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.
News
Tragedy above Milford Haven takeaway

DYFED POWYS POLICE has confirmed that a 20-year-old male passed away in Milford Haven last Saturday, April 17.
Police were called to the USA Fried Chicken store on Charles Street at around 1:30pm but have said there are no suspicious circumstances.
A Herald reporter was at the scene and witnessed a number of police cars and an ambulance while plain-clothed officers were also seen.
HM Coroner has been informed.
A Welsh Ambulance Service spokesperson added: “We were called to Charles Street in Milford Haven on Saturday 17 April at approximately 1.34pm to reports of a medical emergency. We attended the scene with one emergency ambulance where we assisted colleagues from the police.”
Health
Tavernspite School the ‘healthiest of schools despite the pandemic’

THE STAFF, governors, parents, and of course, the children of Tavernspite Community Primary School are delighted to gain the Welsh Network of Healthy School Schemes National Quality Award for an incredible 5th time after a recent and very rigorous assessment.
The school is already well known and highly regarded for its outstanding work in developing the health and wellbeing of all members of its school community. To achieve this prestigious recognition in the midst of a pandemic is all the more impressive.
Health and Wellbeing at the school is led by teacher, Lauren Arthur, who has done an incredible job preparing for this re-assessment and raising the profile of the Healthy Schools scheme.
The assessor Mrs Lynne Perry, enjoyed a virtual tour and presentation by Year 3 pupils who took great pleasure in proudly showing Mrs Perry all the wonderful work the school has done to ensure its children are safe, happy with high levels of emotional and physical wellbeing.
In her report, Mrs Perry wrote, ‘Tavernspite School continues to be an outstanding health promoting school. The health promoting school ethos is evident across the whole school population and it runs seamlessly throughout everything that the school does. Tavernspite School continues to give high priority to promoting and enhancing the health and well-being of the whole school community.’
The school received fantastic support from Mrs Liz Western, Senior Public Health Officer and Lead for Healthy Schools and Pre-schools, Pembrokeshire, to whom they are very grateful.
Head teacher Kevin Phelps said, ‘We were delighted to receive this award for the fifth time, particularly considering the experiences we have all been through these past twelve months. Health and wellbeing has never been so important and we are proud to be leading the way like this.’
News
Joinery learner through to Screwfix Trade Apprentice of the Year Finals

PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE joinery learner, Conor Ratcliff has made it through to the final ten in this year’s Screwfix Trade Apprentice of the Year competition.
Now in its seventh year, the competition celebrates the next generation of tradespeople as they start out on their career. With over 2,500 nominations, Conor was shortlisted to the top 30 where he had to deliver a video presentation to industry-leading judges and trade body representatives. Judged on professionalism, creativity, innovation, enthusiasm and knowledge of their trade, Conor impressed the judges and is now in the final 10.
Simon Jackson, Screwfix Customer and Digital director, commented: “Every year we are amazed by the outstanding quality of entrants and, this year, we are on the lookout for apprentices who go above and beyond to succeed within their chosen trade.
“We’ve seen how this career-boosting accolade and £10,000 prize bundle helps kickstart an apprentice’s career. I’d like to wish everyone through to this stage the best of luck!”
The prize package includes everything a future tradesperson may need to start up their own business including £5,000 of tools, a £3,000 training budget and £2,000 worth of technology. The college where they study will also receive £2,000.
Conor is thrilled to have made it through to the finals and commented: “I am extremely honoured to have made it this far in the competition and I am very excited for the final event. It would be an amazing opportunity for me, if I won this competition.
“I hope it encourages more people to consider an apprenticeship in a trade, the Carpentry and Joinery department have been incredibly supportive during my studies.”
The Final is due to take place imminently where the judges will conduct an online interview with the ten finalists before selecting and announcing their overall winner.
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