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AM welcomes further superfast broadband roll-out

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rebecca evansFROM December this year, superfast broadband services will be delivered to exchanges from Cross Hands, Saudersfoot and Tenby allowing homes and businesses in the localities to access broadband speeds up to three times faster than the UK average. 

Superfast Cymru, the largest partnership of its kind in the UK, is working towards the Welsh Government’s target to extend fast fibre broadband to 96 per cent of premises in Wales by 2016. Welcoming the most recent update from BT – the company working in partnership with the Welsh Government to roll out the programme – Rebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, said: “This is great news for households. It is also good news for businesses – many of which rely on fast and reliable internet speeds. Superfast broadband will allow many rural businesses to flourish, and will allow homes across Wales to enjoy the benefits of things such as online streaming of films and music at much greater speeds.” The Superfast Cymru Programme aims to bring fibre optic broadband to homes and businesses across 96% of Wales by 2016. It will provide the majority of business and residential premises with the capability of accessing broadband at speeds in excess of 30Mbps. According to the regulator Ofcom the current average broadband speed in Wales is around 9Mbps, so Superfast Cymru will deliver a significant uplift in speeds.

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Community

New parent, baby and child walking groups launch in Pembrokeshire

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PARENTS in Pembrokeshire looking for a friendly and supportive way to get outdoors with their little ones can now join free weekly walking groups in Broad Haven and Pembroke.

Organised by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, these walks provide a relaxed and welcoming environment, offering a chance to connect with other parents while enjoying gentle exercise, spotting wildlife along the way, and taking in the beauty of the local area.

The Broad Haven walks take place every Monday at 10am, starting from the Park Authority’s car park outside the YHA in Broad Haven, while the Pembroke group meets every Friday at 10am at Pembroke Commons car park, opposite the Pembroke Carvery. Both walks begin at 10.15am and are free to attend. They are pram-friendly, making them ideal for new parents, parents-to-be, and those with toddlers.

Each walk lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, with nearby baby-changing facilities and local cafés available for refreshments before or after the stroll.

Along the way, parents can take part in fun, age-appropriate activities with their little ones while benefiting from fresh air, gentle movement, and the support of a like-minded community.

Get Outdoors Coordinator, Amber Manning, organiser of the walking groups, encourages parents to come along and experience the benefits of connecting with others in a natural setting, and says:“These walks are a fantastic way for parents to get outside, socialise and enjoy Pembrokeshire with your children. Whether you’re looking to meet new people, get some fresh air, or simply enjoy a relaxed walk, everyone is welcome.”

For more information, contact Amber Manning at 07483 377414 or via email at [email protected]

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Community

Tragic hospital crash: Father speaks of the moment he lost baby daughter

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A GREIVING father has spoken of the horrific moment he lost his eight-month-old daughter in a tragic crash outside Withybush Hospital. Rob Hall, originally from Fishguard and now living in Neath, was visiting his dying mother when a car ploughed into him, his brother, and his baby daughter, Mabli, as they stood outside the hospital in June 2023.

The devastating incident occurred while Rob was taking a short walk with Mabli in her pram, just minutes after they had said goodbye to his mother inside the hospital. A white BMW, driven by 71-year-old Bridget Curtis from Begelly, accelerated across a pavement and struck them. The impact threw Rob into a nearby parking bay and crushed Mabli’s pram beneath the vehicle. The baby girl was rushed to hospital with catastrophic injuries but tragically passed away four days later.

Speaking about the moment of the crash, Rob recalled: “I heard this horrible revving and screeching. The next thing I saw was this white car airborne. That was it. I was hit and thrown into a parking bay. The first thing I saw was the pram underneath the car. There was chaos, people running everywhere. Three nurses came over and picked me up because I couldn’t walk or stand. That didn’t matter. What mattered was where Mabli was.”

Mabli was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and later transferred to a children’s hospital in Bristol. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, doctors informed Rob and his wife Gwen that their daughter would not survive. She passed away in the early hours of June 25, just days after Rob’s mother had also succumbed to illness.

Curtis was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court last month after admitting to causing Mabli’s death by dangerous driving. The court heard that she had left the engine of her BMW running while looking for her handbag. The vehicle suddenly lurched forward, travelling 28 metres and reaching speeds of 30mph before the devastating collision. Judge Geraint Walters described the crash footage as “something that words cannot describe” and sentenced Curtis to four years in prison.

Rob and Gwen have expressed frustration over the drawn-out legal process and Curtis’s refusal to provide answers in the aftermath of the tragedy. “We waited so long for justice,” said Rob. “She answered ‘no comment’ to questions about what happened. To us, that is disgusting.”

Despite their grief, the couple have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from friends, family, and even strangers. A fundraising campaign in Mabli’s memory has already raised over £14,000 for the charity 2 Wish, which supports families affected by the sudden death of a child. The family plans to continue raising money in honour of their daughter.

“Mabli was the happiest baby I have ever known,” said her mother, Gwen. “She was so loved, and all she knew was love. She will always be a part of our lives, every single day.”

Original story by WalesOnline.

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Community

Helping older people to stay warm this winter in Carmarthenshire

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A NEW service has been launched by Care & Repair Carmarthenshire to help older people across the county stay warm and safe in their homes and keep energy bills down.

The Older Not Colder initiative offers home energy assessments, expert advice and practical support to improve home energy efficiency and reduce heating costs to residents aged 60 and over who either own or privately rent their home.

Care & Repair’s Home Energy Officers will visit and assess homes for free and can assist with access to funding if repairs or improvements are needed.

As part of this initiative, Llesiant Delta Wellbeing has teamed up with Care & Repair to distribute ‘warm bags’ to vulnerable older people in the community. Delta Wellbeing’s response officers will hand out these essential packs during home visits, ensuring that those in need receive both immediate relief and information about the free Older Not Colder service for further support.

The warm bags contain essential winter items including hand warmers, a thermometer, thermal socks, travel mug, hat and gloves, hot water bottle and a large blanket.

Care & Repair Carmarthenshire is dedicated to supporting older people to live in safe, secure, warm and comfortable homes that suit their needs and improve their independence. It offers a number of services to assist older individuals with repairs, improvements and adaptations to their homes, providing expert advice, support and practical assistance.

Delta Wellbeing, a Local Authority Trading Company owned by Carmarthenshire County Council, provides assistive technology and proactive monitoring and support for older and vulnerable people. It also delivers a single point of access for health and social care information and advice across the county.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services Cllr Jane Tremlett said: “This initiative will provide much-needed support to older people in our community, ensuring they stay warm and safe during the winter months. No one should have to choose between heating their home and other essentials, and we are here to help.”

The ‘Older Not Colder’ initiative is funded through Wales & West Utilities’ Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA) fund, reinforcing a commitment to keeping vulnerable individuals safe and warm during the colder months.

The service provides:

  • Free home visits and assessments
  • Advice on improving home energy efficiency
  • Guidance for those struggling with energy bills
  • Support in accessing the Warm Homes Programme
  • Assistance in claiming eligible benefits
  • Help in applying for grants to keep homes warm

To request a free visit, call Care & Repair Carmarthenshire on 01554 744300.

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