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Plaid want 1,000 litres heating voucher to help off-grid Pembrokeshire households

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PLAID CYMRU politicians have reiterated calls for the UK Government to provide greater support for ‘off grid’ Pembrokeshire households, pressing for a roll-out of a voucher scheme that would provide 1,000 litres of heating oil for homes not connected to the gas grid.

The calls have been made in Westminster by Plaid Cymru’s Ben Lake, Member of Parliament for Ceredigion – a county where 74% of properties are not connected to the mains gas grid.

The proposed scheme would allow households to purchase 1,000 litres of heating oil or equivalent volume of liquid propane gas (LPG) which would reflect a “commensurate level of support” to that provided for households connected to the mains gas grid.

During the mini-budget in September, the Conservative Government revealed proposals for a £100 payment to be support households reliant on heating oil – a sum which has been described by Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru regional Member of the Senedd for Mid & West Wales as “pitiful”.

According to estimates, 41% of Pembrokeshire properties are currently not connected to the mains gas grid – comparing with a Wales average of 19%. Such households are reliant on alternative heating sources, including oil, biomass and LPG gas – which, unlike electricity, are not subject to a price cap, and therefore liable to fluctuating prices.

At current prices, a voucher worth 1,000 litres of heating oil (the predominant source of heating for off-gas-grid homes in Wales) would cost £890.90.

Certas Energy estimates that the average household in the UK uses around 27,000 kWh of energy per year, which equates to around 1,800 litres of heating oil. 1,000 litres would therefore be enough to support most families using heating oil through the winter and should be replicated next year if prices have not fallen.

Cefin Campbell MS, who previously called on the Welsh Government to provide greater support for off-grid households said:

“As winter approaches, and the cost-of-living crisis intensifies, it’s clear rural households across Pembrokeshire are likely to be disproportionally impacted by surging heating prices.

The Tories in Westminster have detailed their plan to help households connected to the mains gas grid, but we still await clarity on the pitiful £100 support payment that will be offered to those not connected to the mains gas grid. Meanwhile, in Pembrokeshire many households will also fall short of the necessary criteria to gain additional fuel support announced by the Welsh Government.

As many families face the unenviable choice between heating and eating, now is the time for the UK Government to pull-up their socks and act to support rural off-grid households, and such offering of a 1,000 litre voucher would provide comfort and support to so many at a time of growing uncertainty.”

Plaid Cymru’s Ben Lake MP added:

“It is unacceptable that in an advanced economy such as that of the UK, thousands of families will be unable to afford to heat their homes this winter.”

“Plaid Cymru is proposing a voucher scheme for households to purchase 1,000 litres of heating oil or equivalent volume of LPG to heat their homes this winter. That would represent a commensurate level of support to that already offered to households covered by the Energy Price Guarantee.

“Households that are not connected to the mains gas grid are mostly found in rural and deprived post-industrial areas of Wales. They already face higher costs due to poor insulation, poor transport infrastructure, and poor local amenities. To further punish those households with a substandard support package is immoral.

“We are facing a bleak winter. While the UK Government chooses to look the other way, Plaid Cymru is providing positive solutions to help families keep warm.”

Crime

Malicious communications charges dropped against Welsh prison campaigner

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WEST WALES prison reform advocate Zack Griffiths has had all malicious communications charges against him dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service—but still faces one remaining charge linked to a video posted on social media.

Griffiths, who has become a prominent critic of conditions at HMP Parc in Bridgend, was arrested in April this year while attending Cardiff Crown Court. He was subsequently recalled to prison, where he remains in custody.

The dropped charges were originally brought under the Online Safety Act and related to alleged online harassment. However, the CPS has now confirmed it will offer no evidence on these counts. Supporters have claimed the charges were part of a campaign to silence Griffiths’ outspoken activism.

The remaining charge concerns a video filmed inside a prison, which appeared in a Facebook group run by Griffiths. While it is not alleged that Griffiths himself posted the footage, prosecutors claim he is liable as the group administrator for failing to remove the content.

His legal team, however, argue that the video was uploaded using the platform’s anonymous posting feature, and that Griffiths had no knowledge of its publication. They are expected to apply to have the charge struck out at a hearing on Friday (May 24).

Griffiths is a former inmate who served time for drug-related offences. Since his release, he has dedicated himself to campaigning on behalf of prisoners and their families, often using social media to highlight alleged corruption, drug abuse, and violence inside UK prisons—particularly HMP Parc.

In November 2024, he was jailed for 12 months for posting a video of a Parc prison officer restraining an inmate. He also falsely accused a staff member of involvement in drug dealing, leading to a restraining order. Griffiths represented himself during that trial and argued he was acting in the public interest.

The case against him continues against the backdrop of intensifying scrutiny at HMP Parc, where six prison officers have been arrested in recent months on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and where several deaths in custody are under investigation.

Griffiths’ supporters have branded the ongoing legal proceedings a “witch hunt” and are calling for a public inquiry into G4S-run Parc Prison.

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Crime

Strangulation charge dropped against Pembrokeshire man

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A 22-YEAR-OLD man from Haverfordwest has been formally cleared of an allegation that he strangled a woman earlier this year.

Byron Rowlands, of Baring Gould Way, had faced a charge of intentional strangulation following an alleged incident in the town on 15 February.

He denied the accusation from the outset, and a trial had been scheduled for later this year.

During a previous hearing, his barrister said Rowlands had been clear that the incident “did not happen”.

However, the case was brought back before Swansea Crown Court after a review was triggered by a bail application.

Prosecutor Regan Walters confirmed that no further evidence would be offered against Rowlands.

Judge Catherine Richards recorded a not guilty verdict and told the defendant he would be released.

“This concludes the matter,” she said.

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News

‘Allo ‘Allo! comes to the Torch Theatre this June

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New Xenon Theatre Company launches with riotous stage adaptation of TV classic

FANS of the beloved British sitcom ‘Allo ‘Allo! are in for a treat this June, as the Torch Theatre hosts a live stage adaptation of the wartime comedy classic.

Presented by New Xenon Theatre Company—a newly formed group created by members of the much-loved Xenon Liberal Arts—the show brings all the farcical charm of the original series to life. Expect slapstick humour, larger-than-life characters, and chaotic plot twists as café owner René Artois juggles Nazis, the Resistance, secret British airmen, and an increasingly complicated love life, all within his humble café in occupied France.

The plot centres on René and his long-suffering (and tone-deaf) wife Edith, who are hiding a priceless stolen painting in a sausage in their cellar—alongside two downed RAF airmen awaiting rescue. Add to that a malfunctioning wireless disguised as a cockatoo, a series of inept disguises, and a visit from a Führer impersonator, and the stage is set for an evening of classic comedic mayhem.

Director Allison Butler, who also plays Michelle of the Resistance, said: “We’re thrilled to bring this hilarious show to the Torch as our maiden production for New Xenon Theatre Company. The cast members really are doing a wonderful job of bringing all the characters to life, and we’re looking forward to welcoming you to Café René!”

Jordan Dickin, who takes on the role of Officer Crabtree, added: “Rehearsals have been an absolute blast, and it’s a joy to embody such an iconic character. Listen very carefully, I will say this only once… make it a Good Moaning and get your tickets before they vanish like phantoms into the night!”

Performances of ‘Allo ‘Allo! will take place at the Torch Theatre on:

  • Thursday 19 June at 7:30pm
  • Friday 20 June at 7:30pm
  • Saturday 21 June at 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Tickets are £18, with £16 concessions available for the Thursday performance only. For bookings, visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

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