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News

Microlight pilot escapes from River Cleddau crash [UPDATED]

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Microlight: Being recovered this morning (Mar 10) (pic. Alastair Pollard)

A MICROLIGHT aircraft crashed into the River Cleddau yesterday evening (Mar 9), however there were no serious injuries as the pilot luckily escaped the aircraft and reached the shore.

Angle RNLI said on their Facebook page: “The ALB launched at 17:54 to reports of a Microlight aircraft that had crashed into the water, off Rudders Boatyard, Burton.

“Also responding to this incident was a local Range Safety vessel, Dyfed-Powys Police, Ambulance, Coastguard Rescue Officers and two leisure craft.

“Whilst arriving on scene, we were informed that the single occupant had swum to the shore adjacent to Burton and transferred to Rudders Boatyard by a local RIB.

“The Y Boat was launched and two crew went ashore to gather more information whilst the paramedics were assessing the casualty. As no assistance was needed ashore, the Y Boat searched the shoreline whilst the ALB searched the main channel for any debris.

“With no sightings, the Y Boat was recovered and the ALB returned to station at 19:20.”

Back on dry land: The aircraft back on the shore (pic. Alastair Pollard)

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Police were called at approximately 5.50pm on Thursday 9th March 2007 to a report of a microlight having entered the River Cleddau in the Burton area of Milford Haven.

“The man had already left the water on police arrival. The AAIB has been informed.”

Alastair Pollard of Rudders Boatyard was involved in the rescue of the pilot.

He told The Herald: “At 5:42pm, Keith Allen who lives by the river at Jenkins Point and has one of the moorings that we maintain for him, called to ask if I had just seen the microlight crash into the Haven, just below the overhead power lines.

“I said that I had not as I was just finishing off some repairs in our boatshed. He explained what had just happened and I said I would immediately launch our inflatable boat and see if I could help the pilot.

“As I made for our boat another customer of ours, Jamie Boha who has a yacht wintered ashore here was standing on the hammerhead, already in contact with the coastguard via his mobile. He said he saw the microlight hit the water and flip over at least once as it went in.

“Miraculously the pilot still looked to be afloat although by now there was no sign of the microlight. While launching our rescue boat from the pontoon I relayed my mobile number to the coastguard so we could keep in touch. Fortunately, I reached the pilot just as he was already pulling himself out the water on the other side of the Milford Haven waterway just opposite our boatyard and moorings.

“Although clearly shaken from the impact, the pilot had the wherewithal to be able to pull one of his gloves off after he went down in order to release his buckle and swim free. The microlight had then started to sink so the pilot had sensibly ditched his aircraft & helmet and made a swim for the shore, albeit in a heavy flying suit with lots of warm but heavy clothing underneath.

Pulled out: The microlight was visible this morning (Mar 10) (pic. Alastair Pollard)

“Fortunately the pilot was clearly a competent swimmer and although he had probably been in the water and swimming for the shore in these cold tidal winter waters for about 15 minutes, he had made it.

“He was just clambering ashore as I reached him, slightly hypothermic & soaked to the skin, but still in good humour and pleased to be alive. It seems the setting sun had blinded him and he had desperately wanted to avoid the power lines. Fortuitously we have just had nice new ‘monsoon showers’ installed at Rudders so I was able to get him aboard and race him back to our boatyard to get him warmed back up.

“In the meantime, I have to say all credit has to go to our Coastguard, Police, RNLI & Port Authority services who really seem to be able to respond well in such a situation. I was fortunate enough to have been alerted by various friends and customers and be right on the spot when all this happened but just as I was bringing the pilot back to warm him up at our place, the coastguard / range vessel arrived, closely followed by a leisure boat that had also presumably responded to a CH16 emergency, the Police Boat and the Port Authority boat – all within literally minutes of one another.

“It was truly reassuring to know what everyone is capable of around here when we truly need them!”

“As the pilot was warming himself back up under the shower, the coastguard, medic,  police, coastguard services, ambulance and relatives all also arrived at Rudders by road.

“Once checked out, warm, dry and wearing some of my clothes I had lent him, the pilot was then taken into the ambulance and then off for further checks at the hospital.”

News

Economic growth tops agenda as Finance Ministers meet in Cardiff

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THE FINANCE SECRETARY has said he’s looking forward to welcoming his counterparts from the other UK nations to Cardiff today.

Mark Drakeford will host the Finance: Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee (F:ISC), which considers fiscal and economic matters affecting the UK.

The Cabinet Secretary will outline his priorities for Wales ahead of the Spring Forecast and the conclusion of the UK Spending Review, which includes driving economic growth.

He will also update on the Final Budget for Wales – ahead of a vote in the Senedd next week – which will include discussions around the impact UK Government changes to National Insurance Contributions will have on businesses and organisations in Wales.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Finance Secretary, Mark Drakeford said: “This is an important meeting as we look ahead to the UK Government’s Spring Forecast and the conclusion of the UK Government’s Spending Review in June. I look forward to welcoming finance ministers from all three nations to discuss our shared ambitions of driving economic growth following the Chancellor’s pledge to work with the devolved governments to ensure growth is felt across the UK.

“Ensuring the devolved governments have the appropriate budgetary flexibilities and levers to support economic growth, including future local growth funds, will be an important aspect of our discussions. We will also look at ways to work together to make the best use of the resources we have.”

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Community

BBC Make a Difference Awards launched in Wales for first time

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BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru are joining forces to celebrate Wales’ community heroes with the launch of the BBC Make a Difference Awards 2025.

Led by BBC Radio Cymru’s Shân Cothi and Radio Wales’ Lucy Owen, BBC Cymru Wales is calling on listeners to nominate their local heroes.

The Make a Difference Awards, which launch for the first time in Wales this year, will celebrate and recognise people who do incredible things for each other and their local communities, shining a light on these everyday, unsung heroes.

There are eight categories, including the Community Group Award for a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their community; the Young Hero Award, which will honour an individual under the age of 16 who has made a significant positive impact in their community; and the Active Award, which will recognise individuals or groups who have used physical activity or sport to improve the lives of those in their community.

Finalists will be selected by a panel of judges and awards will be given in each category.

Winners will be announced at the Make a Difference Awards ceremony on 20 September 2025.

Rhuanedd Richards, Director of BBC Cymru Wales, said: “We’re so excited to be bringing the Make a Difference Awards to Wales this year with the support of BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru, led by our fantastic team of presenters. We know there will be lots of people out there who deserve to be recognised for the positive impact they’ve had in their local community, no matter how big or how small. So now is the time to help them shine!”

Nominations are now open and will close on Monday 31 March 2025 at 5:00pm. For a full list of categories – and details of how to nominate someone, go to bbc.co.uk/makeadifference, where you can also see full Terms and our Privacy Notice.

Categories 2025:

  • The Volunteer Award – awarded to an individual who makes a notable difference to their community by giving their time voluntarily to help others.
  • The Young Hero Award – awarded to someone under 16 who has made a positive impact in their community or achieved something exceptional.
  • The Great Neighbour Award – awarded to an individual who helps to make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work in, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness.
  • The Active Award – awarded to an individual or group of people who have used physical activity or sport as a way of improving the lives of those in their community.
  • The Animal Award – awarded to either a remarkable animal that improves people’s lives, or an individual or group of people who improve the welfare of animals.
  • The Green Award – awarded to an individual or group of people who improve or conserve their local environment.
  • The Fundraiser Award – awarded to an individual or group of people who have gone the extra mile to raise funds for a good cause.
  • The Community Group Award – awarded to a group of people who have helped to change the lives of others within their community.
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Business

Vincent Davies Department Store unveils refurbished Café Vincent

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VINCENET DAVIES Department Store has officially reopened the newly refurbished Café Vincent, following an extensive renovation.

The firm said: “The team’s hard work and dedication over the past few months have brought the vision to life, creating a fresh and inviting space for customers to enjoy. Their passion and teamwork have been evident throughout the project, resulting in a transformation that the entire team can be proud of.

“A heartfelt thank you goes out to our valued customers for their patience during the temporary pop-up café period. We truly appreciate your support and are delighted by the positive feedback received so far.

“While a few final touches are still being added, we look forward to sharing more images of the revamped café with you soon. Come and experience the new Café Vincent for yourself!”

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