News

More food hygiene ratings to be seen

Published

13 years ago

October 28, 2013

WHEN people buy their food, they want to be sure that the place they’re buying from follows good food hygiene practices.
After all, those businesses that aren’t hygienic put consumers’ health at risk, from minor cases of food poisoning to more serious, even fatal, illness.
That’s why, from November this year, a new law introduced by the Welsh Government will mean that businesses in Wales that serve or sell food will be required to display their food hygiene rating at their premises.
The scheme will cover places where people eat out, including restaurants, takeaways, mobile caterers, cafés, hotels and pubs; places where people shop for food, such as supermarkets, bakeries and delicatessens; and establishments such as schools, hospitals, children’s nurseries and residential care homes.
The statutory scheme introduced by the legislation will be based on the current voluntary Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, operated by local authorities in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA)
Food outlets will be rated from 0-5 on criteria such as how the food is prepared, cooked and stored and the condition of the premises and how food safety within the business is managed. A 5 rating means hygiene standards are very good and 0 means urgent improvement is necessary.
Good food hygiene is important to consumers and food businesses too and the new scheme will benefit both consumers and food businesses.
For consumers, the rating will mean they are able to make informed decisions about where they choose to eat or shop for food.
For businesses, good food hygiene means a good hygiene rating. This could increase trade, as well as meeting food law requirements and protecting their customers from foodborne illness. Every business is capable of achieving a rating of 5 and food businesses that comply with food hygiene requirements have nothing to fear from the new law.
More than 23,000 food businesses in Wales have already received a rating under the voluntary scheme, and many have improved their rating following advice from their local authority food safety officer.
Under the current voluntary scheme, however, businesses do not have to display their rating sticker if they do not wish to do so, meaning the information is not always readily available for the consumer as they enter the business.
The new law in Wales will mean that food businesses will have to display their rating in a prominent place – such as the front door or window – and at every entrance.
The business operator and relevant staff will also have to provide the information verbally if asked, either in a face to face situation as well as over the phone.
Local authority officers will enforce the statutory scheme in their area and ensure ratings are correctly displayed and should be contacted by businesses which need advice on the display of stickers and how the legislation will apply to them.
Local authorities will issue new stickers from the end of November and businesses will be required to display these.
As well being displayed at businesses’ premises, ratings will also continue to be available on the FSA website at food.gov.uk/ratings
From November 2014, the scheme will be extended to include food manufacturers, wholesalers and transporters that supply to places where people eat and buy food.
The new scheme will put Wales at the forefront of promoting the standards of food hygiene – this has to be good for consumers and good for business, too.

News

Dale chef admits driving over four times the legal limit

Published

39 minutes ago

April 29, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A Pembrokeshire chef has admitted driving when he was over four times the legal drink-drive limit.

Brian Worrall, 44, who is employed as a chef at The Griffin pub in Dale, was arrested in the early hours of April 27 after driving his Citroen into a hedge on a minor road close to the village.

“Police received a call concerning a road accident and when they got to the road leading to Dale, they discovered two intoxicated males walking,” Crown Prosecutor Dennis Davies told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“One of them was the driver and had the car keys in his possession.”

After giving a positive roadside breath test, Worrall was conveyed to the police station where he gave further breathalyser tests, the lowest reading being 150 mcg. The legal limit is 35.

But Worralls’ solicitor, Jess Hill, said that a substantial amount of alcohol had been consumed by the defendant following the collision.

“The offence took place on his birthday and he’d drunk alcohol after work to celebrate,” she said. “He’d drunk a couple of beers before going out in the car with his colleagues. They were on their way to get some more drink when he misjudged the corner and went into the hedge. “They tried to retrieve the car, but when they failed to do so, they decided to go back the next day to get the vehicle.

“The defendant was shaken up by what had happened and drank a bottle of wine on the way back before he was breathalysed.”

Jess Hill added that Worrall, who is South African by birth, was unaware of the British licensing laws, despite having resided in the UK since 2000.

“He has no previous convictions but accepts that he binge drinks and when this happens, it may affect his ability to drive,” she concluded.

“He also accepts he should be aware of the rules in the country in which he is now living.”

Worrall, of Castle Way, Dale, pleaded guilty to drink driving, failing to stop after an accident, driving without third party insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

He was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for two years. During this time he must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 300 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay a £154 court surcharge and £85 costs.

He was disqualified from driving for 36 months.

Community

RNLI lifeguards attend Freshwater West memorial service

Published

2 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RNLI senior lifeguards Harry and Nia represented the charity at the annual Landing Craft Memorial Service at Freshwater West on Saturday (Apr 25).

The service is held each year to remember those connected with the wartime landing craft exercises and the area’s military history.

Freshwater West is one of 16 beaches across Pembrokeshire covered by RNLI lifeguards during the summer season.

The charity is reminding beachgoers to choose a lifeguarded beach whenever possible, swim between the red and yellow flags, and call 999 and ask for the Coastguard if they see someone in difficulty in the water.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the RNLI Lifeguard Service.

Education

College learner receives prestigious Welsh award

Published

2 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE College learner has been recognised with a prestigious award celebrating her commitment, achievement and future potential.

Eleanor Edwards, a second-year Travel and Tourism learner, received the award from the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales as part of its annual College Awards programme.

The scheme supports young Welsh talent and recognises individuals undertaking academic and vocational studies, as well as members of the armed forces and those involved in community service.

Support for future career

The award will help Eleanor further develop her skills and broaden her learning experience through additional courses made possible by the funding.

The College said Eleanor’s success reflects both her hard work and ambition, as well as the high standard of vocational learning delivered at Pembrokeshire College.

Speaking on behalf of the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales, Sylvia Robert-Sargeant said: “We are delighted to have been involved in the selection of Eleanor Edwards as an outstanding second-year learner studying for a Diploma in Travel and Tourism at the College.

“We wish Eleanor every success, both in participating in the extra courses made possible by this award and in her future studies and career.”

Ambition to join cabin crew

Pembrokeshire College Principal Dr Barry Walters also congratulated Eleanor on her achievement.

Dr Walters said: “We are delighted to congratulate Eleanor on receiving a Worshipful Livery Company of Wales award.

“This achievement will support her continued progression, enabling her to gain the additional qualifications needed to pursue her ambition of a career in air cabin crew.

“We also extend our sincere thanks to the Worshipful Livery Company of Wales for their ongoing support and for the time invested in the selection process.”

The College said it was proud to see Eleanor acknowledged through the respected awards programme and wished her every success as she continues her studies and prepares for a future career in the travel and tourism industry.