News

We need to ‘mobilise for war’ says head of British Army – ‘this is our 1937 moment’

Published

2 years ago

June 28, 2022

THE NEW head of the British Army has said it must ‘mobilise’ in response to the threat posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, invoking memories the Allies’ struggle against Nazi Germany in the 1940’s.

Patrick Sanders, a general who became the army’s top officer this month, said Moscow’s attack on its neighbor represented “a clear and present danger” to Western “principles of sovereignty and democracy.”

In a wide-ranging speech to mark taking over the role, he argued Britain’s armed forces must react by accelerating modernization plans and immediately increasing battle readiness alongside NATO allies.

“This is our 1937 moment,” Sanders told an audience at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) military think-tank, referring to Western allies’’ struggle to subdue Nazi Germany’s aggression in the run-up to World War II.

“We’re not at war. We must act rapidly so that we aren’t drawn into one through a failure to contain territorial expansion.”

Adding it is “dangerous” to assume Russian aggression will end with Ukraine, he predicted Moscow will pose “an even greater threat to European security after Ukraine than it has before.”

“The Russian invasion has reminded us of that time-honored maxim that if you want to avert conflict, you better be prepared to fight,” Sanders said.

His comments come as NATO members begin to meet in Madrid Tuesday for a summit, and follow the military alliance announcing it will boost its high-readiness force from 40,000 to 300,000 troops.

Its chief Jens Stoltenberg has called the move “the biggest overhaul of our collective defense and deterrence since the Cold War.”

Sanders said the gathering in the Spanish capital was an opportunity for Britain to demonstrate its “enduring commitment to our allies” and “lead by example” in mobilizing the army.

He noted mobilisation would now be the army’s “main effort” over the coming years, “to help prevent war in Europe by being ready to fight and win alongside our NATO allies.”

“It will be hard work, a generational effort and I expect all ranks to get ready, train hard and engage,” he added.

The army head also backed the US and UK governments’ stance of aggressively arming Ukraine in its fight against Russia.

“This is the moment to defend the democratic values that define us,” Sanders said.

“This is the moment to help our brave Ukrainian allies in their gallant struggle. This is the moment we stand with our friends and partners to maintain peace throughout the rest of Europe.”

Business

Pembrokeshire Celebrates its Tourism Champions at the 2024 Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards

Published

1 hour ago

November 7, 2024

Luke Sinclair

What a night!

Last week Pembrokeshire recognised and celebrated its Tourism Champions at the 2024 Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards, hosted by Jamie Owen and held at Pembrokeshire College. These are businesses and organisations who deliver memorable experiences for visitors to Pembrokeshire throughout the year. Many congratulations to all the winners and those shortlisted:

Accessible & Inclusive Award | Winner: Windswept Paddle Ability Water Sports
Runners Up: Blue Horizons CIC Surf Club, Havard Stables

Best Activity, Experience or Tour | Winner: Sweet Home Alpaca
Runners Up: Llyn Llys Y Fran Lake, Pembrokeshire Alpaca Trekking

Best Attraction Award | Winner: Carew Castle and Tidal Mill
Runners Up: Heatherton World of Activities, Picton Castle Gardens

Best B&B, Inn and Guesthouse | Winner: Elm Grove Country House
Runners Up: Roch Castle, Penrhiw Priory

Best Camping & Glamping Award | Winner: Florence Springs Glamping and Camping Village
Runners Up: Beavers Retreat Glamping, Nights Under Canvas

Best Caravan Park | Winner: Trees Caravan Park
Runners Up: Redford Caravan Park Ltd, Lawrenny Quay Holiday Park

Best Dog Friendly Award | Winner: The Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery
Runners Up: Sleekstone Holidays, Cwm Connell Coastal Cottages

Best Event Award | Winner: 4theRegion
Runners Up: Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority

Best Place to Eat Award | Winner: Fernery Restaurant
Runners Up: The Really Wild Emporium, Blas Restaurant

Best Self-Catering 1-3 Units | Winner: Sleekstone Holidays
Runners Up: Manorbier Castle – Self-let Accommodations, Dyffryn Conin Farm Holiday-Let, Preseli Hills Cottages

Best Self-Catering 4+ Units | Winner: Bluestone National Park Resort
Runners Up: Musselwick Farm Cottages, Florence Springs Luxury Lodges

Bro a Byd (Environmental & Sustainable) Award | Winner: The Really Wild Emporium
Runners Up: Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront, Carew Castle and Tidal Mill

Best Hotel Award | Winner: Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront
Runners Up: Grove of Narberth, Twr y Felin Hotel

Pub of the Year Award | Winner: The Wolfe Inn Wolfscastle
Runners Up: The Cove Bar & Restaurant, Ferry Inn

Rising star Award | Winner: Charly Dix, Lan y Mor Restaurant

Sustainable & Immersive Experience for Cruise Passengers Award | Winner:
Fishguard Bay Welcome

Tourism Service/Product Supplier Award | Winner: The Really Wild Emporium
Runners Up: The Pembrokeshire Pet Bakery, St Davids Old Farmhouse Brewery

Emma Thornton CEO of Visit Pembrokeshire commented: “This event was a result of an exciting partnership between Visit Pembrokeshire, the Seren collection and Pembrokeshire College who worked together to deliver an exceptional experience for our guests serving a delicious 3 course meal featuring locally sourced Pembrokeshire produce. This was partnership working at its best. A big thank you to all our Category sponsors and supporters without whom this event would not have been possible.”

The winners will now go forward to the Southwest Regional Awards later this year, followed by the National Visit Wales Awards in Spring 2025.

To see highlights from the event visit https://www.visitpembrokeshire.com/croeso-awards/gallery-2024/

News

Shakespeare’s Globe presents Othello on the Torch Theatre Screen

Published

2 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CELEBRATED by many, Othello has risen through the ranks of the Met police. But can his hard-won reputation, his marriage to his new wife Desdemona, and his own subconscious survive the toxic systems that surround him? Answers to these questions can be discovered at the Torch Theatre on Tuesday 12 November as the critically-acclaimed Shakespeare’s Globe production of Othello is brought to the Torch Theatre cinema screen.

Sixteenth-century Venice becomes modern-day London’s Docklands, as the Moorish general Othello grapples with many of the same issues that successful Black people have faced for centuries.

Experience Shakespeare’s confronting look at the destructive impact of institutional racism, toxicmasculinity, and a justice system locked in a vicious cycle of self-fulfilling prophecy, set within a hostile modern police force.

In her review in the Guardian, Arifa Akbar awards the drama four stars.

She noted: “There is great musicality too, with songs and a score that is jazzy at times, foreboding at others. Ultimately, the concepts lead to a surfeit of ideas, pushing against each other. At over three hours, the tension drops, although the play never loses its potency and offers a genuinely new, exciting experience.”

Director Ola Ince debuted in the intimate, candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse with this ‘inspired’ (The Guardian), and ‘profound’ (Evening Standard) and ‘masterfully redefined’ (West End Best Friend) take on Shakespeare’s blistering tragedy.

Cinema audiences will also be treated to bonus content with a behind-the-scenes interviews and a Globe Theatre tour (during intermission).

Othello will be screened at the Torch Theatre on Tuesday 12 November at 7pm. Ticket prices: Full: £15.00. Concessions: £13.00 and U26: £8.50.To book your tickets or for further information, contact the Box Office on01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.

News

Large fire at Bramble Hall Farm – Arson suspected

Published

3 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

FIREFIGHTERS have brought a large blaze under control at Bramble Hall Farm in Pembroke Dock.

The fire broke out in a portacabin filled with tyres and scrap materials late on Tuesday night (Nov 5).

The alarm was raised at 11:34pm by the farm owner, who reported being woken by loud bangs.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock Fire Stations were dispatched to the scene.

***Firefighters at Bramble Hall Farm (Image: Herald)***

On arrival, firefighters found a shipping container with mixed scrap and around 100 tyres fully alight. The crews used four breathing apparatus sets, a ground monitor, a 45mm jet, two hose reel jets, and a water bowser to tackle the fire.

The blaze was fully extinguished by 5:07am on Wednesday morning (Nov 6), after crews worked through the night to contain the flames and dampen down remaining hotspots.

A local resident, Sean Burns, who was present at the scene, suspects the fire may have been started deliberately and has provided information to authorities, who are investigating the cause.