Community

Milford Haven: Two bowling club members given life bans

Published

6 years ago

July 17, 2019

TWO members of Milford Haven Bowling Club, among the best players at the local green, have been suspended and subsequently received life bans from the Club’s management committee.

The trouble started for Heather Griffin, 59, and her friend Jimmy McSparron, 68, when Jimmy asked the organisers ofa friendly away game if Heather could bring her Jack Russell Terrier, who suffers from diabetes, on the bus journey.

The coach trip, scheduled for June 2, was organised by the club, but operated by Narberth Travel.

The club told Jimmy that they would find out from the operator if the dog was allowed on board.

A short time later, the club said that the dog was not allowed to travel. A curious Heather contacted Narberth Travel with a general enquiry about whether dogs were allowed on the bus journeys. She was told they were.

Believing she had been misled, Heather wrote a letter of complaint to the Bowls Club Committee. Her letter was supported by a further letter from Mr McSparron.

Both were horrified by the Club’s response. Instead of responding to the complaint, the Club told them they were suspended until further notice.

The letter sent to Heather included a section of the Club’s constitution dealing with disciplinary behaviour and she drew the inference that action against her would follow.

Confused and upset, Heather wrote a further letter and hand-delivered it to the management committee meeting on Tuesday, June 11.

Arriving just before the meeting started, Heather was asked to wait outside before entering the meeting. Mr McSparron accompanied her.

After a brief adjournment, Heather and Jimmy were called in front of the committee and told that the letter had been considered and that a formal reply would follow.

According to the pair Club Secretary, Adrian Lewis called Heather a ‘stupid bitch’.

On being asked to repeat his remark, Mr Lewis did and, according to both Mr McSparron and Ms Griffin, added, “I have resigned anyway – and you’ll get what’s coming to you.”

As the pair left the meeting, at the request of the Club Chair, they say another committee member approached them and a further verbal altercation took place.

After getting home Heather called the police and reported Mr Lewis’ remarks.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police has confirmed to The Pembrokeshire Herald: “We received a report of a dispute at the bowling club and spoke to two men [at the police station].

“Words of advice have been given.”

Milford Haven Bowling Club was asked to comment but only confirmed that two members had been banned for “a breach of the rules”.

Speaking on Wednesday, Heather Griffin said: “I feel totally demoralised and upset. I do not even know why I was banned as my last letter and email have been ignored.

“I now am in contact with the Welsh Women’s Bowling Association.”

Jimmy McSparron said: “I feel totally dumbfounded by the situation By supporting Heather, I have had a life ban. If you cannot support a fellow bowler, then something is radically wrong.

“It has been one-sided throughout.

“This is unfair, and we are both hoping that this will not affect our choosing a new club in the future as we are both avid players.”

The pair are now looking forward to continuing with their hobby at an alternative club.

Mike Burgoyne from the club requested to comment further after reading this story in our print edition and said: “The information you have been given does not state all the facts only snippets that can be misconstrued.”Members of the club attended an EGM to discuss the banning of the two members concerned and gave full backing to the committee in their handling of this situation and the resulting bans. Milford Bowling Club now considers this matter closed.”

Community

Grieving family’s aim to protect young drivers in memory of daughter

Published

9 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL Road Safety Team have worked in partnership with the family of a young woman killed in a road traffic collision to launch an intervention for young drivers in our County and beyond.

Ella Bee’s Story aims to prevent further deaths on the road, particularly among the 17 to 25-year-old age group, and concentrates on the Fatal 5, peer pressure, driver behaviour and how to reduce the risks both as a driver and passenger.

Twenty-one year-old Ella Smith was killed in a road traffic collision on the Broad Haven road in 2021 and her family are bravely telling their story of the night it happened and the aftermath of losing Ella.

Two drivers involved in the collision were jailed for ten years each having been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The intervention was launched recently and will be available to all schools and young peoples’ groups in the County, along with Pembrokeshire College.

The Road Safety Team worked closely with the family to put together the intervention which includes the production of two videos that can help educate all young drivers, and any adults with young drivers in the family.

Following the launch Ella’s mother Maria said: “We as a family and Ella’s best friends have worked tirelessly with Pembrokeshire County Council to produce a presentation on road safety to be delivered to schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young drivers on the devastating impact that losing Ella has had on us all.

“Ella your legacy will live on and you will forever be remembered for helping others even now.”

Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett added: “The launch of Ella Bee’s Story was incredible moving. Ella’s family has been incredibly brave in their determination to ensure her tragic death is not in vain and this project will help other young drivers stay safe on our roads.”

For further information about how your school or youth group can access Ella Bee’s Story please email [email protected]

Community

Storm Éowyn upgraded to ‘danger to life’ amber warning for Wales

Published

11 hours ago

January 22, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE MET OFFICE has upgraded its weather alert for Storm Éowyn to an amber warning, signifying a “danger to life” as strong winds and heavy rain approach Wales and other parts of the UK. The warning is in effect from 6:00am to 9:00pm on Friday, covering northern Wales, Northern Ireland, northern England, and southern Scotland.

Strong winds and widespread disruption

The amber alert warns of winds reaching 60-70 mph inland and up to 90 mph in exposed coastal areas and high ground. The Met Office advises that flying debris poses a risk to life, while power cuts, travel disruption, and property damage are highly likely.

Road, rail, air, and ferry services are expected to face delays and cancellations. Homes and businesses may also sustain structural damage as the storm progresses.

Areas in Wales under amber warning:

Conwy
Denbighshire
Flintshire
Gwynedd
Isle of Anglesey

Alongside the amber alert, two yellow warnings for wind cover all of Wales on Friday, lasting from midnight Thursday to midnight Friday. A separate yellow warning for rain is also in effect from midnight to 9:00am on Friday, predicting 15-25 mm of rain across much of Wales and 40-60 mm in higher elevations. The heavy rainfall may lead to surface water flooding in some areas.

A Met Office spokesperson said: “Storm Éowyn will move across the northwest of the UK on Friday, clearing northeast by Friday night. This will bring a spell of very strong west to southwesterly winds, with a brief reduction in wind strength as the storm’s centre passes over certain areas. Winds will then increase rapidly before gradually easing later on Friday.”

Residents are urged to secure loose outdoor items, avoid unnecessary travel, and monitor updates as the storm approaches.

Community

Mid and West Wales Fire Service backs Register My Appliance Week

Published

1 day ago

January 21, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) is supporting Register My Appliance Week (January 20–26) to help households stay informed about appliance safety and product recalls.

Millions of UK households are unaware of critical safety updates for their appliances, with over 40 million large appliances still unregistered. From brand-new purchases to second-hand machines, registering appliances ensures owners are alerted to any safety issues, extending their safe usage.

In the past year, MAWWFRS responded to 163 incidents involving white goods. Home Fire Safety Manager Wayne Thomas said:

“We all value how appliances have transformed our lives, but it’s essential to register them. Doing so is quick, free, and ensures you’re informed if a safety repair is needed. Just a few minutes spent registering can help you enjoy your appliances safely.”

The Register My Appliance portal, run by AMDEA, connects users with over 70 leading brands and accepts registrations for both new and older appliances.