Community
St Ishmaels war memorial gets the go-ahead

PLANS for a new war memorial in a Pembrokeshire village have been given the go-ahead by national park planners.
St Ishmaels Community Council/War Memorial Group sought, through agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Development & Planning Ltd, permission for the new, modern, war memorial and associated ecological enhancements, on land adjacent to St Ishmaels Sports Ground.
Also included in the application is a replacement ‘welcome’ sign for the St Ishmaels Sports and Social Club, two benches and tree / shrub planting.
In 2019, the St Ishmaels Community Council decided to sell the Memorial Hall due to its state of disrepair, which made it unfit for use. As a result, community activities have been relocated to the sports club. A new war memorial proposal is being considered to replace the old one.
Hayston Development & Planning Ltd, in a supporting statement, said: “The ‘new’ War Memorial is required as St Ishmaels Community Council resolved to sell the Memorial Hall in 2019 as the building had fallen into a level of disrepair that prevented it from being used, and community activities are now held in the sports club.
“Numerous quotes for the re-siting of the original stone, and extensive correspondence with the War Memorial Trust has proven a route which is deemed currently unviable.
“The council and community remain committed to a replacement memorial that honoured the original intention and emotional context of the hall. This application is the result of their endeavours. The new war memorial will also include those who had fallen during WW2 and, sadly, space for any future names.”

A description of the proposed war memorial and village marker as prepared by the artist / designer Howard Bowcott and commissioned by the St Ishmaels War Memorial Group, submitted in the statement said: “Whilst the aesthetics of the design are important, particularly for a war memorial, it is important that old red sandstone has been chosen for the principal component of the village marker as it is also a common rock form occurring across the Marloes peninsula and therefore promotes ‘local identity’.
“Welsh slate will also be incorporated on which the names of the fallen will be etched. Timber has been chosen for the ancillary structures of the bollards, the replacement sign for the St Ishmaels Sports and Social Club and for the two benches. A similar proposal was approved and built in Narberth and has proven very popular.”
The statement concluded: “Due to changing circumstances which involved the required closure of the Memorial Hall and the desire to maintain a tangible connection with the fallen of St Ishmaels the community and the council, in consultation with the War Memorial Trust resolved to find another location for a ‘new’ War Memorial and Village Marker.
“The new memorial, constructed using Old Red Sandstone with insets of Welsh slate, will have a striking vertical presence (it will be 3.8 metres tall / 12ft 6” high) and could be compared to ancient standing stones which are a common sight in Pembrokeshire. The proposed two benches will be constructed of timber as will be the bollards separating the Memorial site from the public highway.
“Because of its location on the eastern edge of the village, there will be no loss of privacy or amenity for any dwellings nor on the club building which lies to the south-east of the sports ground.”
The application was conditionally approved by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners.

Community
Police appeal to find Daniel, 32, from Pembroke Dock

POLICE are appealing for information to help locate 32-year-old Daniel, who has been reported missing from his home in the Pembroke Dock area.
Daniel is described as being around 6ft 1in tall, with ginger hair and blue eyes. He has infinity tattoos on his arms and is often seen wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses.
He is known to speak with an American accent and has links to both the London and Bristol areas.
Daniel was last known to be driving a blue Ford Ecosport, registration number CU17 MLF.
Anyone who has seen Daniel or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
Please quote reference: 142 of April 23.
Community
Paddle Out protest returns to Broad Haven to highlight sewage pollution

A MAJOR environmental protest is set to take place in Broad Haven (north) on Friday, May 17, as part of a national campaign against sewage pollution in UK waters.
The event, known as the Paddle Out Protest, is being organised by local representatives of the charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and will serve as the flagship demonstration for Wales this year.
Campaigners are calling on all ocean, river, and lake users to take part in the peaceful protest, which aims to highlight the growing problem of sewage discharges at popular bathing spots across Pembrokeshire.

Local organisers Ella Staden, Kate Beardsmore, Lloyd Nelmes, Kate J, and Kate Evans have planned a full day of activities centred around Broad Haven beach.
The day will begin at 12:00pm with placard-making and creative sessions at Sunshine Italian (now rebranded as Rwts) on the seafront. A community beach clean will follow at 1:30pm.
At 2:30pm, participants will take part in the main event — a mass paddle out into the ocean — led by a member of the national Surfers Against Sewage team.
Before the paddle out, speeches will be given by Sian Richardson, founder of the global Bluetits cold-water swimming movement, and Sue Burton, Pembrokeshire’s Marine Special Area of Conservation Officer.
The day will conclude with an after-party at Rwts starting at 4:00pm. Those who joined the protest will be offered discounts, with live music from 5:00pm, a DJ set from 6:00pm, and food and drink including BBQ, pizza, and local refreshments available throughout the evening.
Ella Staden, SAS regional representative, said: “It’s important that the community comes together to show support for a charity that is fighting extremely hard to protect our oceans and make sure our Blue Flag beaches remain a safe place to surf and bathe.
“A lot of people in Pembrokeshire have been impacted by sewage overspills — whether that’s falling ill, being unable to enjoy water activities, or simply not being able to take our families to the beach.
“We urge every single person who cares about the water to come and get involved, as this is a great opportunity to make it crystal clear to the government that we won’t stand for it anymore.”
More details can be found on Facebook by searching for ‘Paddle Out Protest Broad Haven’.
Community
Volunteers pass RNLI assessments at Angle Lifeboat Station

SIX volunteers at Angle RNLI Lifeboat Station have successfully completed key assessments, marking an important milestone in their ongoing training with the charity.
Earlier on Tuesday (Apr 29), crew members Nathen Houston, Anthony Thomas, Marc Blockwell, Bobby Davies and Neil Coles were all signed off on their Tier 2 competencies. The assessment, carried out during live exercise launches, tested their ability to carry out a variety of operational tasks safely and efficiently aboard the station’s lifeboat.
Tiered assessments are a core part of the RNLI’s structured training programme, designed to ensure volunteers are fully prepared to respond to emergencies at sea. Volunteers progress through the tiers as they demonstrate competence in areas such as navigation, boat handling, safety procedures, and teamwork under pressure.
Later the same day, Rhiannon Creese was successfully assessed as a Launch Authority. In this vital role, she will be responsible for authorising the launch of the lifeboat when required — a decision made in close coordination with HM Coastguard and other emergency services.
A spokesperson for Angle RNLI said: “These achievements reflect the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. The training is thorough and challenging, and passing these assessments means they are ready to take on more responsibility during lifeboat operations.”
The RNLI relies on volunteers for the majority of its lifesaving work, with crew and shore-based personnel undergoing extensive training to ensure they are ready for the demands of maritime rescue.
Angle Lifeboat has seen an increase in volunteers since their rescue vessel has been spending time moored in Milford Haven at the Port Authority Jetty.
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