Top judge says Pembrokeshire businessman’s will was ‘a mistake’

Published

8 years ago

April 9, 2018

AN ELDERLY Pembrokeshire woman who was left nothing in her millionaire partner’s will has been saved from poverty by a senior judge.

Joan Thompson, 79, lived as man and wife with Amroth landowner, Wynford Hodge, for 42 years before his death, aged 94, in 2017.

Mr Hodge, who owned Parsonage Farm and Caravan Park, along with land and other properties, was worth over £1.5 million when he died.

But he left Mrs Thompson without a penny, instead bequeathing everything to two of his tenants who had been kind to him in his final years.

In a letter attached to his will, Mr Hodge was adamant that he did not want Joan or her four children to inherit any of his fortune.

Describing Joan as “financially comfortable”, he said she had “her own finances” and would have no need of his money.

But Judge Milwyn Jarman said that was a “mistake” and Mrs Thompson had in fact been left with only modest savings of about £2,500.

Reluctantly living on benefits in a nursing home, she wanted to return to the family estate where she had friends on the caravan park.

Now, in an extremely rare decision, Judge Jarman has ruled that Mr Hodge failed to match up to his responsibilities to his long-term partner.

And he effectively re-wrote the wealthy businessman’s will by awarding Mrs Thompson a cottage on the estate worth £225,000.

She will also receive almost £190,000 in cash to pay for the cottage’s refurbishment and to provide her with reasonable financial support.

Mr Hodge, who suffered from prostate cancer, made more than 10 wills before his death, the High Court in Cardiff heard.

In hospital shortly before he died, he told Mrs Thompson “not to worry as she would be well looked after”, said the judge.

But, in the last will he signed in December 2016, Mr Hodge left everything he had to tenants, Karla Evans and Agon Berisha.

Working as subsistence market gardeners and on the caravan park, the kindly couple became instant millionaires on Mr Hodge’s death.

Parents of two young children, they rented a house called Penffordd, in Narbeth, from Mr Hodge, doing unpaid errands for him and helping him with his shopping.

But, when asked, Ms Evans said she didn’t want to be a millionaire and would be happy with an annual holiday and enough money to bring up her kids.

Judge Jarman said that, even after his ruling, the couple would receive “by far the major part” of Mr Hodge’s seven-figure estate.

But the landowner’s belief that Mrs Thompson would need no financial support after his death was simply a “mistake”, he said.

She and her son, Dean, then a young boy, moved into a caravan at Parsonage Farm in the 1970s and into the farmhouse with Mr Hodge soon afterwards.

She worked on the farm and on the caravan site without pay and helped care for Mr Hodge’s mother, said the judge.

They were together for over 40 years and, after Mr Hodge’s health began to fail, she acted as his main carer.

Mrs Thompson had a serious stroke about 12 years ago and has suffered heart attacks since then, the court heard.

And, since her husband’s death, her only income has been benefits of little more than £1,000 per month.

Mrs Thompson, who gave evidence from a wheelchair, said she was determined to leave the nursing home and return to the family estate.

Granting her wish, Judge Jarman said that, by disinheriting her, Mr Hodge had failed to meet the “obligations and responsibilities” he owed her.

He ordered that a property called Elidyr Cottage should be transferred to her, where she can be looked after by Dean and his wife.

Mrs Thompson will also receive almost £30,000 from Mr Hodge’s estate, to pay for the cottage’s refurbishment, and £160,000 to cover future expenses.

Leadership questions raised after Milford Haven school stabbing

Published

13 hours ago

February 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Headteacher absent as council confirms support plan and oversight visits

CONCERNS have been raised about leadership and staffing at Milford Haven Comprehensive School following last week’s alleged stabbing of a teacher on site.

The Herald has been contacted by a member of teaching staff who described the school as “rudderless” in the days after the incident and questioned whether enough senior management support was in place.

The teacher, who asked not to be named, said staff morale had been affected and claimed there had been little direct communication from the headteacher, who has been absent due to injury.

They said: “We teachers are all saying the same thing. The school feels rudderless. This is a time when a leader needs to step up and let us know they’re still in charge and concerned.”

Concerns were also raised about administrative capacity, with the business manager role reportedly unfilled.

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed the current arrangements.

The council said headteacher Ms C. A. Morris remains in post but is currently absent, with deputy headteacher Mr Daryl John deputising.

It added that the business manager position is a matter for the school.

Additional support has been put in place for staff and pupils, including the Education Psychology team on site, access to counselling services and an increased presence from the School Police Liaison Officer throughout the week.

The authority also said the Director of Education is in daily contact with the deputy head.

In terms of oversight, the council confirmed Steven Richards-Downes, Director of Education, has visited the school 35 times and met staff on two occasions. Cllr Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, has made eight visits since taking up the role in May 2019.

Last week’s incident saw a 15-year-old male charged grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a bladed article.

At an initial hearing it was explained that the teacher, who was named as Vicky Williams, has since been discharged from hospital.

The prosecution explained to the court that the boy attacked Williams with a kitchen knife.

The case has been sent to Swansea Crown Court.

Community

Facebook ‘news’ site targeting Herald editor collapses after community backlash

Published

17 hours ago

February 10, 2026

Staff Writer

Page disappears hours after offensive post sparks outrage across Pembrokeshire

A FACEBOOK page that presented itself as a local news outlet but repeatedly targeted The Pembrokeshire Herald and its editor has disappeared following a wave of public criticism from residents and charity workers.

Big ambition: Clear Line News statement in December 2025

The page, operating most recently under the name Clear Line News, published a lengthy post on Sunday (Feb 9) describing Pembrokeshire in highly offensive terms and mocking community groups, volunteers and local reporting.

Within hours, the post triggered widespread condemnation online.

By the end of the day, users reported the page had changed its name to “The Devil’s Feed” before becoming unavailable altogether.

Criticism arose after Marty Jones, PR manager for Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity, shared a screenshot of the post on his personal Facebook page and questioned its tone.

Dozens of residents replied, describing the language as “vile”, “nasty” and “beyond comprehension”.

Several said they had been blocked by the page after challenging it.

Others expressed particular anger at comments they said were directed towards a bereaved mother connected to a local fundraiser.

One commenter wrote: “How they can speak to a bereaved mother that way is beyond my comprehension.”

Name change and closure

As criticism mounted, users reported the page had been renamed before disappearing completely.

By Monday morning, it could no longer be accessed.

Earlier identity

The page’s history has also drawn scrutiny.

Before operating as Clear Line News, the account previously used the name “Dyfed-Powys Neighbourhood Watch”, presenting itself in a way that some residents believed suggested an official or community safety organisation.

***Ajay Owen: Admitted previously controlling the Clear Line News page***

A company using a similar name — GWARCHOD Y GYMDOGAETH DYFED-POWYS NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH LIMITED — was incorporated on Nov 4, 2024, according to Companies House records.

The filing listed the director as Ajay Owen, recorded as “Lord Ajay Owen”, with a correspondence address in Llanfyrnach.

The company’s stated activities included public relations, communications and public order and safety functions.

Companies House records show the company was dissolved on Feb 18, 2025.

During the period when the page appeared to carry Neighbourhood Watch-style branding, it accumulated more than 1,000 followers, including engagement from public bodies such as Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

After several rebrands, the page later emerged as Clear Line News in late 2025, adopting the look of a local news site.

Much of its content, however, focused on opinion pieces and attacks on local institutions and individuals.

Distancing statement

Following Sunday’s controversy, Mr Owen posted a statement saying he previously owned the page but no longer controlled it and had requested its removal.

Shortly afterwards, the account disappeared.

He told The Herald in December that he had sold the page for £10 within days of relaunching it under the new name. The purported new owner could not be contacted and no independent details confirming the transfer were provided.

Community response

While Pembrokeshire residents accept robust debate and scrutiny, many said they rejected what they saw as inflammatory or abusive social media content masquerading as journalism.

One resident wrote: “We should be grateful for where we live and try to make it better, not tear it down.”

Whether the page returns under another name remains unclear.

For now, it appears a site that set out to criticise the community ended up undone by that same community’s response.

Community

Nacro grant boosts neurodiverse support in Carmarthen

Published

17 hours ago

February 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A £1,000 grant from Nacro is set to strengthen grassroots support for neurodivergent children, young people and adults across Carmarthenshire.

CANDO (Carmarthen Aberystwyth Neurodiverse Outreach Group) has secured the funding through the Connecting Carmarthenshire Preventative Service, enabling the volunteer-led organisation to expand its practical, person-centred work with local families.

Operating under the message “We see your future whatever the past”, CANDO supports people who often struggle to access the right help, feel heard, or find stability in everyday life. The new funding will increase capacity, provide resources for inclusive sessions, and improve access to early support for those who might otherwise slip through the net.

https://choosewhere.com/public/images/_m7jA6G/shutterstock_1564082023.webp

The group works closely with individuals and families to reduce barriers and build confidence — whether through education guidance, wellbeing support, advocacy, or help navigating local services. Leaders say the grant will allow them to respond more quickly to growing demand and keep sessions welcoming, accessible and consistent.

A CANDO spokesperson said: “This grant is amazing news for our community. Neurodivergent people can face extra pressures — from isolation and anxiety to difficulties being understood in education and services. This support will help us reach more people, provide practical help, and keep showing up for those who need someone on their side.”

Nacro’s wider mission mirrors that approach. The charity works across education, housing, justice, health and wellbeing, providing tailored support to help people build independence and move forward. Alongside frontline services, it also campaigns to remove systemic barriers and give disadvantaged people a stronger voice.

For CANDO, that bigger picture is felt locally. Families often face complicated pathways, long waits and fragmented services, and need clear guidance and community-based help that understands neurodiversity. By intervening early — before challenges escalate — the group believes it can improve mental health, education outcomes and overall wellbeing.

The £1,000 grant will fund additional outreach, materials and practical resources, helping more people feel safer, more confident and better equipped to move forward.

CANDO added: “We’re proud to work alongside Nacro’s vision of a society where everyone has the chance to succeed. This funding will do real good — right here in Carmarthen and beyond — and we’re grateful for the belief it shows in our community.”