TRIBUTES have poured in for Pembrokeshire scaffolding company boss Jozef Polak following news of his death.

Jozef, who ran the firm JP, is remembered as a warm-hearted, larger-than-life character in the community. Those who knew him said he was the sort of person who would step in to help without hesitation — and who brought humour and energy wherever he went.

On social media, messages quickly filled with heartbreak and affection. “My best mate… taken too soon,” wrote Adam Rogers. Timothy Jones added: “Sad news. RIP mate,” while Gareth Williams said: “RIP Joe thoughts with all the family”.

Several people spoke about his personality and generosity. Ginge Davies said: “Rip JP truly a great guy… a complete nutter with a heart of gold… he was such a good laugh,” adding his thoughts were with Jozef’s family, friends and Johnston FC.

Others remembered him from childhood as kind and well mannered. Simon Narbett wrote: “Spent many weekends around our house as a kid in Johnston… always very polite and well mannered boy, nice family too. RIP Jozef.”

The sense of shock was clear in many posts. “Shocked hear this news tonight r.i.p mate,” wrote Adrian Griffiths, while Stephen Evans said: “Really shocked to hear this tonight RIP JP.” Rob Griff added: “So sad to hear this, life can be so cruel… He sure was a Character!!”

Jozef was also a long-standing supporter of The Pembrokeshire Herald, advertising regularly and remaining a valued customer for 13 years. The Herald team worked with him on a number of stories over that period, including the controversial collapse of Mustang Marine, which left a number of contractors out of pocket.

Johnston Football Club said Jozef was central to the life of the club and the wider village, describing him as a “club legend” whose backing helped shape one of the most successful periods in its history.

The club said his association began at the start of the century through his father’s sponsorship, with Jozef stepping up his involvement around 2012 — a period that culminated in Johnston lifting the West Wales Cup.

They said his support was constant and practical, helping fund more than 20 senior team kits along with junior and minis kits, balls, training tops, tracksuits and other essentials. His generosity also extended to bailing the club out with work needed on the changing rooms, adding: “We never had to ask twice.”

In recent years, Johnston said, it became almost routine to ring him when something needed doing. “He’d simply ask, ‘How much do you want?’” the club said.

They ended their tribute: “RIP to a true legend of the club.”

A GROUP of Year 13 pupils at Haverfordwest High VC School are celebrating after securing offers from Oxford University.

The school announced this week that four girls have received places at different Oxford colleges in a range of subjects.

Emily has been offered a place at St Peter’s College to read English Language and Literature, while Olivia has received an offer from Exeter College to study Law.

Megan has secured an offer from Brasenose College for Medicine, and Tegan has been offered a place at St Edmund Hall to study Chemical Engineering.

In a message shared online, the school said it was “incredibly proud” of the pupils, describing it as “a proud moment indeed” for the learners, their families and the wider school community.

The post also noted that Megan and Olivia are former pupils of Milford School, and thanked those who supported the applications, including the Seren programme.

The school added that it would be sharing more updates on future university, apprenticeship and job offers from sixth form pupils in the coming months.

REFORM UK leader filmed a paid-for video tribute to “Ian Watkins”, calling him “a good man”, before the clip was shared online

Nigel Farage has been caught out by another prank on the paid video-message platform Cameo after recording what appeared to be a tribute to “Ian Watkins” — the name of the former Lostprophets frontman and convicted child sex offender.

Farage, who offers personalised messages for a fee, filmed a short clip for a requester using the name John Smith. In the video, Farage describes Watkins as “a good man” and “a really good guy”, adding that he “loved his children”, and even suggesting he knew him personally by claiming Watkins had been “very much in contact with me”.

The former Lostprophets singer was serving a 29-year prison sentence for child sex offences when he died in custody last year. Two men have been charged in connection with his death after he was stabbed at HMP Wakefield in October.

It is not the first time Farage has been embarrassed through Cameo. In 2021, he was similarly duped into ending a birthday message with a pro-IRA slogan.

Responding to the latest incident, Farage attempted to brush off the prank, saying there are “lots of Ian Watkins”, thanking the requester for the money and suggesting he should “send more”. He also claimed he had altered the request.

Smith told Metro he had not expected Farage to carry out the filming, and said he was concerned by how easily he was able to obtain a public tribute without any basic checks. He argued the stunt was meant to highlight what he described as Farage’s willingness to say almost anything for cash — and questioned what that might mean if he were dealing with bigger financial backers.

Smith also insisted he was not trying to make light of Watkins’ crimes, saying his aim was to show how quickly Farage would praise a name supplied to him and falsely imply a personal connection. Farage has previously been targeted by prank callers in other settings, including during his time hosting an LBC phone-in show, where he was repeatedly caught off guard live on air.