News
Pembrokeshire model in calendar competition
A PEMBROKESHIRE model is helping to raise money for a cancer charity with the UK Calendar Girls competition.
Adeana Elaine, of Pembroke Dock, is competing to star in the official calendar, organised by UK Calendar Girls, who are supporting the Chestnut Appeal this year.
The modelling competition produces calendars each year, whilst also donating to and raising awareness for cancer-based charities at key events throughout the year, having supported various charities since 2006. Adeana is one of the nominees who are part of the text vote, which runs for a month, and from there the top 80 nominees are then invited to the Grand Final, where the guests vote for their top 12, that then get to feature on the calendar.
UK Calendar Girls said: “We are not a charity calendar, we are a modelling competition, however we raise funds using officially registered charity pots given to us by various charities at our events and we also donate 10% of ticket sales and calendar sales directly to our chosen charity.
“To date we’ve raised tens of thousands for cancer-based charities through the hard work and dedication of the team, the volunteers, the girls, and our amazing sponsors & supporters. We work very closely with our chosen charities and this year we are supporting the Chestnut Appeal who raise much-needed funds and awareness for prostate cancer.”
Lesley-Ann Simpson, the Charity Director for the Chestnut Appeal, said: “We are the Chestnut Appeal for Prostate Cancer and we have worked with the UK Calendar Girls team headed by Myles Lockwood since 2014 since the launch of the Plymouth Calendar Men competition. Very quickly we noticed the participants also had the opportunity to take part in many UKCG governed charity events they wouldn’t normally get involved in and this has had a direct effect on increasing our charity funds as well as creating widespread awareness for the Chestnut Appeal as a whole.
“For us it’s been amazing to see young people shine as their confidence grows through the various stages of the competition and how involved some of the girls become in the charity side of things. As well as improving lives by creating these wonderful calendars UKCG also raise much-needed awareness for the most common cancer in men; prostate cancer.
“The calendar projects have to date raised in excess of £7000 for us alone with many of the models raising funds individually to help our cause. With the funds and awareness this competition manages to create alongside raising money for many other cancer-based charities over the years we can only see great things coming from this organisation. We have noticed the team work on more than just glamorous calendars they also open doors for many aspiring models to meet inspirational people who work in the modelling industry as well as becoming noted by credible talent scouts.
“Over 47,000 men are diagnosed with the disease every year, that’s 129 men every day and every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer in the UK. Staggering statistics aren’t they, especially when current studies show less than 30% of men know where the prostate gland is, let alone what it does. The fundraising from the calendar girls has enabled us to supply state of the art medical equipment to hospitals which makes the diagnosis of prostate cancer faster and more accurate than ever before and has helped us raise much needed vital awareness in communities we might not have been able to reach before. We are indebted to Myles and his amazing team and it’s been a pleasure working with such professional people.”
To vote for Adeana, you need to text ‘UKCG 150’ to 82727, with each text costing £1 plus the standard network rate.
Business
Stena announces redundancy plan amid uncertainty for Pembrokeshire
FREIGHT carrier and ferry operator Stena Line, which runs services between Fishguard and Pembroke Dock, has announced plans to cut up to 80 staff members following an internal review.
Uncertainty looms over whether any of these redundancies will impact staff operating our local ferry services.
Stena CEO Paul Grant shared the news in an email to employees on Monday, citing a need to “future proof the company.” He explained that an internal assessment revealed the company’s current organisational structure as “too big and expensive” compared to its revenue.
The decision comes amid rising costs and increased competition in the freight and travel sectors.
According to Mr. Grant, “Cost pressure due to higher inflation has led to our customers having less money to spend, and with the introduction of the European Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), increasing our prices, we see a decline in volumes for both travel and freight.” Additionally, disappointing sales during the summer season and unmet market growth expectations for 2024 contributed to the restructuring.
The program, designed to strengthen Stena’s long-term business viability, includes a reduction of costs, prioritization of investments, and staff cuts that will primarily impact support functions and consultants. The workforce will be reduced by 80 positions by early 2025, along with 30 consultants also set to leave the company. Discussions with unions and work councils are expected to last several months, with all affected staff to be informed of their status by January 31, 2025.
In response to this announcement, the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) has demanded a meeting with Stena Line to clarify the impact of these cuts, particularly on their members.
TSSA General Secretary Maryam Eslamdoust expressed disappointment over the handling of the announcement, stating: “Our members are shocked by this news and outraged that Stena has chosen to sidestep established industrial relations processes. Stena must meet with us urgently to clarify who is at risk and address the potential impacts on our members.”
The layoffs are part of a broader restructuring effort aimed at securing Stena Line’s future amid sustainability challenges. CEO Niclas Mårtensson acknowledged the difficult decision, stating, “Stena Line has been a successful company over the past few years; however, we need to ensure a lower cost base to be able to future proof the company. With 40 vessels in Europe and the Mediterranean, we have significant sustainability challenges ahead of us, and this program will enable us to make necessary investments for the future.”
The TSSA’s letter to Stena reiterates the union’s commitment to supporting affected employees and calls for an immediate discussion to clarify the situation, especially for staff at Fishguard who may be impacted.
News
UK government to appoint first Wales Crown Estate Commissioner
FOR the first time, the UK government will appoint a Crown Estate Commissioner dedicated to advising on matters in Wales, further integrating Welsh interests in board-level decisions. This move supports existing efforts to ensure that Wales benefits from the push for clean energy, following an agreement facilitated by the Welsh Secretary.
An amendment to the Crown Estate Bill, with cross-party backing from Labour, Plaid Cymru, Liberal Democrats, and crossbenchers, will be accepted at today’s Lords Report Stage (Nov 5). This change mandates the appointment of a Wales-specific Commissioner through the Public Appointments process, with input from the Welsh Government. The appointee will bear “an additional responsibility” to represent Welsh conditions and interests, amplifying Wales’s voice within the Crown Estate.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens has collaborated with the Treasury, The Crown Estate, House of Lords members, and the Welsh Government to secure this legislative advancement. The Crown Estate, instrumental in drawing international investment to Wales, supports projects like Floating Offshore Wind in the Celtic Sea, which promises cleaner energy and job creation.
The introduction of a Wales-specific Commissioner strengthens The Crown Estate’s mission to serve the entire UK while averting potential market fragmentation and protecting international investor confidence critical to the net-zero transition.
In a related effort, Great British Energy, the government’s new public energy firm, recently partnered with The Crown Estate to expedite renewable energy advancements. This initiative could attract up to £60bn in private investment, boosting the UK’s journey toward energy independence.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens stated: “This is a landmark step toward ensuring that Welsh prosperity is at the heart of the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower. Our nation stands to benefit hugely from investment in floating offshore wind, and we now have the representation we need to help seize that moment. This demonstrates how Wales benefits directly from its two governments working together, and I’m grateful to Lord Livermore, The Crown Estate, and others for helping to make this happen.”
Sir Robin Budenberg CBE, Chair of The Crown Estate, said: “In seeking to increase the number of Commissioners from eight to twelve, The Crown Estate welcomes the opportunity now presented by this amendment to bring even more direct knowledge and understanding of the areas in which we operate and further strengthen our ability to deliver benefit to the whole of the UK.”
Crime
Arrests made after large-scale cannabis operation raided in Pembroke Dock
POLICE in Pembroke Dock have uncovered yet another large-scale cannabis operation, as part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal farms in the area. On Monday (Nov 4), Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at a property on Dimond Street, where officers found over 500 cannabis plants in a sophisticated cultivation setup.
Two men, aged 26 and 34, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and are currently in police custody. The raid follows a series of similar operations in Pembrokeshire, targeting properties used for illegal drug cultivation.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
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