News

Teenager needs specialist wheelchair to follow his tennis dream

Published

6 years ago

July 11, 2019

WHEN the former Pembrokeshire College student began his studies in Cardiff, in September last year, he was keen to make new friends and improve his fitness further, so he joined Cardiff Wheelchair Tennis Club.

“The club train twice a week at the David Lloyd centre in Cardiff,” explained Harry. “Each session is two hours long and they are really beginning to improve my technique and understanding of the game.”

To allow him to play the game Harry currently has to borrow a specialist wheelchair from the club, but it’s far from ideal.

“Using a chair that hasn’t been set up for me specifically makes it more difficult to use and I’m at a disadvantage to the other players,” he exclaimed.

“I was advised that the specialist sports wheelchair that would best suit my needs would cost a whopping £5,574, which was obviously way out of my student budget!”

Without a specialist chair Harry’s tennis career could be over before it’s started. He said: “I love the game so much that during the summer I’m travelling the one hour forty five minute journey from my family home in Pembrokeshire, to continue training.

“I’m determined to become the best I can be at the sport but without a chair of my own I fear I’ll be unable to do this.”

The Grand Slam Tennis Sports Wheelchair that Harry needs is perfectly designed to improve his agility and speed on court. However, whilst he knows it would take him to the next level, the financial barrier initially appeared to be insurmountable.

But now, thanks to fundraising support from Caudwell Children, the national charity that provides practical and emotional support to disabled children and their families, Harry has started a campaign to help raise the money needed for the new chair. He said: “The charity has already helped me to contact a number of different organisations including; charities, rotary clubs and masons lodges.

“However, I want to appeal to the public and the business community and ask them to give me a helping hand. With their support I believe I may have a good future in the game.”

Mark Bushell, from Caudwell Children, hopes people will get behind Harry’s appeal. He said: “This piece of equipment will improve Harry’s life immeasurably. Unbelievably, there are 70,000 children and young people in the UK who would benefit from the correct mobility equipment, including specialist sports wheelchairs.

“I’m urging the public and business community to get behind this appeal. With the Wimbledon tennis championships highlighting how enjoyable the sport is, particularly quad wheelchair tennis, there couldn’t be a more fitting time to launch Harry’s appeal.

“With the publics support we can ensure that Harry has the specialist wheelchair that he so desperately needs, and deserves, to continue playing the game.”

Ministry of Defence

Castlemartin range set for heavy activity as winter live-fire exercise begins

Published

2 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Army warns of late-night firing and increased traffic

CASTLEMARTIN Training Area will be extremely busy over the next few weeks as the Army begins a major live-fire exercise running from now until to 5 December.

The winter training block will see troops carrying out critical preparation ahead of future deployments, with extensive armoured manoeuvres and both daytime and night-time firing.

Extended firing hours

Live firing will take place between the following times:

Monday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Tuesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm and 8:00pm – 3:00am
Friday: 8:00am – 6:00pm

There will be no live firing at weekends, although military vehicles will still be moving around the area.

Residents are being reminded that these times are the earliest and latest possible firing windows. Not every day will start or finish at the maximum hours listed.

Traffic expected on rural roads

The Army says there will be increased vehicle movements on local roads—particularly in Angle, Castlemartin and the Freshwater West area—in the week leading up to the exercise and throughout the training period.

A spokesperson said the support of local people is appreciated: “These exercises are essential for maintaining readiness and ensuring our troops are fully trained for any future operational requirement.”

Crime

Two Milford Haven men sent to Crown Court on GBH charges

Published

3 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

The incident stems from a violent incident outside The Vibe public house, Milford Haven involving three men – a woman was also wounded in the incident

TWO Milford Haven men have been sent to Swansea Crown Court charged with section 18 wounding after an alleged incident in the town on November 15.

David McCallum, 41, of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates court on Monday (Nov 17). He is accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a woman in Milford Haven with intent to cause her grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

McCallum also faces a second section 18 charge alleging that, on the same date in Milford Haven, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded a man with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

He was represented by solicitor Tom Lloyd, with the prosecution conducted by Nia James.

On Tuesday (Nov 18), Nathan Abbott, 31, also of Plas Peregrine, Steynton, appeared before District Judge Mark Layton at Haverfordwest magistrates court.

Abbott is charged with unlawfully and maliciously wounding a man in Milford Haven on November 15 with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

He was represented by Mike Kelleher, of Welch & Co.

Abbott also gave no plea, and his case was likewise sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Both McCallum and Abbott were remanded on conditional bail.

McCallum’s bail conditions include a curfew from 7:00pm to 7:00am, to be electronically monitored, not to contact directly or indirectly witnesses, and not to enter any public house, licensed club or off-licence.

Abbott’s bail conditions include living and sleeping each night at his home address , not to contact witnesses directly or indirectly, and not to enter licensed premises.

Both men must appear for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing at Swansea Crown Court on December 19, 2025, at 9:00am.

No pre-sentence reports were ordered and no indication was given regarding any victim personal statements at this stage.

Crime

Aberystwyth man remanded after admitting cocaine supply

Published

3 hours ago

November 18, 2025

Court Reporter

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court for sentencing

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has been remanded in custody after admitting possessing cocaine with intent to supply and having £7,000 in criminal cash.

Luke Hutton, 25, of Corporation Street, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Nov 17) for his first hearing. The case was heard by a bench of Mr J Steadman, Mrs M Scott and Mr R John. He was represented by Jessica Hill and Mike Kelleher, while the prosecution was led by Nia James.

Hutton pleaded guilty to two offences arising from a police incident at Yr Hafan, Princess Street, Aberystwyth, on November 14.

The first charge was possessing £7,000 in criminal property, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The second was possessing a quantity of cocaine, a Class A drug, with intent to supply.

Magistrates were told that Hutton indicated guilty pleas to both matters on the day of his appearance.

Because of the seriousness of the charges, the bench committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence under Section 14 of the Sentencing Act 2020. A pre-sentence report has been ordered.

Magistrates refused bail, citing the likelihood of further offending, the seriousness of the offences and the likely custodial sentence. Hutton was remanded into custody.

He will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on December 1, 2025, at 9:00am, for a committal for sentence hearing, listed for 30 minutes.