News

Free play brought Crymych children together throughout the summer holidays

Published

7 years ago

September 6, 2019

A PILOT play scheme, set up to keep young people in Crymych entertained throughout the summer holidays, has been a success.

Starting in July, the two-hour play scheme sessions were held every Wednesday afternoon at Crymych leisure centre and brought together between 50 to 100 children and their parents.

Activities included arts and craft sessions, soft play, assault courses circus skills, fancy dress competitions and toasting marshallows around an outdoor fire pit.

The sessions were organised in partnership with Wales and West Housing, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Play Sufficiency Officer, Crymych Leisure Centre, and PAVS Community Connectors after families in the area expressed concerns about the lack of play opportunities for their children during school holidays.

The Crymych sessions were a success with children and their parents with families travelling from Whitland and Cardigan. Young people attending said they had a brilliant time and wanted more.

During the play sessions parents and guardians had the chance to give their feedback on future play provision in the area.

It is hoped that parents will build on the success by volunteering, and working with the partner agencies, to run more events in future.

In feedback, one parent said: “It has been a regular activity over the holidays which has been free of charge and so much fun for myself and the children. The children have looked forward to each session.

They have been able to play creatively, make new friends, roast marshmallows and have space to run around safely. I look forward to volunteering to keep these sessions running in Crymych.”

Another wrote: “It was a nice to see other parents, get out the house and socialise. The children could learn through play and creativity.”

Cris Tomos, the County Councillor for Crymych and a Cabinet Member, said: “It was great to see so many parents and children taking part in all the free play sessions of summer activities.

“It was very heartening to listen to parents who had truly valued the service over the summer holidays and who are now eager to keep the momentum going by looking at future events run by the parents.”

Rhiannon Ling, Community Development Officer at Wales and West Housing, added: “As a housing provider we aim to make a difference to people’s lives, homes and communities. Developing a partnership approach towards play has enabled us to offer greater opportunities in Crymych.

“I have been overwhelmed with the number of people who have attended each week and their commitment to sustain such sessions in the future. These sessions prove that there is a local need for play opportunities and we will support the volunteers in delivering future play sessions.”

Damian Golden, the Council’s Play Sufficiency officer added: “This is the first time that a co-operative `task and finish group` approach had been used and the positive outcomes ensures it will be used again.

“Partnership working with the families should now ensure that regular play opportunities will be taking place frequently in Crymych.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.