LIVES are being put at risk in rural Pembrokeshire following National Grid’s failure to install generators for hundreds of properties still without electricity after Storm Darragh.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, county councillor Iwan Ward described a dire situation, warning that elderly residents are “freezing to death,” while families with young children are going hungry as power outages persist.

“It’s getting serious,” said Cllr Ward.
“My gut feeling, given the extent of damage the National Grid is dealing with, is that we’re not going to get our electricity back until the middle of next week. But by that point, we’ll start seeing deaths in the community.”

A village in crisis

Cllr Ward, who lives in Blaenffos near Crymych—one of Pembrokeshire’s hardest-hit areas—painted a bleak picture of life in his village.

“In my village, we have both ends of the spectrum,” he explained. “We have very elderly, frail people and families with young children who need warmth and food.

“I know of children who aren’t eating properly because their parents don’t have electricity to cook. For some, the only place they can get hot food is at school.”

He recounted one particularly distressing case involving a resident who requires an electric hoist to move around. After being sent to Haverfordwest for respite care, the woman now faces being sent home despite the lack of power.

“The respite home can’t keep her any longer, and with no electricity at her house, she has nowhere to go,” said Cllr Ward.

Communication and connectivity failures

The power outages have also disrupted the EE mobile network, leaving many residents without a reliable phone signal, further isolating affected communities.

This week, Cllr Ward and local Senedd Member Paul Davies contacted National Grid to request generators for the worst-hit areas.

“It doesn’t happen often, but there are cases when National Grid installs generators if they know homes will be without power for an extended time,” said Cllr Ward.

However, the response has been far from satisfactory.
“Myself and Paul Davies emailed National Grid on Monday afternoon, but we’ve yet to receive an answer. They’re ignoring us,” he said.

Criticism of national grid’s response

While Cllr Ward commended the efforts of National Grid engineers working on the ground, he criticized the organization’s communication during the crisis.

“They shouldn’t keep giving us set times for power restoration only to change them daily,” he said. “They should have been upfront from the start about how long this would take, so people could make arrangements.”

Cllr Ward and Paul Davies remain determined to secure generators for the worst-affected communities.
“If we don’t get a response from National Grid by this afternoon, we’ll be going back to them and will keep on fighting,” vowed Cllr Ward.

“These are very frightening and scary times for so many people, and we’re determined to do all we can to help them.”

On Monday, National Grid confirmed that 26,959 customers across South Wales are still without power, with teams working tirelessly to restore supplies.

The company told The Herald “Our engineers, control rooms, contact centre, and support teams have been working around the clock to maintain power,” said Emma Philpin, National Grid’s director of Customer Excellence.”

“We’ve seen extremely high call volumes, and it’s taking longer for customers to get through. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding. Rest assured, we are doing everything possible to restore power across the region as quickly as we can” the firm said.

AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW into historical child sexual abuse at Caldey Abbey, situated on Caldey Island, Pembrokeshire, has uncovered extensive abuse by members of the monastic community and critical institutional failures in safeguarding vulnerable individuals.

The report, led by safeguarding expert Jan Pickles OBE, was commissioned in April 2024 by Father Jan Rossey, the Abbot of Caldey Abbey, to address longstanding allegations and promote transparency and healing within the community.

The comprehensive review examined allegations of child sexual abuse spanning several decades, focusing on the actions of specific monks and the abbey’s responses to these allegations. It incorporated survivor testimonies, historical records, and an evaluation of the abbey’s safeguarding policies and practices.

Key findings

The review highlighted multiple monks involved in child sexual abuse, with significant attention on Father Thaddeus Kotik, who lived at the abbey from 1947 until his death in 1992. Kotik is alleged to have abused numerous children between 1972 and 1987.

The abbey failed to act on abuse allegations, allowing perpetrators to continue unchecked. Safeguarding policies were inadequate, and reports of abuse were ignored or mishandled.

Survivors have endured long-term trauma, worsened by the abbey’s failure to acknowledge their suffering or provide meaningful support.

The report outlined several key recommendations:

• Public Apology: Acknowledge the abuse and institutional failures.
• Support for Survivors: Establish accessible counseling services and avenues for redress.
• Policy Reforms: Implement robust safeguarding policies, ensuring all staff are trained to report abuse.
• Collaboration with Authorities: Establish clear protocols for reporting allegations to law enforcement and child protection agencies.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Engage independent bodies to review safeguarding practices regularly.

Response from Caldey Abbey

Father Jan Rossey expressed deep regret for the abbey’s historical failures and committed to implementing all recommendations. He emphasized the abbey’s dedication to creating a safe environment and supporting survivors.

The findings at Caldey Abbey underscore a broader issue of child sexual abuse within religious institutions, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and rigorous safeguarding measures.

The abbey plans to collaborate with survivors, safeguarding experts, and authorities to ensure the effective implementation of the recommendations. Survivors and advocates stress the importance of sustained vigilance to prevent future abuse.

Statement from Abbot Father Jan Rossey

“It is with deep sorrow and regret that I have read in the review of the great suffering of children who were abused by Father Thaddeus Kotik and the culture of secrecy and cover-up that kept this hidden.

Opportunities were missed to stop the abuse of children. It is particularly heartbreaking to hear children spoke up to adults, and no action was taken.

Children and their families were failed when they should have been supported and listened to. The abuses should have been reported to statutory authorities.

On behalf of the monastic community, I sincerely apologise to all those who have been hurt and have suffered because of the abuse of Thaddeus Kotik and past failures to protect children.

It is a matter of great shame that this abuse was allowed to happen.

We are committed to implementing all the recommendations in the review and to ensuring that safeguarding is at the heart of our mission.

We will do all that we can to support those who have been harmed and to ensure that Caldey Island is a safe place for all.”

Safeguarding overhaul: Caldey implements comprehensive reforms

CALDEY ISLAND has undertaken a major overhaul of its safeguarding protocols and governance structures under the leadership of Father Jan Rossey. Initially appointed as acting Abbot in January 2023, Father Jan was confirmed in the role in April 2024 and has since spearheaded a series of reforms to enhance the safety and well-being of residents and visitors to the island.

Leadership and governance

One of the key developments has been a reshaping of the abbey’s leadership framework. In June 2023, Caldey appointed a new Island Manager alongside a volunteer Safeguarding Lead to focus on ensuring the highest standards of safety. By July 2023, a revised Board of Directors and Trustees was established, including lay members with legal and financial expertise. Safeguarding now features as a standing agenda item in the Board’s bi-monthly meetings, ensuring it remains a priority.

Further governance changes have made the Island Manager directly accountable to the Board, supported by newly agreed Terms of Reference and other governance structures.

Strengthening safeguarding practices

Caldey Abbey has conducted a thorough review of its safeguarding files, completed in December 2023, and commissioned an external review into historical abuse allegations. Initially launched in March 2024, this review was expanded in June 2024 to include all allegations, both historical and recent.

Training and enhanced policies

Ahead of the 2024 tourist season, the abbey provided safeguarding training to all monks, employees, volunteers, and islanders to bolster awareness and improve reporting mechanisms. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks were also expanded to include all individuals working or residing on the island. The monastic community underwent DBS checks as early as January 2023.

New policies have been introduced to address safeguarding concerns comprehensively. These include a code titled Caring Safely for Others, which monks must read and agree to, and updated processes for tenant and visiting priest applications that require rigorous vetting.

In collaboration with local authorities, the abbey has also adopted missing child forms and emergency planning measures. Safeguarding posters and dedicated reporting channels via phone and email have been implemented, making it easier for concerns to be raised.

Expertise and collaboration

A key milestone in 2024 was the appointment of a part-time Professional Safeguarding Lead, a qualified social worker, to oversee the abbey’s safeguarding practices. Additionally, a Safeguarding Subcommittee comprising independent professionals in health, education, and human resources now provides oversight.

The introduction of a GDPR-compliant system, My Concern, has further enhanced the secure storage and analysis of safeguarding concerns.

Caldey Abbey has also strengthened its partnerships with Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police, ensuring appropriate safeguarding referrals are made when necessary. The abbey benefits from guidance provided by Religious Life Safeguarding Services (RLSS) and is preparing for an audit by the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA) in 2025.

A safer future

Looking ahead, Caldey Abbey has advertised for a permanent part-time Safeguarding Lead and continues to expand its safeguarding culture. These reforms are part of a wider commitment to transparency, accountability, and the protection of vulnerable individuals.

The Herald says: The publication of this report is a significant step toward justice and healing for the victims. It serves as a poignant reminder of the critical importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals in all communities. The measures now in place mark a significant step forward for Caldey Abbey, signaling a new chapter that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all who live on or visit the island.

A DRUG dealer who styled himself as a “professional businessman” and offered so-called discounts to NHS workers and the elderly has been sentenced to a total of three years and four months in prison.

Nathan Murdoch, previously of North Court, Haverfordwest was given his custodial sentence at Swansea Crown Court after police dismantled his drug distribution network, which involved cannabis, cocaine, and MDMA.

Police uncover drugs and cash in raid

On June 16 last year, officers visited Murdoch’s property, where he initially admitted to possessing “a small amount” of cannabis. However, a detailed search revealed over £3,000 worth of cannabis and cocaine, £2,800 in cash, and digital weighing scales, according to prosecutor Sian Cutter.

Analysis of Murdoch’s mobile phone exposed text messages detailing his drug dealing, which had been ongoing since at least October 2021. The messages suggested he had also enlisted someone else to distribute drugs, with records of threats and demands for payment.

Targeting NHS workers with deals

The court heard that 35-year-old Murdoch referred to himself as a “businessman” and ran his operation with a veneer of professionalism. He promoted discounts for NHS workers, pensioners, and individuals facing financial hardship.

Defence barrister Dan Griffiths argued that Murdoch had turned to drug dealing after experiencing personal difficulties, describing the venture as “financially motivated.” Griffiths added: “He acknowledges the seriousness of his actions and views his arrest as a turning point.”

Judge: ‘Your choices have consequences’

Judge Paul Thomas KC told Murdoch: “You made a calculated decision to profit from illegal drug sales. You saw it as easy money, but the reality is clear: you gambled, and you lost. Now, you must face the consequences.”

Murdoch, now residing in Swansea, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis, as well as being involved in the supply of cocaine, MDMA, and cannabis. The court heard he had five prior convictions for six offences.