News

Fairy Liquid caused man’s death

Published

12 years ago

August 29, 2014

THE DEATH of a 68-yearold man was given a narrative conclusion at the Coroner’s Court last Thursday of death by drinking Fairy Liquid.

John Keith William Shelley, of Church Close, Begelly was one of two children born in Birmingham, and had moved to Saundersfoot in 1960. Coroner’s Officer, Jeremy Davies said: “Mr Shelley liked his own company and did not mix well with others. He was thought to suffer from childhood psychosis and in 2004 moved to Ty Bryn mental health home in Carmarthen. “While he was there he was described as non-verbal and was taking a cocktail of medication. He also had a dentistry operation to remove all his teeth and an operation on his bowels. “On Wednesday, April 13, he was discharged from Ty Bryn due to concerns regarding his age and vulnerability and was moved to a bungalow in Church Close. He was visited regularly by his brother, Martin Shelley, who had concerns about the safety at the bungalow. “At 10am on Saturday, July 13, he ingested Fairy Liquid and his condition deteriorated. An ambulance was called at 8pm and he was taken to Withybush Hospital. He was assessed at the Acute Cardiac Ward at 1am on July 14 and passed away at 7.10am on Sunday, July 14”.” Mr Shelley’s brother, Martin Shelley raised concerns with the court that he felt as though the 999 call should have been made earlier and that the bungalow he was living in was not suitable for his brother, such as the height of the fence in the garden and his access to the kitchen. Dr Baburaj, who was working with Hywel Dda Health Board as a mental health psychairtrist at the time of Mr Shelley’s death, told the court: “I was involved in the decision to move Mr Shelley to Church Close. We had plans to resettle him into a smaller place mainly because it seemed a smaller setting would be in his best interests. The two main things that could have been a risk to him would have been jumping onto the fence and falling and eating inedible things. “He was given anti-psychotic medicine and no changes were made to his medication before he was moved. The transition was discussed on January 16 and on March 12 a transition date was set. I was familiar with the home he was being moved to, but I had not been there prior to his discharge. If there was a problem with where he was staying, we would have brought him back to Ty Bryn.” Pembrokeshire Coroner, Mark Layton concluded the inquest as a narrative conclusion, where Mr John Shelley passed away due to a toxic intake of Fairy Liquid.

Community

Lydstep Haven swimming warning lifted after sewerage repairs

Published

53 minutes ago

May 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BATHERS have been told they can return to the water at Lydstep Haven after warnings linked to a pollution incident were lifted.

Pembrokeshire County Council had advised people not to swim at the beach after an “abnormal situation” was declared earlier this month over concerns about bathing water quality.

Natural Resources Wales has now confirmed that the status has been lifted following repair works to a private sewerage system.

Water samples taken in the days after the repairs indicated that the bathing water was no longer being affected.

Signage warning people not to swim will now be removed by the council.

An NRW spokesperson said: “The ‘abnormal situation’ status at Lydstep Haven beach in Pembrokeshire has been lifted by Natural Resources Wales.

“The lifting of this status means that Pembrokeshire County Council is no longer advising people not to swim at Lydstep Haven.

“The private operator has carried out repair works to their sewerage system and results from several water samples taken indicate the bathing water is no longer being impacted.

“NRW is continuing its investigation into any possible regulatory breaches.”

Community

Safe Haven Homeless breakfast raises more than £170 in Whitland

Published

57 minutes ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FUNDRAISING breakfast held at The Station House pub in Whitland has raised more than £170 for Safe Haven Homeless CIC.

The event saw supporters gather at the pub, where landlord Mike provided a dedicated area for the organisation to display leaflets and posters, sell mugs, and explain more about its plans.

Collection tins were placed on each table and organisers said several generous donations were made during the morning.

Safe Haven Homeless CIC is being set up to provide a safe location, together with a wider support package, for homeless people who are desperate to get their lives back on track.

Organisers said the money raised would go towards the group’s work and help demonstrate to grant funders that the organisation is able to raise support locally.

A spokesperson said: “We intend to fund our initial start-up costs from grant funding, and by holding events like this we show grant funders that we are capable of raising funds ourselves.”

Safe Haven Homeless is also in the process of having a website built, which is expected to include a donations portal. The front page is currently live at www.safe-haven-homeless.org.uk, with OROGO Advertising working on the full site.

Photos:

Dave, founder and general manager, with his wife Lynne; director Steve Cox; supporters at the breakfast; the display area; and The Station House, Whitland.

Business

Cardigan bakery named among best in UK

Published

1 hour ago

May 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CARDIGAN bakehouse has been named among the best bakeries in the UK as interest in “bakery tourism” continues to rise.

Bara Menyn, a small family-run bakehouse tucked away in a side street in Cardigan, has been highlighted by travel experts at holidaycottages.co.uk as one of the bakeries worth making a trip for.

The name Bara Menyn means “bread and butter” in Welsh, and the bakery has built a reputation for imaginative bakes, pizzas and seasonal produce.

Laura Kerslake, regional expert for Wales, said: “Bara Menyn is how you say ‘bread and butter’ in Welsh and the name of the small family bakehouse that is hidden down a side street in Cardigan, West Wales.

“It’s open three days a week so that the owners can fit the bakehouse around family life and their careers as artists.

“The family’s artistic flair can be seen in all the imaginative fillings and toppings on the bakes and pizzas served, which are also made using local, seasonal produce.”

The listing comes as the UK sees growing interest in independent bakeries, with spending on bakery goods reported to have risen by six per cent from 2025 to 2026.

Research also suggests that many people are now willing to travel for regional food experiences, from traditional cakes to artisan bread and pastries.

Two other Welsh bakeries were also highlighted: Little Valley Bakery, which has sites in Mumbles and Brynmill, and was recently named in the Good Food Guide’s 50 Best Bakeries 2026; and another Welsh entry included in the travel company’s wider list.

For Cardigan, the recognition adds to the town’s growing reputation as a destination for independent food, drink and creative businesses.