News
Welsh pair named as UK’s unbreakable lockdown heroes following BT’s Nationwide search

BT HAS today revealed that Laura Llewellyn Jones, alongside Iestyn Griffiths, from Pembrokeshire, have been named as one of the UK’s everyday ‘Unbreakable’ heroes.
The entries follow a call to action to the public to nominate those individuals who used the power of the internet to make a difference during a unique and challenging year, as BT marks the roll out of the UK’s first unbreakable home wi-fi service backed up by EE, the UK’s most reliable mobile network.
Laura, who co-founded The West End of Wales Orchestra with Iestyn Griffiths, harnessed the power of the internet to support out of work Welsh musicians throughout the pandemic, with virtual performances and educating and mentoring young musicians – in the most challenging of times. An online celebration of Wales for St David’s day gwlad! streamed to over 1200 households, with the pair collaborating from a distance of over 100 miles, bringing together musicians based all over the UK in the finest of virtual music making, raising over to £25,000 in the process.
“Iestyn and I, along with the West End of Wales are thrilled to be named as BT Unbreakable winners. For us, it celebrates our first year of work as a collective, at a time when the Arts industry was so devasted by the pandemic. To be titled “Unbreakable” really does sum up how we as musicians faced the challenge of the last year, and thankfully we were all able to stay connected.”
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, who teamed up with BT to help find these unsung heroes of lockdown, delivered the news via video call to the hero ‘Unbreakables’, including Laura and Iestyn from Wales, who were both highlighted for their unique use of the power of the internet to keep people going during lockdown.
Sophie, whose own iconic live-streamed Kitchen Discos were a constant source of fun and escapism for millions, used the calls to learn more about the inspirational stories of connection behind each Unbreakable hero and thank the trio for their commitment to helping others.
To commemorate the achievements of these unsung heroes, Sophie will perform in BT’s Unbreakable Disco on Thursday 3rd June 2021 at 6:30pm, in a one-off live-streamed performance, powered by BT’s Hybrid Broadband, the UK’s first unbreakable home wi-fi that’s backed up by EE award-winning mobile network. During the show, the Murder on the Dancefloor songstress will perform her favourite tunes, dedicated to the newly crowned Unbreakables, as well as share special shout-outs to some of the nation’s nominated heroes.
Kerry, Laura and Chris were amongst a host of unsung members of the public nominated for harnessing the power of the internet to help people stay connected and motivated in their own unique way during lockdown.
BT’s Unbreakable virtual gallery – a dedicated online gallery space featuring the nation’s nominations – showcased hundreds of individuals over the past month, who used the power of the internet to make a difference during a unique and challenging year.
Sharon Meadows, Director of Propositions, BT’s Consumer Division said: “We set out on our search to find the nation’s Unbreakables, to celebrate the everyday heroes across communities who used the power of the internet to help others during this difficult time. The inspirational stories of Kerry, Laura and Chris are three great examples of this, their own unique efforts kept thousands of people entertained, connected and upbeat during lockdown.”
She adds: “As well as the dedication and selflessness shown by each Unbreakable, access to a reliable internet connection was at the heart of making these stories possible. So we’re proud to be celebrating their achievements and the wider list of everyday heroes during BT’s Unbreakable Disco with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, a special one-off live stream, powered by BT’s Hybrid Broadband, the UK’s first unbreakable home wi-fi, backed up by EE’s award-winning mobile network.”
Fans can tune into BT’s Unbreakable Disco with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, powered by BT’s Hybrid Broadband on Thursday, 3 June 2021 at 6:30pm live on BT’s YouTube page
Community
£5.25m Welsh Government funding to benefit unpaid carers

UNPAID carers in Wales will continue to receive additional support to take well-earned breaks from their caring role, Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden has said.
The Minister has also confirmed funding is being made available to continue support for carers on low incomes to buy essential items.
The Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund will receive £3.5m and £1.75m respectively for 2025/26 from the Welsh Government.
These schemes are in addition to the duties that local authorities are under to provide appropriate support for carers.
The Short Breaks Scheme is on track to deliver, or exceed, the target of 30,000 additional short break opportunities by March 2025. Its extension will continue to help unpaid carers in Wales take breaks from their responsibilities to support their wellbeing.
The funding can be used, for example, for short holidays, activity days and cinema trips. It can also support carers in pursuing a hobby or sport.
Recent findings suggest only 14% of the adult carers who have benefitted from the scheme had also accessed a break from elsewhere in the last 12 months, demonstrating the crucial role it is playing. 80% of those benefitting from the scheme are providing more than 50 hours of care a week.
The Carers Support Fund provides emergency financial support for unpaid carers of all ages on low incomes to pay for essential items. This could be food, a household item or a utility bill. In addition, the fund also provides information to help people manage finances and ensure they are claiming all benefits and entitlements.
Almost half of unpaid carers accessing the schemes in the past three years were not previously known to services and so the schemes show the significant added value as a gateway to other forms of support.
Minister for Children and Social Care, Dawn Bowden said: “Unpaid carers play a crucial role in providing care for their family members and friends.
“I am delighted we are providing funding for the coming year to help more unpaid carers take short breaks as there is good evidence they can have a big impact on wellbeing.
“We also know many unpaid carers experience financial pressures because of their caring role and the Carers Support Fund will continue to provide crucial additional assistance for carers on low incomes.”
Carers Trust Director for Wales, Kate Cubbage, said: “We’ve heard from thousands of unpaid carers that the Short Breaks Scheme has given them their first access to a break from caring and that grants through the Carers Support Fund have been essential to keep food on the table and heat in their homes.
“These programmes are needed now more than ever, as costs rise and our partners in health and social care face increasing pressures. Our colleagues in statutory services tell us that modest investments in these transformative programmes make a difference to sustaining carers in their vital caring role and prevent the need for further intervention from acute services.
“As the National Coordinating Body for the Short Breaks Scheme and the organisation leading delivery of the Carers Support Fund, Carers Trust welcomes Welsh Government’s commitment to safeguarding these vital programmes with an assurance of funding for another year.
“This funding will enable local carer organisations and delivery partners to reach thousands more unpaid carers with a much-needed break from caring and with protection from the sharpest end of poverty into 2026.”
News
Simon Hart’s memoir reveals inside story of Westminster chaos

SIMON HART, the former MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, is set to lift the lid on the political turmoil of recent years with his new book, Ungovernable: The Political Diaries of a Chief Whip, due for release on February 27, 2025.
The memoir promises a rare, behind-the-scenes account of life inside the Conservative government during one of its most chaotic periods. Hart, who served as Chief Whip under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, provides an unfiltered look at the party’s internal struggles, resignations, and public controversies that rocked Westminster between 2019 and 2024.

From power to crisis
Having first been elected in 2010, Hart represented South Pembrokeshire and parts of Carmarthenshire for over a decade before boundary changes saw him lose his seat in 2024. His political career saw him rise to the role of Secretary of State for Wales under Boris Johnson before taking on the crucial but often misunderstood position of Chief Whip in Sunak’s government.
In Ungovernable, Hart describes how he witnessed the Conservative Party unravel from a position of strength to electoral vulnerability. He provides firsthand insight into the party’s inner workings, dealing with rebellious MPs, scandal-ridden colleagues, and the battle to maintain discipline within the government.
Westminster’s scandals and secrets
Among the most revealing aspects of the book are Hart’s accounts of the defection of Conservative MPs to Labour, the fallout from Liz Truss’s 49-day premiership, and the struggles to manage a party fractured by Brexit, infighting, and scandal. He details the dramatic moments that saw fifteen Tory MPs leave their seats under his tenure, including high-profile figures such as Nadine Dorries, whose controversial resignation caused months of political tension, and Matt Hancock, suspended after his infamous appearance on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.
Hart also delves into Lee Anderson’s suspension over inflammatory remarks about the London Mayor, and the internal battles over government policies, leadership, and media spin.

Praise for an insider’s account
The book has already attracted attention from senior political figures. Rory Stewart, former MP and political commentator, described it as “a remarkable insight into a critical moment”, while Michael Dobbs, author of House of Cards, praised Hart’s blunt honesty, calling it a “balls-up-to-break-down account of how the Tories managed to fall flat on their faces”.
For Pembrokeshire readers, Ungovernable provides a unique perspective from a local politician who operated at the very heart of Westminster’s power struggles. Whether a supporter or critic of his time in office, Simon Hart’s memoir promises to be a fascinating and controversial account of one of the most dramatic chapters in modern British politics.
Community
Port issue warning over damage to Milford Beach access route

THE PORT of Milford Haven has issued a warning regarding a wall collapse on the hot water slip access to Milford Beach.
Residents and visitors are urged to stay clear of the affected area and avoid using this access route while investigations and repairs are carried out.
Please share this message to help ensure public safety.
Thank you.
-
Business4 days ago
Digital marketing challenges for rural Welsh businesses
-
News4 days ago
Police report filed over Neyland Town Council email controversy
-
Health4 days ago
Emergency care failing in Wales, warns damming report
-
Crime4 days ago
Woman caught with knife in Pembroke Dock blames drugs
-
Politics4 days ago
Pembrokeshire council tax rise of 9.85 per cent backed
-
News5 days ago
Secrecy over Milford Haven Library rent as council faces funding ultimatum
-
News4 days ago
Concerns mount over rising violence in Welsh schools
-
Community2 days ago
Port’s support for library already ‘many hundreds of thousands of pounds’