News
Newborn dolphins feed in the bay
NEW QUAY Sea Watch Foundation witnessed a rare sighting of a bottlenose dolphin calf feeding from its mother last Thursday (Aug 4) offering an exciting opportunity for the UK-wide research charity to widen their knowledge of Cardigan Bay’s dolphin inhabitants.
Volunteers begin their shift at 7am and work through to 9pm when the light and weather conditions allow. Sonia, of the research charity, began her shift on Thursday (Aug 4) and was welcomed by a collection of six dolphins, including a tiny newborn calf.
Although it is not uncommon for the bay’s bottlenose dolphins to appear very close to the harbour wall in New Quay, this occasion was extraordinary as six appeared seemingly out of nowhere and to Sonia’s astonishment, one was a tiny newborn dolphin calf.
On occasion, bottlenose dolphins do use the sheltered waters of Cardigan Bay to have their young. However, Sonia was overjoyed to witness the rare site of the youngster feeding from its mother.
Dolphins, along with whales and porpoises (collectively termed cetaceans), are mammals and produce milk which they feed to their young.
Sonia, Research Assistant for the charity this summer, described the event, stating: “I didn’t know where to look! There was so much happening all at the same time and I could not believe that I had the opportunity to witness a newborn calf being fed.”
Aside from the opportunity to see this special behaviour, there were also four other dolphins in the mix, including ‘Berry’ and her calf, ’Pip’.
Scientists are able to identify individual dolphins by photographing their dorsal fins. Over time, the fins build up nicks and notches which are unique to each animal, similar to a finger print in humans.
Once an animal is photographed and identified, its life history can be determined; which habitats does it prefer, which months is it seen, where does it travel to, how old is it, does it have any young?
Pip was named last year by the public who took part in a naming competition both online and from the pier in New Quay. With three youngsters having been seen in the past couple of weeks, the foundation will be again offering the opportunity to name one of these youngsters.
Using the photo-identification technique, the charity is able to offer an ‘Adopt a Dolphin’ scheme which offers adoptees the chance to follow the fortunes of real wild bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay.
The charity is reliant on the scheme for funding, which directly contributes to the well-being of Cardigan Bay dolphins.
Two new calves had been previously spotted in the bay, the first of which was witnessed during a Sea Watch all day survey on July 30, during which its mother was identified as ‘Trouble’ who has been followed by the team of researchers since 1989.
The other calf was photographed by the staff on board Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips on August 3 and the researchers will be working with the boat company to identify the individual’s mother in order to calculate just how many baby dolphins there are in the bay.
News
Fire strikes popular Pembrokeshire pub – no staff or customers hurt
A FIRE broke out at The Bristol Trader pub on Quay Street, Haverfordwest, today (Wednesday, Nov 6), impacting two floors and the roof space of the popular establishment.
Firefighters from Haverfordwest and Milford Haven stations responded to the scene at 11:38am, spending around two hours battling the blaze. Smoke was seen billowing from the building as Dyfed-Powys Police closed Quay Street, advising drivers to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Crews responded to a commercial fire in a two-storey building, measuring approximately 50m by 30m. The fire began on the first floor, spread to the second floor and roof space. Crews utilised eight breathing apparatus sets, four hose reel jets, one 45mm main jet, small gear, and a turntable ladder.”
Fire crews departed the scene at 1:58pm, and the police reopened Quay Street at 2:15pm.
No injuries were reported, and in a Facebook post, The Bristol Trader reassured customers that all staff members were safe.
Crime
Shoplifter sentenced for two Pembrokeshire thefts
A SHOPLIFTER has appeared before magistrates after admitting stealing food and alcohol from two stores in Pembroke Dock
John Ashby, 37, was seen stealing two crates of San Miguel lager valued at £22 from B&M Bargains on July 8 while on Hallowe’en of this year he entered the Farm Foods store, and stole 12 food items valued at £80.61.
His solicitor, Michael Kellher, said that the offences were committed after Ashby relocated to Pembrokeshire from London, where he was employed as a bricklayer.
“He’s always been in employment, but since moving to Pembrokeshire he hasn’t been able to find a job,” he said. “He hasn’t signed on for Universal Credit with the result that he stole the foodstuffs out of necessity.”
Meanwhile probation officer Julie Norman said that Ashby’s Halloween theft was committed after the defendant had been placed on a Community Order, imposed on September 24, for a previous shoplifting conviction.
“Having said that, he’s attended all appointments with the probation service,” she said. “The Community Order was given following his first ever conviction, so he doesn’t trouble the courts on a regular basis.”
After asking to address the magistrates, Ashby apologised to the court for his behaviour.
“I’m not a bad person,” he said. “I’ve worked since the age of 16, but I’m not excusing my behaviour.”
Ashby was fined £80 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge. He must also pay £80.61 compensation to Farm Foods and £22 compensation to B&M.
Crime
Internet dating app relationship turns sour for Pembrokeshire couple
AN internet dating app relationship has resulted in a four-figure fine for a Pembrokeshire man after he refused to accept that a two-month relationship was over.
Gareth Thomas, 51, met Rachel Blundell on an unknown dating app in January of this year.
“The relationship lasted for seven or eight weeks, they had meals out together and the defendant stayed over at her property on a few occasions,” Crown Prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“The relationship came to an end for whatever reason, but the defendant chose to continue sending her texts which were persistent and unwanted.”
In a victim impact statement read out to the court, Ms Blundell said that Thomas’s persistence left her feeling anxious.
“I’m unsure why he feels the need to contact me, because the relationship is over,” she said.
“He knows where I live and I’m afraid he’ll start causing issues with me. I just want him to accept that the relationship is over and he’ll leave me alone because it makes me feel alarmed, harassed and distressed. I’m scared about what he might do in the future.”
Thomas, of Gatehouse View, Pembroke, pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment without violence. He was represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.
“He agrees that there was repeated contact with Ms Blundell, but there were no threats nor violence.”
Mr Kelleher went on to say that Thomas was confused following Ms Blundell’s decision to terminate the relationship.
“She claimed that her father had been taken ill, but then went onto another dating site, and my client couldn’t quite understand why. He was confused, he didn’t know why it happened, and he was even optimistic that she’d have second thoughts and they could sort things out. He was never once told not to contact her.”
Meanwhile probation officer Charmaine Fox said that Thomas believed the way in which Ms Blundell ended the relationship was ‘a lie’.
“In the past he’s been able to rekindle a relationship, and he thought this may happen again. But things are very different in modern society, and the way people contact each other is now very different.”
Thomas was fined £833 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. He must also adhere to a 12-month restraining order preventing him from approaching and entering any address which Ms Blundell may reside in and not to enter any electronic data that refers directly to Ms Blundell.
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