News
BABY UNIT TO CLOSE: The fight is on

MARK DRAKEFORD’S speech announcing the abandonment of specialist obstetric services at Withybush Hospital, avoided any mention of the word “closure”.
The Minister revealed that a report into Hywel Dda Health Board’s plans had recommended that an emergency transfer system be put in place until a new emergency medical system was fully operational. The Health Minister announced that detailed work will now go on to accelerate introduction of emergency retrieval service for Wales involving specialist medical staff.
The first use of the word “closure” was in the response to the Minister’s speech by local AM Paul Davies who said:
“This decision represents a bleak day for the people of Pembrokeshire who have campaigned and fought tirelessly to protect lifesaving baby services at Withybush Hospital.
“This decision is dangerous and in immediately life-threatening cases, could pose severe harm to mothers and babies and Welsh Labour Ministers carry a heavy responsibility in pursuing this centralising agenda.”
News
Renovation of historic Tenby hotel given the green light

WORKS to a prominent listed Pembrokeshire hotel have been given the go-ahead by national park planners.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Simon Fry, through agent Asbri Planning, sought listed building consent for works to the Grade-II-listed 1-2 Royal Lion Hotel, High Street, Tenby, said to be one of the oldest hotels in the town.
The works included replacement windows, replace window with original door opening, works to existing parapet, blocking up of windows, render front elevation, blocking up of existing windows, retain existing signage, remove and rebuild existing chimney stack and other minor ancillary works.
The proposals were supported by Tenby Civic Society: “We welcome the scheme, being done very much in character with the original and will complete a very welcome refurb enhancing this prominent point in the town”
It had requested some “minor corrections,” including “retaining the ‘stage door’ stained glass window on the rear door onto Upper Frog Street”.
Tenby Town Council also supported the scheme, saying it was “a much-desired enhancement of a Grade-II-listed building within the Conservation Area”.
A supporting statement for the application said: “In terms of the replacements and overall works these would be of sympathetic materials appropriate to its setting, ensuring the existing character of the building is preserved. The intention is to replace on a like-for-like basis where possible, although the new replacements will be double glazed.”
It added: “The works are necessitated following the previous structural survey undertaken on the two ground floor bays which revealed they are in poor condition and are in need of reinstatement as soon as possible in the interests of the integrity of the listed building and for public safety.
“The replacement of the other bay structures and windows on the front and northern side elevations were also necessitated given their deterioration over time which has led to an adverse visual impact on the listed building and surrounding area.
“Given the previous state of the bays and windows, the works that have been recently undertaken are a significant betterment to the existing situation, and the works the subject of this application would further enhance the quality of the listed building, avoiding further dilapidation.”
Last year, an Urgent Works Notice was served for works on the hotel by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, with an application for those works later granted.
The latest application added: “The building in question is of great significance to the town of Tenby and its Conservation Area. It stands as one of the oldest hotels in Tenby and as identified above, holds great historic and heritage merit.”
News
Motorboat rescued off Newgale beach after capsizing scare

A MOTORBOAT that got into trouble off Newgale beach on Thursday afternoon (Apr 17) was brought safely ashore thanks to the quick response of St Davids RNLI.
The alarm was raised at around 3:40pm when HM Coastguard received reports of a 12-foot motorboat with two people onboard that had capsized off the popular Pembrokeshire beach.
St Davids RNLI launched their inshore lifeboat, the Alan and Marian Clayton, and quickly located the stricken vessel.
After assessing the situation, lifeboat volunteers decided to escort the motorboat to Porthclais Harbour, as it still had power. However, part-way through the journey the vessel ran out of fuel, leaving the crew stranded.
A tow line was set up, and the lifeboat took the boat under tow to ensure the safety of those onboard.
The motorboat was brought ashore safely at Porthclais just before 6:20pm, and the lifeboat returned to station where it was refuelled and made ready for the next callout.
Crime
Haverfordwest man faces strangulation and assault charges

A HAVERFORDWEST man has appeared in court accused of assaulting and strangling a woman on two separate occasions.
Ali Miah, aged 33, of Bush Row, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Apr 16), facing three charges.
The court heard that Miah is accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation during an incident in Haverfordwest on April 13. He also faces a further charge of intentional strangulation, alleged to have taken place on November 1, 2023, involving the same woman.
The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court, where Miah is due to appear to enter his pleas on May 16.
He was granted bail.
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