News
Protestors unhappy about sex offender living in the community
PROTESTORS gathered on Tuesday night (Oct 4) outside a private residence in Lower Priory that belongs to convicted sex offender, James Robert Kershaw.
A crowd of 25 local people chanted, banged drums and used a megaphone to demand the removal of Mr Kershaw from the community, citing fears for local children as the main reason for their concerns.
When we arrived at the scene, we asked the gathered crowd why they would feel the need to protest, we were told bluntly: “Because he’s a paedophile!”
“We all know he was in the paper for what he did, we know he’s come out for what he did.
“We all know he’s a wrong one. And at the end of the day we don’t think it’s right that he lives around here amongst the community where there are kids.”
Kershaw, now 42, travelled to Carmarthen Railway Station on September 2, 2021 to meet what he believed was an underage girl for sex, Kershaw was in fact met by self-proclaimed ‘paedophile hunters’ who confronted him, he injured one of these individuals with his vehicle as he attempted to flee the scene.
Kershaw, who was cleared of inciting a teenager to engage in sexual activity back in 2017, has recently been released into the community after being imprisoned for sexual communication with a child and assault.
He was quickly joined by officers from Dyfed-Powys Police who secured the property in order to prevent protestors from accessing his home.
Around ten police officers were at the scene.
The police have been asked for a comment.
After the protest Mr Kershaw contacted The Pembrokeshire Herald saying: “I am innocent of the offence, and was put in jail wrongly. This case will be going to the Court of Appeal, where I will clear my name.
“I do not wish to leave my home as I feel that I have done nothing wrong, I am the victim of a miscarriage of justice.”
News
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigns following child abuse report
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.
Climate
Wales eyes £47 billion in renewable energy investment by 2035
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.
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.”
News
Could you be a fire fighter? Fire service experience day in Haverfordwest
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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