CREATIVE media students at Pembrokeshire College have showcased their impressive talents in an annual video competition run in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council.

The Road Safety Competition challenges students to produce a 45-second film or animation highlighting one of the ‘Fatal 5’ causes of road traffic collisions. The winning entries are used in the council’s social media campaigns to promote safer driving and help reduce casualties on local roads.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Road Safety Officer, Sally Jones, said: “We are very proud to be working with the Creative Media students at Pembrokeshire College once again for our annual Road Safety media competition.

“All the students worked very hard and impressed the judges with their unique and innovative videos. The overall winner, Silas, delivered a very impactful video which we look forward to sharing via our social media channels.”

Silas Roberts was awarded a £100 cheque for his video Stay Alive! Don’t Drive Distracted, which highlights the dangers of texting while driving. Speaking after the win, Silas said: “I am really pleased that the client liked my video. I wanted to create something simple that would get the message across, and the fact that I was chosen as the winning entry shows that I was successful in achieving that.”

Runners-up Sabrina Semaani-Rodriguez and Taya Fouracre were each awarded a £50 Amazon voucher for their outstanding contributions.

The competition not only raises awareness of key road safety issues, but also provides students with real-world experience in working to a live client brief.

Course lecturer Denys Bassett-Jones added: “I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of this year’s competition. Every year the standard gets higher and the students never cease to amaze me with their ideas.

“Working in partnership with PCC gives learners the opportunity to develop their skills in a real-world context, which is a fundamental part of creative education at Pembrokeshire College.”

A CAMROSE man who thought he was grooming a 13-year-old girl has been sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.

Phillip Jackson, aged 42, of The Causeway, Haverfordwest, appeared before the court on Thursday (Apr 3) after pleading guilty to two offences: attempting sexual communication with a child, and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

The court previously heard that between September 22 and October 20, 2024, Jackson engaged in sexually explicit conversations online with someone he believed to be a young teenage girl. In reality, the account was operated by a decoy.

He also encouraged the supposed child to perform a sexual act on herself.

Judge Paul Thomas KC sentenced Jackson to 20 months in prison, suspended for two years. He must also complete 35 days of rehabilitation activity and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

Jackson was made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.

The Herald understands Jackson made full admissions during his police interview and had no previous convictions.

WHILE some people in Pembrokeshire still question whether climate change is real, the evidence is stacking up — and today’s announcement about a massive floating wind farm project in the Celtic Sea shows that Wales is not only taking the issue seriously, but leading the way in tackling it.

This week, Pembroke Port in Milford Haven was shortlisted as one of seven UK ports that could play a key role in assembling giant offshore wind turbines for a project that could power over four million homes and create more than 5,000 jobs. The £1.4 billion development is part of a wider plan to harness the clean, renewable energy potential of the Celtic Sea.

It’s a vote of confidence in Pembrokeshire’s future — and a real-world example of how climate change is being addressed right here in West Wales.

The facts we can’t ignore

Despite online conspiracy theories and political noise, the science is clear. The planet is warming — and fast. Global temperatures have risen more than 1°C since the late 1800s. Sea levels are rising, polar ice is melting, and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. Wales is already seeing the effects, from heavier rainfall and flash flooding to warmer winters and shifting wildlife patterns.

97% of climate scientists agree that this warming is caused by human activity, especially the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. The tiny minority who deny this often have links to fossil fuel interests or aren’t trained climate scientists at all.

What it means for us

Here in Pembrokeshire, we’re on the front line. Coastal communities like Newgale and Dale are vulnerable to rising seas and stronger storms. Farmers face unpredictable growing seasons. Local businesses reliant on stable weather, from tourism to agriculture, are already feeling the pressure.

But Pembrokeshire is also part of the solution. Floating wind farms — like those planned for the Celtic Sea — offer clean power, skilled jobs, and energy security. Milford Haven’s port is already preparing for the future, backed by government investment and maritime expertise.

The climate is changing. Whether we “believe” it or not, it’s happening. The good news is that Pembrokeshire has a chance not just to weather the storm — but to help lead the way.

20 undeniable facts that prove climate change is real

1. The 10 hottest years on record have all occurred since 2010.
2. The Earth’s average temperature has risen by over 1.1°C since the late 19th century.
3. Arctic sea ice is shrinking — with summer ice extent declining by about 13% per decade.
4. The Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass at an accelerating rate.
5. Global sea levels have risen by over 20 cm (8 inches) since 1900 — and are rising faster every decade.
6. The oceans are warming, absorbing more than 90% of excess heat from global warming.
7. More extreme weather is being recorded — including heatwaves, floods, storms and droughts.
8. The UK recorded its hottest day ever in July 2022: 40.3°C in Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
9. Pembrokeshire has experienced increased winter rainfall and more intense storms in recent years.
10. Wildfires are increasing globally, including in countries not historically prone to them — like Canada and Greece.
11. Ocean waters are becoming more acidic due to higher CO₂ absorption, threatening marine life and coral reefs.
12. Spring is arriving earlier across Europe, affecting wildlife and ecosystems.
13. Glaciers are retreating on every continent, including the Alps, Andes, and Himalayas.
14. Tropical diseases like dengue fever are spreading into new regions as global temperatures rise.
15. Climate-linked crop failures are increasing food insecurity in parts of Africa and Asia.
16. Satellite data shows the Earth’s energy imbalance is growing — more heat is being trapped than released.
17. The frequency of category 4 and 5 hurricanes in the Atlantic has increased over the last 40 years.
18. Plants and animals are shifting ranges to escape warming temperatures.
19. Permafrost is thawing in the Arctic, releasing methane — a potent greenhouse gas.
20. 97% of climate scientists agree: climate change is real and caused mostly by humans.