AFTER more than 15 years at Dragon LNG, Karen Wood, the company’s External Relations and Social Performance Manager, is leaving her role, marking the end of an era in the company’s extensive community engagement efforts. Her departure, effective today (Feb 28), concludes a journey that began in September 2009, during which she played a key role in fostering corporate social responsibility initiatives across Pembrokeshire.

Reflecting on her time at Dragon LNG, Karen highlighted the overwhelming support she has received from colleagues, educators, policymakers, and community leaders, describing it as “incredibly humbling.” She expressed gratitude for the collaborations and friendships built over the years and shared a special memory that encapsulated the impact of her work.

Emily’s story: A legacy of opportunity

One of Karen’s proudest achievements is the Dragon Darwin Experience, an initiative aimed at inspiring and educating young people in Pembrokeshire. Among the many success stories from the programme, she recalled Emily’s Story, a tale that continues to resonate within the community.

Emily was the first girl to take part in the Dragon Darwin Experience workshop in 2005, held at Pembrokeshire College under the leadership of then-principal Glyn Jones. Years later, in 2017, Karen commissioned Emily’s Story to support Dragon LNG’s application for the prestigious UBS UK Award for Education at the UK Business in the Community Responsible Business Awards. Competing against corporate giants such as British Land Rover, Greggs, Toyota UK, RBS, Hogan Lovells, and Amazon UK & Ireland, Dragon LNG made it to the final round, facing a grilling from an eight-person panel that included representatives from UBS, Goldman Sachs, Rothschild & Co, and Amazon UK.

On July 4, 2017, at the Royal Albert Hall, Dragon LNG achieved a milestone moment—winning the award, becoming the only Welsh company to do so that year. While Emily was unable to attend the ceremony due to volunteering overseas, her journey exemplified the long-lasting impact of the programme. The award recognised Dragon LNG as a leader in corporate responsibility, demonstrating how business can drive positive social change.

“Your organisation is a powerful example of the difference business can make to address some of society’s biggest issues,” read a congratulatory message from Business in the Community.

Karen also revealed that an update to Emily’s Story was commissioned last year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dragon Darwin Experience, ensuring the legacy continues to inspire future generations.

Closing a chapter, looking ahead

As Karen bids farewell to Dragon LNG, she leaves behind a strong legacy of educational and community engagement initiatives that have touched countless lives. While this chapter in her career closes, she remains optimistic about the future and looks forward to seeing the ongoing positive impact of the programmes she helped establish.

“While this particular book is closing, I know the stories, lasting friendships, and connections we’ve built will endure far beyond my final day. I hope our paths will cross again, and I’ll be cheering you on as you continue to achieve great things,” Karen said in her farewell message.

Her departure signals a new phase for Dragon LNG and its community programmes, raising questions about what comes next for the company’s engagement initiatives. However, one thing remains clear—Karen’s contributions have left an indelible mark on Pembrokeshire, ensuring that the seeds of opportunity she helped plant will continue to grow for years to come.

CONCERNS have been raised over the actions of local Neighborhood Watch (NHW) coordinators after it emerged that the village of Crundale, near Haverfordwest, was being singled out for crime monitoring. Former Dyfed-Powys Neighbourhood Watch Interim Chair and Development Lead, Ajay Owen, has criticised the move, arguing that the village does not have high crime levels and is being unfairly targeted.

Mr Owen, who previously oversaw NHW schemes in the area, stated that while his focus was on tackling crime across Pembrokeshire, he had explicitly objected to any specific targeting of Crundale. He noted that most incidents in the village were minor anti-social behaviour cases that had already been resolved.

“I do not condone the actions of the coordinators within the Haverfordwest scheme who appear to be targeting Crundale,” he said. “Their actions are damaging the reputation of residents and the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme across the Haverfordwest locality.”

The controversy was sparked by an article in another local newspaper referring to Crundale as having “rough streets.” This characterisation has been met with disbelief by residents, with many questioning why additional monitoring is being implemented in a village with minimal crime.

One local resident expressed shock at the claim on social media. She said: “I’m sorry, am I reading that right? ‘Rough streets of Crundale’? Am I missing something? Since when has Crundale been ‘rough’?” she commented online. Others echoed her concerns, arguing that resources should be used more effectively elsewhere.

Mr Owen has also highlighted concerns regarding the allocation of NHW grants, suggesting that there could be a conflict of interest in how funding is distributed. “The grant was supplied by NHW themselves for that exact reason – however, it would be a conflict of interest if [the coordinator] was to apply for any grants to use in the area. It should be done by a separate coordinator,” he explained.

He has urged residents unhappy with the current NHW actions to file formal complaints with the national Neighbourhood Watch network. “If you are unhappy with the actions of your local Neighbourhood Watch coordinators, I strongly urge you to file a formal complaint at enquiries@ourwatch.org.uk. This applies not only to residents of Crundale and Haverfordwest but to anyone in the Dyfed-Powys area who has concerns about their local scheme.”

Crundale, a small village on the outskirts of Haverfordwest, has historically had low crime levels. The controversy has now raised questions about how NHW schemes are managed and whether some communities are being unfairly scrutinised.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Neighbourhood Watch for comment.

PLANS for a replacement 334 -foot-high wind turbine in north Pembrokeshire, more than twice the height of the existing one, have seen the local community council call for its refusal, saying it offers “no benefit to the local community”.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Surrey-based Constantine Wind Energy Limited, which manages some 200 turbines throughout Great Britain, seeks permission for a 102-metre-high wind turbine at Sarnau Farm, near Trelech.

The application would replace an existing 45-metre-high turbine, granted permission in 2014.

In a supporting statement, Wilmslow-based agent Axis PED Limited said the applicant has full agreement with the landowner to install a larger turbine, adding: “The proposed development would increase the generation output by more than 209 per cent of the current output supporting an estimated 318 average households’ energy usage, which is an estimated additional 211 homes than the existing turbine on the site.

“This is a significant improvement to the existing output at the site. Furthermore, by replacing the existing wind turbine with a wind turbine which has a larger output capacity, the site’s contribution to renewable energy generation targets and greenhouse gas emissions targets is increased.”

The replacement turbine is expected to operate for 25 years.

It says visual impact will be “no greater than Moderate Adverse,” and that offset by there being an existing turbine on site, adding: “When the actual change in visual impact is considered against the increased level of renewable energy produced at an existing electrical generation station, it is clear that, on balance, the visual impacts associated with the increase in turbine height and rotor diameter, are outweighed by the beneficial contribution the replacement turbine would make in the transition away from fossil fuels and the ability to meet UK Net Zero targets in line with the Government’s commitments.”

Local community council Clydau has strongly objected to the proposal, raising concerns including the size is more than double that existing, and potential visual and noise impacts.

The council’s objections added: “The health and wellbeing of those living closest to the proposed turbine was of great concern; uppermost in councillors’ minds was the fact that the proposed turbine would be of no benefit whatsoever to the local community. It was noted that properties closest to the turbine would be devalued.

“Councillors hope for an outcome to the above application that benefits the local community; most especially those living within close proximity. This can only mean a firm ‘No’ to the proposal.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.