leader in a technology that will revolutionise our energy grid. Underground cabling allows us to save our iconic landscapes and natural habitats while ensuring rural communities stay connected to the rest of Wales.
“But placing our power infrastructure underground isn’t just about appearance—it’s about resilience. With more extreme weather events becoming the norm, having a weather-proof grid has never been more important.
“Despite this, developers continue to default to pylons, scarring vast areas of our countryside. We cannot afford to sideline concerns about environmental and community impacts in favour of what is perceived to be the cheapest option.”
Dodds called on the Welsh Government to take bold steps to protect Wales’ rural beauty and modernise the nation’s power infrastructure.
-
News5 days ago
Local MP’s family avoids farm tax bombshell
-
Health6 days ago
New hospital for west Wales faces delays due to funding issues
-
Sport5 days ago
Local Angharad James-Turner leads Cymru in historic Euro ’25 play-off final
-
featured2 days ago
Teenager killed herself after ten months of hell, says heartbroken mum
-
Politics7 days ago
Pembrokeshire council tax could increase by 16 per cent
-
Top News2 days ago
Top international artist brings solo exhibition to North Pembrokeshire gallery
-
Education6 days ago
Young musicians delight at Valero Secondary Schools’ Music festival
-
News5 days ago
Illegal workers fine of £120,000 for Haverfordwest car wash