News

Safety training for fishermen

Published

7 years ago

April 4, 2019

SEAFISH, the public body that supports the £10bn UK seafood industry, has announced two new approved offshore training providers in Wales, bringing the number of training providers in the region up to three. They provide a range of safety and skills course for commercial fishermen, with funding secured by Seafish, making many of the courses free for fishermen.

The approved training provider (ATPs) in our area is the Welsh Fishermen’s Association. The WFA has also been approved and the Association’s Safety and Training Officer and approved instructor, Trevor Jones, is currently delivering courses for Coleg Llandrillo while WFA gets up to speed.

The endorsement of these new training providers means that there will be more opportunities for commercial fishermen in Wales to access mandatory training and take advantage of additional voluntary training. Seafish has secured funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) with additional funding provided by the Welsh Government and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

This funding allows new entrants and experienced fishermen who are fully compliant with basic safety training requirements to undertake a wide range of courses free of charge.

The funding is allocated on a first-come-first serve basis and must be distributed before the deadline of 30 September 2019, so fishermen are encouraged to book now to avoid missing out.

Lee Haigh, Wales Fishing Safety Officer said: “Improving fishing industry safety is a key part of Seafish Wales Priority work, so we’re very pleased at the announcement of two additional Seafish Approved Training Providers within Wales. The increase in local training provision will enable more Welsh commercial fishermen to access important training opportunities and we strongly urge them to take advantage of the latest round of funding and book free places while they are available.”

Andy White of Coleg Llandrillo said: “The approval of two new training providers in Wales is very welcome as it creates a robust training network across the country. With a recent increase in demand, there has never been a better time to get in touch and take advantage of the full range of training opportunities we offer.”

Ian Spice of Sea Sense Surveying said: “Sea Sense Surveying Ltd is extremely pleased to have been appointed as one of the new Seafish Approved Training Providers in Wales. No matter what stage of their career they are at, fishermen deserve access to the best possible training so that they have the skills and knowledge to work safely and come back home safe.

It is our mission to provide this training for fishermen when and where they need it with our experienced instructors, delivering quality courses in engaging environments. We strongly urge that all fishermen review their training to ensure they have all five of the required mandatory courses and talk to us if they are unsure. For those that have, now is the time to check for eligibility for funding to undertake refresher training to update those all-important skills and knowledge.”

To find out more call 01472 252302.

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman admits breaching community order

Published

9 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates revoke sentence after missed appointments

A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has admitted breaching the terms of a community order.

Shannon Charge, aged 30, of Pater Court, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

She admitted failing to attend a scheduled probation appointment and a drug dependency appointment.

Magistrates revoked the existing community order and ordered her to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the order related to earlier offences, for which she had been made subject to rehabilitation and drug treatment requirements. A further review hearing is listed for March 2.

Crime

Milford Haven man given extra unpaid work after breaching court order

Published

13 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Magistrates add hours after missed appointments

A MILFORD HAVEN man has been ordered to complete extra unpaid work after breaching the terms of a community order.

Peter Jones, aged 33, of Precelly Place, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).

He admitted failing to attend scheduled unpaid work and a probation appointment earlier this month.

Magistrates varied the order, imposing an additional 10 hours of unpaid work. Jones was also ordered to pay £60 in court costs.

The court heard the original community order followed an earlier conviction.

Business

St Clears discount store in closing down sale after chain enters administration

Published

19 minutes ago

February 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WELL-KNOWN discount retailer in St Clears is advertising a closing down sale after its parent company fell into administration, raising fresh concerns about the future of another high street store in west Wales.

The Original Factory Shop, which trades from Pentre Road in St Clears, has launched an “up to 30% off” sale as administrators attempt to secure the future of the business.

The chain, which sells clothing, homeware, garden products, toys and everyday essentials, appointed joint administrators Rick Harrison and James Clark of Interpath Advisory last week.

Founded in 1969, the retailer operates 137 stores across the UK and employs around 1,180 staff.

In a statement, Interpath said the company had faced difficult trading conditions common across the high street, including rising costs, weaker consumer spending and increased employment expenses. It added that problems with a third-party warehouse and logistics provider had also disrupted sales.

Despite the administration, the joint administrators say all stores will continue trading for now while options for the business are explored. The company’s online store is set to close.

Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said the retailer had long been a fixture in town centres across the country but had struggled in the current climate.

Over the coming weeks, administrators will review whether parts of the business can be sold or restructured.

However, signage and social media posts from the St Clears branch suggest uncertainty locally, with the store promoting a closing down sale and urging shoppers to “grab a bargain while stocks last”.

The St Clears outlet is one of the last remaining branches in west Wales. Stores in Fishguard, Haverfordwest and Milford Haven closed last year. The Cardigan branch is also understood to be running a similar clearance sale.

The loss of another discount retailer would mark a further blow for smaller town centres already facing reduced footfall and rising costs.