Community
Update: Community rallies for former teacher with GoFundMe campaign
FOLLOWING the sentencing of former teacher Rhodri S. Jones for assaulting a child at Ysgol Caer Elen, the public has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support him. The campaign aims to raise £600 to help pay his court fine.
Organised by Andrew Phillips, the fundraiser has already gathered half of its target. Supporters describe Jones as a kind individual unfairly penalised for a minor incident and are eager to help him and his family move on from this ordeal.
Jones, 40, of Hayston View, Johnston, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating. He was legally represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher, who highlighted the challenges faced by educators in maintaining discipline. Kelleher explained that Jones is deeply remorseful and has resigned from the teaching profession following the incident.
“This is the difficulty that a teacher or a learning assistant has these days,” Kelleher said. “When a child is being cheeky, rude or refusing to do what he is being asked to do, an adult should avoid touching the pupil.
“My client is mortified at what occurred and has since resigned from the teaching profession – so we’ve lost a teacher.
“The children were heard saying ‘We’ll make sure you’ll be in trouble for this,’ and unfortunately this is what’s happened.”
After considering the mitigation, magistrates fined Jones £400 and ordered him to pay £85 in costs and a £160 surcharge. No compensation order was made against the victim, with the presiding magistrate commenting that compensation was not deemed appropriate.
The GoFundMe campaign has become a focal point for community members who believe Jones deserves support during this difficult time.
You can view and contribute to the campaign here.
Community
Lord Nelson Hotel refunds lucky couple the full cost of their wedding day
WHAT an amazing Christmas present!
In an extraordinary gesture of generosity, the Lord Nelson Hotel delighted one lucky couple by refunding the full cost of their 2024 wedding. Abby and Simon Hooper, who tied the knot at the historic venue on August 3, were thrilled to learn they were the winners of this year’s giveaway.
The initiative was part of a special promotion open to all couples who celebrated their weddings at the Lord Nelson in 2024. The winners were selected through a random draw using a fair generator system, with the Hoopers emerging as the fortunate recipients.
The hotel has announced plans to continue the tradition in 2025, offering next year’s couples the same opportunity to win their wedding costs back.
A spokesperson for the Lord Nelson Hotel said: “If you’re planning to get married in 2025, it’s not too late to book with us and secure your spot in next year’s draw.
“We are thrilled to celebrate love and create moments to cherish, and this is just one of the ways we give back to our incredible couples.”
Known for its elegant venue spaces and exceptional wedding team, the Lord Nelson Hotel remains a top choice for couples seeking a perfect wedding day. This annual giveaway further cements their commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences.
Abby and Simon Hooper shared their gratitude after their special day: “From start to finish, the team at the Lord Nelson Hotel was incredibly helpful, and nothing was too much to ask.
“The day went smoothly, the food was fantastic, and the staff were polite, hardworking, and attentive. Mia and Jenna, in particular, stood out for their thoughtfulness and attention to detail.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
Business
Derelict Cilgerran house to be transformed into cafe
PLANS by a village shop owner to convert a house “in a state of disrepair” to a café to “improve the variety of community facilities” locally have been given the go-ahead.
Mrs Morris, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought permission from Pembrokeshire County Council to convert The Old Post House, High Street, Cilgerran, currently a four-bed dwelling, to a ground floor café, along with a first-floor flat.
The application received five letters of support, saying it would provide local jobs, support the community, promote Welsh and local food, and provide a local community hub, with three letters of objection, raising concerns about parking and traffic, and potential odours from the premises.
A supporting statement, through the agent, said: “The proposed site is currently a dwellinghouse, in current need of modernisations and renovations throughout. The site is under the same ownership as the neighbouring village stores Siop Y Pentre,” saying the proposal “can be read as an extension to the existing Siop Y Pentre”.
“Siop Y Pentre is a thriving local community village shop which acts as a village hub. The shop provides local residents with day-to-day necessities, with a focus on local, sustainable and minimal waste products,” the statement says, adding the dwelling it seeks to convert “is in disrepair and in need of internal works to make suitable for modern living”.
It went on to say: “The proposed café seeks to retain its focus on local and seasonal produce with minimal waste and would provide a welcomed opportunity for socialising, especially during the daytime. The café will also seek to employ local staff retaining a community feel throughout. As such, the principle of the café adjacent to the existing village store is considered acceptable. The site seeks to encourage a sustainable community, with development of an appropriate scale and nature.
“Further to this, the location of the development is within the settlement boundary and seeks to fulfil a need for day-time socialising environments currently lacking within Cilgerran.”
The application was conditionally approved by county planners.
Community
Emergency call outage affected Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire
RESIDENTS in parts of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire faced difficulties contacting emergency services via the 999 landline number on Sunday (Dec 17) due to a temporary outage.
Dyfed-Powys Police issued alerts on social media, warning residents of potential issues when trying to dial 999 from landlines in affected areas. Locations impacted included Pembroke, Manorbier, Carew, and surrounding areas.
In a statement, police advised: “You may have faced problems calling 999 from a landline in the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire area. Places likely to have been affected were Pembroke, Manorbier, Carew. Please try calling from a mobile phone as mobile networks may have been working normally. Normal service will be restored as soon as possible. Non-emergencies can be reported online. Please look out for further updates.”
Later in the day, an update confirmed that the 999 landline service had been restored in the Llangrannog and Llanteg areas.
The temporary disruption raised concerns about access to emergency services in rural areas, where mobile coverage can sometimes be unreliable.
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and use alternative communication methods in the event of future disruptions. Further updates are expected as investigations into the cause of the outage continue.
For non-emergency issues, residents can continue to report incidents via the Dyfed-Powys Police website or contact their local police station directly.
-
News4 days ago
Ferry accident causes delay on new Dublin-Fishguard route
-
Education5 days ago
Home Education: Delays and missed opportunities risk further tragedy
-
Business6 days ago
Pembrokeshire care home group hit by £150,000 budget blow
-
News7 days ago
Rift between Neyland councillors now ‘as wide as Grand Canyon’
-
News7 days ago
Labour’s refusal to compensate WASPI women sparks outrage
-
Politics7 days ago
Pembrokeshire Long Course Weekend changes could be made
-
Community6 days ago
Tips for coping with Mental Health challenges this Christmas
-
Business3 days ago
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure