A TRIO of ornamental coal trucks could soon be installed in the heart of Saundersfoot to honour the village’s historic links to the coal-mining industry.

The replica trucks—made from cast iron and fibreglass—are proposed for a spot at the front of the Sensory Gardens, close to the former Coal Office which now houses part of the harbour’s heritage display.

Saundersfoot flourished in the 19th century as a port exporting anthracite from local mines. It was once claimed that Queen Victoria insisted only Saundersfoot coal be used to power her Royal Yacht.

“This village owes its existence to the coal trade,” said Councillor Chris Williams, who represents Saundersfoot South and is chairing the group behind the plans. “Many people don’t realise how vital the mining industry was to the development of Saundersfoot.”

The display would be paid for and maintained by the Saundersfoot Festivities Committee, which runs events such as the popular New Year’s Day Swim and SaundersFest. The community council would look after the surrounding plants and landscaping, and handle the insurance.

As well as commemorating the village’s industrial past, the project would help smarten up the garden area, Cllr Williams added.

The idea has won widespread support locally, with more than 93 per cent of over 200 respondents to an online poll backing the proposal. A public consultation is currently under way and is due to end on July 20, when the community council will decide whether to take the next step and apply for planning permission.

Photo caption:

Proposed site – the coal trucks would sit at the front of the Sensory Gardens (Pic: Saundersfoot Community Council).

CANCER patients and their families gathered at the Senedd this week to share their priorities with politicians and healthcare professionals, as part of a special event organised by Tenovus Cancer Care.

Local Senedd Member Paul Davies MS joined colleagues from across Wales to meet patients, clinicians and supporters during the charity’s annual Summer Tea Party, which this year focused on the top five issues cancer patients say matter most to them.

The event brought together members of the All-Wales Cancer Community – a unique initiative set up by Tenovus Cancer Care to give a national platform to people who have been affected by cancer, whether through personal diagnosis or supporting a loved one.

Around 200 individuals from across Wales now form part of the community, contributing lived experience to help inform service delivery, research priorities, and policymaking.

Guests were welcomed by a moving performance from the Swansea branch of the Tenovus ‘Sing with Us’ choir, comprised entirely of people whose lives have been touched by cancer. The event also featured personal testimonies from members of the All-Wales Cancer Community, highlighting both achievements and ongoing challenges in cancer care.

Mr Davies said: “It was a privilege to join Tenovus Cancer Care and hear directly from those whose lives have been impacted by cancer. The voices of patients are so important in shaping policy and understanding the challenges that many people living with cancer face.

“Tenovus Cancer Care and the All-Wales Cancer Community have worked hard to promote patients’ voices and, as someone living with cancer myself, I’m proud to support their work.”

Written declaration confirmed, with Commissioner finding ‘no influence’ on speech

SENEDD Member for Mid and West Wales, Eluned Morgan, has responded to a recent report by the Senedd Standards Committee concerning a declaration of interest involving trade union support.

The Committee’s report followed an investigation by the Standards Commissioner, who concluded that although Baroness Morgan had formally declared her membership of Unite the Union in writing—as required by the rules—she had not repeated the declaration orally during a Senedd debate.

The matter relates to a contribution made by Unite to a past Labour Party re-selection campaign. Morgan confirmed that the support had been properly registered and made publicly available in the official record at the time.

Acknowledging the omission, Baroness Morgan said that in the heat of the moment she should have verbally declared the interest but welcomed the Commissioner’s finding that her comments in the debate were only “passing” in nature. The Commissioner also concluded there was “nothing to suggest that the Member’s registered interests had any influence on her contribution to the proceedings.”

Speaking after the report was published, Eluned Morgan MS said: “I’m grateful that the Commissioner recognised my written declaration was publicly available and that there was nothing to suggest my contribution was influenced in any way. I also welcome the Committee’s finding that this was an inadvertent breach – not intentional – and that no further action is necessary.”

The Senedd Standards Committee has confirmed that no sanctions will be imposed.