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Haverfordwest: Perrots Lodge care home to close in Council cost cutting move

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plNINE council employees will be made redundant following a decision made by Pembrokeshire County Council today (Apr 25) to shut a local authority run care home in Haverfordwest.

At a meeting of the Cabinet this morning, members unanimously agreed that Perrots Lodge, which only opened in 2007, is too costly to run. The council heard that the facility houses up to eight persons and is focused  on dementia care. Perrots Lodge, say the Council, is not a home for life and does not offer long term placements.

Cllr Simon Hancock told Cabinet: “Our other homes, Havenhurst in Milford Haven and Hillside Home in Goodwick; and where appropriate independent sector; will be able to take in the persons currently at Perrots lodge.”

He added “The nine people who are being made redundant will be given  help to find alternative employment where possible.”

The cost of running Perrots lodge is £340,000 per year, with the cost of the lease of the building being £60,000.

On March 24, The Older Person Health and Well-Being Overview and Scrutiny Committee gave their support to the closure of the centre.

The money saved will go towards the £4 million on savings the Council needs to make in Adult Social Care.

In May, The Herald was contacted by a member of staff at Perrots Lodge, on Avallenau Drive, Merlin’s Bridge, to say that workers had been told in an emergency meeting that the centre was shutting, and staff were being transferred to Havenhurst in Milford Haven.

The staff member, who did not want to be identified at the time, said: “We were told that there was no redundancy if we left, we just have to accept that we are moving to the home in Milford Haven. We were told to lie to anyone making enquiries and say that beds at Perrots Lodge were double-booked and that clients would be cared for in Havenhurst.”

The source added: “We at the centre have got the impression that the place was being run down over the last few months, and our fears have been proved right.”

The centre had a good report from the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales in 2014, which noted in a report that the service is welcoming and relaxed, and that people are appreciative of the peaceful environment.

A spokesman for Pembrokeshire County Council told The Herald at the time: “Due to problems with staffing, the home is to close temporarily from Wednesday, May 20.”The spokesman added: “From that date all bookings are being diverted to Havenhurst in Milford Haven or other appropriate settings. Staff will also be relocated to Havenhurst to support the clients.”

They also said back then: “There will be no staff redundancies as a result of this temporary closure.”

 

 

2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. Anonymous

    April 25, 2016 at 12:12 pm

    This is so sad. A purpose built building for Dementia, Alzheimers, Younger onset dementia, is going to close. As good as Havenhurst is, it is not suitable for confused, elderly people, the place is in desperate need of up-grading, clients are just left to sit and watch tv, with no stimulation, as staff are too busy seeing to clients, who really need to be in nursing care. The staff ratio is not adequate to care properly for these clients. As usual, with the Council, it is money-minded. As for the poor staff, who face redundancy, there has been no support at all with finding alternative jobs, as there are none with the Council. Such a sad day for pembrokeshire.

  2. Anonymous

    April 26, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Just when Mental Health is prominent in the media and discussions of why more money should be invested in this problem, Pembrokeshire Council in their infinite wisdom decides that Perrott Lodge should close! My Dad who has vascular dementia was a regular at Perrott Lodge to give my Mum a well deserved rest and since they have rehouse Hillside Residents there My Dad hasn’t been able to get respite care here for over a year! We were told it was reopening soon and I cannot belive that this much needed facility is now being closed! It’s not as if it is free for respite patients and where on earth is the companion for Mental Health patients who have worked hard, paid into the system all their lives and now when they need care are tossed aside! Really really disgusting!!!

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Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

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A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

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News

Late Griffiths strike caps dramatic Clarby fightback in nine-goal thriller

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CLARBESTON ROAD staged a remarkable comeback to edge out Pennar Robins in a breathless Division One contest that delivered nine goals, wild swings of momentum and a hat-trick that ultimately counted for nothing.

Despite falling behind on three separate occasions, Clarby showed resilience and attacking intent to secure a 5–4 victory, sealed late on by Emyr Griffiths after the hosts had earlier trailed 3–1 in the first half.

For Pennar, the result was a bitter one. Jack Jones struck three times and the Robins led at 1–0, 3–1 and 4–3, but each advantage slipped away as Clarby refused to lie down.

The opening exchanges hinted at little of what was to come. Ben ‘Rocky’ John tested Pennar goalkeeper Ryeley Clark early on, while Tom Davies dragged an effort wide at the other end. The game burst into life after nine minutes when Pennar opened the scoring following a slick team move. Nicholas Willis drove forward down the right, combined neatly with Kieran Smith and Noah Davison, and was tripped inside the box. Jack Jones made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Clarby responded almost immediately. Player-manager Matthew Ellis, keen to atone for conceding the penalty, rose to head home Travis Jones’ corner at the near post just two minutes later.

Pennar regained control midway through the half. Tom Grimwood’s curling corner was met by Jones, who nodded in at the back post, and moments later the same duo combined again as Jones completed his hat-trick, finishing from close range after Grimwood beat his marker and cut the ball back.

Crucially, Clarby struck back before the break. Matthew Bowen delivered an inviting cross from the left and John powered a header past Clark to give the hosts renewed belief heading into half-time.

With the wind at their backs, Clarby came out flying after the restart. John levelled matters by cutting inside and firing low into the corner, before sustained pressure saw Matthew Davies have a goal ruled out for offside and substitute Josh Woods flash a shot across goal.

Against the run of play, Pennar edged back in front on 69 minutes when substitutes combined — Adam Phillips delivering a cross that Conner Phillips met unmarked to head home.

Once again, Clarby refused to fold. Jack Ashman drove forward from the edge of the area and thundered a high finish into the net to make it 4–4, before the decisive moment arrived 12 minutes from time. Griffiths broke through the Pennar back line and showed composure to lift the ball beyond Clark, completing a stunning turnaround.

Clarby managed the closing stages well to see out a vital win ahead of the Christmas break.

Man of the match: Jack Jones
Despite ending on the losing side, Jones’ clinical finishing and constant threat were impossible to ignore. Kieran Smith and Noah Davison were also influential in Pennar’s first-half dominance, while Ben John was central to Clarby’s revival before limping off with a knee issue.

Clarby player-manager Matthew Ellis said: “It’s a huge three points. After nine goals your head’s spinning a bit, but you’ll take it when you’re on the right side of the result. Pennar caused us problems early on, but we really turned it around after the break.”

Pennar manager Craig Butland said: “The second half wasn’t good enough. Individual errors are hurting us and conceding just before half-time changed the momentum. We’ve got to see games out better.”

Clarbeston Road: Rhys Mansell, Matthew Bowen, Greg Brown, Matthew Griffiths, Samuel Hurton, Jack Ashman, Emyr Griffiths, Matthew Davies (capt), Matthew Ellis, Ben John (Jake Wesley 62), Travis Jones. Sub not used: Joseph Jones.

Pennar Robins: Ryeley Clark, Nick Willis (Ryan Walters 80), Alex Wheeler (Adam Phillips 53), Ethan Ball, Bobby Jones (Conner Willis 53), Connor Roberts, Tom Grimwood, Kieran Smith (capt), Noah Davison, Jack Jones, Toby Davies.

Referee: Stefan Jenkins.

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Crime

Ex-Gwent police officer now living in Pembrokeshire cleared of corruption

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A FORMER police officer from Pembrokeshire has been found not guilty of corruption following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

Luke Silver, aged 34, formerly of Gwent Police, had denied three charges relating to the improper use of police power or privilege. The allegations centred on claims that he made sexually inappropriate and unwanted comments to two women he encountered while on duty.

Jurors heard that one allegation involved remarks allegedly made to a woman during a police interview, while other claims related to similar conduct during separate encounters. Mr Silver denied all wrongdoing throughout the proceedings.

After hearing the evidence, a jury acquitted him of all charges.

Despite the verdict, Gwent Police confirmed that Mr Silver is no longer a serving officer. The force said he was dismissed in April following an accelerated misconduct hearing that dealt with matters separate from the criminal case.

Reporting restrictions had previously been imposed on the misconduct proceedings to prevent any potential prejudice to the criminal trial. Those restrictions were lifted following the conclusion of the court case.

The misconduct panel found that Mr Silver had breached standards of professional behaviour on two occasions, relating to honesty and integrity, and conduct likely to bring discredit on the police service.

As a result, he has been placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing him from working for any police force in the future.

Assistant Chief Constable Nick McLain said Mr Silver was no longer employed by Gwent Police and stressed the force’s commitment to maintaining public trust.

He said the public rightly expects officers to uphold the highest standards of behaviour, adding that the force would continue to act decisively where conduct falls short.

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