News
No inheritance from Betty Guy’s death, jury told

PENNY JOHN and Barry Rogers did not inherit anything as the result of the death of Betty Guy, a jury heard today (Jan 26).
“There was no fortune,” John said today after entering. the witness box at Swansea Crown Court to give her evidence.
Rogers, of High Street, Fishguard, and John, 50, of Maes Dre, Union Terrace, St Dogmaels, deny murdering Mrs Guy in the early hours of November 7, 2011 at her home at Hillcroft, Johnston.
At first her death was put down to natural causes and her body was cremated at Narberth four days later.
The prosecution claim John fed her a cocktail of drugs and whiskey and that Rogers “finished her off” by placing a pillow over her face.
John said today she had looked after her elderly mother as well as she could and that she believed she had died of old age.
“She was amazing and I loved her,” she said.
She said she had been taking “loads” of medication but she had not known what precisely, but she would take 30 tablets in a morning and then more in the afternoon and evening.
She said on November 6, 2011, she had received a telephone call from Mary Collier, a friend of her mother’s, who told her she was very ill.
John drove to Johnston.
“She had changed drastically. She was smaller, dischevelled. I was not sure if she had eaten or drunk anything or taken her medication.
“I gave her a kiss. She had a very, very bad cough. I made her tea but she would only sip it.
“She was very, very down.”
Asked if she had made an agreement to end her life, John replied, “I would never agree to end her life. My mother was my life. I wanted my mother for as long as I could keep her.
“Even if she asked me to do that why would I do it?”
John said later she telephoned Rogers and told him his Nan was asking to see him.
John said she went to bed and in the early hours got up to use the toilet. She noticed the light in her mother’s bedroom was still on, as was the television, and thought she was still awake.
“I spoke to her but got no response. ”
John entered the room and found her mother lifeless.
“She was partly sat up and her eyes were partly open. I touched her hands and they were like rubber. I said ‘mum’ but there was no reply.
“Barry was knocking at the door.”
John let him in and told him: “I think you have missed her. He was shocked and went to see her.”
John said that after her death she made the funeral arrangements according to her mother’s wishes.
Later, she scattered her ashes at the bottom of her garden in St Dogmaels and started each day by “visiting” them.
John denied ever giving her mother whiskey but said she would sometimes put some into coffee herself.
While being questioned by her barrister, Nadine Radford QC, John revealed she was afraid of her son, partly because he sometimes reminded her of her violent ex-husband.
“I’m scared of Barry. I see a lot of the way his father treated me. I don’t like to upset him. He can be very volatile and manipulative.
“I never know which way his mood is going to be, that’s why I always have some of his medication with me.
“He has always been an angry boy.
“I always went to his house instead of him coming to mine so that I could always leave.”
John said Rogers had served as a soldier in Iraq and returned in an even worse condition.
Rogers, she said, told her he had shot and killed a 13 year old boy and she believed him at first. But, now, she did not.
“He’s not always been truthful with me. He will say anything. Sometimes I don’t think he understands what he said,” she added.
The trial continues.
Business
TerraQuest to provide planning portal services across Wales

TERRAQUEST will take over the provision of its Planning Portal service for planning applications across Wales starting 31 March 2025, following a new agreement with the Welsh Government.
The Planning Portal, already in use for over 97% of planning applications in England, will allow Welsh applicants to submit planning applications and receive essential updates regarding sites in Wales.
The service will be fully bilingual, offering both Welsh and English language options. Existing users of Planning Applications Wales will retain their accounts and can easily transfer to the new system.
Applicants will benefit from enhanced services, including standardised payment options across all 25 Welsh authorities, which will streamline the submission process and reduce invalid applications.
Additionally, the Planning Portal will feature a built-in location plan tool, capable of generating compliant plans, capturing spatial data, and transferring it digitally to Welsh authorities—reducing the need for third-party tools.
The new portal will also offer developers working in both England and Wales a consistent experience across both countries.
Plans are in place to add more features, such as integration with building control applications, ensuring a comprehensive service from a single platform.
Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, said: “We are committed to streamlining the planning process in Wales and speeding up decision-making on key projects. This seamless transition to a trusted partner will help ensure consistency and efficiency, benefiting both applicants and the planning process.”
Geoff Keal, CEO of TerraQuest, said: “We are excited to deliver both a smooth transition and an improved experience for users. The Planning Portal is a proven tool that has successfully supported thousands of applicants in keeping track of their applications. We look forward to working closely with the Welsh Government and welcoming new users in Wales.”
Climate
Kurtz Champions green energy at Empower Cymru 2025 conference

SAMUEL KURTZ Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, delivered the closing address at the Empower Cymru 2025 conference this week.
The event, held at Techniquest in Cardiff, brought together industry professionals from wind and solar energy, oil and gas, education providers, and other key stakeholders to discuss the future of Wales’ energy sector.
Closing the conference, the Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Energy highlighted the prosperity that energy production can bring to communities that have long felt left behind.
He reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for pragmatic policies that encourage investment in renewable energy, including hydrogen production and carbon captur, while being realistic about Wales’ need for oil and gas for the foreseeable future.
Speaking after the event, he said: “It was fantastic to see so many people from across the energy sector come together to discuss Wales’ future. We have talked at length about our country’s incredible potential for renewables, thanks in part to our extensive coastline and access to the Celtic Sea, but now is the time for action.
“If we can demonstrate that Wales is open for business, we can attract investment in infrastructure and education, ensuring secure energy supplies, creating green jobs, and generating prosperity for our local communities.
“For too long, industrial decline has led to fewer job opportunities and economic stagnation in parts of Wales. By embracing energy production, we have the chance to reverse that trend, revitalise our economy, and safeguard our economic and energy security during these turbulent times.”
News
Parents forced to buy unhealthy food due to soaring costs

FAMILIES STRUGGLING AS THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS DEEPENS
THE RISING cost of living is forcing Welsh parents to buy unhealthy food for their children, as healthier options become unaffordable, a new survey by Barnardo’s Cymru has revealed.
According to the survey, around one in five parents (22%) admit they have no choice but to purchase unhealthy food every week due to financial constraints. The findings come as Barnardo’s Cymru reports visiting homes where there is no food, with some mothers skipping meals entirely to ensure their children can eat.
Maria Jones, a children’s services manager with Barnardo’s Cymru, said: “We are seeing families who are beyond crisis point. It is no longer a choice of heating or eating for some. They simply have no heat and their cupboards are bare.”
Children surviving on unhealthy diets

Families are increasingly reliant on supermarket discount shelves, purchasing whatever is cheapest, regardless of nutritional value. Jones added: “Too many children are now just living on chips. It’s a huge problem, and who knows what the long-term impact will be.”
To combat food insecurity, Barnardo’s Cymru has distributed thousands of pounds worth of food vouchers in recent months. However, even food banks struggle to provide fresh produce, leaving families with limited nutritious options.
Jones, who works in Newport, highlighted the city council’s role in supporting the distribution of supermarket vouchers. “We have had families breaking down in tears on the doorstep because they are so grateful to have help with fresh food,” she said.
Survey exposes growing crisis
The YouGov survey questioned 231 parents across Wales with at least one child under 18. Key findings include:
- 22% of parents bought unhealthy food weekly due to affordability issues.
- 41% said they had to opt for cheaper, unhealthy food at least once a month.
- 72% of parents who resorted to unhealthy food choices expressed concern over their children’s diets.
- 18% believed their children’s diets had worsened due to the cost of living.
Barnardo’s has also published a report, Nourishing the Future, which highlights the growing number of children missing out on nutritious food. The report warns that the average height of five-year-olds in the UK is declining, and Victorian-era diseases linked to malnutrition, such as rickets, are making a return.
Structural inequalities deepening food insecurity
The report, drawing on insights from children, parents, and experts, reveals:
- Families and young people want healthier diets but struggle to afford them.
- Healthy food is out of reach for those on low incomes or Universal Credit.
- Structural inequalities in the food system make it harder for certain groups to access nutritious food.
Barnardo’s also highlights the additional difficulties faced by families in temporary accommodation. Many are living in single hotel rooms without cooking facilities and rely on takeaways for months. Even after securing housing, families often move into unfurnished spaces without basic necessities such as beds, cookers, or fridges.
Jones explained: “They have a roof over their heads but very little else. We often have to step in with essentials like blow-up beds while they wait for emergency grants.”
Calls for government intervention
Parents without access to budget supermarkets are also facing higher costs, as they are forced to shop at expensive corner stores.
Sarah Crawley, Director of Barnardo’s Cymru, said: “We are seeing the impact of poverty on children’s nutrition in homes across Wales. Far too many children and young people are missing out on nutritious food, with huge knock-on effects for their health.
“We know that parents are making big sacrifices so their children have the best food they can afford. But healthy food is out of reach for so many families.”
The charity’s report recommends government action, including:
- Increasing the value of healthy shopping vouchers for low-income families.
- Strengthening regulations on the quality of school meals.
- Using revenue from future sugar or salt taxes to tackle food insecurity.
Barnardo’s Cymru is calling for urgent measures to ensure that no child in Wales has to go hungry or suffer long-term health consequences due to financial hardship.
-
Top News2 days ago
Pembrokeshire man sentenced for driving four times over drink-drive limit
-
News3 days ago
Oil tanker and cargo ship ablaze after collision in North Sea
-
News7 days ago
Pembrokeshire Council Tax rise for residents at 9.35% agreed
-
Entertainment7 days ago
Top home renovation ideas for 2025
-
Farming7 days ago
Plaid Cymru demands pause to ‘destructive’ farm tax
-
News3 days ago
Pembrokeshire becomes latest council to consider devolution of Crown Estate
-
Crime2 days ago
John Cooper appeal file still under review, but CCRC says process ‘will take time’
-
Business3 days ago
New owners reopen The Vibe in Milford Haven