News

Could you find the missing ink?

Published

10 years ago

March 15, 2016

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.

Crime

Man wanted in connection with rape investigation has Pembrokeshire links

Published

11 minutes ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police in Milford Haven and Neyland assisting Warwickshire officers in appeal to trace 23-year-old

MILFORD HAVEN and Neyland police have issued an appeal to help locate a man wanted in connection with a rape investigation.

Officers are assisting colleagues from Warwickshire Police, who are seeking information on the whereabouts of 23-year-old Rhys Trott in connection with a rape allegation in Nuneaton.

Police say Trott is believed to have links to the Milford Haven area of Pembrokeshire.

In a public appeal, Warwickshire Police said they are keen to trace Trott as part of ongoing enquiries.

Anyone who has seen him or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Warwickshire Police through their website or by quoting the relevant incident details.

Milford Haven and Neyland Police shared the appeal on social media on Tuesday (June 3), asking local residents to come forward with any information that may assist officers.

Photo caption:

Rhys Trott, 23, is wanted by Warwickshire Police in connection with a rape investigation and is believed to have links to Milford Haven (Pic: Warwickshire Police).

Community

Youth centre given colourful new look thanks to local firm

Published

2 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people at a Haverfordwest youth centre have helped transform one of its rooms into a bright and welcoming space.

The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest, has thanked W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting the painting and decorating project, which saw young people work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from the company.

The project has given the room a colourful refresh, creating a cheerful space for young people using the centre.

Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, also supported the work by supplying the colourful paints.

A spokesperson for The Edge Youth Centre said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting us with the painting and decorating of one of the rooms at our Youth Centre.

“The young people were fortunate enough to work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd, to transform the room.

“Thanks to Chris and the young people’s hard work and enthusiasm, the space is now looking bright, welcoming, and cheerful.

“We’d also like to thank Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, for generously supplying the colourful paints. Your support has helped create a vibrant room that young people can enjoy for years to come.”

The centre added: “Thank you both for your generosity and for helping us create such a positive space for our young people.”

Photo caption: Bright new look: Young people worked alongside W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd to refresh a room at The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest.

News

MPs to examine impact of metal mine pollution in Wales

Published

3 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PARLIAMENTARY committee is to hold an oral evidence session into the impact of metal mine pollution in Wales.

The Welsh Affairs Committee will examine the environmental and economic legacy of abandoned metal mines as part of its ongoing inquiry into Wales’ industrial past.

Abandoned metal mines continue to cause extensive pollution across Wales. Figures from the Mining Remediation Authority show around 1,300 sites are affecting water quality and ecology across more than 700km of watercourses.

The session, due to take place on July 1, will allow MPs to gather up-to-date evidence on the scale and consequences of the pollution, as well as what is being done on regulation, remediation and public transparency.

It will also examine progress made since a similar evidence session was held by the committee’s predecessor in the last Parliament.

Ruth Jones MP, Chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, said: “While the extraction of metals such as zinc, lead and gold was once an important part of Welsh industry, the legacy of abandoned mines now poses a serious threat to the animal and plant life of our rivers, streams and lakes, and possibly even to human health.

“Our session will be exploring the scale and consequences of metal mine pollution and whether more can be done to tackle this ongoing environmental challenge.”

Ahead of the session, the committee is inviting written submissions on the human and environmental impacts of metal mine pollution, who should be responsible for tackling it, what progress has been made in recent years, and how affected communities can be supported.

It is also seeking views on how the public can make informed decisions about any risks from metal mine pollution, and what could happen if further action is not taken.

The Welsh Affairs Committee scrutinises the expenditure, administration and policies of the Wales Office, as well as UK Government policies that affect Wales.

The committee is not part of the Government, but is a House of Commons select committee with a role in holding ministers to account.