News
New home secured for ‘spiky pair’ in Pembrokeshire countryside
TWO HEDGEHOGS have been given a new lease of life in the Pembrokeshire countryside thanks to Bluestone National Resort and Pembrokeshire Hogspital.
The resort came to the rescue by releasing the hedgehogs at Black Pool Farm, near to its Black Pool Mill dining venue.
The pair had been rescued by the ‘hogspital’ when they were very young and were rehabilitated before being released.
Marten Lewis, Director of Sustainability at Bluestone and the resort’s Ranger Rob Mackeen, collected the them before releasing them.
“The two hedgehogs had been rescued when they were very young and once they reached one year old they needed to be reintroduced to the wild,” said Marten.
“Unfortunately, their original habitat was not suitable so we offered to release them into the countryside at Black Pool Farm which is close to the mill. It’s a natural environment for them and a perfect place to start their new lives.”
Marten and Rob collected the pair for Pembrokeshire Hogspital before taking them to the location for release.
“It was heart warming to see them wander off into the countryside. Hedgehogs are a vital part of our eco-diversity and we’re pleased we were able to help the hogspital with their vital work,” Rob said.
“We are committed to providing a safe environment for the hedgehogs and have dedicated areas where they will be nurtured and monitored on release to their natural habitat.”
“We are thrilled to be a part of this heart warming journey of rehabilitation and release.”
Ginny Batt of Pembrokeshire Hogspital, said: “In my lifetime hedgehog numbers have declined dramatically, from an estimated 35 million to less than 500,000 now. They will become extinct if we don’t do something to help them.
“It’s important to make our gardens accessible and hedgehog friendly, covering drains and holes in the ground, reducing the use of garden chemicals, and making sure ponds have exit slopes. Hedgehogs are also being affected by climate change, triggering them to hibernate later.
“This means baby hoglets may not survive the winter. Putting out food all year around saves lives. If you see them out in the daytime, if they are lethargic, being harmed by birds, dogs or people, please pick up the hedgehog with gloves or a towel, put it in a high sided box with a towel, and water, then contact your local rescue centre.”
Ginny added: “At Pembrokeshire Hogspital we take in over 200 hogs a year, with a small but dedicated team of volunteers. Funding and support from Bluestone has been invaluable, helping us with our Hogspital and to set up our South Pembs emergency centre, ‘Pennys Pit Stop’; purchasing equipment, medication and essential supplies. Bluestone also provides an ideal release site for homeless Hedgehogs. We are grateful for Bluestone’s support and hope the Hedgehogs released are behaving themselves, we look forward to news of hoglets in the spring.”
A FAMILY has been left with nothing after a devastating house fire tore through their home in Tregunnor on Monday (Apr 7).
The blaze destroyed everything inside the house, leaving the homeowner, his children, and their family dog with only the clothes on their backs. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the emotional impact of losing their home and belongings has been described as “immeasurable.”
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been launched by the homeowner’s nephew, Kian Evans, in an effort to help the family rebuild their lives. The fundraiser, titled “Tregunnor House Fire,” has so far raised £40 from two donors, with hopes that more support will follow.
Mr Evans praised the emergency services for their swift response and thanked the local community for their messages of support and solidarity.
He wrote: “They have lost everything, from furniture to cherished memories. The goal is to help them get back on their feet after such a traumatic experience. Every little helps.”
The family now face the daunting task of starting over, but thanks to the generosity of those around them, they are not facing it alone.
To donate to the fundraiser, visit: gofundme.com/f/tregunnor-house-fire
Photo caption:
The fire which destroyed a family home in Tregunnor (Pic: Herald).
A BROAD HAVEN man has pleaded guilty to stalking and to breaching his bail conditions on two occasions. He has denied a separate charge of criminal damage and is due to be sentenced later this month.
Thomas Jones, aged 34, of Croft Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he was dealt with for multiple offences involving the same female complainant.
Jones admitted stalking Ms Knight between December 5, 2024, and January 22, 2025, in Milford Haven. The court heard that he visited her address several times, sent over 100 calls and messages in a short period in December, and left both a parcel and an envelope containing a spa voucher.
He initially denied the stalking charge, but changed his plea to guilty on March 17. The offence falls under Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
Jones has denied a charge of criminal damage alleged to have occurred on July 21, 2024, when he is accused of damaging a door, radiator, cat litter tray and scratch post belonging to Ms Knight. He pleaded not guilty to this allegation on January 24.
The court also heard that Jones was arrested twice in March for breaches of bail. On March 22, he missed a curfew condition by returning home five hours late. The following day, on March 23, he allegedly contacted Ms Knight directly, in breach of an order prohibiting contact. He admitted both breaches, though those matters were formally recorded as having been dealt with at an earlier hearing.
The magistrates’ bench was chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris. Dennis Davies appeared for the Crown Prosecution Service, and Jones was represented by Fenn Richards.
Jones has been remanded on conditional bail until his next hearing on April 22, 2025, at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions include:
- Not to contact Tessa Knight directly or indirectly, except via an approved device for child contact purposes,
- Not to enter Milford Haven,
- To reside and sleep each night at 38 Croft Road, Broad Haven.
A pre-sentence report is being prepared ahead of the hearing.
A PEMBROKE DOCK man has pleaded guilty to assault and criminal damage during a domestic incident last year.
Sam Wilkins, aged 42, of Bethel Road, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 7), where he admitted charges of assault by beating and causing criminal damage.
The offences took place on November 7, 2024, in Pembrokeshire. Wilkins was accused of assaulting a woman and damaging a coat valued at £60.
He also admitted breaching bail conditions on March 18, 2025, after contacting an individual he had been ordered not to communicate with.
The bench, chaired by Mrs C Kendrick, sitting with Mrs A Taylor-Jones and Mrs J Morris, remanded Wilkins on conditional bail until April 15, 2025, when he is due to return to court for sentencing.
Bail conditions include:
No contact, directly or indirectly, with named individuals involved in the case,
Not to enter a specified address in Kilgetty,
Child contact to be arranged via a third party only,
Full compliance with probation requirements for a pre-sentence report.
Wilkins was represented by Jess Hill, and the prosecution was led by Dennis Davies of CPS Wales (South West).
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