News

Pembrokeshire seal pups returned to the wild

Published

5 years ago

February 3, 2020

What a beautiful moment: Two seals released by RSPCA

TWO seals who have spent time in RSPCA care have been released back into the wild at Port Eynon, Gower.
One seal had been rescued from Freshwater West by Welsh Marine Life Rescue (WMLR) – before being transferred into the care of the RSPCA in October – and the other had been rescued from Barafundle Bay in November.
Following their rehabilitation at RSPCA Mallydams Wood wildlife centre, in Fairlight, near Hastings, the two seals – who were ready for release following a long road to recovery – returned to the waters of South Wales on 15 January.
RSPCA animal collection officer Ellie West and RSPCA inspector Leigh Summers were the lucky officers who witnessed the moment they returned to sea. The seals who had been nicknamed Mrs Coulter and Pan (both characters from His Dark Materials) enjoyed familiarising themselves with the beach before swimming off into the sunset.
Mrs Coulter (rescued from Barafundle) came into RSPCA care with puncture wounds and weighed 13.6kg. She received treatment for respiratory problems at the wildlife centre, but once fully recovered she weighed 40kg.
Pan – who was 16kg on admission – arrived with wounds and respiratory problems. Following lots of TLC from staff, the pup’s final weight was 45kg.
Ellie said it was a special moment. “It really is something I don’t think I will ever grow tired of seeing,” she said. “It is always the best part of the job – to see an animal who had been in trouble – go back to where they belong.
“For all the seals that come into RSPCA care the road to recovery is usually a long one, as it takes time to build up their strength and get them to an ideal weight where they will be strong enough to survive in the wild.”
Ellie explained that the seal that she had rescued from Barafundle may have been disturbed by members of the public.
“We had originally assessed her at Broadhaven South, but was deemed fit and well,” said Ellie. “We spray marked her and left her on the beach as her mother was in the bay.
“The close proximity of concerned public to the pup could have been a factor in the mother not returning, and five days later she had lost condition and had a few infected puncture wounds so she was taken into our care for treatment.”
RSPCA Cymru urges people – however well meaning – not to attempt to capture or handle an injured seal and to stay well away.
“It’s not unusual to see a seal pup by itself, as their mothers will leave the pups alone very early on in life. If you find a seal pup that looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress, monitor it first from a safe distance for 24 hours.
“However, if the mother doesn’t return after 24 hours or the pup appears distressed, injured or unwell, or is on a busy public beach, our 24-hour emergency line can be reached on 0300 1234 999. Never attempt to encourage a seal resting on a beach back into the sea. Please always stay at a safe distance and keep dogs well away and on leads – seals can have a very nasty bite. ”

News

Open day at new St Davids housing development

Published

8 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is celebrating the completion of Phase 1 Llys Glasfryn, St Davids.

The development was built by GRD Homes, and Phase 1 consists of 4 x 2 bed bungalows, and 3 x 1 bed bungalows.

Phase 2 consists of 11 x 2 bed bungalows, which it is hoped will be completed early 2026.

All properties within Phase 1 have been allocated, and Phase 2 properties will be available for bidding a few months before completion.

A Local Lettings Policy is used to allocate these properties, which was created in conjunction with local members, St Davids City Council, and the local community.

To celebrate the completion of Phase 1, Pembrokeshire County Council is holding an open day in one of the newly completed properties.

This will be held on Tuesday 28^th January 2025, from 2pm – 6pm. This is for members of the public to view the site and one of the properties, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing Operations, said: “These high quality homes will provide much needed housing in St Davids and form part of our wider development programme.

“Increasing the supply of affordable housing is a key priority for Cabinet and I look forward to meeting new tenants and the wider community at the open day event.”

For more information on Pembrokeshire County Council’s housing developments, or this event, please call 01437 764551, or email [email protected]

News

Agricultural shed fire on Narberth Road in Saundersfoot

Published

10 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CREWS from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service stations in Tenby and Milford Haven were called to a fire on Narberth Road, Saundersfoot, at 1:05pm on Monday (Jan 27).

The blaze involved a caravan and an agricultural shed measuring approximately 15 metres by 15 metres. The shed, which contained vehicles and machinery, was completely destroyed along with the caravan.

Firefighters used two hose reel jets, two main jets, an otter pump, and a water shuttle system drawing from an open water source to bring the fire under control.

Crews left the scene at 3:20pm.

Crime

Prison bosses dismiss assault rumours against Southport killer

Published

10 hours ago

January 27, 2025

Staff Writer

PRISON authorities have denied claims circulating on social media that Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer convicted of murdering three young girls, has been attacked while in custody. The rumours, which gained traction after the circulation of a voice note on Sunday (Jan 26), alleged that the 18-year-old was assaulted by two inmates at HMP Manchester, where he is serving his sentence.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice firmly dismissed the allegations, stating: “Reports of Axel Rudakubana being attacked in prison are inaccurate. He has not been attacked.”

Rudakubana, originally from Cardiff but residing in the Lancashire village of Banks for the past decade, was sentenced on Thursday to a minimum of 52 years behind bars. His crimes, described as among the most extreme and shocking in recent history, included the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, as well as the attempted murder of ten others. The brutal attack took place on July 29 last year at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport.

During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Mr Justice Goose outlined the horrifying details of Rudakubana’s calculated and violent actions. “He walked straight into the building, up the stairs to where he could hear the sound of happy children. His intention was clear: to murder as many of them as he physically could.”

Over a harrowing 15 minutes, Rudakubana fatally attacked three children, severely injured eight others, and wounded two adults who attempted to intervene. The judge highlighted the unrelenting nature of his violence: “After the other children escaped, he remained in the upstairs room, where he returned to attack two of the youngest victims, stabbing them multiple times. His actions demonstrated a determined intention to cause maximum suffering.”

Mr Justice Goose condemned Rudakubana’s actions as “the most extreme, shocking and exceptionally serious crime.” The judge noted that the carnage could have been even worse if not for the bravery of those who escaped and intervened.

Rudakubana’s case has left a community in mourning and sparked national outrage. As he begins his decades-long sentence, the Ministry of Justice has assured the public that he is being closely monitored and that claims of an attack on him in prison are baseless.