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News

Residents reminded of IRONMAN Wales road restrictions

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IRONMAN Wales returns to Pembrokeshire in just over a week and there will be full and partial road closures in and around the south of the County.

IRONMAN Wales will be held on Sunday, 22nd September with thousands of athletes from all over the world taking part in a 2.3mile swim, followed by a 112mile bike ride before finishing with a 26.2mile run.

The swim starts at 7.30am and the predicted last finisher time is around 1am the following morning.

Full information outlining road closures and alternative routes available across the course is available on the IRONMAN website (opens in new window) to help residents plan their travel ahead of the event.

The A40 and A477 will remain open and are unaffected to facilitate access east-west throughout the event.

Emergency services will maintain full access.

Due to the road closure it will not be possible for the 387/8 (Coastal Cruiser) bus service to operate on Sunday 22nd September. The service will operate as normal on Saturday 21st and Monday 23rd September.

The bike course closure map (opens in new window) and run course closure map can also be downloaded from ironman.com

There will also be restrictions in Tenby town centre on Saturday 21st when IRONKIDS from across the county take part in their running races.

A park and ride shuttle bus will be running on Saturday and Sunday from Carew Airfield and Saundersfoot.

If you have any IRONMAN Wales access questions, please contact [email protected] or call 03330 11 66 00 and provide the following details:

  • Name
  • Telephone Number
  • Journey Start Postcode
  • Journey End Postcode
  • Time of Departure
  • Details of Enquiry

Please note the e-mail address will not be monitored on the event weekend so please plan ahead.

News

Neyland Town Council faces backlash over secretive co-option

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NEYLAND TOWN COUNCIL is facing mounting criticism after a controversial closed-door meeting on Thursday (Feb 19) led to the co-option of the Town Clerk’s mother onto the council. The decision has sparked accusations of corruption, conflicts of interest, and a lack of transparency in the democratic process.

Press and public barred from meeting

In an unprecedented move, the press and public were excluded from the meeting at Neyland Community Hub, forcing frustrated residents to wait outside in the Hub bar. The exclusion has led to growing anger in the community, with some describing the council’s actions as a “disgrace”.

A resident told The Herald: “If they had nothing to hide, we’d have been allowed in. The secrecy makes it clear—they know what they’re doing is wrong.”

Clerk’s mother appointed amid controversy

One of the most contentious points of the meeting was the co-option of the Clerk’s mother, Donna Matthews, onto the council. This follows weeks of allegations that Neyland Town Council manipulated the selection process to favour particular candidates.

Leaked emails suggest that at least one valid candidate, Mr. Dickson, was ignored despite submitting an application. Documents indicate that Clerk Libby Matthews did not acknowledge or respond to his candidacy, while her mother’s application proceeded without challenge.

Councillor blocked from voting remotely

Further controversy arose when Councillor Brian Rothero was prevented from attending remotely, despite giving prior notice. In a leaked email, Rothero accused the council of deliberately obstructing certain members from participating:

“You and your group have done everything in your power to make this as difficult as possible… You are breaking protocol by not allowing me to attend and cast my vote remotely.”

He added: “This entire process is corrupt. The Clerk is at the centre of it, organising everything.”

Leaked emails expose refusal to answer questions

Leaked correspondence reveals that Councillor Steve Thomas repeatedly questioned the legitimacy of the selection process but was met with silence or outright refusal to engage.

In one email, Thomas wrote: “The vacancy needs to be readvertised, perhaps with a Clerk from another Council managing the process whilst all of this is going on.”

The response from Clerk Libby Matthews was blunt:

“No.”

When pressed on why she ignored Mr. Dickson’s application, her reply was:

“No is a full answer, and it’s the one you’re getting.”

These responses have heightened suspicions that the council was determined to install a pre-selected candidate regardless of fairness or due process.

Conflict of interest allegations

Adding to the scandal, leaked documents suggest that Councillor Mike Harry, a key figure in the co-option process, has direct financial ties to one of the candidates. As a paid director and employer of an applicant, his involvement should have disqualified him from participating in the selection.

Councillor Rothero warned in an email: “As a now paid Director and employer of one of the candidates [via his directorship of Neyland CIC], I hope he removes himself. If not, the press will have a field day with this.”

The Herald contacted Cllr Mike Harry who confirmed he was a director, but said he wasn’t paid. Mike Harry also confirmed he voted in the meeting for the co-option of the clerk’s mother.

Calls for resignations and fresh elections

Former Neyland Mayor Andrew Lye has called for Councillor David Devauden to resign, citing allegations that he sent a threatening and malicious email to the Town Clerk.

Lye has also reported the council’s actions to the police, stating:

“This entire situation has spiralled out of control. If the full extent of these councillors’ emails were published, people would be shocked.”

Public frustration is growing, with many calling for the council to be dissolved and fresh elections to be held.

One resident summed up the mood: “This council is rotten from the inside out. It’s time to clean house.”

What happens next?

Complaints have now been submitted to the Ombudsman, the Election Committee, and the police, placing Neyland Town Council at the centre of a deepening scandal.

Pressure is mounting for an independent investigation into the co-option process, alongside renewed demands for resignations and a complete overhaul of council leadership.

For now, residents are left wondering: Will those responsible be held accountable, or will secrecy and controversy continue to plague Neyland Town Council?

The Pembrokeshire Herald will continue to investigate and report on this developing story.

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News

Campaigners to Challenge Senedd Over US Military Radar in Pembrokeshire

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PEACE campaigners will gather at the Senedd on March 5 to challenge the proposed Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) site at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy.

A coalition of Welsh peace groups, including Heddwch ar Waith (Peace Action Wales) and Pembrokeshire Against Radar Campaign (PARC), will host a seminar in the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay to raise concerns over militarism in Wales.

The event, “Highlighting Militarism in Wales,” has been scheduled to coincide with the UN’s International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness. It will feature a presentation by PARC Against DARC campaigners, urging Members of the Senedd (MSs) to oppose the radar system, which is intended to form part of the US military’s space surveillance network.

A demo held in Pembrokeshire in 2024 (Pic: File)

Plaid Cymru Backing Opposition

Plaid Cymru MS Heledd Fychan, who is sponsoring the event, said her party stands firmly against the development of DARC in Wales.

“Plaid Cymru has a long history of opposing militarism and campaigning for peace, which is why I’m proud to sponsor such an important and timely event at our national parliament,” she said.

“We are supporting the campaign by Pembrokeshire residents against the DARC proposal, and I strongly encourage all Senedd Members to attend and understand why this should concern everyone in Wales.”

Last October, Plaid Cymru delegates at their national conference voted unanimously to oppose DARC and back efforts to halt its development.

Fears Over US Military Expansion

Campaigners argue that the Pentagon-backed radar project will place Wales at the forefront of a growing militarisation of space. The radar, part of a global tracking network developed in partnership with Elon Musk’s SpaceX and the US Space Force, would provide real-time monitoring of objects in space.

A PARC Against DARC spokesperson said: “This is a rare issue in Pembrokeshire that has sparked huge public opposition. We’ve seen teams of volunteers deliver 18,000 flyers, a Senedd statement of opinion tabled, and widespread anger over Labour’s silence on the project.

“This is not just a local radar station. This is about Trump and Musk expanding their military control over space from our land. The Welsh Government must take a stand against this.”

The Growing Militarisation of Wales

Throughout the event, peace activists will highlight the extent of militarisation in Wales, pointing to:

  • The 23,000 hectares of Welsh land used for military purposes
  • The 85% of Welsh airspace controlled by defence operations
  • The growing presence of arms companies in Welsh schools and universities

Sam Bannon, of Heddwch ar Waith, said: “Militarism in Wales is omnipresent. It already has deep ties with Trump’s White House through MOD Sealand, Israel through Aberporth, and soon we’ll be on the frontline of a space war through DARC.

“At a time of increasing international tensions, Wales should be investing in public services and a just transition to net zero—not signing up to a dangerous global arms race.”

Public Vigil Planned

The day will conclude with a vigil for peace outside the Senedd at 4:30pm, where campaigners will call for Wales to strengthen its identity as a nation of peace and sanctuary.

Jill Evans, former Plaid Cymru MEP and vice-chair of Academi Heddwch Cymru, said:

“Wales has a proud legacy of peace campaigning. This event is about reminding our elected representatives that militarisation is not the future we want for our country.”

The Herald understands that following the event, campaigners will compile a report detailing actions they expect Senedd Members to take in opposition to DARC.

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Crime

Driver arrested after crash at Sentry Cross roundabout

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DYFED-POWYS Police is investigating a two-vehicle collision that occurred on the A477 at Sentry Cross roundabout just after 8:30am on Thursday (Feb 20).

The crash involved a dark blue Volkswagen Golf and a silver Renault van, with both drivers taken to hospital for treatment. They have since been discharged.

The driver of the Golf has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury through dangerous driving, driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, driving while unfit through drink or drugs, and possession of an offensive weapon.

Police are appealing for witnesses and are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have dash-cam or CCTV footage of the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police via their website, by calling 101, or by messaging @DyfedPowys on social media.

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