News

Tiny Tavernspite hoglet trio are back in the wild

Published

4 years ago

September 2, 2020

Three orphaned baby hedgehogs have been returned to the wild after two months of rehabilitation and care, including being hand-reared by RSPCA officers when they were only days old.

RSPCA Cymru took the hoglets into their care after their nest in Tavernspite in Pembrokeshire was accidentally disturbed. The tiny babies were left in situ for some time in the hope their mother would return – but sadly, she never did.

The hoglets came into the RSPCA’s care on 8 June, and the three boys weighed just a combined 89 grams at the time – tipping the scales at 27g, 30g and 32g respectively.

Hand-rearing was crucial to their survival – and the trio were initially fed electrolyte fluids from a syringe by RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Ellie West and RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben. They were then moved onto a special milk formula they were given every two hours – including, initially, overnight.

The hogs – once weaned – were transferred to Gower Bird Hospital for further rehabilitation and care, before they were big and strong enough to be returned to the wild on 3 August – almost two months after first coming into the RSPCA’s care.

ACO West: “These poor hoglets were found in a desperate situation – as without their mother, they’d have had zero chance of survival.

“Fortunately, we became aware of their plight and took them into our care. I’ve helped care for many different species of orphaned wildlife – but these hoglets were particularly special.

“Weighing as little as 27 grams, these hogs needed plenty of care – and feeding them every two hours was exhausting, but well worth the end result.

“After a period of time with Gower Bird Hospital, we were able to return these wonderful animals to where they belong – the wild. The family who had first found the distrubed nest were able to safely witness the release too – which was a really lovely moment.”

Gower Bird Hospital has fitted the hoglets with coloured markers on their spines, so they can be identified should the hospital or the RSPCA deal with them again.

Hedgehogs typically give birth between June and July, and can have another nest of hoglets around September or October time. They sleep in a daynest and overwinter in a special nest called a hibernaculum. Extra care should be taken when gardening to avoid disturbing hedgehogs, and other wildlife, with preferential nest locations being thick undergrowth, under or in sheds, and in piles of leaves, logs or compost heaps. Bonfires should also always be checked for nesting hedgehogs before lighting them. If you do accidentally disturb a hedgehog whilst gardening, if possible re-cover them with their nesting material and leave them alone.

Further advice is available on the RSPCA’s ‘Living with Hedgehogs’ factsheet available on the charity’s website, as well as on the young hedgehogs page.

RSPCA officers have remained on the frontline throughout the coronavirus pandemic responding to emergencies. Should you wish to help this work, you can donate online.

Crime

Police arrest suspects following vehicle interferences in Haverfordwest

Published

14 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST police responded swiftly after reports of multiple vehicle interferences in the Tasker Way area on Sunday night/early Monday morning (Nov 4).

Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPPT) conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries, gathering evidence and reassuring the community. These efforts led to the identification of two suspects.

Both NPPT and Response teams acted promptly, locating and arresting the suspects, who are now in police custody.

News

Ancient Welsh hymns brought into 21st century with unique collaboration between Lleuwen Steffan and National Eisteddfod

Published

18 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Sarah Jane Absalom

Some of Wales’ long-forgotten hymn tunes are being brought vividly back to life this month, thanks to award-winning singer, songwriter and composer Lleuwen Steffan and her unique collaboration with the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Performing as ‘Tafod Arian’ (Silver Tongue), the collaboration pays homage to the lost voices of the past, and infuses these timeless melodies with some highly contemporary electronic arrangements.

The project originated in 2012 when Lleuwen was working on a music project at St Fagan’s National History Museum where she came across some long-forgotten recordings of hymns which had been left in the sound archives. None of these hymns could be found in the official hymn books nor the older hymnal editions, possibly as the result of their informal, conversational lyrics, or because they often delved into the world of addiction, mental illness and the darker side of the psyche.

But now these unpublished and unknown hymns will be heard for the first time in over a hundred years when Tabernacl Chapel, Maenclochog, will be one of 50 Welsh chapels to be visited by Tafod Arian.

With translations and insights, the tour breathes new life into archive recordings, ensuring these cherished sacred songs rightfully claim their place in today’s spotlight. Lleuwen masterfully combines electronic and acoustic instrumentation, seamlessly blending the past with the present, and takes the stage alongside a dynamic quintet of international musicians including Sioned Webb and Gethin Elis from Wales, and Nolwenn Korbell and Brieg Guerveno from Brittany.

Despite the hymns’ long-distant past, the music is firmly in the present as Lleuwen uses various instruments to provide angular electronic accompaniment as well as her soulful vocals and guitar. She provides translations and explanations as she proudly puts the archive recordings of the lost |Welsh hymns on centre stage. As a result, these sacred songs are being passed on orally rather than via the hymn book which is precisely how Welsh folk music was conveyed.

The long-forgotten hymns will be heard once again in all their glory at Tabernacle Chapel, Maenclochog on Sunday, November 17 at 6.30pm.

Crime

Suspended sentence for Goodwick man who sent sexual messages to young girl

Published

18 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Court Reporter

THE FATHER of a young girl sent sexual messages to an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old girl online, Swansea Crown Court heard this week.

An undercover police officer posed as a 12-year-old girl on the website RandoChat, with the decoy’s profile stating they were 18.

James Roberts messaged the decoy on 9 August, stating he was “looking for a naughty girl”.

The decoy promptly informed him that she was 12 years old; however, the defendant continued to send messages referencing sexual acts and self-gratification.

Roberts added the decoy on Snapchat, claiming to be 19 and living in England.

He again sent sexualised messages and, referring to the decoy’s age, said they were “never too young to start sending pictures”.

The defendant also told the decoy that he was having similar sexual conversations with a 14-year-old, Mr Dickens said.

Police attended Roberts’ home in Goodwick on 17 August, and he was arrested. He denied having a mobile phone, claiming he “had sent it off to Samsung to be fixed” but was “extremely vague” when asked for further details. Mr Dickens said no phone was ever recovered by police.

The 28-year-old Roberts pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child. The court heard that he had no previous convictions.

Hannah George, in mitigation, said the defendant showed “some degree of remorse” and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

“In the 13 months since he was interviewed there have been no further offences,” she said.

Ms George said Roberts had suffered “significant” shame and embarrassment as a result of the offences, and it had led to him losing his job.

He had previously been diagnosed with PTSD and suffered “deep periods of depression”, Ms George said.

She added that his contact with his young daughter “has been diminished” following these offences.

“You were in contact online with who you firmly believed to be a 12-year-old girl,” said Judge Paul Thomas KC, addressing Roberts.

“You have a two-year-old daughter. Just think how you would feel if a man in his thirties tried to have that sort of conversation with her in 10 years’ time.”

Roberts was sentenced to 30 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must complete 35 days of an accredited programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement programme days.

He must also register as a sex offender for 10 years and was made the subject of a three-year sexual harm prevention order.