WELSH First Minister Eluned Morgan has called on the UK Government to halt the controversial deep space radar project at Pembrokeshire’s Cawdor Barracks, describing the USA under Donald Trump as an unreliable ally.

In a pre-application consultation, ahead of a formal planning application, The Ministry of Defence wants to install 27 radar antenna and a long list of associated works at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy for a worldwide network of sensors called the Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) to track active satellites and other objects would utilise three sites worldwide, part of the AUKUS trilateral security partnership, in the USA, the UK and Australia “enabling 360-degree coverage of the sky at all times of day and under any weather conditions”.

In late 2023, Cawdor Barracks was identified as the preferred UK site by the-then UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps.

A supporting statement accompanying the pre-application consultation, through Montagu Evans LLP says: “The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability proposal will enhance the UK’s ability to detect, identify, and track objects in Earth orbit, including satellites, space debris, and potential threats.

“This capability is vital for ensuring the resilience of UK space systems, enabling the UK to secure attribution, maintain stability and provide information for managing emerging challenges. Fundamentally, the project forms a key site that will support wider international space traffic management and enhance collective international security.

“As part of the ongoing investment into this domain, the UK has been working with its allies to identify a location for a new deep space monitoring facility to protect and defend both military and civilian infrastructure that supports our way of life.”

St Davids City Council members recently unanimously opposed the proposals, and public objectors have raised concerns with protests recently taking place outside Brawdy Barracks and County Hall, Haverfordwest.

Labour Senedd candidate Eluned Morgan for the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency, who hopes to be re-elected as Senedd Member and First Minister in the May 7 elections, said: “I’m calling for the DARC defence project in Pembrokeshire to be halted.

“The United States under Donald Trump is not the partner it once was. Talk of targeting civilians, undermining our allies, and diminishing the sacrifice of our armed forces is not the conduct of a reliable ally.

“I believe in international alliances. I believe in collective security. But there is a clear difference between standing with our partners and giving a free pass to a US President who has threatened war crimes and shown contempt for our country.

“I’m urging the UK Government to halt our involvement in the AUKUS radar project until we can be confident those partnerships reflect our values and our security interests.”

She added: “Trump’s hostility towards the UK and verbal attacks on our nation in the light of the Prime Minister’s refusal to give the US President support in the attack on Iran should lead us to pause our involvement in this proposal.

“His threats to annihilate the Iranian civilisation reached a new low recently and we should not be associating ourselves with such an unreliable partner who threatened war crimes on civilians, and have insulted UK armed forces in terms of their commitment to fight in Afghanistan.”

The pre-application consultation has recently ended, with a formal application to Pembrokeshire County Council expected at a later date.

However, Labour MP for Pembrokeshire Henry Tufnell took a very different view: “I’m concerned that the First Minster appears to not want the local jobs and economic growth on a project that is unlikely to be operational until after the Trump administration.

“Our community here in Pembrokeshire has always played a pivotal role in the UK’s defence and the DARC project represents the next chapter in our proud heritage.”

Crew from Kidwelly Fire Station worked for more than two hours to free three lambs stuck deep inside a stone culvert

FIREFIGHTERS in Carmarthenshire rescued three trapped lambs during a late-night callout in Kidwelly on Wednesday (Apr 15).

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the crew from Kidwelly Fire Station was called to Monksford Street at 9:39pm after the animals became stuck around 20 metres down a stone water culvert, believed to be between 3 and 4 metres underground.

Firefighters used a hose inflation kit, general purpose lines, shovels and spades to dig several holes, locate the culvert and safely retrieve the lambs.

The incident showed what the service described as excellent initiative by the Carmarthenshire crew, who worked carefully to bring the animals back to the surface.

The crew remained at the scene until 11:46pm.

A photograph released afterwards shows the Kidwelly firefighters with two of the lambs before they were safely returned to their owner.

Local history society’s final event before summer break will spotlight the rich past of one of Pembrokeshire’s most historic communities

PEMBROKE AND MONKTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY will hold its next Coffee Morning and Talk on Saturday, May 2 at Pembroke Town Hall, with this event marking the final talk in the society’s current programme before its summer break.

There has been a change to the original line-up, with the advertised speaker having withdrawn. However, Society Chairman Linda Asman will now present a talk titled Monkton: A Hidden History, a subject closely connected to the group’s roots and one which has already attracted strong interest.

Linda previously gave a similar talk to the Pembrokeshire History Society last October, following the success of the book she co-authored with Keith Johnson, drawing on the memories and contributions of many former members of the Monkton community.

The society itself has deep ties to Monkton. It was originally based at Monkton Church Hall, and its first public event was a guided walk through the village led by the late Pauline Waters. That early project encouraged residents to share old photographs, stories and memories, laying the foundations for what would become a valuable local archive.

Its first publication, Monkton: A Sense of Place, was written by Linda, illustrated by George Lewis and funded by Planed. Continued research later led to the publication of a full book on Monkton, which proved so popular it is now out of print, although it remains available to read online through the society’s website.

The upcoming illustrated talk will explore Monkton’s rich and often overlooked past, including its nationally important cave, Norman Priory, and once-thriving quayside. It will also look at the impressive Georgian mansion that once stood there, complete with terraced gardens still surviving today, along with the area’s shipbuilding heritage and the arrival of ocean-going vessels carrying timber from Nova Scotia.

The talk will also trace Monkton’s rapid growth following the establishment of Pembroke Dock, when Victorian terraces were built to house dockyard workers and a vibrant, self-contained community emerged. Much of that old settlement was later lost during the demolitions of the 1960s, but its history has not been forgotten.

Doors open at 10:00am for coffee, with the talk beginning at 11:00am. Pembroke Museum and the Council Chamber, both located on the first floor of the Town Hall, will also be open during the event. A lift is available for disabled access.

Entry is free, with proceeds from the coffee morning and raffle helping to cover costs.

For more information visit the society’s website or contact [email protected].