News

Health Secretary visits Withybush following £3m funding announcement

Published

8 years ago

April 12, 2018

Welcomed: The staff were delighted with the funding news

HEALTH SECRETARY, Vaughan Gething, announced today (Apr 12) that £3m funding will be provided to modernise haematology, oncology and palliative care services at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

To accompany the news, he also visited Withybush Hospital this morning.

The funding will enable the hospital’s existing Ward 10 to be modernised to improve safety, clinical quality and provide a better environment for patients and staff. The former Ward 9 area will also be developed to serve as a ward area to allow Ward 10 patients to be cared for while the building works are carried out on the existing Ward 10, which will close for refurbishment.

The local community in Pembrokeshire has played a significant part in helping to raise funds to improve these facilities with over £450,000 being raised to date by the Health Board’s Pembrokeshire Cancer Services Fund and Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal.

Vaughan Gething: At Withybush Hospital

Health Secretary, Vaughan Gething said: “I am very happy to able to announce the £3.15m funding to complete the improvements to Wards 9 and 10 at Withybush Hospital. This project will transform these services at the hospital to provide a modern fit-for-purpose environment for staff, patients and their families. It was a pleasure to meet with staff and the Neville family today. Elly’s fundraising efforts have been truly inspirational and the new facility will be a tribute to her hard work and dedication.”

Hywel Dda University Health Board Chair, Bernardine Rees OBE, said: “This is fantastic news for Pembrokeshire. I wish to pay tribute to our staff, fundraisers and partners, for their part in reaching this milestone in the project, particularly Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal. We look forward to moving forward at pace now to make these improvements for our local population.”

Lyn Neville, Elly’s father, said: “On behalf of Elly’s Ward 10 Flag Appeal we are very pleased that the funding has been given for Ward 10 which will be another step towards providing excellent cancer services for Pembrokeshire. On a personal note after many years of campaigning for Ward 10 I am also very pleased that, as seen with the new Pembrokeshire Haematology & Oncology Day Unit (PHODU), patients and staff will be able to receive and deliver care in excellent new facilities.”

Ward 10 Flag Appeal: Elly Neville with Vaughan Gething

Work is expected to start shortly and be completed by the summer of 2019.

The new Ward 10 configuration will provide:

18 beds (of which 5 will be ensuite) in a superior ward environment. The single rooms will be used for patients requiring isolation facilities or greater privacy during their care.
A dedicated day room for patients to socialise, receive rehabilitation, relax and have their meals.
Improved overnight facilities for relatives including a dedicated relatives room.
A discharge lounge to serve Ward 10 along with the hospital’s other medical wards.

The Ward 9 refurbishment element of the project will provide:

A sub-pharmacy area.
Treatment and clinical support functions.
A decant facility for Ward 10 whilst its building works are undertaken including 14 beds, 5 of which would be single-bedded ensuites (2 of these would be bariatric styled facilities) and a day room facility.

News

Wirral man fined after illegal cockle fishing and estuary vehicle offence

Published

7 seconds ago

February 10, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Court hears offences took place at Three Rivers Estuary

A WIRRAL man has been fined thousands of pounds after admitting offences involving illegal cockle fishing and the use of a vehicle on a protected estuary.

Callum Stephen Williams, 27, of Harvest Lane, Moreton, Wirral, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 5) charged with fishing for or taking cockles from a closed cockle bed at the Three Rivers Cockle Fishery.

The court heard that the offence took place on May 21, 2025, while restrictions were in force under the Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024. Mr Williams pleaded guilty to the charge.

Magistrates fined him £2,000 and ordered him to pay an £800 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs. A collection order was made, with deductions to be taken from benefits if necessary. His guilty plea was taken into account when sentence was imposed.

The court also dealt with a further offence arising from the same date, in which Mr Williams admitted causing or permitting a mechanically propelled vehicle to be driven on the Three Rivers Estuary without prior written authority. No separate penalty was imposed for that offence.

News

Three men prosecuted over illegal cockle fishing at Three Rivers fishery

Published

4 minutes ago

February 10, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Multiple offences committed while cockle bed was closed to protect stocks

THREE men have appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 5) after illegally fishing for cockles from a closed cockle bed at the Three Rivers Cockle Fishery.

The court heard that Richard William Edwards, 44, of Fernhill Road, Gorseinon, Swansea, admitted fishing for or taking cockles from a closed bed on May 21, 2025. The prohibition was in force under the Cockle Fishing Management and Permitting (Specified Area) (Wales) Order 2024.

Magistrates fined Mr Edwards £1,000 and ordered him to pay a £400 victim services surcharge and £400 in prosecution costs. A collection order was made, with payment due by March 5. His guilty plea was taken into account when sentence was imposed.

Brogan Morgan Phillips, 19, of Harddfan, Bryn, Llanelli, also pleaded guilty to fishing for cockles from the same closed bed on May 21, 2025. For that offence, he was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay a £1,200 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs.

The court also heard that Mr Phillips admitted a further offence at the same location on June 5, 2025. For that offence, magistrates imposed an additional fine of £1,000. A collection order was made, with a total outstanding balance of £5,200 to be paid by instalments.

Ethan Jay Thomas, 19, of Station Road, Bynea, Llanelli, pleaded guilty to fishing for cockles from the closed bed on May 21, 2025. Sentencing for that offence was adjourned.

Mr Thomas denied a second charge relating to an alleged offence on June 5, 2025. That matter was adjourned until March 19, when the case will return to Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for trial. Sentencing in relation to the offence already admitted will also be considered at that hearing.

Crime

Neyland pensioner fined after failing to comply with community protection notice

Published

18 minutes ago

February 10, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Magistrates hear persistent loud music caused nuisance to neighbours

A NEYLAND resident has been fined thousands of pounds after repeatedly failing to comply with a community protection notice, Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard.

Beryl John, 75, of Gothic Road, Neyland, Milford Haven, was convicted in his absence on Thursday (Feb 5) of breaching a community protection notice on multiple occasions.

The court heard that on November 8, 10, 13, 23 and 29, 2025, John failed to ensure that persistent and continuous music played at an excessive volume from his property did not create a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living nearby.

The offences were committed despite a community protection notice having previously been issued. Magistrates found the breaches proved in absence.

For the first offence, John was fined £1,000. John was also ordered to pay a £400 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs. No separate penalties were imposed for the remaining offences.

A collection order was made, with the total balance of £2,400 to be paid by March 5.