Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Pembrokeshire County Council’s new Member Champion for Armed Forces

Published

on

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has a new Member Champion for Armed Forces.

Cllr Simon Hancock has taken up the role previously held by Cllr John Cole.

The Armed Forces Champion provides a voice for serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans and their families to ensure that group are taken into account when Council policy is being developed and decisions are made.

Cllr Hancock, the Councillor for Neyland East, said: “I am deeply honoured to be appointed the new Armed Forces Champion for Pembrokeshire, a county with a long and glorious association with the nation’s armed forces. 

“I am determined to support the Armed Forces community, especially veterans in the county and nurture public understanding and awareness of issues affecting the community. 

“We need to recognise the sacrifices made by our dedicated service personnel.

“Every family has their own personal connection to the armed forces. In my own case I had a grandfather who was at Dunkirk and a father who served in the Royal Air Force. 

“As the Champion I want to ensure Pembrokeshire County Council achieves its commitments across housing, education and healthcare and any barriers are removed.”

Cllr Hancock’s new role was welcomed by Regional Armed Forces Liaison Officer, Hayley Edwards, whose role is to work collaboratively with organisations to ensure that individuals are treated fairly and not disadvantaged through their service in the Armed Forces.

Hayley, a current serving reservist, said: ‘’I am looking forward to supporting Councillor Simon Hancock as our new Armed Forces Champion. He comes to the role with previous experience of working within the Armed Forces Community which will be of great benefit to our veterans, serving personnel and their families within Pembrokeshire.’’

In 2022 Pembrokeshire County Council achieved the prestigious Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2022.

The accolade recognises employers who have actively demonstrated their support for the Armed Forces community through implementing practical policies in the workplace. 

Pictured above: Cllr Simon Hancock, pictured with Regional Armed Forces Liaison Officer, Hayley Edwards, is the new Member Champion for Armed Forces.

Crime

Former Pembroke Dock mayor admits child abuse image charges

Published

on

AT Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 10), former Pembroke Dock Mayor Terry Judkins has pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children.

Judkins, who held office as mayor from May 2021 until his resignation in November 2021, faced multiple charges related to child abuse images.

The court heard that Judkins was charged with creating two Category C indecent images of children and possessing a prohibited image of a child during a period spanning from September 27, 2018, to August 5, 2021.

The 55-year-old admitted to these offences in a hearing that has drawn considerable attention.

However, Judkins denied charges related to possessing extreme pornographic images that depicted bestiality, covering a timeline from January 2010 to August 2021.

Prosecutor Helen Randall indicated that the Crown would pursue a trial on these allegations given Judkins’ not guilty plea.

Additional charges against Judkins include making 52 Category A indecent images of children within the same dates as his earlier admissions.

The former mayor has been granted extra time to consider his plea on this charge, with a future court appearance scheduled for a later date.

This case has cast a shadow over Judkins’ brief tenure as mayor. He resigned last year citing personal reasons and extra work commitments.

Continue Reading

News

Welsh rally star eyeing second British championship success

Published

on

OSAIN PRYCE is eyeing his second British Rally Championship (BRC) title after a recording a superb victory in the Severn Valley Stages.

The Welsh star and co-driver Rhodri Evans finished 20 seconds ahead of Irish driver William Creighton, with championship leader Chris Ingram claiming third place.

The result left Pryce 15 points adrift of Ingram after two rounds and boosted his chances of adding to his 2022 British title success.

Pryce was excellent in his Ford Fiesta Rally2, wowing the sizeable crowds who lined iconic stages such as Hafren Sweet Lamb and Myherin.

The Welshman established an early lead over Ingram before withstanding a charge by Creighton to claim his first BRC victory since Rally Yorkshire in 2022.

“It’s a big relief – I’m so happy to get the win,” Pryce said. “We had a dodgy couple of stages at the end, and to be honest, it was so slippy, but I drove at a pace where I was comfortable.

“I did lose some time, which in the end wasn’t too bad, but we certainly had some hairy moments just trying to keep it on the road. Credit to everyone who’s got me here. Top job from Rhodri too – that’s his first-ever win!

While Ingram currently leads the standings by four points from Creighton, the Irishman could be the biggest threat to Pryce’s title hopes.

He is still getting to grips with his new Ford Fiesta Rally2 car, but has recorded back-to-back second place finishes to force his way into contention.

Bettors in Creighton’s homeland have backed their compatriot to emerge victorious this season, forcing bookmakers to cut his odds to win the title.

Several of the best Irish betting sites also make him the favourite to win the upcoming Jim Clark Rally in Scotland later this month.

However, Pryce will fancy his chances of claiming another victory as he strives to follow up his impressive 2022 British title success.

The Welshman won four of the seven events that season to clinch top spot by an emphatic 19-point margin from Keith Cronin.

With two of the final four rallies of the season set to be staged in Wales, Pryce could be a good bet to upset the odds over the next few months.

He has previously won Rali Ceredigion and the Cambrian Rally, which should give him the confidence he needs to secure another British title.

Continue Reading

Farming

King Charles III is new Royal Welsh Agricultural Society patron

Published

on

KING CHARLES III has continued a royal tradition by agreeing to become the new patron of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS).

As Prince of Wales, he consistently supported the RWAS, having visited the Royal Welsh Show seven times from 1969 to 2019 and he opened the Royal Welsh Winter Fair in 2001.

“To have the monarch as our patron is very special,” said Aled Rhys Jones, RWAS chief executive. “We are immensely grateful to His Majesty for continuing his support to the society.

“He is a true champion of rural matters and has a deep affection for Wales. His support as patron will be a great endorsement to the work we do in promoting Welsh agriculture.”

The decision follows a review of the patronages of the late Queen, the former Prince of Wales and the former Duchess of Cornwall. The letter from Buckingham Palace to the RWAS read: ‘His Majesty would be delighted to accept’.

The Queen was patron of the RWAS for 70 years and showed great support. Her support reflected her long-lasting interest in Welsh agriculture, horticulture and rural affairs.

The Queen’s first official role with the RWAS was as Princess Elizabeth in 1947, when she was honorary president. She undertook a triumphant tour of the showground during a visit to the Royal Welsh Show, held in Carmarthen.

The late Queen had followed her late father, George VI, and her grandfather, George V in accepting the patronage.

King George V first became patron as Prince of Wales in 1907 and formally as King in 1911. His Silver Challenge Cup for the best Welsh Cob then became known as the George Prince of Wales Challenge Cup, one of the most famous cups presented at the Royal Welsh Show annually.

Continue Reading

Crime13 hours ago

Former Pembroke Dock mayor admits child abuse image charges

AT Swansea Crown Court on Friday (May 10), former Pembroke Dock Mayor Terry Judkins has pleaded guilty to possessing indecent...

Farming21 hours ago

King Charles III is new Royal Welsh Agricultural Society patron

KING CHARLES III has continued a royal tradition by agreeing to become the new patron of the Royal Welsh Agricultural...

Crime3 days ago

Drunk digger driver remanded for hurling racial abuse at neighbours

A MILFORD HAVEN digger driver who hurled racist abuse at his female black neighbours on repeated occasions has been remanded...

News4 days ago

Message suggests Vaughan Gething lied to UK Covid Inquiry

VAUGHAN GETHING came under fresh pressure on Tuesday (May 7). Wales’s First Minister, whose reputation hangs on a thread following...

Community5 days ago

Joy as Willow rescued by coastguard after 12-day ordeal

WILLOW a cherished family dog, has been reunited with her owners after a harrowing 12-day disappearance. The heartwarming conclusion to...

Business5 days ago

Dragon LNG explores integration of LNG and CO2 liquefaction processes

DRAGON LNG, based in Waterston, Milford Haven, recently announced a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions. The company awarded a...

Charity6 days ago

Pembrokeshire woman runs London Marathon for charities close to her heart

A PEMBROKESHIRE woman has raised over £13,000 for good causes after challenging herself to complete the London Marathon. Terrie Savage...

Community6 days ago

Momentum building to secure the future of Wholefoods Newport

FOLLOWING the very successful public meeting in Newport, Pembrokeshire which was held to discuss bringing the much-loved local wholefoods shop...

News1 week ago

Council seeking legal advice to address Withyhedge enforcement

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council says it has sought legal advice and is contemplating legal proceedings against Withyhedge Landfill operators RML, in...

News1 week ago

Beautiful, funny and lovely: Family pay tribute to Sian Batchelor

THE family of a woman has paid tribute to a “beautiful, funny, lovely person.” Sian Batchelor, aged 32, was found...

Popular This Week