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New 20mph speed limit in St Dogmaels is welcomed

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Pictured at St Dogmaels are (left to right) Cllr Phillip Hutchings, Chair of St Dogmaels Community Council, Fiona Andrews from St Dogmaels 20 is Plenty for Us, Cllr Phil Baker, Clare Williams, Senior Traffic & Road Safety Engineer, and Cllr Mike James.

NEW 20mph signs have gone up throughout St Dogmaels as part of a Welsh Government trial to reduce the national speed limit from 30mph to 20mph in residential areas.

The village is one of eight settlements chosen from across Wales to trial a consistent and steady 20 mph speed limit in preparation for the proposed national roll out.

It comes as overwhelming evidence shows that lower speeds result in fewer collisions and a reduced severity of injuries; and consistent evidence of a reduction in the number of casualties when 20mph limits are introduced.

Cllr Phil Baker, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, said lower speed limits are also the key to healthier streets.

“It creates more opportunities for walking and cycling, and enhances quality of life – families and older people are more likely to stop and chat outdoors when there is slower traffic and the environment is quieter and calmer,” he said.

Local families have welcomed the scheme – pictured is Finley from St Dogmaels 20 is Plenty for Us

The new speed limit has been welcomed by community group St Dogmaels 20 is Plenty for Us. Member Sally Davies, who lives with her young family on the High Street, said: “Living in such a wonderful village with a 20mph speed limit gives myself and my four children greater confidence and happiness to cycle and walk through the village.”

Fellow member Fiona Andrews added: “We are delighted that the new, safer and friendlier 20 mph speed limit has now been rolled out in our village. 

“Our traditional streets are very pretty but, like many rural villages, also narrow, and in some sections there are no pavements at all. Local parents with young children and older residents say they will now feel much happier and less stressed getting around the village. There is more freedom and independence for younger locals and less isolation for older residents. 

“We are very grateful to Pembrokeshire County Council for all the work that we know has gone in to preparations to introduce the scheme.”

Cllr Mike James, the county councillor for St Dogmaels, said the scheme had been very well received by residents, and that it would also benefit visitors.

Freya from St Dogmaels 20 is Plenty for Us

“We’re proud that St Dogmaels is a popular village and we welcome many visitors throughout the year,” he said. ““The introduction of a 20mph speed limit, encouraging everyone to travel at a lower speed throughout the village, is key to enhancing the community, safety and visitor experience.”

The other pilot settlements in Wales are Abergavenny, Central North Cardiff, Severnside in Monmouthshire, Buckley in Flintshire, Cilfriw in Neath Port Talbot, St Brides Major in Vale of Glamorgan and Llanelli North.

Crime

Police arrest suspects following vehicle interferences in Haverfordwest

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HAVERFORDWEST police responded swiftly after reports of multiple vehicle interferences in the Tasker Way area on Sunday night/early Monday morning (Nov 4).

Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPPT) conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries, gathering evidence and reassuring the community. These efforts led to the identification of two suspects.

Both NPPT and Response teams acted promptly, locating and arresting the suspects, who are now in police custody.

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Ancient Welsh hymns brought into 21st century with unique collaboration between Lleuwen Steffan and National Eisteddfod

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Some of Wales’ long-forgotten hymn tunes are being brought vividly back to life this month, thanks to award-winning singer, songwriter and composer Lleuwen Steffan and her unique collaboration with the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Performing as ‘Tafod Arian’ (Silver Tongue), the collaboration pays homage to the lost voices of the past, and infuses these timeless melodies with some highly contemporary electronic arrangements.

The project originated in 2012 when Lleuwen was working on a music project at St Fagan’s National History Museum where she came across some long-forgotten recordings of hymns which had been left in the sound archives.  None of these hymns could be found in the official hymn books nor the older hymnal editions, possibly as the result of their informal, conversational lyrics, or because they often delved into the world of addiction, mental illness and the darker side of the psyche.

But now these unpublished and unknown hymns will be heard for the first time in over a hundred years when Tabernacl Chapel, Maenclochog, will be one of 50 Welsh chapels to be visited by Tafod Arian.

With translations and insights, the tour breathes new life into archive recordings, ensuring these cherished sacred songs rightfully claim their place in today’s spotlight. Lleuwen masterfully combines electronic and acoustic instrumentation, seamlessly blending the past with the present, and takes the stage alongside a dynamic quintet of international musicians including Sioned Webb and Gethin Elis from Wales, and Nolwenn Korbell and Brieg Guerveno from Brittany.

Despite the hymns’ long-distant past, the music is firmly in the present as Lleuwen uses various instruments to provide angular electronic accompaniment as well as her soulful vocals and guitar.  She provides translations and explanations as she proudly puts the archive recordings of the lost |Welsh hymns on centre stage.  As a result, these sacred songs are being passed on orally rather than via the hymn book which is precisely how Welsh folk music was conveyed.

The long-forgotten hymns will be heard once again in all their glory at Tabernacle Chapel, Maenclochog on Sunday, November 17 at 6.30pm.

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Crime

Suspended sentence for Goodwick man who sent sexual messages to young girl

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THE FATHER of a young girl sent sexual messages to an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old girl online, Swansea Crown Court heard this week.

An undercover police officer posed as a 12-year-old girl on the website RandoChat, with the decoy’s profile stating they were 18.

James Roberts messaged the decoy on 9 August, stating he was “looking for a naughty girl”.

The decoy promptly informed him that she was 12 years old; however, the defendant continued to send messages referencing sexual acts and self-gratification.

Roberts added the decoy on Snapchat, claiming to be 19 and living in England.

He again sent sexualised messages and, referring to the decoy’s age, said they were “never too young to start sending pictures”.

The defendant also told the decoy that he was having similar sexual conversations with a 14-year-old, Mr Dickens said.

Police attended Roberts’ home in Goodwick on 17 August, and he was arrested. He denied having a mobile phone, claiming he “had sent it off to Samsung to be fixed” but was “extremely vague” when asked for further details. Mr Dickens said no phone was ever recovered by police.

The 28-year-old Roberts pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child. The court heard that he had no previous convictions.

Hannah George, in mitigation, said the defendant showed “some degree of remorse” and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

“In the 13 months since he was interviewed there have been no further offences,” she said.

Ms George said Roberts had suffered “significant” shame and embarrassment as a result of the offences, and it had led to him losing his job.

He had previously been diagnosed with PTSD and suffered “deep periods of depression”, Ms George said.

She added that his contact with his young daughter “has been diminished” following these offences.

“You were in contact online with who you firmly believed to be a 12-year-old girl,” said Judge Paul Thomas KC, addressing Roberts.

“You have a two-year-old daughter. Just think how you would feel if a man in his thirties tried to have that sort of conversation with her in 10 years’ time.”

Roberts was sentenced to 30 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must complete 35 days of an accredited programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement programme days.

He must also register as a sex offender for 10 years and was made the subject of a three-year sexual harm prevention order.

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