News
MP hails progress as jobless numbers fall again

IT WAS revealed yesterday (Nov 15) that Britain has the lowest unemployment since 1975, which was praised by local MP Stephen Crabb.
The MP, who has been the focus of controversy lately for sending ‘sexually explicit messages’ to a young job applicant, has praised the continuing fall in the number of claimants in Preseli Pembrokeshire.
Last month the number of unemployed claimants was 150 lower than a year ago – a drop of 15%.
The figures, compiled by the independent Office for National Statistics, show that the number of claimants in Preseli Pembrokeshire was 805 in October. This is 150 lower than in October 2016 and 15 lower than in September 2017.
There was also good news on youth unemployment with 210 claimants aged 18-24 in October 2017, 25 lower than October 2016.
Across Wales 44,000 more jobs were created in between March and June 2017.
Stephen Crabb MP said: “These are another set of promising figures for Pembrokeshire, showing that we are still moving in the right direction. I have been impressed with just how upbeat many of our local businesses continue to be despite some of the challenges around.
“Brexit is clearly the biggest issue for industry and commerce, but so far the order books have continued to grow. The weaker pound has actually helped a number of local businesses that manufacture and export.
“As we approach Brexit in 2019 my focus as local MP, and as a member of the Brexit Committee in Parliament, will be to ensure as little disruption for business as possible whilst also looking ahead towards new opportunities that can emerge.”
News
Extra funding boost for Saundersfoot Library

SAUNDERSFOOT COMMUNITY COUNCIL has increased its donation to Saundersfoot Library in a bid to help the facility grow and continue providing a valuable service to both residents and visitors.
The library, which is one of the few in Pembrokeshire run almost entirely by volunteers, offers far more than books. Visitors can access photocopying, public computers, local newsletters and magazines — including those produced by the council — as well as food waste bags and a wide range of useful information.
The facility is also being used by a newly-formed Welsh Conversation Group, which meets on Wednesday mornings, and by the Saundersfoot in Bloom group. Plans are in place to extend public opening hours to include Mondays in the near future.
Councillor Alec Cormack, Chair of Saundersfoot Community Council, said: “We’re really keen to support the library in any way we can – it’s such a fantastic asset for the village. We hope this extra funding will help it become even more useful and accessible to everyone.”
The library is run under the leadership of Regency Hall Trustees Averil Upham and Moira Saunders, alongside support from Sam Woolley and Anita Thomas at Pembrokeshire County Council.
Pictured (left to right): Emma Price (Regency Hall Manager), Averil Upham (Regency Hall Trustee managing the library), Cllr Alec Cormack, and Sue Boughton-Thomas (Regency Hall Trustee).
Community
Hedgehogs successfully rehomed at Bluestone National Park Resort

THIS month, May 2025, Bluestone National Park Resort in Wales has rehomed three juvenile hedgehogs aged one year old as part of the five-star holiday resort’s long-standing partnership with Pembrokeshire Hogspital. Pembrokeshire Hogspital rescues and rehabilitates sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs, returning them to the wild in most cases.
Three hedgehogs, twin brothers and a single unrelated female, are now in the process of a soft release at Bluestone National Park Resort. A purpose-built lodge is made for them, gradually they are given more space, the fences are then taken away, and food will continue to be provided for them until eventually they are successfully integrated into the wild.
Marten Lewis, director of sustainability at Bluestone, said: “Over the past five years, Bluestone has been part of several heartwarming hedgehog releases. This spring we were delighted to have rehomed and released more hedgehogs who have received incredible care from Pembrokeshire Hogspital. This one is extra special as we also got a little help from our community, asking Bluestone’s social media followers to name the hedgehogs’ new ‘lodges’; so, the new official lodge names are Tŷ Draenog and Hodge Lodge.”
Bluestone has a longstanding partnership of five years with its local Hogspital, having donated money for an intensive care unit to provide incubators for looking after baby hedgehogs; and serving as an emergency release site, which is a safe place for hedgehogs that are ready to leave the Hogspital but for a variety of reasons can’t be taken back to where they were found.
Find out more about how people and the planet are at the heart of Bluestone National Park Resort and book a stay at bluestonewales.com
News
Public safety warning issued for Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN is urging members of the public to stay away from Ward’s Yard in Milford Haven and Criterion Quay in Pembroke Dock due to ongoing concerns over public safety.
Despite enhanced security measures, individuals continue to access both sites illegally—damaging fencing and ignoring prominent warning signage in the process.
Both Ward’s Yard and Criterion Quay (also known locally as the offshore jetty) are privately owned by the Port of Milford Haven. The Port has warned that any unauthorised entry constitutes trespassing, and incidents involving criminal damage could result in prosecution.
Niall Yeomans, Head of Health, Safety and Security at the Port of Milford Haven, said:
“Safety is our key priority. Members of the public are continuously putting themselves—and our staff—at risk of serious harm by trespassing in these areas.
“Both locations are isolated and lie adjacent to deep water, making them particularly hazardous. There is a serious risk of slips, trips, and falls.”
The Port is asking anyone who witnesses suspicious activity at either site to contact Dyfed-Powys Police immediately by calling 101.
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