News

Advice from First Minister as firebreak lock-down in Wales ends

Published

4 years ago

November 9, 2020

AS THE FIREBREAK ends in Wales, First Minister Mark Drakeford today asked everyone to think about how they can protect their families from the virus.

A new set of national measures will come into force today, replacing the firebreak regime. But people’s actions will be more important in controlling the spread of the virus than rules and regulations in the weeks and months ahead.

The First Minister is urging everyone to reduce the number of people they see and the time they spend with them to help reduce their risk of catching and passing on the virus.

Mark Drakeford said: “We all need to think about our own lives and what we can all do to keep our families safe. We need to stop thinking about the maximum limit of rules and regulations.

“Coronavirus is a highly infectious virus – it thrives on contact between people. To keep each other safe we need to reduce the number of people we have contact with and the amount of time we spend with them.

“There will be a new set of national measures from today, which will follow up all the hard work and sacrifices which have been made during the firebreak.

“We cannot go back to the way we were living our lives and throw away all that hard work.”

The new national measures include:

People will only be able to meet people who are part of their ‘bubble’ in their own home; only two households will be able to form a ‘bubble’. If one person from either household develops symptoms, everyone should immediately self-isolate.
People will be able to meet in groups of up to four people (not including any children aged under 11) in regulated indoor places, such as hospitality – bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants. No alcohol can be served in any of these venues between 10pm and 6am, and where premises have a licence to sell alcohol they will have to close at 10.20pm.
As part of keeping our risks to a minimum, people should avoid non-essential travel as much as possible. There will be no legal restrictions on travel within Wales for residents, but people can only travel into and out of Wales with a reasonable excuse.
Up to 15 people can take part in an organised indoors activity (such as an exercise class – where a responsible body is managing the event) and up to 30 in an organised activity outdoors, providing all social distancing, hand hygiene and other covid safety measures are followed.

In addition:

All childcare facilities, schools, further education colleges, work-based learning and adult learning providers can return to the same model of operation as before the firebreak.
Universities can continue to provide a combination of in-person teaching and blended learning.
Places of worship can resume services.
All retail businesses can reopen, including close-contact services such as hair dressers/barbers and beauty salons.
Sport and leisure facilities, including gyms and swimming pools, can reopen, but the operators must take all reasonable measures to manage risk and maintain physical distancing;
Entertainment venues can reopen. These include cinemas, bowling alleys, skating rinks, museums, galleries, bingo halls, casinos and amusement arcades, but theatres and concert halls, nightclubs and sexual entertainment venues are still required to be closed.
Local authority services can resume based on local circumstances.
Home viewings and home moves are allowed.
Visits to care homes will be permitted, subject to local circumstances.
All premises re-opening will still be required to take all reasonable measures to minimise the risks of spreading the virus. This includes measures to ensure 2m social distancing is observed, as well as other measures, such as restricting numbers, implementing one-way systems or limiting the time people can remain on the premises.

Everyone is also being urged to follow the basics at all times – maintain social distancing; washing their hands often and wearing a face mask indoor public places. People will also be asked to work from home whenever possible.

First Minister Mark Drakeford added: “Everyone in Wales has an important part to play in helping to prevent the spread of coronavirus – we cannot do this without your help.

“The new national measures are designed to protect people’s health and limit the harm from the virus.

“Government rules and regulations are here to help. But the real strength we have is in the choices we make and the actions we take together.”

Community

Fire crews join St Davids Cathedral on collaborative training day

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CREWS from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service joined staff at St Davids Cathedral on Thursday for a collaborative training day, blending skills and expertise in a unique historic setting.

The fire service conducted a series of exercises, including a dramatic rescue simulation, where they practiced retrieving a ‘body’ from the cathedral tower. The exercise demonstrated the precision and teamwork required for emergency scenarios, particularly in complex environments like heritage buildings.

Such training is essential due to the unique challenges posed by historic landmarks. St Davids Cathedral, with its ancient architecture and narrow stairways, presents potential obstacles in emergency situations. Fire crews must be prepared to navigate these complexities to ensure the safety of visitors, staff, and the preservation of the structure itself.

Additionally, the presence of large numbers of visitors during peak periods increases the need for effective response strategies. Collaboration between the cathedral’s staff and emergency services ensures everyone is prepared to act swiftly and efficiently in the event of a fire or medical emergency.

A spokesperson for St Davids Cathedral said: “It was great to have the fire crews join us – their training exercises added an exciting and valuable dimension to our day. Their work highlights the importance of being prepared for any eventuality.”

The fire service also benefited from the day, as training in real-world settings like St Davids Cathedral helps refine their approach to tackling emergencies in historic and culturally significant buildings.

Photo caption: Rescue simulation: Fire crews conducted a ‘body’ rescue from the tower during a joint training day (Pic: St Davids Cathedral).

Business

Residents meet with local politicians over A477 road safety concerns

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the Eglwyscummin Community Council and residents of the village of Red Roses today (Friday 17^th January) called a road-side meeting with local politicians Samuel Kurtz MS, Cefin Campbell MS and Ann Davies MP to highlight what they consider to be an ‘unsafe’ junction.

Growing concerns about the safety of the Red Roses junction brought about by the increase in near misses and accidents from users of the junction was evidenced during the meeting. The community hope that continued pressured on Welsh Government will deliver the additional safety modifications needed to reduce the number of incidents happening at the junction.

The local Member of Senedd for Carmerthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz, has been leading the campaign with the Community Council and has been liaising with SWTRA and Welsh Government Ministers to call for action on this junction.

He has already delivered a successful campaign to change the road layout of the notorious A477 Nash Fingerpost junction following several serious accidents, which is already being of real benefit to the local community. He hopes to build on this success by continuing to fight for further improvements in Red Roses and address the speeding issues being experienced on the A477 through the village of Milton.

Following the community meeting, Samuel Kurtz MS commented: “The Community Council have been extremely active in sharing the experiences that drivers are having at this junction and have put forward some recommendations that they believe will make it safer. Sadly, it’s a typical case of the junction meeting all the criteria on paper, but in practice, it’s dangerous and needs addressing.”

“ In this case, traffic travelling Westward towards Pembroke at speed have no turn off lane before having to slow down to virtually a standstill to make the narrow sharp lefthand turn off the A477 to Red Roses. On this fast busy road, it has been the root cause of the sign being crashed into on several occasions as drivers have failed to make the turn. There are crashes or near misses, as cars break sharply to try to make the turn as safely as possible.”

He added: “I believe that there are some relatively straight forward steps that can be taken which will deliver improvement and I’ve been asking Welsh Government for a review of the A477 and will invite road officials to see for themselves the junction in use. But I do need feedback from the local community to help make the case to Welsh Government. I’m asking people to get in touch with me via my Facebook page or email to share their experience, opinion, or example of any issues they may have had or witnessed using this stretch of road.”

Pictured above: Members of the Eglwyscummin Community Council at the road-side meeting with local politicians Samuel Kurtz MS, Cefin Campbell MS and Ann Davies MP discussing safety concerns at the Red Roses junction.

Business

Haverfordwest Farmers Market: Local producers and fresh produce

Published

2 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AS County Councillor for Castle Ward, Thomas Tudor expressed his delight after visiting the Haverfordwest Farmers Market. Held in Castle Square, the market showcases a variety of high-quality local produce, offering a vibrant community shopping experience.

Fresh produce every Friday

The Haverfordwest Farmers Market takes place every Friday from 9:00am to 2:00pm in the heart of Pembrokeshire’s bustling county town. Visitors can explore a wide range of stalls offering fresh produce, meats, crafts, and organic goods directly from local farmers, growers, and artisans.

Market Manager Joanne Welch explained: “Customers enjoy a memorable shopping experience in a vibrant, friendly atmosphere, have confidence in the producers, their products, and can always rely on the high-quality produce available at every market.”

Why shop local?

The market serves as a hub for supporting local businesses and reducing food miles. “Buying local makes sense,” Joanne continued. “Not only does it benefit the local economy, but it guarantees the freshest produce that is great value for money—and tastes fantastic too!”

What you need to know

Purpose: Farmers markets provide a unique opportunity to connect with local producers while enjoying fresh, quality food. Supporting these markets ensures a sustainable future for local farmers and reduces the environmental impact of long food supply chains.
Hygiene standards: Stallholders adhere to the same strict hygiene regulations as other food retailers, ensuring safety and quality for customers.
Cost: While prices may not always be cheaper, the quality and freshness of the products offer excellent value for money.

For those looking to enjoy a unique shopping experience, Castle Square in Haverfordwest is the place to be every Friday. Explore the best of Pembrokeshire’s local produce and craft while supporting your community.