News
RNAD Trecwn could be ‘ticking time bomb’ says Greenpeace
BUILT just before World War II RNAD Trecwn, during its working life, was used to store and distribute various munitions until 1992, when the MoD placed it on care and maintenance which effectively closed the site.
The entire site was sold to Omega Pacific in 1998 for £329,000, with the stated intention of using the surface buildings for aircraft engine maintenance, while the caverns would be used for the storage of nuclear waste.
A lack of planning consent and fierce local opposition resulted in the site being sold to The Manhattan Loft Corporation in 2002 who planned to turn the site into an industrial estate.
Plans submitted by The Valley (Pembrokeshire) Ltd to build a 25-megawatt biomass energy plant on the site were conditionally approved in 2015, but little, if any, work has taken place.
The most notable thing to happen concerning RNAD Trecwn since then is its inclusion on an NRW list of 1500 sites that contain hazardous waste.
Reacting to the news, Greenpeace branded all 1,572 locations as “ticking time bombs”.
RNAD Trecwn contains a “munitions destruction and phosphorous burning area” from a time before landfill sites were properly lined and contamination from those activities could have affected the environment around the former armament depot.
Gareth Lewis, NRW’s lead waste policy specialist said the agency had “details on the type and quantity of waste deposited”.
“Older permitted sites like these are reviewed consistently by ourselves and local councils to ensure we minimise the risk to people, animals and the environment.”
A spokesman for The Welsh Local Government Association said: “There are responsibilities for managing sites whilst operational and then for dealing with maintenance of closed sites,”.
Gareth Lewis went on to say that “most” landfills were now in private ownership and charged for the dumping of rubbish.
“Natural Resources Wales is responsible for licensing the sites and overseeing compliance with environmental legislation,”.
The nearby village of Trecwn was forced to live off of bottled water in 2019 because tap water was coming out ‘looking like a cup of tea’ and smelling strongly of Chlorine.
Water tests carried out at the time in properties on Barham Road showed iron levels of around 1800 micrograms per litre – nine times the legal limit, those properties get their water from a network of pipes that come from RNAD Trecwn and were built when the armament depot was originally constructed.
Community
Fire service sets out new flood response plan for Mid and West Wales
AROUND 31,000 properties across Mid and West Wales are at risk of flooding, according to figures released as part of a new fire service response strategy.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has completed a major engagement process to shape how it deals with future flooding incidents.
The work brought together operational crews, partner agencies and community representatives through a series of “Flooding Balanced Room” workshops.
The service said the aim was to make sure all voices were heard equally while developing practical options for prevention, response and recovery.
Nearly 24,000 properties in the service area are at risk from river flooding, while more than 7,000 are at risk from tidal flooding.

The service attends around 300 water rescue and weather-related flooding incidents each year.
Officials say flooding is becoming more frequent and more serious because of climate change, including heavier rainfall and prolonged weather events.
Recent data also shows a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest number of flooding incidents taking place between October and February.
The third quarter of 2025/26 was the busiest for flooding incidents since 2017/18, while February 2020 and November 2025 recorded the highest monthly levels of flooding activity.
The workshops produced four key priorities: prevention first, collaboration and partnership, enhanced specialist capability, and learning and continuous improvement.
Eleven initial options were narrowed down to five main areas.
These include better public education, community flood groups, improved flood messaging with partner agencies, more staff training, improved welfare and PPE for firefighters, better vehicles and technology, and stronger post-incident support for communities.
Proposals include using flood awareness in home fire safety checks, improving training scenarios, increasing the number of qualified water incident managers, expanding drone use, and using climate data to plan future fleet and equipment needs.
The options have now been assessed, with recommendations presented to the service’s Executive Leadership Team.
The plans will feed into the service’s future flooding strategy and its Community Risk Management Plan 2040.
Iwan Cray, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Flooding Balanced Room process has highlighted the importance of collaboration.
“By listening to our staff, partners, and communities, we’ve created practical, forward-thinking solutions that will strengthen our ability to prevent and manage flooding in Mid and West Wales.
“Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Wales.”
Crime
Trial of men accused of murdering Ian Watkins delayed
THE TRIAL of two prison inmates accused of murdering former Lostprophets singer Ian Watkins has been delayed by a day.
Watkins, who was serving a 29-year sentence for child sexual offences, died following an alleged attack at HMP Wakefield last October.
Rashid Gedel, 25, who has been referred to in court as Rico Gedel, and Samuel Dodsworth, 43, were due to stand trial at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday (May 5).
The case is now expected to begin on Wednesday (May 6).
Watkins was jailed in December 2013 for 29 years, with a further six years on licence, after admitting a series of child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.
He was arrested after police executed a drugs warrant at his home in Pontypridd on September 21, 2012. Officers seized computers, mobile phones and storage devices, which later revealed evidence of his offending.
Watkins had previously been taken to hospital after being attacked in prison in 2023.
In 2019, he was jailed for an additional ten months after being found guilty of possessing a mobile phone while in prison.
Charity
Home-Start Cymru highlights vital support for parents during Maternal Mental Health Week
CHARITY Home-Start Cymru is calling for greater awareness and support for parents facing mental health challenges during the early years of family life.
The appeal comes as Maternal Mental Health Week shines a spotlight on the emotional wellbeing of mothers and parents across Wales.
The charity is sharing the story of Naomi Durham, a mother of two who previously received support from Home-Start Cymru.
Naomi said that, while she appeared to be coping, she was privately struggling with postnatal depression, health issues and the pressure of raising two young children alone.
She said: “On the outside, I tried to look like I was coping, but inside things were falling apart.
“I was struggling with postnatal depression, managing my health, and raising two young children on my own. For a long time, it felt like nobody really knew how to help me.
“But when I was matched with a Home-Start Cymru volunteer, everything began to change. For the first time in a long while, I felt like someone truly saw me and listened to me, and that support made all the difference.”
Home-Start Cymru said Naomi’s experience showed the impact that early intervention and compassionate, community-based support can have on families.
The charity provides volunteer-led, one-to-one support for families with young children across Wales. Parents are matched with trained volunteers who offer practical and emotional support, helping to reduce isolation, build resilience and improve wellbeing.
A spokesperson for Home-Start Cymru said: “Too many parents feel they have to struggle alone, particularly during the early years when the pressures can be overwhelming.
“Naomi’s story shows just how important it is for families to feel seen, heard, and supported. Our volunteers play a crucial role in offering that lifeline.”
Maternal Mental Health Week is used to raise awareness of conditions such as postnatal depression and to encourage parents to seek help.
Home-Start Cymru is urging anyone who may be struggling to reach out and access support.
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