News

New Chair for local Lib Dems

Published

9 years ago

July 12, 2016

Tom Sinclair

Andrew Lye: New Chair
of the Pembrokeshire and
Carmarthenshire Liberal Democrats

THE CARMARTHENSHIRE and Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats have elected a new Chair of their Local Party. This covers the four constituencies over the two counties. Andrew Lye from Johnston, near Haverfordwest , took over at their May Executive Meeting from Mike Warden, who had already announced at last November’s AGM of his intention to retire after the Welsh Assembly elections.

Mike Warden from Puncheston, Pembrokeshire, has been active in local politics for many years, including as a past candidate for Pembrokeshire County Council and for the Welsh Assembly. Mike Warden said: “My reason s for standing down are mostly to do with my age – my energy levels are not what they used to be ! Although I have retired from the Chair, I shall be continuing as a member of the Executive and still be actively involved.”

Mike Warden added: “I’m very pleased that Andrew has taken over as he has a very clear and realistic view of what the Welsh Liberal Democrats need to do – to regain the ground lost at the last two elections.” Andrew Lye has lived in Johnston for almost 15 years. He moved there from Trowbridge, the County town of Wiltshire , with his ex-wife in 2001.

Andrew’s background in politics started in 1985 when he joined the SDP. He was elected to Trowbridge Town Council in 1988 and served on it until 2001. He was Chairman of the Trowbridge Town Council in 1994-5. He also served on West Wiltshire District Council and within three days, was elected Deputy Group Leader (and Deputy Council Leader) of the ruling minority Liberal Democrat group. Andrew served his three year term as Council Leader from 1994-97.

Andrew said: “The last 2 elections were not good for the Welsh Liberal Democrats after the Westminster coalition. The irony is that our membership increased when we were reduced to eight MPs in May 2015 , and its gone up again since the result of the EU referendum was announced. But we are already planning for the 2017 County Council elections and ensuring that we have candidates lined up. “We may be relatively small in numbers, but we are playing our part at Cardiff and attend conferences .

It was just over a year ago that I proposed the motion calling for the Cleddau Bridge to be passed to the Welsh Assembly, for the tolls to end and for it to be trunked as part of the road system. This was passed overwhelmingly and was included in the 2016 manifesto. “We have begun to attract young members and we are aiming to create Youth Branches in the two counties. The youth are our future.

“With the loss of four Assembly Members , and Kirsty Williams going into Carwyn Jones’s Cabinet in charge of the Education portfolio, the Welsh Liberal Democrats under the new leadership of Ceredigion MP Mark Williams are reviewing the organisation and we have been putting our views forward. “Locally, we have to resolve the future of Liberal Chambers in St Mary’s Street, Haverfordwest , and rebuild in Llanelli.

We also have to raise our profile locally. “We accept it’s an uphill struggle, but we are not quitters and the result of the EU Referendum shows that there is still a need for a Liberal Democrat voice in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire .” If anyone would like to join Andrew and his colleagues, visit the Lib Dems’ website. They can also be found on Facebook at ‘ Carmarthenshire & Pembrokeshire Liberal Democrats ‘ .

Crime

Goodwick man jailed for stealing prescription tablets from partner

Published

5 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Court Reporter

A 47-year-old man from Goodwick has been sentenced to jail after admitting to stealing his partner’s prescription medication.

Andrew Gibbs, of Allt Y Carne, appeared at Swansea Crown Court where he admitted taking four Pregabalin tablets from his long-term girlfriend on February 14.

Prosecuting, Alycia Carpanini told the court that Gibbs had taken the tablets while drinking in the living room earlier that day. He was arrested later that evening on unrelated matters, and officers found the medication in his possession.

During his arrest, Gibbs admitted aloud to police that he had stolen the tablets. He later confirmed the theft in a prepared statement during interview.

The court heard that Gibbs has a lengthy criminal history, with 35 previous convictions covering 68 offences. He had previously faced a series of serious allegations, including actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation against his partner, as well as two further assaults. However, those charges were dropped after the complainants chose not to support the prosecution.

In mitigation, defence barrister Dan Griffiths said his client had been cooperative with police from the outset and had already spent time in custody since his arrest.

Judge Paul Thomas KC imposed a 14-day custodial sentence for the theft, acknowledging the time Gibbs had already spent on remand. He will be released shortly under supervision.

Community

PCSOs and pupils join forces for Pembroke Dock litter pick

Published

5 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE Community Support Officers (PCSOs) 8042 and 8020 joined staff at McDonald’s and Year 5 and 6 pupils from Cosheston VC School for a community litter pick around Pembroke Dock.

As part of the school’s ongoing environmental project, the pupils helped collect seven bags of rubbish while keeping a detailed log of the types of litter found.

PCSOs are uniformed civilian members of police staff who work to support regular police officers and engage with the community. Their involvement helped promote positive relationships between local police and young people.

The event aimed to raise awareness about the importance of looking after the local environment and encouraged children to take pride in their community.

Members of the public are reminded to dispose of their waste responsibly and use the bins provided.

Community

Joyce Watson meets apprentices at Haverfordwest transport hub

Published

6 hours ago

March 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A VISIT to the site of the new Haverfordwest public transport interchange has highlighted the role of apprentices and skilled workers in delivering the major infrastructure project.

Joyce Watson MS, who represents Mid and West Wales in the Senedd, toured the construction site on Friday (Mar 21), meeting with workers and hearing how the scheme is creating opportunities for local people.

Mrs Watson, who chairs the Senedd cross-party group on construction and co-chairs the cross-party group on apprenticeships, was briefed on progress by Kier Construction’s project manager Dean Williams and Sheila Holmes, engagement adviser for the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Speaking following the visit, Mrs Watson said: “The Haverfordwest public transport interchange will transform the town’s transportation infrastructure and boost the local economy.
“With around a year’s work still to go, it’s already offering high-quality job opportunities, and I was delighted to meet the talented apprentices working on-site.”

Among those she met was Matthew Thomas, a local trainee working on the project.
Mrs Watson added: “It was a pleasure to meet Matthew, and I believe he has a great future ahead of him.”

Dean Williams, from Kier Construction, said: “It was great to welcome Joyce Watson MS for a tour of our Haverfordwest public transport interchange project. This scheme for Pembrokeshire County Council will deliver a modern transport hub for the local community, improving connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors alike.”

CITB’s Sheila Holmes added: “We are pleased to be supporting Kier Construction in developing their supply chain for this infrastructure scheme. By doing so, we can invest in local skills, which are vital to the sector and to the regional economy. Projects like this help ensure we meet future skills demands.”

The interchange is part of the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro programme and has so far received nearly £17 million from the Welsh Government’s Local Transport Fund.

Once completed, the new facility will include improved pedestrian and cycle access, a more efficient bus station with seven bays and upgraded passenger facilities, and a modern multi-storey car park.

The scheme is commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council as part of its town centre regeneration strategy.

The visit was organised as part of Open Doors, a national initiative by Build UK that takes visitors behind the scenes at live construction sites to showcase the range of careers in the industry.