Community

Protestors rally against closure of Pembrokeshire adult day care centres

Published

2 years ago

July 20, 2024

CAMPAIGNERS demonstrating against the closure of council-run adult day care centres in Pembrokeshire have accused the local authority of “putting pounds before people”.

A demonstration was held outside County Hall in Haverfordwest, urging Pembrokeshire County Council to reconsider the proposed cutbacks affecting the Anchorage centre in Pembroke Dock, the Lee Davies Day centre in Narberth, and the Bro Preseli Day centre in Crymych.

The protest drew users of the centres and their families, many of whom voiced concerns over the impact of potential closures. Among the demonstrators was Georgina Knowles from Templeton, whose daughter Sapphire, 28, attends the Bro Preseli centre.

“She loves it there,” Ms. Knowles said. “It’s brilliant and the only centre in Pembrokeshire suitable for her, with all the equipment and qualified staff that she needs. They’ve told us it’s going to be open until April, and they’re talking about a social enterprise taking it over, but we’re keen on seeing the council continue to run it. Please don’t close it down. We’ve been very stressed.”

Pete Welsh, 73, from Pembroke Dock, whose daughter Abi, 32, has been attending the Anchorage centre for 14 years, echoed these sentiments. “Living with somebody with additional learning needs is a 24/7 job,” he said. “So it’s both a lifeline and a form of respite for us as well.”

Mr. Welsh criticised the council, claiming it was “putting pounds before people, not least vulnerable people at that who can’t speak up for themselves”. He called for the authority to reverse its decision, alleging there had been no consultation with families and service users.

Kate Scourfield, who introduced the petition to maintain day centres at the Lee Davies centre in Narberth and Crymych, expressed her “grave reservations” about possible alternative service delivery models being considered.

In response, Tessa Hodgson, the council’s cabinet member for social care, assured that no changes would be made to adult day care centres until September, when the cabinet meets to discuss the issue. She highlighted that the Anchorage centre was in a poor state of repair, requiring maintenance work totalling £370,000.

Ms. Hodgson explained that the decision to opt for a 12.5% council tax rise, rather than a 16.3% rise, necessitated savings. She noted that numbers using the Anchorage centre had declined from 35 to 22 since the Covid pandemic, and the authority was striving to maintain frontline services amidst a “dire financial picture”.

She further added that additional funding had been secured to keep the Lee Davies centre in Narberth open until next spring, while discussions were ongoing about the potential takeover of the Bro Preseli centre by a social enterprise. No final decisions will be made about the three centres until the matter is reviewed by the cabinet in December.

Council Leader Jon Harvey acknowledged the tough choices facing the authority, citing a funding gap of £32.3m for the current financial year (2024-5).

Ms. Hodgson was not available for an interview, and the council has been asked to comment on the matter.

More than 3,000 people have signed online petitions calling for services to be retained at the three sites, underscoring the community’s determination to safeguard these essential facilities.

(Cover image: BBC Wales)

Community

Man found dead near Carmarthen railway line died from hypothermia

Published

2 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Court Reporter

A 32-YEAR-OLD man found dead near Carmarthen Train Station died after taking shelter on a bitterly cold night, an inquest has heard.

Edward Mark Owen, originally from Birmingham but living in Ystradgynlais, was discovered in a field beside the railway line on the approach to Carmarthen station on Saturday, January 10.

A Transport for Wales train driver had spotted what appeared to be a body lying face down near the track shortly after 8:30am.

Police and railway staff attended and found Mr Owen lying face down and topless in the field. His coat, T-shirt, phone and cigarettes were found nearby.

Police initially treated the death as unexplained.

Movements traced

The inquest heard that officers later traced Mr Owen’s movements from his home in Ystradgynlais to Carmarthen.

He had nowhere to stay in the town and had taken shelter under a bridge near the railway station during a particularly cold night.

The coroner said Mr Owen had “sadly succumbed to the effects of hypothermia”.

The fact that he had removed his T-shirt and coat was said to be consistent with a confused state brought on by hypothermia.

A conclusion of misadventure was recorded.

The coroner found that Mr Owen died sometime on January 10, 2026.

Community

Milford Haven firefighters prepare for key assessments

Published

3 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ON-CALL firefighters at Milford Haven Fire Station have been put through their paces as part of their weekly drill night.

The crew’s development firefighters were pictured carrying out a “drill by numbers” squad exercise ahead of upcoming assessments.

New firefighters spend their first 24 months in a development period, which is split into four stages and focuses on different operational skills and competencies.

At the end of each stage, firefighters attend a divisional training centre where their progress is assessed against the standards required by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Over the next two weeks, members of the Milford Haven crew will take part in a Stage 2 interim assessment and a Stage 4 final assessment.

One firefighter is hoping to complete the final stage and qualify as a fully competent firefighter.

The station said Wednesday nights remain an important part of training for the on-call crew, helping firefighters maintain the skills needed to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven area.

Community

Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home

Published

8 hours ago

June 17, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.

The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.

The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.

The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.

Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.

The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.

Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].

The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.