News

Local politicians divided on car smoking ban

Published

11 years ago

February 20, 2014

PEMBROKESHIRE’S local politicians were split this week, following the House of Commons vote that will make it a criminal offence to smoke in cars when children are passengers.

The Bill was passed on Monday, February 9th, with a majority of 269 and with the Shadow Health Minister calling it ‘a great victory for child health’.

Preseli and Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb, who voted in favour of the Bill, spoke of his reasons for supporting the ban.

“I take a relatively liberal view on smoking but we’ve all become a lot more educated about the dangers of second-hand smoke. Back in 2009, I was one of a minority of Conservative MPs who voted for a full ban on smoking in public places. I received a lot of criticism at the time but I don’t meet anyone these days who would want to go back to the days of smoking indoors in public spaces. Far fewer people smoke since that ban was introduced and I think it is right that we legislate to protect children from any other harmful, avoidable situations.”

He was supported in this view by Paul Miller, the Labour candidate for the Preseli Pembrokeshire constituency at the next General Election, who said:

“The ban on smoking in public places was an excellent piece of legislation. I’m all for it extending to cars where children are present.”

However, Mr Crabb’s fellow local Tory MP, Simon Hart stated:“Prohibition is rarely as effective as education. Of course smoking is bad for children; in cars, houses, or any other private place. Why do we not ban it altogether? Why do we not ban smoking whilst pregnant? Or, for that matter, any other activity that can potentially endanger minors? Because we try and strike a balance between protecting the public but stopping short of being bossy. There comes a time when we must resolve these issues by persuasion not the (often ineffective) tool of criminal sanction”.

Fellow party member and Assembly Member, Angela Burns, spoke of her concerns:

“I can’t see how it can be enforced. Quite how a passing policeman will be able to tell I’m not sure, and it’s the endless criminalisation of ordinary people of which I’m wary. I’d much rather see the money being spent on educating people so we change our cultural norms.”

Perhaps, unsurprisingly, Simon Clark, director of smokers’ lobby group Forest, said that although smoking in cars with children was ‘inconsiderate’, perhaps there was ‘a line the state shouldn’t cross when it comes to dictating how people behave in private places’.

Paul Burstow MP (Lib Dem, Sutton and Cheam), chair of the All Party Group on Smoking and Health, said:

“This is the most important step forwards for tobacco control since the end of smoking in workplaces in 2006. A powerful cross-Party campaign in both the Commons and Lords has triumphed over a well-funded and mendacious campaign by the tobacco industry and its front groups. Children will be protected from tobacco industry marketing and from smoking in cars. The regulations to put these new powers into effect cannot come soon enough.”

News

Mum’s plea for Pembrokeshire sanctuary memorial approved

Published

14 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A WEST WALES mother’s poignant call for a permanent Pembrokeshire memorial – and sanctuary – in memory of her late daughter has been backed by county planners.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council, Emma Thomas, of Ammanford, sought permission for the extension of a forestry track to enable the planting of woodland along with a memorial pond to her late daughter Mia Haf Sahara Thomas Jones at a field off Brynheulog, near Llangolman.

A personal statement by Emma accompanying the application said: “My name is Emma Thomas, and I am setting up the Mia Sahara Sanctuary in memory of my beautiful daughter, Mia, who tragically and unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 16, on April 19, 2023.

“Mia was a very passionate young lady, and throughout her life enjoyed being in the natural environment absorbing everything it had to offer.

“As Mia’s mother, I must do something positive out of something so, so negative.

“As Mia was to inherit a property on her 18th birthday, as a family, we have decided to purchase land out of the proceeds from the sale. The land is approximately 6.3 acres and lies on the western edge of Llangolman, Pembrokeshire.”

She added: “My aim is to develop the land by placing a wildlife pond to provide a breeding space for frogs, toads, newts and dragonflies as well as a habitat for a host of other creatures from pond skaters to water snails. The pond will be shallow at one end and will provide areas for birds and a watering hole for hedgehogs.”

Emma said produce grown in existing polytunnels “will be given and shared amongst local charities to support the local population and hopefully a local educational establishment with healthy eating seasonal produce”.

Emma went on to say: “I worked within education before Mia’s health deteriorated at numerous educational establishments internationally. I have a learnt understanding of the issues faced by individuals that live within Pembrokeshire as a single parent caring for a child with needs.

“There is a need for support for so many individuals and a lack of funding and resources can have detrimental consequences.

“In December 2022 Mia and I decided to set up a charity and Mia wrote her introduction to the Forum in advance.”

Mia, in her own words, explained her reasons for the charity: “I have struggled throughout my life with various of different things… At the age of just 16, I got an official diagnosis as being Autistic. But that is why we are here to help each other and to thrive with each other with that help/support! I have also struggled with making/maintaining friendships and hopefully with setting up this forum I could make new friends!

“Also make changes for the better. Use this charity for a network of people as a safety net to help and inform each other with information that you and others may need…”.

Emma concluded: “I envisage the Mia Sahara Sanctuary to be a place where nature will flourish with new life. I will meet with representatives from the community and local groups to determine what produce would best support their service users with the aim of working collaboratively for the benefit of the local people.

“Mia is no longer here physically however my love for her fuels me to plan the Mia Sahara Sanctuary and to create something that will benefit future generations within Pembrokeshire, and I have the determination and passion, with your support, to make this a reality.”

The application was conditionally approved by county planners.

News

Tragic outcome after dog falls from Caerfai cliffs

Published

14 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS RNLI inshore lifeboat was launched at 5:50pm on Easter Monday (April 21) following reports of a dog that had fallen from the cliffs at Caerfai Bay.

The volunteer crew responded swiftly and located the dog in the sea. Sadly, it had died by the time they arrived. The lifeboat crew recovered the animal and brought it ashore, reuniting it with its owners at Caerfai beach, who were supported by HM Coastguard – St Davids.

The inshore lifeboat, Marian and Alan Clayton, returned to station at 7:00pm and was refuelled and ready for service again by 7:10pm.

News

Triathlon returns to Fishguard – road closures announced

Published

23 hours ago

April 21, 2025

Herald Sport

FISHGUARD will once again play host to the Wales Triathlon this summer, with hundreds of competitors set to descend on the town for the popular sporting event on Sunday, June 15.

Organised by Activity Wales Events, the triathlon includes a two-lap sea swim in Fishguard Bay, followed by a two-lap cycle from Fishguard to St Davids and a four-lap run along the Marine Walk and out onto the breakwater.

In order to facilitate the bike leg on closed roads, several road closures will be in place throughout the day.

Major road closures

The A487 between Goodwick and Mathry will be closed between 9:45am and 3:00pm.

Between Mathry and Croesgoch, the A487 will be closed from 10:00am to 3:00pm, and from Croesgoch to St Davids the closure will run from 10:00am until 2:45pm.

Crossing points will be in operation at Mathry crossroads, Croesgoch crossroads, and the Llangoffan to Granston junction. Diversions will be signposted, with local traffic routed via minor B roads and through Haverfordwest for longer journeys.

Town centre impact

In Fishguard, West Street will be closed between 12:00pm and 6:00pm for the running stage. Residents will still be able to exit side roads, with diversions clearly marked.

Goodwick residents will be able to exit the town via the Tesco roundabout, which will remain open all day.

Care access and course passes

Care workers will be allowed access to visit clients within the closed sections, but must obtain a course pass via their organisation in advance.

On the day, carers using the route must: