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Charity walk for WWII veteran raises both tensions and funds

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ON SATURDAY (Sept 23) Pembrokeshire witnessed a charity walk that has since become a focal point of conversation, drawing both admiration and critique.

Organised by Darren Edmundson and promoted through the Twitter handle @98YearOldHomeless, the event began at the Pembroke Train Station at 10am and made its way to Tenby. Its objective was to raise funds for a 98-year-old WWII D-Day hero veteran, Alfi Guenigault, who had recently been served a no-fault eviction notice.

The campaign backing Guenigault has garnered significant support. Separately to the walk, A GoFundMe page titled “98Year homeless world war 2 veteran” was set up with an initial goal of £10,000. As of now, the fundraiser has reached a commendable £8,891, with contributions from 367 donors.

Dolly Drayson, the chief organiser of that fundraiser, outlined the pressing needs of the veteran.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald after the charity walk, organiser Darren Edmundson said: “It went really well; everyone completed the ten miles.

“It was so disheartening to witness the far-left’s Stand Up to Racism counter-protesting against a WW2 D-Day veteran who is 98-years-old.

“They were fully aware that this was a non-political event.

“Alfred Guenigault is among the mere six surviving British D-Day veterans – he unquestionably deserves our support.”

Yet, the event was not without contention. Allegations emerged suggesting a participant, who it was claimed bears resemblance to Adolf Hitler and named as Alex Yerbury, arrived in military attire.

This attracted the attention and concern of anti-racism campaigners, Stand Up To Racism Swansea, who staged a counter-protest in Pembroke. Their claims that some of the marchers appeared intoxicated added to the unfolding drama. A claim which was denied.

Stand Up to Racism West Wales, underscoring their prompt intervention, relayed their primary mission was to emphasise that right wing ideologies had no place in their community, resulting in the marchers being shown the exit.

This episode, a blend of genuine charity intentions and impassioned debate, serves as a poignant reminder of the deeply entrenched sentiments in west Wales.

As the fundraiser continues to gain momentum, the event’s aftermath is likely to be a subject of local conversation for a while.

A poster by Stand Up To Racism attempting to gather support against the charity walk (Facebook)

News

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns following child abuse report

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THE Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced his resignation following the publication of a damning report that reveals the Church of England covered up decades of abuse by prominent barrister John Smyth QC.

Welby stated: “Having sought the gracious permission of His Majesty The King, I have decided to resign.”

The resignation follows the release of the independent Makin review last week, which detailed how Smyth, over a span of five decades, abused children and young men in the UK and Africa. The report estimates that as many as 130 boys and young men suffered severe physical, sexual, psychological, and spiritual abuse at Smyth’s hands, leaving lasting scars on their lives.

The review highlighted a critical missed opportunity, concluding that Smyth might have faced justice had Archbishop Welby reported the abuse to police a decade ago. Smyth, who died in Cape Town in 2018 at age 75, was under investigation by Hampshire Police but was “never brought to justice for the abuse,” according to the report.

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Climate

Wales eyes £47 billion in renewable energy investment by 2035

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WALES is on the cusp of a £47 billion renewable energy investment wave that could transform its economy, create thousands of jobs, and breathe new life into communities. This promising outlook was unveiled today at the Future Energy Wales 2024 conference at Newport’s ICC, showcasing preliminary analysis by BiGGAR Economics on the economic potential of renewable energy across the nation.

Commissioned by RenewableUK Cymru, in partnership with Solar Energy UK and Marine Energy Wales, the study highlights the substantial economic gains Wales could achieve by meeting its renewable energy targets across onshore wind, offshore wind, solar, and tidal power.

Heavy lift: The turbine under construction (Image: MHPA)

The research projects an average annual investment of nearly £4 billion, reaching a peak of £7 billion by 2028. Offshore wind alone is expected to attract £32.4 billion, forming the foundation of Wales’ economic growth through 2035. However, capturing this opportunity requires an effective industrial strategy and substantial port infrastructure upgrades to support thousands of new, high-quality jobs.

While offshore wind presents long-term growth, onshore wind offers Wales a rapid boost, with a potential £4.5 billion in investments enabling an increase to over 3 GW capacity by 2035, contingent on addressing planning and grid capacity challenges.

The NESO 2030 Clean Power report underscores the need for grid reform to expedite renewable energy across the UK, but Wales remains hampered by immediate planning resource shortages.

The latest data from the 2024 Welsh wind power report shows a surge in renewable project interest, with Wales’ pipeline expanding by 18% this year, from 9 GW in 2023 to over 10.5 GW in November 2024, largely due to new onshore wind projects. However, with current deployment rates, Wales is forecast to contribute only 5% of the UK’s total wind capacity by 2035—well behind Scotland’s 64 GW target.

RenewableUK Cymru’s Call for Strategic Support

Jess Hooper, Director of RenewableUK Cymru, said:

“Wales stands at the threshold of a historic opportunity. By harnessing this renewable investment potential, we can secure Welsh jobs and build a robust, long-term local economy. But achieving this vision requires strong, immediate support from both the UK and Welsh governments.

“We urge a coordinated, four-nations approach to accelerate wind deployment and grid upgrades. With strategic investment in grid capacity and planning, wind energy can become central to Wales’ clean energy future—delivering real benefits for our climate, economy, and communities.”

£47 Billion Equals 208 Principality Stadiums

Nikki Keddie, Director at BiGGAR Economics, added:

“The scale of Wales’ renewables potential is extraordinary. The £47 billion needed to reach our targets is equivalent to building 208 Principality Stadiums. Investment in renewables will boost energy security, employment, industrial growth, and rural development.

“To maximise economic benefits, it’s crucial to dismantle barriers to project delivery and create opportunities for local businesses to capture value. We look forward to the next phase of this report, where we will detail the economic share Wales can secure.”

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News

Could you be a fire fighter? Fire service experience day in Haverfordwest

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MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is hosting an Experience Day in Haverfordwest on Tuesday, 19 November, from 9:30am to 12:30pm.

This three-hour event provides a unique opportunity to explore a career in the fire service. Attendees will get an in-depth look at:

  • The role of a modern firefighter
  • Trying on firefighting gear and equipment
  • Steps in the recruitment process
  • Fitness requirements for the job
  • The equipment and PPE used by firefighters
  • Career pathways and development within the service

It’s an ideal chance to discover what firefighting is all about.

Registration is essential. To reserve your spot, visit Experience Days – Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

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