BARRY JONES and his wife Holly only tied the knot in May 2024, celebrating their newfound happiness together. But their joy turned to heartbreak just months later when Barry was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in early November 2024.

Faced with this devastating diagnosis, the couple has been met with an outpouring of support from friends, family, and the local community, all coming together to help maintain Barry’s quality of life and support the couple during this challenging time.

Fundraising day brings community together

Staff from Roxanne’s Hair & Beauty Salon have rallied behind Barry and Holly, organising a special fundraising day on Sunday, January 12, 2025. The salon team has given up their family time to make this event possible, driven by their desire to make a difference for the Jones family.

The event has garnered overwhelming support, with many local businesses stepping forward to donate raffle prizes. From vouchers to hampers, the generosity has been remarkable, showcasing the strength of community spirit.

“We’ve been completely overwhelmed by how many people have come forward to help,” said Roxanne, owner of the salon. “It’s heartwarming to see the community come together for such an important cause.”

How to support Barry’s journey

For those who cannot attend the fundraiser but still want to contribute, a GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for Barry and Holly. The funds will go towards ensuring Barry receives the care he needs and supporting the family as they navigate the challenges ahead.

The fundraising page can be found here: Maintain Barry’s Quality of Life. Every donation, no matter the size, helps make a difference.

United by hope

Motor neurone disease is a life-changing diagnosis, but Barry and Holly are not facing it alone. With the unwavering support of their community, they are finding strength and hope amid adversity.

The Herald will provide updates on Barry’s journey and the outcome of the fundraising efforts. For now, it’s clear that the people of this community are determined to stand by Barry and Holly every step of the way.

Photo Caption: Barry and Holly: Newlyweds facing challenges together (Pic: Provided).

TRANSPORT FOR WALES, in partnership with Network Rail, has announced a comprehensive programme of engineering works across the South West Wales rail network. The upgrades will modernize outdated signalling systems, telecoms, and power distribution equipment, improving the reliability of train services for passengers traveling in and out of the region.

Service disruptions and replacement buses

The works, scheduled over several weeks, will primarily take place overnight, but extended closures are also planned. Replacement bus services will operate during affected periods, ensuring passengers can still complete their journeys. The key disruptions and bus replacement schedules are as follows:

Dates and Affected Routes

1. January 14–17 (Tuesday to Friday):
   • Overnight works will cause evening and morning disruptions across the network.
2. January 25 – February 9 (Saturday to Sunday):
   • Significant closures will impact routes between Swansea, Carmarthen, Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock, and Fishguard Harbour.
3. February 11–14 (Tuesday to Friday):
   • Continued works with disruptions to evening and morning services.
4. February 17 (Monday):
   • Daytime service interruptions as work nears completion.

Replacement Bus Services by Route

Swansea – Carmarthen

• Sunday, January 12 & 19
• Saturday and Sunday, February 15–16
  • Replacement buses will run between Swansea and Carmarthen, with stops at key stations.

Fishguard Harbour – Carmarthen

• Monday to Friday, January 27–31
  • Daytime closures with bus services covering Fishguard Harbour, Fishguard & Goodwick, Haverfordwest, and Carmarthen.

Fishguard Harbour – Haverfordwest

• Saturday, January 25
• Saturday, February 1
• Monday to Saturday, February 3–8
  • Replacement buses will serve local stops during the closures.

Milford Haven – Carmarthen

• Monday to Thursday, January 27–30
  • Early afternoon closures daily; buses will operate between Milford Haven and Carmarthen with stops at Johnston, Haverfordwest, and Clarbeston Road.

Pembroke Dock – Carmarthen

• Saturday, February 1 – Friday, February 14
  • Long-term closures will be in place, with buses covering the route, including Tenby, Saundersfoot, and Kilgetty.

Key Replacement Bus Pick-Up Points

• Fishguard Harbour: Station entrance.
• Haverfordwest: Station front.
• Milford Haven: Station entrance.
• Tenby: Coach stop at the Upper Park Road car park.
• Pembroke Dock: Station entrance.

Passengers are advised to refer to local signage at stations for detailed bus stop locations.

Advice for Passengers TfW encourages all travellers to check their journeys in advance, as last-minute changes may occur. The latest updates can be accessed via the JourneyCheck website, the TfW app, or by contacting their customer service team at 0333 3211 202.

Travel Tips

• Purchase tickets in advance of boarding replacement buses.
• Allow extra time for journeys and confirm onward connections.
• Note that bicycles, non-foldable prams, and large luggage cannot be accommodated on replacement buses.

Assistance for Passengers with Accessibility Needs

Special assistance can be booked up to two hours before travel via TfW’s Assisted Travel team at 033 300 50 501. Alternatively, passengers can use the “turn-up-and-go” service.

For Further Information TfW’s Stakeholder Manager for Mid and West Wales, Alexander Bryant-Evans, is available to answer questions regarding the planned works. He can be reached via email at [email protected] or phone at 07398 622223.

These engineering upgrades aim to ensure safer, more reliable rail services for South West Wales, providing passengers with long-term benefits despite the temporary disruptions. TfW appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation during this vital improvement work.

TENBY’S inshore lifeboat was called to action shortly before 1:00pm on Friday (Jan 10) following reports of a couple and their dog stranded by the tide near East Rock House, situated between Castle and Paragon beaches.

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched promptly and located the stranded pair within minutes. However, due to rough sea conditions and swelling waves, it was deemed unsafe to reach them from the water. The lifeboat remained on standby, providing safety cover, while a Coastguard rescue helicopter was requested.

The Tenby Coastguard rescue team quickly arrived on the scene, joined by a lifeboat crew member equipped with a drysuit to navigate the challenging conditions as waves broke perilously close to the stranded individuals. Both the coastguard and the lifeboat crew member carefully crossed the rocks to reach the casualties. They reassured the couple, conducted checks to ensure no medical assistance was required, and moved them to a safer location further up the rocks and away from the breaking waves.

A Coastguard rescue helicopter arrived shortly after. However, strong downwash in the enclosed area posed a risk of falling rocks, making a winch rescue unsafe. With aerial and sea rescue options ruled out, the teams opted for a rope rescue.

The couple and their dog were carefully guided across the rocks to a safer area, where they could access steps leading to the safety of a nearby house’s garden.

Once the rescue was complete and the trio were confirmed out of danger, all units stood down and returned to their respective stations.

A coordinated effort: This successful operation highlights the teamwork between Tenby’s RNLI crew and Coastguard rescue teams, ensuring the safety of the public and their pets in challenging circumstances.