News

Traumatic birth will be food for thought at ‘Local Lives Matter’ meeting

Published

9 years ago

March 21, 2016

ANN GALLACHER is one of the many mothers shockingly sent away from west Wales General Hospital whilst in labour.

Vicky Moller, Plaid Cymru candidate, claims that some women are sent to hospitals 150 miles away or sent home and asked to return later, without being asked how long it takes to drive home.

A few hours after Ann was sent home, her husband Owen helped her from the bath, when suddenly the pain became extreme, leaving her leaning over the sink to support herself.

“I was terrified,” Anne said. Owen began to phone for an ambulance when Ann cried out that the baby’s head was showing and that she had to push.

Owen reports: “I just dropped the phone, raced to the bathroom and caught my baby daughter.”

Although the story had a happy ending with baby Loti arriving safe and sound, reports like this are one of the reasons why London doctors are travelling to Pembrokeshire for a public meeting in Fishguard on April 1 in the Ffwrn Hall.

The ‘Local Lives Matter’ meeting will begin with a short film about the Lewisham doctors’ long campaign which twice saved their hospital. The campaign gained some fame due to the fact that it took the UK government to court twice and won. Now, the ‘Save Lewisham’ team want to help other people going through the same ordeal with their hospitals.

A researcher from NHS Wales will also be present at the meeting to give a presentation which will include revealing facts and figures about the service.

Ms Moller, who is organising the meeting, explained: “Every day I go out talking to people on the doorstep as a candidate, I hear more shocking reports of the consequences of closing services in Withybush.

“This cannot go on. I am collecting these reports to use as evidence. Many things need to improve in Wales and in Pembrokeshire, but this is the priority for local people.

“Young families are choosing not to move here because of the closures, some older people are leaving, and others are deciding not to holiday here if they have any existing health conditions.

“There are too many scary experiences like the baby born in a bathroom. The maternity unit in Withybush has not gone but it is almost disused because there are no doctors there. This is not the way to use scarce resources.”

Political parties are invited to the meeting on April 1 to pledge what they will do for health, and for Withybush, ahead of the Welsh election on May 5.

“A change of government could herald a change of policy for Withybush,” Ms Moller continued.

Doors open in the Ffwrn on April 1 at 5pm with a discussion of Plaid Cymru policies, followed at 6pm by the ‘Local Lives Matter’ meeting.

Crime

Large drug haul discovered near West Wales police station

Published

2 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A SUBSTANTIAL quantity of drugs was uncovered in a building just a few doors away from a police station in Newcastle Emlyn.

Dyfed-Powys Police seized 435 cannabis plants from the former Co-op shop on Wednesday, November 6, after securing a search warrant. The building is located only four doors down from the town’s police station.

A local worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC Wales, “I’m not surprised drugs were found there—the smell has been around for at least a month.”

Officials confirmed that no arrests have been made so far, and investigations are ongoing. Police stated that officers will maintain a presence in the area as the inquiry continues.

News

Van crashes into chalet at Pembrokeshire holiday park

Published

3 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A VAN collided with a chalet at Freshwater Holiday Park in Pembroke last month.

The incident occurred on October 29 at approximately 5:45pm. A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a single-vehicle collision at Freshwater Holiday Park at around 5:45pm on October 29. No injuries were reported, and there are no further police enquiries.”

According to a local resident, the crash left a dent on the front of the chalet, marking the fourth time such an incident has occurred. The resident expressed frustration, saying: “This is an accident waiting to happen, and it doesn’t seem that anybody on the management team is doing anything about it.”

Community

Connecting the Coast project celebrates significant achievements in nature recovery

Published

3 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CONNETING THE COAST, an ambitious three-year Nature Recovery project backed by Welsh Government funding, is drawing to a close, having taken impressive strides in protecting and enhancing the fragile ecosystems of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The project, designed to safeguard coastal habitats and enhance biodiversity in farmland adjacent to the iconic coastline, works in close collaboration with local farmers and landowners, to restore habitats, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and promote sustainable land management.

Connecting the Coast has yielded impressive results, with land management changes creating flourishing habitats for wildlife. This is evident in the reappearance of coastal wildflowers like centaury and sheep’s bit where conservation grazing has been implemented and the appearance of scarce arable plants, such as weasel’s snout and bugloss, in crop margins that have been left unsprayed.

New hay meadows are also thriving, offering sanctuary to pollinators and birds, while species-rich pastures are helping to secure soil health and protect carbon stocks. These biodiversity-rich areas form vital buffers in the coastal ecosystem, offering increased resilience against the impacts of climate change.

Connecting the Coast Project Officer Clare Flynn said: “At the heart of Connecting the Coast is a strong partnership with the local farming community and landowners, ranging from large dairy farms to smallholders with just a few fields – and we’ve been met with overwhelming support and a warm welcome from everyone.”

Throughout its duration, Connecting the Coast has achieved several significant milestones in its mission to restore and protect habitats. These include installing almost 19,000 meters of fencing to improve conservation grazing and safeguarding over 80 hectares of coastal slopes to protect iconic coastal species. In addition, over 50 hectares of hay meadows and 50 hectares of species-rich permanent pasture have been created, enhancing biodiversity and supporting soil health.

As the project enters its final months, the team will continue to provide tailored support and advice to landowners, while closely monitoring the ecological outcomes of habitat restoration efforts. The project is committed to deepening conversations with both farmers and the Welsh Government to secure sustainable farming support and ensure that nature recovery remains a top priority in Pembrokeshire and beyond.

Connecting the Coast has received financial support from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places fund.