News

Community effort brought Gareth home, says family

Published

3 years ago

May 25, 2021

THE family of a local man who went missing on Saturday (May 22) have said without the help of the local community they fear Gareth would yet to be found.

Gareth Howlett went missing after leaving Withybush Hospital (Haverfordwest) on Saturday after he was taken via ambulance.

33-year-old Gareth, who has a history of seizures, left Withybush unattended while dazed and confused after having three seizures in the morning which required him to be taken to hospital.

The family told this newspaper how Gareth would become like “a dementia patient” following a seizure and he had to be supervised as he was often left so confused he wouldn’t be able to navigate himself.

They also added that they were “well ahead of the police in every way” when it came to locating Gareth, going business to business checking CCTV, knocking doors and co-ordinating searches.

They have also expressed tremendous gratitude to the whole of the community for their efforts in helping to find Gareth.

After CCTV recordings provided to the family by Rob of S7 Fitness, showed Gareth entering into Withybush Woods, the family then contacted businesses around all exits and entrances to the woods to see if Gareth could be seen leaving.

After no proof that Gareth had left the woods, the family saturated their search within the area.

Many members of the community sprung into action organising searches, sharing Facebook posts and printing missing person posters.

Gareth’s sister Bethan told us how Callum Jones, a local arborist, used maps of the woods and worked out how many miles Gareth would be able to walk a day based on his physical state and local terrain then cordoned off areas on a map to concentrate the search.

Adding that Callum kept them up to date the whole time, she said: “He had ropes with him, blankets, sugary drinks and everything.

“He was the brains of the whole thing, he had thought of everything, he was amazing.”

Gareth was found on Monday evening by Paul Jewell, who, assisted by other members of the public, carried Gareth out of the woods and to an ambulance.

Speaking on the conditions Gareth were found in, sister Bethan told us how the rescuers had carried Gareth through bogs, streams and wooded areas to bring Gareth to safety.

Bethan said: “We want to thank the public for what they have done, words can’t say how much we appreciate everyone’s hard work and determination to find him.”

Bethan told us how Gareth was very pale, freezing cold to touch and soaked through when he was found.

The police had been searching in the woods earlier that day, however their efforts were not fruitful.

She added that the police had planned searches of the woods that were scheduled for today and tomorrow, but judging on Gareth’s condition when he was found, she couldn’t be sure that had the community not rallied together he would have made it another day.

Bethan told us how this is not an attack on the police or their efforts as she appreciates they have protocols and ways of doing things when it comes to missing persons, but it’s an appreciation for what truly was a community effort that brought Gareth home safely.

Gareth was taken to hospital via ambulance upon being rescued, and the family have said he is doing well.

Business

Wolfscastle Country Hotel crowned Wales’ best boutique wedding venue

Published

1 hour ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa has been named Wales’ Best Boutique Wedding Venue for 2024 at the prestigious Welsh National Wedding Awards.

The ceremony, held on Sunday (Nov 10) at Swansea’s Brangwyn Hall, welcomed more than 600 guests for its 13th annual celebration. Thousands of votes were cast by brides, grooms, and supporters to determine the winners from over 300 shortlisted nominees.

Double victory

The Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa not only won the regional title for west Wales but also secured the national accolade for the second time in three years.

Known for its glamorous reception spaces and elegant ceremony room, the hotel offers a comprehensive bridal package. This includes wedding accommodation and a private spa experience featuring a hot tub, sauna, and various treatments.

Celebrating success

Taking to social media, the hotel expressed gratitude to its guests and staff for their role in achieving this prestigious honour.

Hotel owner Andy Stirling said:
“We’re very proud to have been nominated and voted winners in both our local and national categories.

“I have the pleasure of seeing how tirelessly Lowri, and my wife Mandy Stirling, our wedding coordinators, work on every wedding to tailor the experience to suit the couples we have joining us.

“We pride ourselves on offering exquisite in-house catering provided by head chef Seb, head pastry chef Adama, and our excellent kitchen team, backed up by first-class table service from our highly experienced waiting staff.

“I am overwhelmingly grateful for the support of our guests and couples who have wedded with us in helping achieve this award.

“I know that myself and the team all look forward to hosting many more phenomenal weddings in the future.”

Welsh National Wedding Awards

The awards celebrate the best wedding venues and services across Wales, with attendees from all regions of the country.

***Celebrations: Andy and Mandy Stirling with wedding co-ordinator Lowri Nicholas (Pic: Wolfscastle Country Hotel and Spa)***

Community

Special guests for Torch showing of ‘Attack on Sorpe Dam’

Published

8 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY was the most appropriate day for the screening before a Pembrokeshire audience of a remarkable film, narrated by the last surviving ‘Dambuster’ of the RAF’s 617 Squadron.

The RAF’s Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Rob Woods, and World War II Veteran Duncan Hilling, of Saundersfoot, were chief guests at the Torch Theatre for the showing of ‘Attack on Sorpe Dam’, one of three large dams in Germany attacked by 617 Squadron in May 1943.

They were joined by service representatives, air cadets and many locals – the evening being a fundraising event for the International Bomber Command Centre (IBCC) in Lincolnshire.

Exquisitely created in digital format, the film describes the story of Avro Lancaster bomber AJ-T which attacked the Sorpe Dam, with the narration by the late Squadron Leader Johnny Johnson, who died in 2022. He was the bomb aimer on the aircraft which dropped an ‘Upkeep’ bomb on the dam.

It is the culmination of six years of work by film producer Andrew Panton and Pitor Forkasiewicz and is now part of the IBCC archive. Also shown was a short film ‘Remembering the Avro Lancaster’ in which four wartime aircrew visit a preserved Lancaster at a Lincolnshire museum. The film was launched that day by the IBCC, with the Torch audience being the first to see a live screening.

The event was organised by Andrew Panton’s brother, Ian, of St Davids, who commented: “There was no doubt that many found this a very special occasion for Remembering Them, and so many others, on Remembrance Sunday.”

On display during the evening was a Lancaster bomb aimer’s panel, re-created by Dr Andy Watkin, a Trustee of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre.

Entertainment

Two-day Christmas fair set for Pembrokeshire

Published

24 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s annual Christmas Fair will run for two days this year, on Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.

Held at the Parkhouse Building on the Haverfordwest Showground, the venue will transform into a festive shopping destination, offering an expanded range of stalls, live music, Santa’s Grotto, and an outdoor food court.

Expanded event

Event organisers Judith Roach and Emma Thomas expressed their excitement about the extended format. They said:
“We are thrilled to announce that our Christmas Fair will run for two days instead of just one. We are building on last year’s success with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. The Parkhouse Building will become a one-stop shop for everyone preparing for Christmas.”

The fair will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on both days, with free admission for all visitors.

Festive treats and unique gifts

Attendees can expect to browse an extensive selection of unique gifts, handmade decorations, artwork, and homeware. Local food and drink producers will also showcase festive delights, including chocolate brownies, fudge, spirits, and Welsh cheeses.

An outdoor food court will cater for visitors on the go, with a variety of hot and cold options.

Santa’s Grotto

Santa himself will make a special appearance, with children able to visit him for £3 per child. Each child will receive a small gift, with all proceeds going to the Sandy Bear charity. Advance bookings can be made via the Sandy Bear website.

Community effort

Adam Thorne, president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, praised the efforts of the event’s organisers:
“The society would like to thank Judith and Emma for their dedication in organising this two-day event. We’re delighted to offer visitors a chance to do their Christmas shopping while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourages visitors to follow the Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for updates and a complete list of stallholders.

The event promises to be a perfect start to the holiday season, welcoming families and shoppers alike.