IN a daring rescue operation yesterday evening, HM Coastguard Fishguard was called to assist a sailing boat that had run aground after its anchor began dragging near Lower Town Harbour, Fishguard. The incident, which occurred at around 18:00, involved two people aboard the stricken vessel.

Strong onshore winds and shallow waters complicated the rescue efforts, rendering the establishment of a tow by the RNLI Fishguard Lifeboat unsafe. With conditions deteriorating, the inshore lifeboat was compelled to return to the boathouse. Meanwhile, the all-weather lifeboat maintained a cautious distance, providing crucial lighting and keeping a vigilant watch over the unfolding situation.

Coastguard rescue officers donned dry suits and water rescue gear, prepared to enter the water if necessary to evacuate the crew from the vessel. As the tide rose and the boat neared perilous rocks, a local fishing craft heroically intervened. Launching from Lower Fishguard, the fishermen managed to establish a tow and pulled the endangered vessel to deeper waters and subsequently to the lifeboat’s outer mooring.

Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the local fishing crew and the lifeboat team, the sailing boat was safely moored, allowing the Coastguard and lifeboat personnel to stand down. The successful resolution of this incident underscores the bravery and readiness of our emergency services to respond to maritime emergencies.

Photos of the rescue operation were captured by Matt Lewis, highlighting the dramatic conditions and the skilled response by HM Coastguard Fishguard and supporting teams.

(Photos: Matt Lewis)

A PROMINENT criminal barrister has joined the chorus calling for a fresh investigation into the deaths of siblings Griff and Patti Thomas, who were found dead in their isolated Pembrokeshire farmhouse in 1976.

Nearly half a century after the grim discovery at Ffynon Samson in the village of Llangolman, barrister Andrew Taylor is questioning the original findings that suggested Griff murdered his sister before taking his own life. Mr. Taylor, known for his work in overturning wrongful murder convictions, has cast doubt on several pieces of evidence used in the initial investigation.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their review of the case remains active.

The bodies of Griff and Patti Thomas were initially found by a postman in December 1976. An inquest in Haverfordwest in February 1977 delivered a verdict of manslaughter for Patti and an open verdict for Griff, leaving unanswered questions about the true circumstances of their deaths.

Mr. Taylor pointed out troubling aspects of the evidence, including a nail found embedded in Griff’s eye with no satisfactory explanation from police or pathologists, and significant bleeding from a head injury which contradicts the absence of third-party involvement. Moreover, the scene contained two half-drunk cups of tea and uneaten food, hinting at the presence of a visitor, and no accelerants were found, which challenges the suicide theory.

These details suggest that the siblings might have been entertaining a known visitor shortly before their deaths, adding complexity to the narrative of a lone murder-suicide.

The case has recently gained additional attention through a new BBC Sounds podcast, “Death on the Farm,” which explores the mysterious circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The podcast follows The Pembrokeshire Herald playing significant roles in reviving interest in the case.

Over the years the newspaper has dedicated extensive investigative resources to questioning the initial police conclusions, which suggested that Griff Thomas killed his sister Patti before setting their farmhouse on fire and perishing in the blaze himself.

In recent years, Herald journalists such as Andy Chandler and Jon Coles have highlighted the inconsistencies in the original investigation, particularly focusing on forensic evidence, such as unidentified fingerprints and the unexplained presence of blood on a sewing machine cover.

Their work, combined with campaigns led by local media outlets like Clebran and community councils, pressured Dyfed-Powys Police to consider reopening the case. Coverage has emphasised that the official verdict, which painted Griff as a murderer despite his physical limitations and severe arthritis, left many unanswered questions​

The Herald’s reporting has also been instrumental in debunking earlier theories linking notorious serial killer John Cooper to the deaths of the Thomas siblings. Through detailed interviews with local sources and a focus on forensic gaps in the investigation, these publications have kept the unresolved nature of the case in the public eye, pushing for justice more than 45 years later​.

With the launch of Operation Hallam, a forensic cold case review started in October 2022, plus this renewed interest, there now renewed hope that modern investigative techniques might finally provide clarity on this nearly 50-year-old case, answering lingering questions and potentially clearing Griff Thomas’s name.

HUW Edwards’ London residence has been placed on the market for £4.75 million, according to reports from The Mirror. The Welsh journalist, who has faced public disgrace, originally purchased the property with his wife, Vicky Flind, for £1.85 million in 2006. The house, located in a prestigious part of South London, is now up for sale following Edwards’ recent legal troubles.

In September, the 63-year-old former BBC newsreader, from Carmarthenshire, was handed a suspended six-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to possessing indecent images of children. Edwards vacated the family home, which he shared with his wife and five children, in July.

The property is described as a spacious family home with six double bedrooms, spread across three floors, featuring generous living spaces. It also boasts a large garden, a driveway with room for several cars, and a double-length garage, adding to its appeal on one of the area’s most sought-after roads.

Huw Edwards appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court last month, where he admitted to three counts of possessing indecent images of children. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring sentenced him to a suspended prison term and ordered him to complete a sex offender rehabilitation programme. Edwards will also be placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for seven years, though no Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed.

In court, Goldspring acknowledged the once celebrated reputation Edwards had in the media, but stated that his legacy has been irrevocably tarnished by his crimes. The sale of the home comes amidst ongoing legal developments in Edwards’ case.

As this situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the sale of Edwards’ London home will progress. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.