News

Councillor asked to ‘reflect’ on his behaviour

Published

4 years ago

July 16, 2021

COUNCILLOR Josh Beynon has been asked to ‘reflect’ on his behaviour following recent press articles.

Cllr Beynon was called out after a number of ‘inapropriate’ Tik-Tok videos were seen which are being investigated by the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales.

At a meeting of the council on Thursday, July 15, councillors were being asked to consider ‘Diversity in Democracy’.

A declaration, drawn up by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), calls for councils to become more diverse and also stated that councillors should have a duty of care to other members by taking a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment

Councillor Jamie Adams said all councillors had experienced abuse but added it was their own behaviour that would sometimes influence that abuse.

He was stopped short by Councillor Simon Hancock who told him not to go down that route.

Cllr Adams responded saying: “We have all got a responsibility to uphold standards and not bring this council into disrepute.”

Cllr Beynon had previously highlighted some of the abuse he had received from the public and added: “There is no place in Pembrokeshire for it and certainly no place in Pembrokeshire County Council for it. I call on all members to call out hate in their communities whenever they see it.”

Cllr Simon Hancock said that abuse in any form was ‘completely unacceptable’.

While many councillors said they were supportive of the declaration drawn up by the WLGA, some added that while they were also supportive of it, they were unhappy with some of the wording that had been presented to them.

Cllr Jacob Williams said they could not agree to the declaration as it contained a number of statements that were not in the remit of the council.

Cllr Paul Dowson added that the council was in danger of ‘over-prescribing’ and said: “The democratic process is open to anyone. We seem to be seeking out discrimination when in many places it doesn’t exist.”

Cllr Paul Harries added that while he did not want to delay the process the ideas that had come out in the meeting needed to be considered further.

Cllr Jonathan Preston said: “It is not for the state to cast out a net. We could be drifting into areas that we shouldn’t be. There is a list of obstacles but it is up to us to address that. We need to display evidence of being inclusive.”

An amendment was made by Cllr Reg Owens who suggested that the paper be sent back to the Democratic Services Committee for more work and clarification.

That was supported by 27 votes, with 21 voting against and one person abstaining.

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

32 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

58 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.