Community

‘Stop the Stink’ protesters confront landfill site owner at public meeting

Published

2 years ago

January 27, 2024

IN the shadow of the Withyhedge Landfill near Haverfordwest, a determined crowd of protesters, donned in high-visibility vests and fueled by deep-seated frustration, gathered on Friday (JAN 26) to challenge the ongoing issues emanating from the site.

The “Stop the Stink” protest, a community-driven response to the overwhelming odour and environmental concerns, marked a significant escalation in public outcry.

The protest, organised by local activist Colin Barnett, witnessed an impactful moment as protesters infiltrated a ‘meet the team’ session, directly confronting David Neal, the owner of the Withyhedge landfill site.

Neal, facing a barrage of questions from the floor for 45 minutes, acknowledged the public’s concerns regarding the odour and its adverse effects on the community’s health and wellbeing.

Residents expressed their anguish over the unbearable stench from the landfill and the increased traffic of trucks witnessed in recent months.

Neal revealed that the site was receiving waste from Cardiff, with some Pembrokeshire waste being transported back, a revelation that added to the residents’ frustrations.

Amidst the heated exchange, Neal proposed the possibility of funding sensors to monitor air quality, not just around the landfill’s perimeter but also in the most affected communities.

The protest underscored the community’s dissatisfaction with the responses from Resources Management UK Ltd (RML) and their communication team, Grasshopper, who were notably absent during the confrontation.

This meeting precedes the crucial “Stop The Stink” public meeting scheduled for February 28 at Spittal School, where the landfill’s progress and future strategies will be scrutinised.

Recalling the earlier articles I wrote, this ongoing issue has been a source of distress for local residents for months. The odour, described as a “stink bomb on steroids,” has been a persistent problem, with the smell of rotting rubbish infiltrating homes miles away. The severity of the situation is magnified by health concerns, with residents like Derek Harries, suffering from COPD, finding the stench pervading their homes.

RML’s attempts to rectify the issue have been met with skepticism, especially given the historical context of company director David John Neal’s previous legal troubles over illegal dumping. The community’s trust in the landfill’s management and the regulatory body, Natural Resources Wales (NRW), remains fragile.

The upcoming public meeting will be a pivotal moment for all stakeholders, including NRW, local politicians, and Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC), to address the community’s grievances. The lack of a comprehensive monitoring system for the odour’s toxicity, not just its intensity, remains a significant concern.

As Pembrokeshire grapples with this environmental and public health crisis, the “Stop the Stink” movement represents more than just a protest against a foul odour. It’s a call for accountability, transparency, and, most importantly, a sustainable solution to a problem that has plagued the community for far too long.

*Protestors condemn pollution from site (Image: BBC News Hub)*

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

1 hour ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

2 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

22 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).