News
Tenby gears up for full fibre broadband
WALES’ leading alternative telecoms provider – Ogi – has revealed plans to bring full fibre connectivity to Tenby, one of Pembrokeshire’s most iconic seaside towns.
Tenby is the latest of over 60 communities across south Wales to benefit from Ogi’s privately backed broadband rollout launched in 2021. Once work to connect around 5,000 premises in the town is complete, Ogi will be the leading alternative choice in much of west Wales – connecting homes and businesses to ultrafast internet long before the likes of Openreach and Virgin Media, who have long dominated the south Wales market.
At the moment, average download speeds in the area peak at 51.2Mbps (12.2Mbps upload) according to Thinkbroadband. Ogi’s Gigabit-capable network will enable homes to access download speeds up to 900Mpbs (90Mbps upload); and businesses to go faster than 2.5Gbps each way for the for the very first time.
One of Wales’s most iconic visitor destinations, Ogi’s network will offer a boost to the Welsh tourism economy, already estimated to be worth around £3billion a year – enabling visitors o Tenby to access the best of both worlds; a traditional seaside experience, alongside access to reliable connectivity for gaming, streaming and even hybrid working.
Ogi propelled onto the scene in 2021, kick-starting a digital revolution across Wales, with some of the nation’s hardest to reach communities benefiting from the latest full fibre technology sooner than planned by the incumbent [Openreach]. The altnet provider is bringing much needed connectivity to post-industrial towns and villages, whilst also putting in place the long-distance backhaul network that’s needed to secure these communities’ access to the wider world.
The company has grown from 20 to more than 210 full time staff, with hundreds more supported through its supply chain over the last two years, with the business now operating from four regional hubs in Newport, Cardiff and St Clears, supporting more staff to live and work from where they choose.
Around 40% of premises in Wales now have access to full fibre connectivity, with Britain in general lagging behind many European countries, where coverage can be well above 90%. Ogi’s latest plan will help another thriving town close the digital divide for good.Announcing Tenby’s rollout, Ogi’s Chief Executive Officer, Ben Allwright, said: “I’m delighted to be welcoming Tenby – one of Wales’s most iconic seaside towns – to the Ogi network.
“Tourist destinations like Tenby are bursting with potential – and they deserve the best connectivity to help them thrive. As we’re seeing across Pembrokeshire, only Ogi can make that access a reality right now.
“Our network is helping businesses to grow, wherever they are based; supporting people to work closer to where they live; and opening up even more home entertainment choices.”
Already bosting high scores on leading review websites like Trustpilot, the service provider is regularly praised for its excellent customer service and reliable network speeds.
Surveying work is already underway with activity due to start at street level in the town over the autumn when local construction embargos are lifted. Homes and businesses in the area will be able to access Ogi’s ultrafast service from early 2024.
News
Land Rover swallowed by tide at popular Welsh beach
A LAND ROVER Discovery has been lost to the sea at Abersoch after becoming stranded on the resort’s Main Beach.
The vehicle, worth tens of thousands of pounds, was spotted by early morning dog walkers on the sand at the Gwynedd coastal village before being completely covered by the incoming tide at around 10:00am.
Stranded on sand
Images circulating on social media showed the 4×4 marooned on the beach, with some locals initially questioning whether the pictures were genuine.
However, witnesses later confirmed the incident, with one RIB owner reporting: “People are paddleboarding over its roof!”
It is believed the vehicle may have become stuck while being used to recover a boat trailer or jet ski.
‘Not the first’
Locals said the incident was a familiar sight at the popular seaside resort, where vehicles have previously become trapped by soft sand and fast-moving tides.
One man wrote: “Not the first and it won’t be the last.”
Another joked: “The tide comes in. Who knew?”
Others described it as the start of the “silly season”, when coastal mishaps increase as visitor numbers rise.
Expensive mistake
New Land Rover Discovery models can cost around £80,000, while Discovery Sport models start from about £55,000.
Commenters suggested the vehicle’s off-road reputation may have given the driver false confidence.
One wrote: “It probably gave him a sense of security that it can go anywhere — we all know it can’t.”
Recovery expected
As the tide began to recede, boat owners reported the outline of the vehicle starting to reappear beneath the water.
Recovery was expected to require a beach tractor, but seawater damage means the Land Rover is likely to be written off.
One local said: “Very sad to see that something went wrong. You see many cars go into the sea to retrieve boat trailers, and you know that car will be rotten very soon afterwards.
“There’s a reason why old tractors are used.”
Despite the flood of “can’t park there” jokes and “Chelsea tractor” comments online, many said they felt sorry for the owner, who now faces what one person called a “very expensive weekend.”
Community
Cllr marks 10th blood donation and urges others to give blood
A PEMBROKESHIRE councillor has urged more people to become blood donors after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.
Cllr Thomas Tudor said he was pleased to receive the recognition and encouraged anyone who is able to donate to come forward.
He said: “If you can give blood, please do so.”
The Welsh Blood Service says hospitals in Wales need around 350 blood donations every day to support patients in need.
A single donation can help up to three patients, as blood can be separated into different components and used in different ways to help people recover.
The service is calling for donors from all backgrounds, including first-time donors and those who have given blood before, to help maintain supplies for hospitals across Wales.
Giving blood is described as quick, simple and safe, and remains one of the most important ways members of the public can help save lives.
Anyone wishing to find out more can contact the Welsh Blood Service on 0800 252 266, Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 7:00pm, or Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm. They can also email [email protected].
Caption:
Cllr Thomas Tudor giving blood after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.
News
Welsh Labour manifesto pledge: Direct London train for Milford Haven
WELSH LABOUR has unveiled a pledge to deliver a direct rail service between Milford Haven and London – a move that would transform connectivity for communities across Pembrokeshire.
This commitment builds on £50 million of UK Labour investment to upgrade rail services to Milford Haven.
Work is already underway, in partnership between the Welsh Labour Government and Pembrokeshire County Council, led by Council Labour Leader Paul Miller, to transform Milford Haven railway station into a modern Public Transport Interchange – delivering smoother, better connected and more accessible journeys.
Together, these upgrades will pave the way for direct London services to call at Milford Haven, alongside an hourly service and vital level crossing safety improvements delivered by the UK Labour Government.
First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “This pledge sits alongside a record commitment to rail in Wales – up to £14 billion of investment, new stations and a transformed Metro. But this is about more than just a rail line.
It’s about opening Pembrokeshire up – bringing more people to one of the most beautiful parts of Wales, strengthening our tourism sector and creating new opportunities for local businesses to grow.
“And as we do that, we’re doing it the right way – backing a greener economy, making it easier for people to travel sustainably, and ensuring that growth benefits our communities. This is how we build a stronger future for West Wales – with better connections, more opportunity and an economy that works with our environment, not against it.”
Welsh Labour candidate for Ceredigion Penfro, Marc Tierney added: “A direct train to London from Milford would be a game changer for our communities – boosting tourism, supporting local businesses and making it easier for people to live and work here.
“The work underway to transform Milford Haven station into a modern transport hub, alongside plans for an hourly service, shows what Welsh Labour can deliver when we work in partnership with local authorities – investing in the infrastructure our communities deserve. With new funding from the UK Labour Government and a strong partnership in place, we can now go further.
“Welsh Labour is delivering the investment and the ambition needed to ensure West Wales is at the forefront of modern, connected and accessible transport.”
The pledge forms part of Welsh Labour’s wider plan to modernise public transport, strengthen regional connectivity and ensure no part of Wales is left behind.
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