News

Port changed website as Mustang collapsed

Published

10 years ago

July 11, 2014

NEW DETAILS have emerged this week showing how Milford Haven Port Authority rewrote its website deleting the key words ‘Trading Subsidiaries’ as controversial boat building firm Mustang Marine, collapsed.

In recent weeks Alec Don, Chief Executive of MHPA has been insisting that Mustang was never a trading subsidiary, and that the port should not have to pay back hundreds of thousands of pounds to local firms who were not paid as the firm went into administration. Alec Don told port stakeholders at the annual consultative meeting last month that the port had a “responsibility but not a legal liability” to Mustangs creditors. He later added: “I bitterly regret that Mustang went down. We lost £2.7m” The extraordinary on-line revelation, is clear evidence that the Authority was advertising Mustang as a subsidiary – a signal to suppliers that giving a credit line to Mustang was rock solid. The news ties in with what creditors of Mustang Marine have been saying – that the port does have a legal responsibility to pay debts owed. Simon Hart MP told The Herald: “The key question for all those local firms owed money is whether Mustang was a “trading subsidiary” of the Port Authority. The fact that the website has been ‘adjusted’ is a cause of great concern. I will be raising this, and other issues, with Stephen Hammond the Minister very soon.” His views were echoed by Stephen Crabb MP, who said when on a visit to Milford Haven Coastguard Station yesterday: “There is no doubt that as Mustang collapsed the Port Authority did everything they did to distance themselves from Mustang’s debts. When I got calls about Mustang it was always from Alec Don – the Port Authority.” On its official website, in late August 2013, the Authority wrote: “The Port of Milford Haven Group includes the following Trading Subsidiaries” and “The Port of Milford Haven merged its ship repair business, Milford Haven Ship Repairers with international boat builders, Mustang Marine, early in 2012. The deal included the substantial investment of new capital to finance growth plans of the enlarged business. With the specific objectives if shortening new-build delivery times, and providing station of the art fabrication facilities in Pembroke Dock.” However, as Mustang was collapsing, the website was quietly updated. The words ‘Trading Subsidiaries’ was replaced with ‘Associate Companies’. The sub-headline was also similarly replaced and an introductory paragraph about Mustang the following final sentence was added: “Mustang Marine is 50% owned by the Port of Milford Haven, with management responsibilities remaining with Mustang’s own team.” Speaking two weeks ago Simon Hart MP told the Herald: “I understand that Alec Don and Andrew Jones were the directors who signed off Mustang Marine’s accounts for 2012, which correctly stated under accounting guidelines that the company was a subsidiary of MHPA. It is for this reason that I find Alec Don’s comments that he cannot account for the different terminology used by the respective auditors of the Port Authority and Mustang Marine confusing.” The Port Authority will now have to explain why these differences also made it onto their official website. The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted Milford Haven Port Authority for a comment. Alec Don said “A reference in the MHPA annual report to Mustang as a subsidiary was actually a mistake, and was not meant in the true legal sense. This is also the same situation for the website.”

News

Milford Haven School celebrates U14 Pembrokeshire Hockey Championship victory

Published

3 hours ago

November 12, 2024

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL’S Under-14 girls’ hockey team has been crowned Pembrokeshire Champions, delivering an outstanding performance and securing their title after a series of intense matches.

The team, consisting of 14 talented players, demonstrated impressive skill, resilience, and teamwork throughout the competition. Under the guidance of Miss Griffiths, they evolved their strategy and showcased their capabilities with each game.

A Day of Victories

The team’s first game against YBP was a close battle, with Milford Haven securing a narrow 1-0 win.

Goal Scorer: Lola P
Players’ Player: Annabelle G
Coaches’ Player: Lilly J

In their second match, they faced Haverfordwest High and dominated with a strong midfield play and clinical finishes, achieving a 6-0 victory.

Goals Scored: Olivia D (3), Ruby D, Lola P, Ameila C
Players’ Player: Olivia D
Coaches’ Player: Ruby D

After a brief interval, Milford Haven went on to face YHT, focusing on using the field’s width, which led them to a 4-0 win.

Goals Scored: Lola P (2), Annabelle G, Olivia D
Players’ Player: Annabelle G
Coaches’ Players: Lola P and Macy B

In their final game of the day, the team played YGB, finishing with a decisive 7-0 win and showing relentless energy.

Goals Scored: Ellie M (2), Olivia D (2), Annabelle G, Lilly J, Ruby D
Players’ Player: Annabelle G
Coaches’ Players: Lacey N and Ellie M

Miss Griffiths expressed her pride in the team’s achievements and her excitement for their future development: “It’s been fantastic to watch the team grow today, and I can’t wait to see how they progress.”

Thanks were also extended to Evans Coaches for sponsoring the team’s kit and ensuring safe travel throughout the competition.

News

St Katharine Church launches ‘Come and Make Angels’ challenge

Published

3 hours ago

November 12, 2024

Tom Sinclair

As part of an ambitious “Come and Make Angels” challenge, the church has set a target to fill its sacred space with over 6,500 angels. Community members of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to participate by making and decorating their own angels. These creations will contribute to a record-breaking display that celebrates hope, unity, and the joy of the Advent season.

Workshops are being held every Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the St Katharine’s Church Hall, where participants can come together for a “creative Christmas cuppa” and join in this festive project. Free activities and refreshments will be provided, making it a wonderful opportunity for families and friends to create lasting holiday memories. Those under 14 are asked to attend with an adult or older sibling.

For those wanting to take part from home, the church has provided angel templates, along with simple instructions to cut, decorate, and assemble. Once completed, these angels can be brought to the church and added to the display, which will officially be unveiled on December 14.

The community is invited to visit and witness the spectacle of thousands of angels “flying” within the church, symbolising peace and goodwill.

In addition to the angel-making challenge, the Advent and Christmas calendar at St Katharine and St Peter’s is packed with events designed to bring joy and reflection during the festive season. All are welcome to attend and share in the warmth and spirit of Christmas.

For more information about the “Come and Make Angels” challenge, or other Advent and Christmas activities at the church, please visit the Roose Local Ministry Area Facebook page or contact Rev. Nicola Davies at 07508 915 432.

The church is also preparing to light up the Christmas season with its much-loved Annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, set to take place on Sunday, December 15, at 7:00pm.

And of course, the event promises to be even more magical this year, with a unique display of thousands of handmade angels crafted by members of the community.

Community

Bishop Joins Street Pastors on Pembroke Outreach

Published

4 hours ago

November 12, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE’S Street Pastors received a visit from Bishop Dorrien over the weekend as he joined their outreach efforts to witness their work within the local community.

The Street Pastors, active in both Pembroke and Haverfordwest, provide pastoral and practical support to people using the town’s pubs and clubs. Their assistance ranges from offering water to the dehydrated, tissues to those in distress, and even flat shoes to help patrons make a safe journey home. Most importantly, they offer a compassionate ear, comfort, and prayers to those in need.

Supported by a dedicated prayer team, the Street Pastors take breaks to pray and gather strength, reflecting on their encounters with the community. Bishop Dorrien praised their work, describing it as a witness to Christ’s command to love our neighbours.

The Bishop noted the warm reception the team received during their rounds and the affection the community holds for their ministry. He blessed their ongoing service, acknowledging its positive impact on the lives of many.