News
Bute Energy announces charity partnerships to make an impact that matters in Wales
BUTE ENERGY says that it is proud to be supporting The DPJ Foundation and St David’s Hospice Care as its official charities, for a partnership that will be in place for three years.
This launches the first charity partnership project at Bute Energy, which aims to help people right across Wales through key themes of support, including mental health, rural support, cost of living and hospices. The charities will benefit from a full package of support, and the partnership is of mutual benefit to all parties. Both charities will also help staff at Bute Energy improve wellbeing and sense of connection to the community.
The team at Bute Energy nominated 19 charities they felt passionate about to be a potential charity partner for the company. A shortlist was created based on alignment with the organisations themes and each charity was invited to apply. Votes were counted to select the successful two:-
The DPJ Foundation, based in Carmarthen and work right across Wales. The charity support those in the agricultural sector with poor mental health by providing support, spreading awareness and training those in farming to be aware of poor mental health and its impact within communities.
St David’s Foundation Hospice Care, based in Newport. They provide a range of services to patients and their families throughout their journey of terminal illness. A holistic, family support approach is available from point of referral onwards. Services are offered free of charge throughout Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and within South and Mid Powys for people facing a progressive life-limiting illness which is no longer curable.
Catryn Newton, Community Benefit Director at Bute Energy, said: “Our goal is to ensure we work closely with people right across Wales to identify the areas where there’s a need to deliver direct benefits. It’s our pleasure to welcome our selected charities to the Bute Energy family, as we work alongside them to identify and help them access skills through volunteering, staff fundraising and financial support for their projects. Our team are eager to start volunteering with the chosen charities, as well as providing skilled support, assisting with grant applications, social media activity and business planning, to name but a few.
“Partnering with organisations and communities in the locations in which we operate is important to us, and working with our charity partners not only give our staff the opportunity to support their communities, but it also helps us develop our knowledge, enabling us to deliver more inclusive community benefits to groups, charities and organisations in Wales.”
Kate Miles, Charity Manager at The DPJ Foundation, added: “The DPJ Foundation is really pleased to have been chosen by Bute Energy staff as one of their charities that they will fundraise for over the coming three years. For a small charity like the DPJ Foundation, being chosen means we will have the opportunity to reach more people with our lifesaving service, as every pound raised makes a real difference. It will also allow more people to find out about the work that we do with the agricultural community in Wales and has already started more conversations around mental health and wellbeing.
“At the DPJ Foundation, we support people in agriculture who are struggling with their mental health through our confidential Share the Load helpline and counselling service. It costs us around £1,000 a month to run the telephone and text helplines, which is why we are so pleased to have been selected as one of the charities that Bute Energy staff will be supporting. We have heard some of the great ideas that Bute staff have come up with for raising money for us and the other chosen charities, so are excited to see what they will do.”
Emma Saysell, Chief Executive of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “We are thankful to Bute Energy for selecting us as one of their charities for a three-year partnership which allow us to forge a great working relationship to not only raise funds but also educate the staff on our many free services that we provide locally to patients and their families. We are aware that staff have their own innovative fundraising ideas which we look forward to hearing more about, as well as encouraging the team to look at our extensive calendar of events that we organise.”
Bute Energy is based in Wales and is acting now to tackle the climate emergency, energy crisis, and cost-of-living crisis, by powering Wales with clean, green energy. Bute Energy’s Community Benefits Team are leading on delivering Community Benefits under five themes – Cost of living support, Recreation & Health, Education, Environment & Culture, and Employability. The company’s investment in this area demonstrates the commitment to maximising the benefits for Welsh communities, with above industry standard levels of financial support.
To read more about Bute Energy, visit the website, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Crime
Milford Haven disturbance sees two women arrested
TWO WOMEN were arrested following a disturbance at the Mount Estate in Milford Haven on Saturday night (May 9).
The Herald understands the arrests followed an altercation involving four people.
Video circulating on social media shows two women lying face down on the ground outside while handcuffed and restrained by police officers.
In the footage, officers can be heard telling one woman that she is being arrested on suspicion of assaulting police.
Both women were then taken away, each flanked by officers.
Other women can be seen speaking to those detained while they remain on the ground.
The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for further details, including confirmation of the number of arrests, the nature of the incident, and whether anyone was injured.
News
Wales enters new political era after historic Senedd election
WALES has entered a new political era after voters delivered the biggest political upheaval since devolution.
Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd, Reform UK surged into second place, and Welsh Labour was reduced to its worst result since the creation of Welsh devolution in 1999.
The result ends Labour’s long dominance of Welsh politics and leaves Cardiff Bay facing weeks of negotiations over who will form the next Welsh Government.

Labour dominance ends
For the first time since the Senedd was created, Labour is no longer the largest party in Wales.
The party fell to just nine seats in the expanded 96-member chamber, a result which has sent shockwaves through Welsh politics.
First Minister Eluned Morgan also lost her own seat in Ceredigion Penfro before announcing that she would stand down as Welsh Labour leader.
The scale of the defeat reflects deep public frustration over the NHS, public services, the cost of living, and the perception that Welsh Labour had run out of energy after decades in power.
Ken Skates has now been appointed interim Welsh Labour leader as the party begins what is likely to be a long and painful rebuilding process.
Plaid’s historic breakthrough
Plaid Cymru finished as the largest party with 43 seats, a landmark result for Rhun ap Iorwerth and his party.
It is the closest Plaid has ever come to forming a government in Wales, and gives the party the clear first opportunity to try to lead the next Welsh Government.
However, Plaid fell short of the 49 seats needed for an outright majority.
That means Rhun ap Iorwerth must now decide whether to seek a formal coalition, a confidence-and-supply arrangement, or attempt to govern as a minority administration.
The party campaigned strongly on the NHS, childcare, housing, rural Wales and economic renewal. It must now show that it can move from opposition into government and turn those promises into delivery.

Reform becomes major force
The other major story of the election was the dramatic rise of Reform UK.
The party won 34 seats, becoming the second-largest group in the Senedd and reshaping the political map across Wales.
Reform made major gains in former Labour heartlands, particularly in areas where voters have become disillusioned with Cardiff Bay politics and traditional party loyalties.

Its success means the next Senedd will be noisier, more confrontational, and far less predictable than before.
Reform will now have a large platform from which to challenge Plaid Cymru, Welsh Labour and the Conservatives on public services, immigration, the economy, and the future direction of Wales.

Smaller parties gain ground
The Conservatives were reduced to seven seats, leaving them much diminished after years of trying to present themselves as the main alternative to Labour.
The Wales Green Party won two seats, giving the party its first real foothold in the Senedd.
The Welsh Liberal Democrats won one seat, ensuring they remain represented in Cardiff Bay.
The new electoral system, which expanded the Senedd from 60 to 96 members and introduced 16 larger constituencies electing six MSs each, helped create a far more proportional result.
It has also produced a chamber in which smaller parties and tactical negotiations will matter more than ever.

What happens next?
The key issue now is who can command enough support to govern.
Plaid Cymru, as the largest party, will be expected to lead the process of forming an administration.
But without a majority, every major vote will matter. Budgets, major laws, confidence votes and key policy decisions will all require careful negotiation.
A formal deal with another party may prove difficult. A minority Plaid government is possible, but it would need support from other MSs to survive.
That means the next few weeks could be decisive for the future of Wales.
A changed country
This was more than a bad night for Labour or a breakthrough for Plaid and Reform.
It was a clear sign that Welsh politics has changed.
Old loyalties have weakened. Voters who once backed the same party for generations have shown they are prepared to move. The next Senedd will be more divided, more unpredictable, and more difficult to control.
For Wales, the message is stark.
The Labour era is over. Plaid Cymru now has its greatest opportunity yet. Reform UK has arrived as a major force. And whoever forms the next Welsh Government will have to prove quickly that change means more than a different set of faces in Cardiff Bay.
Community
Haverfordwest Castle redevelopment on track for 2028 reopening
Major project will create new visitor attraction, events space, museum and improved town links
HAVERFORDWEST Castle is on course to reopen in 2028 following a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the historic site into a high-quality visitor attraction.
County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, recently visited the site to see the progress being made.
He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, it was lovely to visit the Haverfordwest Castle Redevelopment Project and see the progress that has been achieved.
“I am very much looking forward to the Castle reopening in 2028.”

The project will see the mediaeval castle conserved for future generations, while the Inner Bailey has been landscaped so it can host events for up to 500 people.
These could include concerts, plays, craft fairs, Christmas markets and other community events.
The wider castle grounds are also being improved, with new interpretation explaining the history of the site, as well as family-friendly activities.
The building which houses Haverfordwest Museum, the Governor’s House, is being conserved, while the museum exhibition inside will be completely refurbished and modernised.

The former gaol building will also be transformed into a visitor attraction telling the story of Pembrokeshire’s past and future in an interactive and family-friendly way.
The attraction will include a café, shop, community spaces and exhibition areas.
Work is also taking place to improve the physical route between the castle and the town centre at Castle Back, with better signage planned to help visitors find the castle and navigate Haverfordwest more easily.
The castle is expected to reopen in 2028.
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