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Positive feedback for new Pembrokeshire County Council recycling scheme

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A SIGNIFICANT amount of recyclable material has been diverted from landfill in Pembrokeshire thanks to a new recycling scheme, it’s been revealed.

Since the beginning of June, residents bringing general waste bags to the Pembrokeshire’s six waste and recycling centres have been asked to open them to see if any of the items inside are recyclable.

The results of the scheme – which aims to boost Pembrokeshire’s recycling rate – have been very positive, says Cllr Cris Tomos, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment.

“The amount of recyclable material coming out of the black bags is high,” he said.

“In fact, so much extra recyclable material had been collected at Winsel, Waterloo and Hermon that additional collections have been organised.”

And Cris praised the hard work of the staff. “They’ve been working very sympathetically with householders to sort out their waste and advise them on what can be recycled,” he said.

“We have had a small amount of negative comments, which is to be expected. On these occasions upon opening the bags we found diabetic needles and asbestos, which we do not accept at WRCs.

“However, the overwhelming amount of feedback from people visiting all centres has been fantastic.”

Cllr Josh Beynon and Cllr Michelle Bateman, who have also been visiting sites to support the scheme and explain the rationale behind it, echoed Cris’ words.

“A lot of people are very understanding and said they were pleased we were doing it,” said Josh, who visited the Waterloo site in Pembroke Dock.

Michelle, who visited Manorowen, said: “Most residents were really supportive of the changes and were keen to hear about the extra types of plastic that they can now recycle at our WRCs.

“One couple have since met with Mark Bond, the Eco Champions coordinator, to talk about ways they recycle on their campsite.”

Michael Harries from the Waste and Recycling team, said the team have been surprised with the contents which people are placing in their black bags.

“We expected a lot of plastics but there were also a lot of clothes and electrical items in the bags – lamps, irons, kettles, toasters, and so on,” he said.

“All electrical items can be recycled at our centres, and all clothes – even rags.”

Cllr Cris Tomos advised that householders could help by sorting out their waste before arriving at the centres.

“If you’re not sure what can be recycled, then simply place the items loose in your vehicle, or if you prefer, in open containers, and our staff can advise you and let you know where the suitable recycling facilities are on the site,” he said.

The bag-sorting scheme is the first of three major changes to waste and recycling services in Pembrokeshire.

The second stage is the launch of free fortnightly Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collection starting in September, with subscriptions opening in July.

Crime

Police arrest suspects following vehicle interferences in Haverfordwest

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HAVERFORDWEST police responded swiftly after reports of multiple vehicle interferences in the Tasker Way area on Sunday night/early Monday morning (Nov 4).

Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPPT) conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries, gathering evidence and reassuring the community. These efforts led to the identification of two suspects.

Both NPPT and Response teams acted promptly, locating and arresting the suspects, who are now in police custody.

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Ancient Welsh hymns brought into 21st century with unique collaboration between Lleuwen Steffan and National Eisteddfod

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Some of Wales’ long-forgotten hymn tunes are being brought vividly back to life this month, thanks to award-winning singer, songwriter and composer Lleuwen Steffan and her unique collaboration with the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Performing as ‘Tafod Arian’ (Silver Tongue), the collaboration pays homage to the lost voices of the past, and infuses these timeless melodies with some highly contemporary electronic arrangements.

The project originated in 2012 when Lleuwen was working on a music project at St Fagan’s National History Museum where she came across some long-forgotten recordings of hymns which had been left in the sound archives.  None of these hymns could be found in the official hymn books nor the older hymnal editions, possibly as the result of their informal, conversational lyrics, or because they often delved into the world of addiction, mental illness and the darker side of the psyche.

But now these unpublished and unknown hymns will be heard for the first time in over a hundred years when Tabernacl Chapel, Maenclochog, will be one of 50 Welsh chapels to be visited by Tafod Arian.

With translations and insights, the tour breathes new life into archive recordings, ensuring these cherished sacred songs rightfully claim their place in today’s spotlight. Lleuwen masterfully combines electronic and acoustic instrumentation, seamlessly blending the past with the present, and takes the stage alongside a dynamic quintet of international musicians including Sioned Webb and Gethin Elis from Wales, and Nolwenn Korbell and Brieg Guerveno from Brittany.

Despite the hymns’ long-distant past, the music is firmly in the present as Lleuwen uses various instruments to provide angular electronic accompaniment as well as her soulful vocals and guitar.  She provides translations and explanations as she proudly puts the archive recordings of the lost |Welsh hymns on centre stage.  As a result, these sacred songs are being passed on orally rather than via the hymn book which is precisely how Welsh folk music was conveyed.

The long-forgotten hymns will be heard once again in all their glory at Tabernacle Chapel, Maenclochog on Sunday, November 17 at 6.30pm.

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Crime

Suspended sentence for Goodwick man who sent sexual messages to young girl

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THE FATHER of a young girl sent sexual messages to an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old girl online, Swansea Crown Court heard this week.

An undercover police officer posed as a 12-year-old girl on the website RandoChat, with the decoy’s profile stating they were 18.

James Roberts messaged the decoy on 9 August, stating he was “looking for a naughty girl”.

The decoy promptly informed him that she was 12 years old; however, the defendant continued to send messages referencing sexual acts and self-gratification.

Roberts added the decoy on Snapchat, claiming to be 19 and living in England.

He again sent sexualised messages and, referring to the decoy’s age, said they were “never too young to start sending pictures”.

The defendant also told the decoy that he was having similar sexual conversations with a 14-year-old, Mr Dickens said.

Police attended Roberts’ home in Goodwick on 17 August, and he was arrested. He denied having a mobile phone, claiming he “had sent it off to Samsung to be fixed” but was “extremely vague” when asked for further details. Mr Dickens said no phone was ever recovered by police.

The 28-year-old Roberts pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child. The court heard that he had no previous convictions.

Hannah George, in mitigation, said the defendant showed “some degree of remorse” and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

“In the 13 months since he was interviewed there have been no further offences,” she said.

Ms George said Roberts had suffered “significant” shame and embarrassment as a result of the offences, and it had led to him losing his job.

He had previously been diagnosed with PTSD and suffered “deep periods of depression”, Ms George said.

She added that his contact with his young daughter “has been diminished” following these offences.

“You were in contact online with who you firmly believed to be a 12-year-old girl,” said Judge Paul Thomas KC, addressing Roberts.

“You have a two-year-old daughter. Just think how you would feel if a man in his thirties tried to have that sort of conversation with her in 10 years’ time.”

Roberts was sentenced to 30 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must complete 35 days of an accredited programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement programme days.

He must also register as a sex offender for 10 years and was made the subject of a three-year sexual harm prevention order.

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