Deputy Mayor pledges to build trust and community spirit

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL held its annual mayor-making ceremony this week, formally appointing Councillor Roy Thomas as the new Mayor of Haverfordwest and Admiral of the Port for the 2025–2026 civic year.

The ceremony, held at a packed Shire Hall, also saw Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner appointed Deputy Mayor of Haverfordwest.

Speaking after his appointment, Cllr Thomas-Turner said he was “deeply humbled and honoured” to take on the role. He pledged to engage actively with local businesses, organisations, and residents, with a focus on building trust, strengthening community spirit, and fostering collaboration across the town.

He said: “My aim is to ensure that Haverfordwest continues to grow, thrive, and truly become the best in the west.”

Also announced during the ceremony was the appointment of the new Sheriff of Haverfordwest, Councillor Dani Thomas-Turner—who is also the wife of the new Deputy Mayor.

The event brought together councillors, local dignitaries, and members of the public to mark the official start of the new civic year.

Campaigners say Welsh Government must do more as pressure mounts on Pensions Minister to enter mediation over ‘historic injustice’

THE 1950s Women of Wales have renewed calls for justice over the state pension age scandal, vowing they “are not going away” until the UK Government addresses what they say is a historic financial injustice that has devastated the lives of thousands of Welsh women.

In a strongly worded statement released this week, the campaign group—representing women from Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and across Wales—warned that if the UK Government continues to ignore them, they will pursue mediation through Civil Procedure Rule 2024.

Organiser Jackie Gilderdale questioned whether Labour’s Pensions Minister, Liz Kendall MP, is “afraid of the law”, adding: “What happened to Labour’s debt of honour? We will not go away until this has been resolved.”

The group has the support of Plaid Cymru, who have called for immediate compensation. Speaking in the Senedd earlier this month, Plaid Cymru MS Delyth Jewell said: “Women born in the 1950s were denied their state pensions at the time they needed that support. Many women have died without receiving the money. It is a bitter injustice and they deserve redress.”

Jewell called for formal mediation between the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and campaigners, as well as a full public inquiry similar to that recently granted to sub-postmasters.

However, the newly appointed Counsel General, Julie James MS, appeared to dismiss the calls, arguing the courts had ruled the DWP’s actions lawful. The 1950s Women of Wales were stunned by the response.

In a rebuttal, the group pointed out that the High Court and Court of Appeal did not endorse the DWP’s decisions, but merely found the legal challenges out of time. “The most affected stakeholders—1950s women—were never consulted. No impact assessment was carried out. That’s a breach of their rights under the Equality Act 2010 and the European Convention on Human Rights,” the group said.

The women also accuse Labour of misleading Parliament, citing evidence presented to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on February 10, 2025, showing that claims by Liz Kendall, Rachel Reeves, and Keir Starmer about the level of awareness among 1950s-born women were based on a survey of just 40 people. “Parliament was misled,” the group claims.

The group says it is unacceptable that Liz Kendall continues to ignore repeated invitations to meet with them and engage in good-faith mediation. “We are demanding a Temporary Special Measure—an Erskine May-proof mechanism—to deliver financial compensation swiftly,” they said. Their proposal includes:

• An initial lump sum and additional payments over five years
• No tax on compensation
• Benefits unaffected
• Free NHS dental, optician, and prescription services
• Named beneficiaries to inherit unpaid compensation in the event of death

On May 14, Labour’s Rebecca Long-Bailey MP met with Kendall and urged her to find a resolution. While the Pensions Minister reiterated that the government’s position on redress “had not changed”, she said work was ongoing to “learn lessons” and improve future communication.

But campaigners say the time for reflection is over. “It is clear that the APPG believes the incoming Ombudsman is likely to reject the government’s current stance. Rather than wait for another defeat, ministers should come to the table now,” the statement reads.

Susan Suter, one of the women attending the Senedd debate, said her experience is typical of thousands. “I had no notice—no letter—just a colleague telling me my pension age had changed. I’ve worked all my life, paid national insurance all my life. I never thought I’d still be fighting for equality and my pension in my seventies.”

Suter added: “Smoke screens are being used to prevent justice. I support the call for mediation. It is the only just and right way forward.”

The group is now calling on the Welsh Government to act on behalf of Welsh women and use its voice to pressure the UK Government into honouring legal and moral responsibilities under domestic and international law.

“Whether devolved or not,” they concluded, “our Government has a duty to protect our rights and demand accountability. We will not be silenced.”

Photo caption:
Campaigning continues: The 1950s Women of Wales protest outside the Senedd earlier this month (Pic: Supplied)

Port Authority issues safety alert to leisure boat users following dangerous manoeuvres

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has issued a stark warning to leisure boaters after a recent series of dangerous incidents involving small vessels navigating too close to tankers during critical docking operations.

In one alarming episode, two leisure craft were spotted passing between a large tanker and the Valero Jetty while the tanker was on final approach and being manoeuvred into position by Svitzer tugs. One of the vessels, which had just departed Milford Marina, was seen crossing at high speed on the wrong side of the channel — in direct breach of international collision regulations.

An image taken by one of the port’s Pilots shows the vessel cutting ahead of the tanker, despite the ship sounding the appropriate warning signals. A second, smaller vessel followed shortly after, also navigating on the incorrect side of the narrow channel and passing through an increasingly tight space between the tanker and the berth.

“This behaviour is not only illegal, it is extremely dangerous,” said a spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven. “These vessels put themselves, their passengers, and everyone on board the tanker at serious risk.”

The port has reminded users that such actions are a direct contravention of Rule 9 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (IRPCS), which require vessels under 20 metres or sailing craft not to impede the safe passage of larger vessels confined to narrow channels.

Additionally, the port’s own byelaws — specifically Byelaw 27 — prohibit vessels from coming within 100 metres of terminal structures or berthed ships. Both leisure boats were reported to have breached this safety zone.

The Port is urging all leisure users to monitor VHF Channel 12 when navigating the waterway to stay informed of commercial vessel movements and avoid potentially catastrophic encounters.

“Listening and complying with the rules keeps everyone safe,” the spokesperson added. “We want everyone to enjoy the Haven responsibly.”