Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Pembrokeshire residents name landmark buildings at Pembroke Port

Published

on

MEMBERS of the Pembrokeshire community have been successful in naming four new buildings that are being created to service the growing renewables industry in Pembrokeshire. The annexes attached to the historic Sunderland Hangars at Pembroke Port are being redeveloped into modern office and workshop spaces with work expected to be completed by Spring 2023.

A public competition was held giving people the chance to name the new buildings which attracted a wealth of creative suggestions and were judged by a panel consisting of the Chair of the Port of Milford Haven Chris Martin, Mayor of Pembroke Dock Councillor Joshua Beynon, Rik Saldanha from the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust, Phil Collins from the West Wales Maritime Heritage Centre and Tim James, now at Celtic Sea Power.

The panel were delighted with the range of submissions and the chosen names Erebus House, Catalina House, Falcon House and Oleander House were suggested by David Lockwood, the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust, Marie Sampson, Victoria Allen and Tyler Streitberger respectively.

Commercial Director at the Port of Milford Haven, Steve Edwards, commented “These structures date back to the early 1900s so we felt it was important to recognise and celebrate their heritage. Work is progressing well to give new life to the annexes and make them fit for industry. The wider Pembroke Dock Marine project is a huge opportunity to create hundreds of well paid jobs in the community, not only in the renewables sector but for the entire supply chain, so we’re really excited that work is underway on this phase of the development.”

Pembroke Dock Marine is expected to generate £73.5m annually to the regional economy, create opportunities for around 1,800 jobs for today’s workforce and the next generation, and contribute 1,000MW to UK and Welsh decarbonisation targets.

Pembroke Dock Marine is a partnership project between the Port of Milford Haven, Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Marine Energy Wales and Celtic Sea Power. It is funded by the UK Government and Welsh Government through the Swansea Bay City Deal, and through the public and private sectors. It is also part funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.

History of winning names

Erebus House
The HMS Erebus was built in Pembroke Dock, which at the time was the only Royal Dockyard in Wales. Launched in 1826, HMS Erebus went on to take part in John Franklin’s lost expedition under the command of James Clark Ross to the Antarctic in the 1840s, along with HMS Terror. The expedition was one of history’s greatest mysteries with both ships and its crew disappearing until there was a breakthrough in September 2014, when the shipwreck of HMS Erebus was discovered to the east of Queen Maud Gulf, Canada.

Catalina House
During World War II, the most used aircrafts at the time were the American-built PBY Catalina, which were originally introduced in the 1930s. The flying boat did not need a runway and played a significant role during the Battle of the Atlantic, with the Catalinas operating out of Pembroke Dock by the Royal Air Force, as well as the United States Navy.

Falcon House
The first of two HMS Falcons to be built at Pembroke Dock during the 1810s, launching in June 1820, was a Cherokee Class warship for the Royal Navy. The second HMS Falcon to be built in the Pembroke Dockyard was a Wooden Screw Sloop vessel, and was launched in August 1854 to serve during the Crimean War in the Baltic Sea, also participating in the siege off the coast of Courlan.

Fast forward to 1979, and a highly classified project, which still remains Pembroke Dock’s ‘worst kept secret’, saw the construction of a famous spaceship in the Western Hangar.

Oleander House
The last ship to be built at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Pembroke Dock was the RFA tanker Oleander, which was only one of six ships in its class.

Construction on the Oleander first started in December 1920 and it was launched in April 1922. RFA Oleander met its fate in May 1940 when the ship was severely damaged by a near miss during an air attack in Norway.

Business

£10 million investment to support jobs and health in Wales

Published

on

First Wales trailblazer launched as part of UK Government’s ‘Get Britain Working’ plan

A MAJOR £10 million boost to employment support in Wales has been announced as part of the UK Government’s drive to tackle economic inactivity and “Get Britain Working” again.

The first trailblazer programme in Wales, launched in Denbighshire on Monday (Apr 21), will roll out new tailored employment support including one-to-one mentoring, counselling, wellbeing services, and health condition management.

The programme was launched jointly by UK Minister for Employment Alison McGovern and Welsh Government Minister for Culture, Skills and Social Partnership Jack Sargeant, marking a shift away from a ‘one size fits all’ approach in favour of support targeted to local needs.

The investment will help people with CV writing, job searching, mental health, and managing health issues that may be holding them back from employment. The trailblazer areas – Denbighshire, Blaenau Gwent, and Neath Port Talbot – were selected for their high levels of economic inactivity and will be among nine areas across the UK to pilot these reforms.

During their visit to Working Denbighshire, both Ministers met Work Coaches and saw first-hand the services being offered under the new scheme.

Minister for Employment Alison McGovern said: “Everyone deserves to thrive, including those living with long-term health conditions.

“No one will be written off. This £10 million investment will help connect health and employment services and deliver real change under our Plan for Change.

“Good work provides both dignity and security, and this trailblazer will help people across Wales access that support.”

Welsh Government Minister Jack Sargeant added:

“This investment is an important step in our joint approach to supporting people back into good employment.

“By integrating health and employment support, and tailoring it to each community’s needs, we aim to provide truly joined-up services.

“The Welsh Government is committed to ensuring no one is left behind.”

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

“This £10 million trailblazer will deliver support where it’s most needed – in Blaenau Gwent, Denbighshire, and Neath Port Talbot.

“We know this targeted approach works and builds on the success of initiatives like the Young Person’s Guarantee.

“Helping people into work improves physical and mental health and raises living standards.”

The trailblazers are part of the UK Government’s wider £240 million Get Britain Working reforms, which include:

Transforming Jobcentres to focus on skills and careers

Guaranteeing young people the chance to earn or learn

Expanding mental health support to help people stay in work

The Wales trailblazer follows the first scheme launched earlier this month in South Yorkshire, which focuses on supporting employers to hire people with health conditions. Upcoming trailblazers will also launch in Greater Manchester, the North East, York and North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, and three areas in London.

In parallel with the trailblazer initiative, the UK Government has also:

Increased the National Living Wage and Minimum Wage

Introduced the Employment Rights Bill to create more secure jobs

Committed to deeper devolution, supporting local and devolved governments to boost regional growth

The investment into Wales reflects the Prime Minister’s pledge to reset relationships with devolved administrations and empower them to play a leading role in economic growth under the UK’s Plan for Change.

Continue Reading

Crime

Guide condemned as ‘arrogant’ after paddleboarding tragedy claims four lives

Published

on

Sentencing of Nerys Lloyd continues at Swansea Crown Court

A FORMER police officer who led a group paddleboarding trip that ended in tragedy has been heavily criticised by victims’ families during sentencing proceedings at Swansea Crown Court.

Nerys Lloyd, 39, admitted four counts of gross negligence manslaughter and a breach of health and safety laws, following the deaths of four people on the River Cleddau in Haverfordwest in October 2021.

Morgan Rogers, 24, Nicola Wheatley, 40, Andrea Powell, 41, and Lloyd’s co-instructor, Paul O’Dwyer, 42 died in the incident

The trip, which had been advertised online at £149 per person including accommodation and supervision, ended in disaster when the group were swept over a weir during dangerous river conditions.

The victims were Morgan Rogers, 24, Nicola Wheatley, 40, Andrea Powell, 41, and Lloyd’s co-instructor, Paul O’Dwyer, 42. All were described as beginner or intermediate paddleboarders, with little knowledge of the hazard ahead.

The court heard the river was in flood at the time, with a strong current and a dangerous drop of around 1.3 metres over the weir, except for a narrow fish ramp just wider than a paddleboard.

Prosecutor Mark Watson KC said Lloyd had only a basic instructor qualification, which was not appropriate for guiding a group on a river in such conditions. He told the court nearly two tonnes of water per second was flowing over a one metre-wide section of the weir at the time.

Lloyd was the only member of the group who successfully navigated the fish ramp. The others were swept over the weir and thrown into the fast-moving water.

Families of the victims have condemned Lloyd’s decision to lead the group out in such conditions, calling her actions reckless and accusing her of showing no remorse.

Andrea Powell’s husband, Mark, said his wife would have experienced “sheer panic” and described Lloyd’s failings as “monumental,” labelling her arrogant and careless.

Teresa Hall, mother of Morgan Rogers, told the court: “You guided Morgan to her death,” and described the agony of imagining her daughter struggling to breathe.

Survivor Gemma Cox gave a harrowing account of trying to rescue fellow paddleboarders, saying she had no idea what a weir was and would never have joined the trip had she known.

Another survivor, Melody Johns, called for better safety awareness and regulation, warning that many boards are sold without quick-release leashes that could save lives. A third survivor, Jemma Dugdale, urged organisations including Paddle UK, Paddle Cymru, Sport Wales and Sport England to take action to prevent similar tragedies.

The court also heard that Lloyd was suspended from South Wales Police at the time of the incident, following a caution for an unrelated fraudulent insurance claim. She had not carried out risk assessments or collected next-of-kin information before the trip, causing delays in informing families after the incident.

Following the deaths, Lloyd reportedly said: “It’s my fault 100% … I just turned around and they all fell over.”

The sentencing hearing is due to conclude on Wednesday (Apr 23).

Continue Reading

News

Licence up for grabs to sell ice cream at Newgale Beach

Published

on

A PRIME seaside trading spot has been made available by Pembrokeshire County Council, offering a unique opportunity for an entrepreneur to operate an ice cream van at the popular Newgale Beach.

The council is inviting tenders for a licence to trade from the northern car park at Newgale between 1st March and 31st October each year. Applications must be submitted by 12:00 noon on Wednesday (Apr 30).

Located on the north-west coast of Pembrokeshire, Newgale Beach stretches for over 3 kilometres and is a favourite among surfers, swimmers, and families alike. Sporting events are frequently held on the beach during the summer months, drawing in large crowds and providing a strong footfall for potential ice cream sales.

The designated car parks at Newgale offer 230 spaces and are the closest surface car parks to the beach. Seasonal parking charges apply between March and October.

The council is seeking offers over £5,000 plus VAT per annum for the licence. Trading hours are expected to be between 11:00am and 7:00pm daily, although these times can be adjusted with the prior agreement of the Streetcare and Parking Manager.

The successful applicant will be allowed to sell principally ice cream, but soft drinks and confectionery may also be sold subject to approval. The sale of alcohol and hot food will not be permitted.

Interested parties are encouraged to visit the site before submitting their applications. An application form can be requested from the council’s Property Helpdesk. All offers will be considered up until the exchange of contracts, although the council is not obliged to accept the highest or any offer.

Continue Reading

Crime14 hours ago

Guide condemned as ‘arrogant’ after paddleboarding tragedy claims four lives

Sentencing of Nerys Lloyd continues at Swansea Crown Court A FORMER police officer who led a group paddleboarding trip that...

News20 hours ago

Dŵr Cymru loses 251 million litres each day due to leaks

Welsh Lib Dems slam water firms as millions of litres leaked daily WELSH Liberal Democrats have criticised Dŵr Cymru and...

News22 hours ago

Search continues for missing sailor in Irish Sea

THE SEARCH for a man who went overboard from a UK-registered yacht in the Irish Sea entered its third day...

News2 days ago

Pope Francis Dies at 88: Tributes pour in for a Pontiff of compassion and reform​

REQUIEM MASSES TO BE HELD ACROSS WALES POPE FRANCIS, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church and...

News3 days ago

Search continues for man overboard from UK yacht in Irish Sea

A MAJOR search and rescue operation is under way in the Irish Sea after a man went overboard from a...

Business3 days ago

Calls for urgent sale of Oakwood site amid trespasser fears

CONCERNS have been raised about trespassers entering the closed Oakwood theme park, prompting calls for a swift sale of the...

Crime3 days ago

Reform candidate co-opted to town council — graffiti appears days later

A MAN who recently lost a by-election standing for the Reform UK party has been co-opted onto Haverfordwest Town Council...

News5 days ago

Body found in tent in Pembrokeshire woodland

Death not believed to be suspicious POLICE are investigating the unexplained death of a man whose body was discovered in...

Community5 days ago

West Wales sewage crisis: New calls for accountability amid environmental concerns

THE SEWAGE pollution crisis engulfing West Wales continues to deepen, with new data and growing public pressure exposing serious environmental...

Charity5 days ago

Charity distances itself from viral post as £4,000 theft claim goes viral

A VIRAL social media post accusing a man of stealing £4,000 from a veterans’ charity has been described as “unauthorised...

Popular This Week