News
The refill revolution comes to Pembrokeshire
REFILL PEMBROKESHIRE is on a mission to make refilling your water bottle as easy, convenient and cheap as possible, by introducing Refill Stations throughout the county.
Refill Pembrokeshire encourages participating cafes, bars, restaurants, banks, galleries, museums and other businesses to sign up to the free Refill app and put a sticker in their window alerting passers-by to the fact they’re welcome to fill up their bottle for free.
City to Sea, a not-for-profit organisation headed by entrepreneur Natalie Fee, launched the award-winning Refill Scheme in 2015. Now being rolled out nationwide with the full support of the Welsh Government and water companies Dŵr Cymru and Hafren Dyfrdwy, Refill will substantially increase the availability of high quality drinking water.
Hannah Blythyn, Environment Minister said: “More Refill points along our coast will help reduce the number of plastic bottles ending up in the sea, which can have a devastating effect on our marine environment. This is another step towards my ambition of Wales becoming the World’s first ‘Refill Nation’.”
The average adult buys more than three plastic water bottles every week – a startling 175 bottles every year per person. In total, some 7.7 billion plastic bottles are bought across the UK each year, resulting in substantial amounts of single-use plastic waste ending up in our oceans.
Hannah Osman, Refill Wales Coordinator said: “Every time we refill a re-useable bottle instead of buying and throwing away a single-use bottle we not only reduce the amount of plastic and fuel being used, we save a bit of money and help clean up our towns and open spaces too. We’re so excited to see the launch of Refill Pembrokeshire which will make it easy to look out for the stickers or check the app to find out where you can refill for free. Through Refill Pembrokeshire we will be able to connect and Refill every community, from coast to hillside.”
Refill Pembrokeshire will be hosting a launch event at The Creative Common, The Old Coach House, Haverfordwest, SA61 1PX on November 7 at 7pm.
They will be looking for interested groups to lead the Refill Pembrokeshire scheme and help make it a success.
Health
Senedd votes to ban single-use vapes
A VOTE has been passed in the Senedd today introducing new regulations to prohibit the supply of single-use vapes in Wales.
Introducing The Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 to prohibit the supply (including for free) of single-use vapes in Wales will be another crucial step in tackling the litter and plastic pollution which blight our streets and environment.
Following the vote in the Senedd, the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “This is a major step forward in tackling throwaway culture and the environmental impacts of single-use vapes. This is a key priority for the Welsh Government, and we continue to work with the other UK nations to address these challenges.
“Removing single-use vapes from the supply chain will stop them harming wildlife and the environment when they’re littered or sent to landfill. This ban will mean we generate less waste, clean up our streets, and protect nature and wildlife.”
The Regulations will come into force on 1 June 2025.
The Welsh Government has worked closely with UK Government and other Devolved Governments on this matter with all Nations commencing the bans at the same time.
This will enable the bans to be co-ordinated to improve compliance and help provide a consistent approach to enforcement across the UK.
No single-use vapes can be sold or given away for free after 1 June 2025. Businesses should speak to their suppliers now about ordering alternatives and start to educate staff and inform customers.
Businesses will need to organise, for their customers, the eventual safe disposal of their single-use vapes.
Crime
Man accused of ‘parasitic behaviour’ used woman for sex, money and drink
A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of exploiting a vulnerable woman for sex, accommodation, finances, and alcohol has been made the subject of an interim Stalking Protection Order.
Mark Ion, 53, is set to be released from custody next Thursday, December 19.
This week, Dyfed-Powys Police solicitor Simon Schwarz urged Haverfordwest magistrates to impose the order to protect the victim, whom he described as “vulnerable, with drug and alcohol addiction issues.”
“She has been preyed upon by the defendant since September 2023,” Mr Schwarz told the court on Tuesday (Dec 10). “He has demonstrated parasitic behaviour towards her, using her for accommodation, finances, drink, and sex.
As soon as he’s released, he’ll be back, exhibiting coercive and controlling behaviour. His criminal record shows extreme violence towards women.”
Ion is accused of a prolonged period of control and abuse over the victim, with incidents dating back to October 2023.
Mr Schwarz presented harrowing evidence of Ion’s behaviour, including instances of violence and coercion.
- October 6, 2023: A member of the public reported seeing Ion with the victim on a bench in Haverfordwest. The victim appeared intoxicated and barely conscious, slumped against Ion, who was seen with his hands inside her trousers. The victim was taken to the hospital but had no memory of the incident.
- October 30, 2023: A 999 call led officers to an address in Slade Park, Haverfordwest, where the victim was found with a swollen eye. She alleged that Ion had hit her. At the time, Ion was subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with another woman living on the same street as the victim.
- October 24, 2023: Ion and the victim were seen arguing on a bus from Haverfordwest to Pembroke Dock. Ion, drinking whisky, threatened to hit the victim with the bottle and struck another woman who intervened. This assault led to a custodial sentence.
- November 21, 2023: A neighbour called 999 after hearing someone kicking the victim’s door. Ion was heard shouting, “Open the door, you f****** bitch,” while the victim was described as cowering like “a timid animal.”
Further incidents occurred, including a violent attack on June 8, 2024, when Ion punched the victim after she refused to have sex with him.
According to Mr Schwarz, Ion continued to harass the victim while in custody, sending letters that terrified her, including claims they would marry and have children.
Ion, currently serving a custodial sentence for an unrelated matter, appeared via video link from HM Parc Prison in Bridgend. He became aggressive during the hearing, leading prison staff to mute his comments.
After reviewing the evidence, magistrates imposed an interim Stalking Protection Order, effective from Ion’s release until a full hearing at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on December 31. The order aims to safeguard the victim and prevent further contact.
“This is a woman who needs protection. It’s now clear her life is at risk,” Mr Schwarz concluded.
Community
Festive Friends spread cheer again at Milford Haven School
THE FESTIVE FRIENDS of Milford Haven School are back, bringing their Christmas magic to the community for a second year running.
Following the success of last year’s initiative, the Festive Friends project has returned to combat loneliness and spread holiday cheer. This heartwarming effort is made possible through support from the Ascona Community Foundation, whose funding has helped the students kick off another season of joy.
The pupils marked the start of Advent by visiting Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre, where they hosted a festive afternoon for the Stroke Survivors Group. Attendees were treated to Christmas bingo, seasonal quizzes, and delicious treats, creating a joyful and inclusive atmosphere.
One Milford Haven student reflected on the experience, saying: “It was an honour to be part of this project and socialise with the older members of our community. Their stories are so interesting, and they’re so funny.” Another student added: “I’m so happy our school lets us work with the community. It’s inspired me to give back in the future.”
The project’s impact was felt deeply by attendees, with one guest commenting: “This was such a lovely way to start the countdown to Christmas. I don’t get out much, so it was wonderful to be among friends and chat with young people from our community.” Another remarked: “The students were so polite and kind. The school should be incredibly proud of them.”
With its second year proving just as successful as the first, the Festive Friends project has once again highlighted the power of community, kindness, and Christmas spirit.
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