News

Lodge welcomes swift payment to farmers

Published

10 years ago

April 19, 2016

LABOUR’S candidate for Preseli Pembrokeshire in the Welsh Assembly, Dan Lodge, has welcomed the statement by Rebecca Evans, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food on the Basic Payment Scheme Final Instalments. Dan Lodge spoke about the payments at NFU Cymru’s 5 April hustings.

The Deputy Minister wrote in a written statement (April 5, 2016): “I would like to update Assembly Members of the progress we have made with CAP Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments.

“As of March 31 we had made substantial part-payments to 95% of eligible farm businesses in Wales. Of those farm businesses that have yet to receive a part-payment, the vast majority are due to the Rural Payment Agency (RPA) in England experiencing considerable operational difficulties, which has meant we are still waiting for useable cross-border data.

“My officials continue to press RPA for the detailed information that will allow the Welsh Government to pay the relevant farm businesses affected. We will be writing this week to any farm businesses that had not received a partpayment by the end of March, setting out the reasons for this.

“We have met the European Commission’s April 1 deadline to establish total BPS entitlement values. We can now pay final instalments to those farm businesses that received a BPS part-payment, and full payments to the small number yet to receive any payment.

“I am pleased to report that by the end of this week (April 1), we will have paid over three-quarters of eligible farm businesses their final, balance BPS payment. We will continue to process the remaining claims throughout April, and all but a very small number of complex BPS cases will have been paid, in full, by the end of this month.

“Our BPS performance remains GB leading. In relation to CAP Single Application Form (SAF) 2016 applications, over 3,500 farm businesses are already making full use of RPW Online. In doing so, they benefit from built-in validation checks during completion of the SAF (with error and information messages given where appropriate as entries are made), access to farm maps, and the ability to make changes to the map which links to the field data in the application. 389 farmers have taken advantage of Digital Assistance appointments with Rural Payments Wales officials in our Regional Offices.

“Initial feedback from those who have made use of SAF Online or our Digital Assistance support has been very positive. Farmers can make Digital Assistance appointments by telephoning the Customer Contact Centre on 0300 062 5004. The deadline for SAF 2016 is May 16.”

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

5 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.