News
Pembrokeshire County Council: Leader’s coronavrius update, Thursday, 9th April
Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Councillor David Simpson,
has provided a further coronavirus update for Thursday, 9th April, as
follows:
‘Once again I want to reinforce this week’s message which is: “stay at
home and help stop the virus spreading.”
‘I appreciate that the lockdown is difficult and I want to thank you for
sticking to the rules. We are all making sacrifices each day. However,
it is vital that we continue to do so in order to beat this pandemic. Now
is not the time to ignore the advice.
‘Easter weekend is a special time so please spend time with your
family at home, enjoy the garden but please stay at home.
‘Most people are sticking to the rules but, frustratingly, some people
are ignoring the advice. Sadly many have died after catching
coronavirus. If we all do not act now more lives will be lost.
‘Your actions and decisions over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend
and coming weeks will shape our county – so Stay at Home!
‘I can confirm that we will be working with the Police to monitor “hot
spots” over the Easter weekend to ensure people are complying with
government advice and legislation. Enforcement officers will also be
working over the weekend.
‘‘During these unprecedented times we are asking people not to visit
Pembrokeshire now. Please visit us later when the crisis is over.
‘I now want to highlight some key items.
‘Safeguarding children and adults at risk is a critical area for social
services which remains fully operational.
‘Our Children and Adults duty teams remain in operation to receive
calls about children and adults at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. We
all have an important role to play in helping to protect children, young
people and adults from harm.
‘If you think a child or young person is being abused, or at risk of
being abused, please report it by ringing the Child Care Assessment
Team on: 01437 776444.
‘If you think an adult is being abused, or at risk of being abused,
please report it by ringing the Adult Safeguarding Team on: 01437
776056.
‘If you have concerns outside of office hours, you should contact the
Emergency Duty Team on: 0300 333 2222.
‘I want to confirm that there are no changes to the waste and
recycling kerbside collections over the Bank Holiday weekend. These
services continue to run as normal.
‘Please help our collection crews by minimising the amount of
household waste you create over the Easter weekend. With pressure
on services and with waste and recycling centre’s temporarily closed,
try and avoid any big clear-outs at home or undertaking any DIY or
garden projects which are likely to generate large amounts of waste.
‘And please do not burn household waste at home. This creates air
pollution that could harm people nearby who may already have
breathing difficulties due to Covid-19. There is also the danger that
fires could get out of control. Fire services around the country are
reporting an increase in call-outs due to garden fires.
‘I want to end my newsletter by wishing everyone a Happy Easter
weekend. I appreciate we are all facing difficult times. However, we all
need to pause and reflect and ensure we act collectively to beat this
pandemic
‘Remember: together we are stronger and together we will get
through this.
‘Public Health Wales is updating and adding to their resources
regularly. Please find all assets here:
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-
covid-19/coronavirus-resources/
‘Press releases issued since my update yesterday are:
Hundred Helped By Coronavirus Hub Team:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/hundreds-
helped-by-coronavirus-hub-team
Police And Council Work Together:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/police-and-
council-work-together-to-enforce-coronavirus-restrictions
Council Staff To Work Easter To Keep Grant Cash Flowing:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/council-staff-to-
work-easter-weekend-to-keep-grant-cash-flowing
Next Batch Of School Meal Vouchers On Their Way:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/next-batch-of-
free-school-meals-vouchers-on-their-way
Council Kick-Starts PPE Facemasks Project:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/county-council-
kick-starts-ppe-facemasks-project
Pembrokeshire Extends Suspension of Parking Charges:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom/pembrokeshire-
extends-suspension-of-car-park-charges
‘Public Health Wales is updating and adding to their resources
regularly. Please find all assets here:
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-
covid-19/coronavirus-resources/
‘Also, please keep an eye on our newsroom at:
https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom
‘And to get daily email updates, log onto our website and sign into My
Account at:
https://myaccount.pembrokeshire.gov.uk
‘Stay Safe. Thank you.’
Useful links:
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
www.sir-benfro.gov.uk/coronafeirws
https://phw.nhs.wales/
Iechyd Cyhoeddus Cymru – Coronafeirws Newydd (COVID-19)
– Cyngor hunan-ynysu
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-
19-list-of-guidance
Health
Phone calls to reduce GP visits for 42% of patients this winter
NEW research from the Royal Voluntary Service has shown that a simple phone call could significantly impact well-being, reducing GP visits by 42% among patients who receive regular telephone support.
The charity urges those feeling isolated this winter, particularly the elderly, to use telephone support services as a way to improve health and free up GP appointments, potentially reducing waiting times. It is estimated that if people experiencing loneliness in later life reduced their GP visits by just one appointment a year, this could free up 588,000 appointments annually.
As winter approaches, the Royal Voluntary Service reports that isolation can sharply increase, especially for adults over 75, with nearly half (47%) of people in this age group feeling lonelier in the colder months. Among those who live alone, one in six say they feel forgotten during winter, and 20% report having no one to turn to for emotional support.
In addition to loneliness, older generations face several winter worries, including increased heating costs, cited by 55% of respondents, and reduced ability to go out, which 29% said they dreaded as winter sets in.
To address these challenges, Royal Voluntary Service has launched the Stay Safe, Warm and Well campaign in partnership with Yakult. The campaign provides a guide for practical and emotional winter preparation, encouraging sign-ups for telephone support services and offering access to the Virtual Village Hall online community for events and activities. Practical advice on money-saving and energy-saving tips is also available through the guide.
Royal Voluntary Service Ambassador Elaine Paige, who has herself made support calls for the charity, described the positive impact these calls can have. “A warm, friendly phone call can transform someone’s day. Some conversations leave you smiling long after the call ends—something we could all use, especially in winter. For those facing the season alone, there are amazing people ready to remind you that you’re not alone,” she said.
The charity’s support services match volunteers with individuals across the UK for friendly chats, reducing isolation and boosting mental health. Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “The feedback that conversations with volunteers are helping people to visit their GP less is testament to the value of connection.”
Yakult Marketing Manager Reshma Patel added: “Our research with Royal Voluntary Service shows that one in four adults over 75 feel they’d benefit from practical and emotional support over winter. We are committed to helping people access the Stay Safe, Warm and Well guide to support their overall well-being.”
Crime
Welsh shop workers face ‘surge in shoplifting linked violence and abuse’ says union
A NEW survey by retail trade union Usdaw has revealed disturbing figures on the abuse, threats, and violence endured by Welsh shop workers, with incidents increasingly linked to shoplifting. Released during Respect for Shop Workers Week, which runs from November 11 to 17, the statistics highlight a troubling trend that is impacting thousands of retail employees.
Usdaw’s survey, based on responses from over 4,000 retail staff, shows that in the past year:
- 69% experienced verbal abuse.
- 45% were threatened by customers.
- 17% were assaulted.
Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis commented on the findings, saying: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive. These reports from Welsh retail staff make grim reading. It is shocking to see over two-thirds of our members subjected to abuse, threats, and violence. Seven in ten of these incidents are related to theft, much of it tied to addiction and organised crime.”
Usdaw’s survey suggests that shoplifting is increasingly becoming a flashpoint for violence. Many shop workers report encountering hardened criminals who appear to steal goods “to order” or to fund addictions. According to the union, incidents are on the rise across Wales, with police-reported shoplifting up by 33% in the past year.
Usdaw member testimonies paint a vivid picture of the dangers faced on the shop floor:
- One respondent described being “spat at, pushed against a wall, punched, and threatened with a knife.”
- Another reported that, after refusing to sell alcohol, they were told to “F**k off” and threatened with a beating by a group of five.
- Others spoke of being punched, spat on, and verbally abused, with threats that often left lasting emotional scars.
New measures on the horizon
Usdaw has been calling for greater legal protection for retail workers for years, and it appears these calls are finally being heard. The recent Crime and Policing Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, proposes to:
- End the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has been a source of frustration for retailers.
- Introduce town centre banning orders for repeat offenders.
- Allocate funding for tackling organised shoplifting and increase police presence in shopping areas.
“We welcome these new measures and hope they will provide much-needed protection,” said Mr. Lillis. “After 14 years of neglect under successive Tory governments, we are encouraged by the steps the new Labour government is taking to address the retail crime epidemic.”
As Christmas approaches—a time when retail crime tends to peak—Usdaw is urging the public to “respect shop workers” and remain calm as stores become busier.
Usdaw, which represents around 360,000 members, primarily in retail, launched its Freedom From Fear Campaign to tackle the growing issue of violence against shop workers. The final results of the 2024 survey are expected in March 2025.
Charity
Milford Haven RNLI celebrates heartfelt donation from Neyland Ladies Choir
MILFORD HAVEN RNLI Fundraising Group received a generous donation of over £1,000 from Neyland Ladies Choir this October, marking a touching tribute to Mrs. Dorothy Beckett, one of the RNLI’s longest-standing supporters.
The Neyland Ladies Choir held a special concert at St. Mary’s Church on Waterloo Road, Hakin, to celebrate Dorothy Beckett’s 90th birthday. A lifelong supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dorothy has played a crucial role in lifeboat fundraising in the Milford Haven area, dating back to the 1970s. She was instrumental in establishing the Hakin Point RNLI fundraising group, which has raised over £500,000 to support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.
The concert’s proceeds were presented in a moving ceremony at Bethesda Baptist Church in Neyland. Accepting the donation on behalf of the RNLI were Steve Lewis, Chairman of the fundraising group, and Thomas Kehoe, Deputy Coxswain of the Angle Lifeboat.
Adding to the evening’s celebrations, Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager, presented Dorothy with the Long Service Medal, recognizing her fifty years of dedication to the institution. This award, given by the RNLI, honors Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.
“Thank you, Neyland Ladies Choir and Dorothy Beckett,” said the RNLI in a heartfelt message to the community. “Your support and dedication mean the world to us.”
The Milford Haven RNLI Fundraising Group encourages supporters to share and spread the word, hoping that Dorothy’s legacy inspires continued community support.
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