News
Watch out Campylobacter is about!
IMAGINE THE Millennium Stadium in Cardiff filled with spectators. Now, envisage that huge crowd multiplied by three – about a quarter of a million people. That’s how many people in the UK could be struck down by Campylobacter this year.
The bacteria is the most common cause of food poisoning in the country accounting for around 90% of all cases. You can’t see it, smell it or even taste it on food, but if it affects you, you won’t forget it. Campylobacter poisoning can result in abdominal pain, severe diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting. In certain cases it can lead to other complications and, at its worst, it can kill. About four in five cases of campylobacter are caused by contaminated raw poultry (65% of raw chicken is currently contaminated) and by ignorance about how to deal with it. For instance it is not advisable to wash raw poultry – washing can often spread the bacteria in the kitchen and cause further contamination. The fight against Campylobacter will be at the centre of this year’s Food Safety Week (June 16 to 22). The Food Standards Agency is spearheading a campaign to bring together the whole food chain – from farmers to consumers – to tackle the problem. Meanwhile local authorities, including Pembrokeshire County Council, the major supermarkets and key partners will be working together to make sure people know how to stay safe. Last year Food Safety Officers in Pembrokeshire County Council investigated 169 cases of Campylobacter in the County – more than ever before. This increase is in common with the rest of the UK where in recent years there has been a yearon- year rise in the number of confirmed cases. The team routinely contact people who are ill with Campylobacter because it’s a legally “notifiable disease”. They make sure that sufferers know how to stop it spreading and provide advice on how to prevent it. In order to avoid contacting campylobacter, food safety officers advise people to: Cover and chill raw chicken – store it at the bottom of the fridge so juices can’t drip onto other foods and contaminate them. Don’t wash raw chicken – there’s absolutely no reason to, as thorough cooking will kill bacteria such as campylobacter which are present. Thoroughly wash utensils, chopping boards and surfaces used – and wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, immediately after preparing raw chicken. Cook chicken thoroughly –cut into the thickest part of the meat and check that it is steaming hot with no pink meat and that the juices run clear. Advice is available at www.food. gov.uk/chicken.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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