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‘We are all vulnerable in this crisis’ – urgent appeal to stay home and save lives this Easter Bank Holiday weekend

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Doctors, carers and vulnerable families are urging everyone to stay home and save lives this Easter, as part of continued efforts by police to keep the public safe.

From today (Thursday) Dyfed-Powys Police will be conducting increased stop-checks on arterial roads into Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Powys to ensure only those who need to travel are doing so.

Patrols will also continue across the four counties to ensure social distancing rules are being observed as we head into the sunny Bank Holiday weekend.

As part of the campaign key workers, cancer survivors, transplant patients and others who are most at risk have recorded personal pleas to the public to follow government advice and stay at home.

These include a GP from Pembrokeshire, the leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, Helen (a home care worker from Powys) and radio DJ Tommo.

Roads Policing Inspector Andy Williams said the response from the public since the UK was placed in lockdown two weeks ago had been hugely positive, but it was vital locals and potential visitors continued to stay at home this weekend.

“We understand that Easter is a time when families and friends would usually get together to celebrate and make the most of the fine weather outside,” he said.

“But this remains a public health emergency, with many lives at stake if people do not continue to follow the government guidance.

“This isn’t just about protecting ourselves and our loved ones – it’s thinking about every shop worker, carer or off-duty paramedic we might come into contact with when out and about.

“Social distancing is essential if we are to reduce the spread of the virus and keep everyone safe.”

He added: “We will maintain a strong presence on roads across the force area this weekend, ensuring only those who need to travel are doing so.

“More people on the roads also means a greater likelihood of vehicles breaking down or being involved in an accident, which puts further strain on emergency services.”

Yesterday the Welsh Government confirmed the current UK-wide lockdown, which permits only essential travel, would be extended beyond the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Shopping for basic necessities such as food, daily exercise, travelling to and from work if you are unable to work from home, or having a genuine medical need remain the main reasons for people to need to leave their homes.

Separate advice has been issued to individuals and households who are ‘shielding’ due to existing health vulnerabilities.

The government has also clarified that those experiencing domestic abuse, or who may be at an increased risk due to lockdown measures, should still seek help.

Anyone in immediate danger should still call 999 and ask for the police.

Those who are unable to talk on the phone should call 999 and then press 55, and call handlers will listen to any background noise and make an assessment of the situation in order to respond correctly.

Crime

Ceredigion man sentenced for selling £150,000 in illegal DVDs

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A CEREDIGION man has been sentenced for selling counterfeit DVDs worth £150,000 under major brand names without authorization.

David Robert Thomas, 47, from Sarnau, ran a sophisticated online operation, producing and selling fake DVDs labeled with brands like Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Sony, and Universal City Studios LLC. Thomas used seven different websites and managed multiple bank and PayPal accounts, including those of family members, to carry out his business.

Councillor Matthew Vaux, Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “Counterfeiting is often thought of as a victimless crime, but it harms the local economy by undermining legitimate businesses that pay taxes and create real jobs. This result sends a clear message that counterfeit sales will not be tolerated, and we will act against offenders.”

Thomas pleaded guilty at Swansea Crown Court on Monday (Nov 11) and was sentenced to 20 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. His sentence includes a four-month curfew and fifteen Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.

Under the Crime Act 2002, forfeiture proceedings will follow to reclaim the financial benefits from Thomas’s criminal activities. Judge Richards took into account the market value of equivalent genuine goods, the sophisticated setup of Thomas’s business, and his previously clean record in reaching the sentencing decision.

The case was brought forward successfully by Ceredigion County Council’s Trading Standards Service.

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News

Poignant Poppy Walk created in Milford Haven following Remembrance Day

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YOUNG people have again created a fitting tribute in honour of Remembrance Day with a Poppy Walk established along Hamilton Terrace.

On Monday (Nov 11) veterans working for the youth service identify young people to support them in using wreaths laid at the cenotaph to mount them along the railings between the Royal British Legion in Milford down to the Cenotaph itself.

This has now become an annual event with the service, in previous years young people from Milford Haven School and members of Milford Haven Youth Club have completed this work. This year it was young people and staff from Futureworks who helped youth workers.  

In previous years the feedback from the public has been extremely positive and this year was no exception with members of the public stopping and speaking to the young people to ask what they were doing and to share their thanks for adding to the community in a respectful way. 

Milford Town Council has supported the Poppy Walk since its inception and again were grateful to the youth service and the young people for leading on this work.

Jimmy Wilson, youth worker and former member of the Kings’ Own Royal Border Regiment said: “The fact that these young people have come in on their day off to volunteer their time to create the poppy walk shows that they value the service of the armed forces and understand the significance of remembrance day and the sacrifices made by both serving and ex forces members.”

The above picture includes Alfie, Kaden, Lily, Megan and Jenna with staff from Pembrokeshire Youth Service and Futureworks.

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Entertainment

Creatives connect in Fishguard: Mastering social media and sparking collaborations 

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Musicians, photographers, filmmakers, and content creators gathered for an inspiring evening of collaboration and conversation at Creative West Wales’ latest event.

A well-attended panel discussion and networking event held in Ffwrn, Fishguard last month, focused on the use of social media and digital images to market the music sector.

A panel of experts from the music industry including Siân Adler of Trigger Happy Creative, Alun Llwyd CEO of PYST Ltd and Owain Elidir Williams, founder of music magazine Klust, discussed the use of social media platforms as a tool for the creative industries.

A speed-networking session enabled those attending to connect with fellow creatives from across the sectors and explore potential collaborations, business opportunities and support.

Siân said: “It’s really exciting to see projects like Creative West Wales exist – it can be difficult to make new connections in the industry especially outside of the city but having opportunities like the panel/networking event held at Ffwrn was great. 

“Every year our company films at Other Voices Festival and are always looking for local crew so to be able to meet and connect with local creatives was a great opportunity for us.”

The Creative West Wales event was funded by the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by Pembrokeshire County Council’s business team.

Creative Industries Officer Anwen Baldwin said: “It was great to get so many talented local people with a range of skills together in one room. Often people are unaware of fellow creatives who may be living and working just down the road. 

“Hopefully this will lead to many future collaborations. We’ve already had positive feedback about the value of this event, and plan to arrange more networking events of this kind to bring people together from across the sectors.”

Creative West Wales aims to facilitate conversations and connections. Primarily focusing on the music, screen, gaming, publishing and animation sectors, the network links people working in the creative industries across the counties of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, in a bid to share opportunities, information and encourage collaboration.To find out more about the available activities or to join the Creative West Wales Network please visit: www.creativewest.wales

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