News
Cyclists set off on charity ride for bereavement charity

OVER 100 cyclists set off from Haverfordwest this morning (Jun 1) on a 108-mile charity bike ride across south Wales to raise money and awareness for Welsh bereavement charity, 2 Wish Upon A Star.
In February 2012, Rhian Burke and her husband Paul experienced every parent’s worst nightmare when their 12-month-old son George died suddenly.
It was discovered that he had bronchial pneumonia and a severe strain of Type A influenza.
Unable to cope with losing his cherished son, Paul took his own life just five days later.
He was suffering with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death due to PTSD.
Rhian set up ‘2 Wish Upon A Star’ as a registered charity with three close friends and has been working hard to help and support other families in similar circumstances ever since.

Rhian Burke: Spoke to us before the bike ride
She explained the driving force behind the charity’s work: “Families need support. I had a child one minute who was gone the next and we were just abandoned by the system. 2 Wish Upon A Star bridges that gap.
“We now work with every emergency unit in Wales offering support to families immediately after their child’s death – whether it’s a phone call, a home visit and advice on what happens next.
“We’ll do anything to make sure families don’t feel alone,” she added.
Rhian grew up in Pembrokeshire and is a former head girl of Sir Thomas Picton School.
She said she wanted the ‘2 Wish on 2 Wheels’ cycle ride to begin at her old school because it is ‘where life started’ for her and because the charity does a lot of work in the Hywel Dda health board area.
One of the participating cyclists, Justin Stevenson, said he wanted to do something to help: “The people here give so much and don’t expect anything back.”
In recent years, Rhian has found happiness again and got married in April at a ceremony in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The cyclists will pass through Carmarthen, stopping at Glangwili Hospital and then to Llanelli’s Prince Philip Hospital before continuing to Miskin on Saturday.
Anyone wishing to find out more about 2 Wish Upon A Star and to make a donation can visit the website: www.2wishuponastar.org
Business
Tenby Stores wins £5,000 award for community support

TENBY STORES has been recognised as a Local Retail Champion, earning a £5,000 prize from Allwyn’s National Lottery Social Value Fund for its outstanding community support.
The shop has been praised for its commitment to helping the local area, providing free fruit to schools, assisting with the community fridge, and ensuring elderly residents receive their groceries with care.
Henry Tufnell MP expressed his delight at the recognition, stating: “Small businesses like Tenby Stores are the backbone of our communities, and I couldn’t be prouder to see them celebrated.”
The award highlights the important role independent retailers play in supporting local people.
News
Welsh Government’s £789m investment package approved by Senedd

THE WELSH GOVERMENT’S Second Supplementary Budget 2024-25 has today been approved by the Senedd.
The £789m funding package, which was published in February, received final approval today. It includes substantial investments which have been delivered throughout the year, including:
- £264m for public sector pay rises announced in September.
- £108m for NHS improvements, including £50m to reduce the longest waiting times by the end of March 2025.
- £63.5m to improve school standards and support education at all levels.
- £53.5m for school and college infrastructure repairs and digital improvements.
- £10m to increase social housing through the Social Housing Grant.
Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford said: “We welcome the Senedd’s approval of this crucial budget. This investment strengthens the services that matter most to the people of Wales. The extra funding is supporting improvements in the NHS and schools; has provided pay increases for public sector workers and is helping to build more affordable homes for Welsh families.”
The Second Supplementary Budget also includes £166.7m for rail improvements and sustainable travel, £33.5m for road network safety, and £10m in emergency support for local authorities to repair damage caused by the winter storms.
The budget provides the essential foundation for the Welsh Government’s financial planning for 2025-26.
Crime
Domestic violence offender jailed after breaching court order

A LONG-STANDING Pembrokeshire domestic violence offender has been sent back to prison after breaching a domestic violence protection order.
Paul Webber was arrested on March 18 after being seen kissing his victim outside probation offices in Haverfordwest, despite a court order preventing contact.
A court order imposed by Llanelli magistrates earlier this month prevented him from making any contact with the female after being convicted of threatening to kill her, strangle her, and sexually assault her.
“On March 12, a report was made to police that he’d attended a probation appointment with the female, who remained standing outside the offices,” a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“Police officers viewed the CCTV footage and recognised the female as the victim.
“This was clearly a breach of the domestic violence protection order towards a vulnerable woman, and there’s also concern that she minimises incidents. He’s known as a domestic violence instigator with previous partners.”
Webber, of Winch Lane, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to breaching the domestic violence protection order.
He was sentenced to 28 days in custody.
“You were aware of the terms of the order but you deliberately breached it,” said the presiding magistrate when passing sentence.
“You showed a complete disregard for it.”
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