News
Safety fears prompt call for ‘gull cull’
SEAGULLS displaying aggressive behaviour in Tenby have prompted calls for a “gull cull” – amid fears for public safety. Councillors in Tenby say herring gulls in the town are attacking builders on rooftops and families on beaches. The town’s Mayor Sue Lane requested that the local authority be approached to see if there was a way of controlling the belligerent birds. “It’s a dangerous issue health wise and it’s getting out of control,” she said. “So I feel the time has come to get in touch with the county council, to see what control methods can be brought in. “They were once just sea birds, but now they’re fast becoming land birds and need controlling.” Businesspeople in the town say incidents of food snatching have become more common as the birds become over-familiar with humans. Mario Fecci, of Fecci’s Ice Cream Parlour, said the gulls had become skilful opportunist who were now an increasing nuisance. “We’ve had customers who have bought cream cakes or ice cream and had them snatched right out of their hands. “There is most definitely a problem with gulls here in Tenby, where it seems they are nesting. “It’s not just a problem for holidaymakers. Living in the town ourselves, we are quite often woken up around 4am with very loud squawking. “They have become quite aggressive. You see them walking up to people on the parade and not thinking anything of snatching chips out of their hands. “They are not scared of people any more. But we all have a responsibility not to feed them. The seagulls are opportunists who are finding it much easier to survive off fish and chips on land instead of finding food at sea, where they should be.” Builder Andrew Thomas said there had been incidents of dive-bombing. “If you’re near their territory, and there are chicks in the nest, they can get quite aggressive. “One of our boys just got out of the van to use the cashpoint, and a gull swooped down at him. He raised his arms and it flew off but you can see how people with young kids would be scared.” Andrew Davies, Tenby Town Council’s clerk, said the town’s Civic Society had written to Pembrokeshire Council to request seagull-proof bin bags. “These are bags to put domestic rubbish in that can’t get torn open by gulls. Apparently there have been pilots in the West Country. “Although the town council and county council encourage residents to cover their rubbish, not everybody does and the gulls are very intelligent birds. They are getting to realise that they can get underneath the covers.” The RSPB’s Grahame Madge “Gulls are very intelligent and live on their wits. “They will capitalise on any way they can find food and will try to seize ice creams and fish and chips from people at places like Barry Island, or in cities like Cardiff.” A spokesman for Pembrokeshire Council said any work to reduce seagull numbers was too late this year. “We have advised Tenby Town Council that it is now too late in the year to commence a programme of gull control, if that is what they wish to do. “Any such action would need to commence in January or February.We have also pointed out that any such control work is expensive and no appropriate budget currently exists within the County Council.”
News
Grieving family’s aim to protect young drivers in memory of daughter
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Road Safety Team have worked in partnership with the family of a young woman killed in a road traffic collision to launch an intervention for young drivers in our County and beyond.
Ella Bee’s Story aims to prevent further deaths on the road, particularly among the 17 to 25-year-old age group, and concentrates on the Fatal 5, peer pressure, driver behaviour and how to reduce the risks both as a driver and passenger.
Twenty-one year-old Ella Smith was killed in a road traffic collision on the Broad Haven road in 2021 and her family are bravely telling their story of the night it happened and the aftermath of losing Ella.
Two drivers involved in the collision were jailed for ten years each having been convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
The intervention was launched recently and will be available to all schools and young peoples’ groups in the County, along with Pembrokeshire College.
The Road Safety Team worked closely with the family to put together the intervention which includes the production of two videos that can help educate all young drivers, and any adults with young drivers in the family.
Following the launch Ella’s mother Maria said: “We as a family and Ella’s best friends have worked tirelessly with Pembrokeshire County Council to produce a presentation on road safety to be delivered to schools, colleges and youth groups to educate young drivers on the devastating impact that losing Ella has had on us all.
“Ella your legacy will live on and you will forever be remembered for helping others even now.”
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett added: “The launch of Ella Bee’s Story was incredible moving. Ella’s family has been incredibly brave in their determination to ensure her tragic death is not in vain and this project will help other young drivers stay safe on our roads.”
For further information about how your school or youth group can access Ella Bee’s Story please email [email protected]
News
Storage container fire in Newcastle Emlyn
AT11:48am on Friday (Jan 24), Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Llandysul and Carmarthen fire stations were called to a fire in Capel Iwan, Newcastle Emlyn.
The fire involved a 40-foot by 8-foot storage container and was confined to a generator inside. Firefighters used a hose reel jet, two breathing apparatus sets, a thermal imaging camera, and a positive pressure ventilation fan to extinguish the blaze.
Crews remained on site to dampen down the area before departing at 12:57pm.
Crime
Pembrokeshire man accused of assault and perverting justice remanded in custody
A PEMBROKESHIRE man accused of assaulting a woman has been remanded in custody after allegedly offering her money to drop the charges.
Lohan Chapman, 19, of Primrose Close, Neyland, is accused of intentionally strangling a female during an alleged incident in Milford Haven on August 1, 2024, and of assaulting her by beating. He denies both charges.
This week, Haverfordwest Magistrates Court heard that Chapman was remanded in custody on January 18 after being accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice by offering his alleged victim an undisclosed sum of money to withdraw the charges.
District Judge Mark Layton declined jurisdiction in all three matters.
Chapman, who appeared via video link from Swansea Prison, will now face trial at Swansea Crown Court on February 17.
He was remanded in custody pending his appearance.
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