News

Ducks rescued in joint-agency operation after getting caught in fishing line on Cleddau

Published

7 hours ago

October 8, 2024

TWO ducks have been rescued from the banks of the Cleddau after being found with lengths of fishing line entangled around their legs.

The ducks were spotted in the middle of the river near Quay Street, Haverfordwest.

“They appeared to be exhausted from trying to set themselves free,” said RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer and Wildlife Officer, Ellie West.

“Fortunately when I arrived it was low tide so it was easy to see them.

“Initially I was unable to see what they were entangled in, and they seemed pretty exhausted from trying to get themselves free. But when I arrived, they had been able to stand and sit on a rocky area and rest a little.”

Although the water was low, it was unsafe for Ellie to attempt a solo rescue, given the dangers of this section of the river.

As a result she requested the assistance of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Service, and crew members from Haverfordwest Fire Station arrived on scene.

“The crew was able to walk out to the ducks in their dry suits and use my nets to contain the mallards, and then walk back with them to dry land to meet me.

“The fire crew was brilliant as usual, and we are incredibly thankful for their assistance.”

Sadly the two ducks were badly entangled with the fishing line around their legs so Ellie sought the assistance of her colleague, RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben.

“The line was cut from both ducks to allow us to work on one duck at a time with the other safely confined in a dark quiet box,” said Ellie.

“Sadly the quieter duck had a line so tightly embedded around his leg that it had cut the circulation off and his wounds were down to the bone. He also had wounds to the outer edges of its wings where he had been bashing them trying to free itself.”

As rehabilitation would not have been possible and to prevent further suffering, the duck sadly had to be put to sleep.

“Thankfully the other duck was much stronger and only had the line wrapped around his leg lightly which hadn’t caused any injury,” said Ellie.

“He was alert and active with no wounds, so he was returned to the river straight away for release where he flew off happily.

“When I returned to the river to release the duck the tide was much higher and it was obvious if we’d waited any longer to perform the rescue, the ducks would have been swept away on the high water.

“This was obviously a very sad outcome for one duck, but a lucky outcome for the other.”

Around 40% of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA across England and Wales in 2023 were about animals that had specifically become caught in fishing litter.

Ellie added: “It’s simple – when people are out and about, we urge them to hold on to their litter until there is an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly – or recycle where appropriate. As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, this could save an animal’s life.“

The RSPCA says a majority of anglers are careful when fishing – but a small number are letting the community down by not disposing of their waste properly and leaving animals in danger.

“The majority of anglers do dispose of their litter properly and it is frustrating that those who don’t possibly don’t realise how dangerous it is to animals,” added Ellie. “Discarded line in particular is a terrible hazard for wildlife, particularly as it can be almost invisible.

“We strongly urge those who enjoy fishing to be extra cautious to make sure nothing is left behind. Most anglers are very responsible when disposing of their litter, but it only takes one piece of snagged line to be left in a tree or dropped near the water to endanger the life of an animal. We ask anglers to follow the Angling Trust Anglers Against Litter campaign and make use of recycling schemes to dispose of their waste tackle.”

Business

An evening of collaboration with West Wales’ Creative Network

Published

49 mins ago

October 8, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CALLING all musicians, photographers, filmmakers and social media managers!

Get ready for an inspiring evening of collaboration and conversation at an exciting new panel discussion and networking event, hosted by Creative Wales.

Following the success of a similar event in Cardigan, it’s now Fishguard’s turn to get creative.

The evening takes place on October 23 at Ffwrn, Fishguard, at 6.30 pm when people will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts as they share insights, trends and tips to elevate your craft and expand your reach.

You can also begin to connect with like-minded creatives, exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations with talent, baked locally.

So whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this is the chance to gain valuable knowledge and make meaningful connections in the vibrant creative community or West Wales.

A limited number of spaces are available, so don’t miss out on this super opportunity; register today via the Gorllewin Creadigol Cymru/Creative West Wales Network website.

Education

Pressure mounts on Pembrokeshire Council to revert school catchment areas

Published

1 hour ago

October 8, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PRESSURE is being put on Pembrokeshire County Council to revert the Johnston and Tiers Cross school catchment areas.

The calls are being made as an ever-increasing number of Haverfordwest High pupils are currently having to pay for transport to and from the school.

A large number of these students are travelling from Neyland, Johnston, and Tiers Cross, despite no longer being in the catchment area for Haverfordwest High VC School. Pembrokeshire County Council’s policy states these areas are now in the Milford Haven school catchment area. As a result, children from these areas who choose to attend Haverfordwest High are no longer eligible for free transport.

Although these areas are served by flexi buses and service buses, it is becoming increasingly difficult for children to secure a place on the buses, as the number of children requiring transport to Haverfordwest continues to rise. There are also financial implications; the cost of a return journey to Haverfordwest High from Neyland on a flexi bus currently stands at £20 a week.

The schools currently in the Haverfordwest cluster are: Haverfordwest High School, Prendergast Community Primary School, Roch Community School, Spittal School, St Aidan’s Church in Wales School, Broad Haven Primary School, Fenton Community Primary School, Hook Community Primary School, Cleddau Reach VC Primary School, Waldo Williams Primary School, St Mark’s Church in Wales VC Primary School, and Mary Immaculate School.

An ePetition has now been launched, calling on Pembrokeshire County Council to change the Johnston and Tiers Cross school catchment areas back to Haverfordwest.

“Please help our children access suitable transport to and from secondary school,” states the petition.

The ePetition runs until 1 November 2024. At the time of going to press, it had been signed by 328 people. The petition can be viewed here

Crime

Man caught drink-driving after fleeing lover’s tiff

Published

1 hour ago

October 8, 2024

Court Reporter

A LOVER’S tiff resulted in a court appearance this week after a man fled from a property when his partner threw household items at his head.

But when Jonathan Langston called the police to inform them of his situation, he was stopped by officers less than a mile from his property, and found to be over the legal drink-drive limit.

“He had no intention of driving, but he’d had items thrown at him and was told to leave,” said his solicitor, Michael Kelleher.

Langston, 36, phoned the police to explain what was going on and officers apprehended his vehicle on the B4585 at Manorbier at around 10am on September 23. A roadside breath test proved positive, and subsequent intoximeter tests showed he had 41 mcg of alcohol in his system. The legal limit is 35.

Crown Prosecutor Nia James told magistrates that when arrested, Langston told officers, “I’d never have driven if I hadn’t had s*** thrown at me.”

Meanwhile Michael Kelleher said the defendant drives around 40,000 miles a year as a self-employed layer of resin floors.

“As a result of what’s happened, he’s now going to be unemployed,” he said.

Langston, who gave his address to the court as Brynbrain Road, Cwmllynfell, Swansea pleaded guilty to the charge of drink-driving. He was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 court surcharge.