Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Self-employment event hailed a huge success

Published

on

FOR aspiring business people and entrepreneurs, on May 15 all roads led to Pembroke Dock Jobcentre for the Be Your Own Boss event.

Be Your Own Boss co-ordinator, Fred Hatton, an Employer Advisor with Jobcentreplus who worked with Hilary Vaughan, a Development Officer with PRIME Cymru – a charity Founded by HRH The Prince of Wales and the only organisation in Wales dedicated to providing practical support to people aged 50 and over who want to become and remain economically active – spoke after the event.

He said: “The concept of Be Your Own Boss is a multi-agency approach highlighting all the free help and support that is available for people who are looking to start their own business and take the first steps into self-employment and for existing businesses looking to expand.”

The event featured over 20 organisations and local businesses who were kept busy all day talking to the potential entrepreneurs who attended.

The Deputy Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Cllr George Manning, attended to see what excellent support was being offered in Pembrokeshire in order to support the Government’s initiative to encourage and support all ages to move forward their ideas of running their own business.

“We do not want people to start their own business without talking to the experts,” he said.

“That is when businesses fail. It is really good to come here and talk to the representatives of the organisations here present and I have learned a great deal. They all seem to have been extremely busy especially Business Wales who had a bit of a queue. Excellent work from you all. I am proud to be part of this community that cares for the future of our residents.”

Speaking on behalf of the team at Pembroke Dock Jobcentre, Fred Hatton said: “We would like to thank everyone who took part and who attended our Be Your Own Boss event. It was fantastic to meet so many partners and providers who can offer such excellent support to those seeking Self Employment. It was a great opportunity for our staff to meet them to enable them to advise our customers on what support is available locally.

“We were pleased by the public attendance on the day and it was lovely to meet so many people who would not normally come into our office. Our office truly felt like a community hub on the day, working in partnership with others for the benefit of our community at its best.”

Hilary of PRIME Cymru added: “After previous Be Your Own Boss events across South Wales we have seen a number of businesses starting up after accessing the help and support that was on offer, we are confident that we will see this repeated in Pembrokeshire.”

Many businesses can be very easy to start and operate, for example, more and more self-employed people are running successful businesses from home, these days. Small businesses can easily be fitted around other commitments, making self-employment the flexible option for so many people.

Jobcentreplus used social media to advertise the event and articles appeared in the local press. Social media is a tool that more and more businesses are using as an effective and economical way of publicising their products and services.

After the event Hilary commented: “The hard work starts now. All the organisations will be meeting up with the potential business people they met on the day and working towards turning their dreams, hopes and aspirations into reality.”

For people who were not able to make it on the day, or did not have a chance to visit all the organisations, there is an electronic version of the event directory available, with contact details and brief details of what services are available.

Please email Hilary for a copy: [email protected]

Alternatively, you can pop into the Pembroke Dock Jobcentre during normal opening times and pick up a copy.

Crime

Armed police called to Milford Haven address

Published

on

ARMED police responded to an incident in Vicary Crescent, Milford Haven, on Sunday morning, with witnesses reporting a significant emergency presence on the usually quiet residential street just off The Rath.

Residents said officers arrived shortly after 9:00am and that at least six police vehicles were seen in the area, including two police vans. Witnesses also reported seeing armed officers at the scene.

The incident is believed to be related to a domestic matter, though police have not yet issued an official statement. The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police requesting comment and will update this report when more information is available.

The dramatic scenes caused concern among some residents.

One woman told The Herald: “I’ve never seen anything like this down here. It really was a shock first thing on a Sunday morning.”

Police were also seen in numbers at St Lawrence Avenue in Hakin.

It is not yet clear whether anyone was arrested, and details surrounding the operation are still being confirmed as this is a breaking story.

Police were also seen at St Lawrence Avenue at the same time, and this is believed to be connected to the same incident.
Continue Reading

Crime

Carmarthenshire man committed to Crown Court over online child sex offences

Published

on

MAN accused of attempting to involve a child in sexual activity online has been sent to the Crown Court for sentence after indicating guilty pleas at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court.

Richard Dawe, 61, of Caroline Street, Llanelli, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Jan 14) for a first hearing.

The court heard Dawe is charged with attempting to cause a child under thirteen to look at an image of sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to cause or incite a girl under thirteen to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in Llanelli between Tuesday, January 7 and Monday, January 13, involving a child described in the court register as “purported to be” aged twelve.

Dawe indicated guilty pleas to all three matters on Tuesday (Jan 14). The case was committed to Swansea Crown Court for sentence, with a committal hearing listed for Wednesday, February 4 at 9:00am.

Magistrates granted conditional bail, including a nightly curfew, reporting requirements, and restrictions on contact with anyone under eighteen. The court also ordered a pre-sentence report.

Continue Reading

Health

MS calls for corridor care data to be published in Wales

Published

on

Conservatives say ministers must be held to account as health chief confirms figures are not routinely available

CONSERVATIVE MS Andrew RT Davies has demanded Senedd ministers begin collecting and publishing data on “corridor care” in Welsh hospitals, after the Welsh Government confirmed it is not currently able to provide routine figures.

Mr Davies raised the issue in the Senedd during questions to Health Minister Jeremy Miles, asking whether information is being gathered on patients being cared for in corridors and, if so, how many people are affected.

Mr Miles told MSs the data is not currently available in a form that can be published routinely, but said the Welsh Government is “trialling approaches” which would put ministers in a position to provide regular publication.

The exchange comes amid ongoing concern across Wales about severe pressure in emergency departments and delays in moving patients into appropriate ward beds — a situation that can result in people waiting for treatment, assessment or admission in areas not designed for patient care.

The term “corridor care” is widely used to describe circumstances where patients receive care in inappropriate settings, often due to a lack of capacity elsewhere. Health bodies and staff representatives have warned that such conditions can affect privacy and dignity, make infection control harder, and place additional strain on staff working in already pressured environments.

Mr Davies said he had been contacted by constituents in the Vale of Glamorgan reporting what he described as unacceptable experiences in local hospitals, adding that frontline NHS staff should not be blamed.

He also linked the issue to wider spending priorities at the Senedd, claiming that services were under strain while ministers pursued other policies, including plans to expand the size of the Senedd and maintain a “Nation of Sanctuary” approach to asylum seekers.

Mr Davies said it was vital that corridor care data was collected and published so that the scale of the problem could be measured and ministers held to account.

Mr Davies said: “I’m frequently contacted by Vale constituents reporting unacceptable experiences in local hospitals.

“This is not the fault of NHS staff – but hospitals are underfunded thanks to resources instead going towards Plaid Cymru separatist and Labour plans for 36 more Senedd members and a Nation of Sanctuary for asylum seekers.

“We must end corridor care – and it’s vital this data is made available to hold Senedd ministers to account.”

In response, the Welsh Government position is that it is working on ways to standardise and publish information on corridor care, but that the data is not yet routinely available across the system.

Opposition parties and health campaigners have argued that without clear national reporting, it is harder for the public and Senedd members to understand how widespread the issue is, whether it is improving, and which hospitals are under the greatest pressure.

The Welsh Government has not yet set out when routine publication will begin, but ministers say the trial work is intended to enable regular reporting in future.

Continue Reading

Crime9 hours ago

Armed police called to Milford Haven address

ARMED police responded to an incident in Vicary Crescent, Milford Haven, on Sunday morning, with witnesses reporting a significant emergency...

News13 hours ago

Fatal crash on Cardigan bypass: Police appeal for witnesses

Motorcyclist died after collision with van on the A487 near Caemorgan Road junction DYFED-POWYS POLICE has appealed for witnesses following...

News15 hours ago

Search and rescue helicopter circles Fishguard and Goodwick in early-hours operation

Residents report low-flying aircraft and searchlight around 4:00am RESIDENTS in Fishguard and Goodwick were woken in the early hours of...

Education2 days ago

Calennig singers take message to streets as campaign grows to save Ysgol Clydau

A GROUP of residents marked the New Year in traditional style this week by taking Calennig singing to the parish...

Community3 days ago

A generous character remembered after death of scaffolding boss Jozef Polak

TRIBUTES have poured in for Pembrokeshire scaffolding company boss Jozef Polak following news of his death. Jozef, who ran the...

Crime3 days ago

Christopher Phillips jailed for life for “grotesque” sexual violence against baby

Judge says injuries were “catastrophic” and warns offender will remain a danger to children for the rest of his life...

Education3 days ago

Village school governors publish counter-proposal on first day of closure consultation

GOVERNORS at Ysgol Meidrim in Carmarthenshire have published a counter-proposal to the council’s plan to close the village school, as...

Local Government4 days ago

Dramatic start to Neyland code hearing as town clerk gives evidence

Ombudsman-led proceedings heard at Haverfordwest County Court A HEARING to determine whether a Neyland town councillor breached the code of...

News5 days ago

MP presses Labour over Pembrokeshire ‘not-spots’ as Tenby misses on latest upgrades

MID and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell has pressed the UK Government for action on poor mobile connectivity in Pembrokeshire...

Business5 days ago

Milford Haven’s offshore future in focus as floating wind project wins backing

Erebus scheme off Pembrokeshire coast backed in UK auction as Irish Sea port resilience plan published PEMBROKESHIRE’S role in the...

Popular This Week