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Pembrokeshire’s seabed revitalised yet again – thanks to Neptune’s Army

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Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners (NARC) has completed yet another momentous year of ensuring the waters of Pembrokeshire remain as clean as possible, despite the ever-rising amount of commercial fishing tackle and rubbish that’s being deposited on its bed on a regular basis.

Last weekend seven hardy divers tackled Skomer, St Brides Bay and the Haven Waterway to retrieve yet another huge cache of rubbish, including rope, monofilament fishing line and a perfectly intact AA membership card dating back to 1988.

NARC was established 20 years ago by dedicated diver Dave Kennard.

“Like a lot of good things, the idea was born over a pint of beer in the local pub after a Boxing Day rugby match,” he jokes.

“I’d been doing beach cleans for around five years, as well as a bit of scuba diving, so I had an idea of some of the unnatural things that can be found on the seabed.”

NARC’s first official dive took place in April 2005 off Stackpole Quay when the diving team pulled up no fewer than 630 fishing weights which equated to 72 kilos of lead.

“But it isn’t the lead that’s a problem,” said Dave. “It’s the monofilament lines, which take 600 years to biodegrade.”

As a result, a large number of NARC’s dives are concentrated around Pembrokeshire’s angling sites, including Martin’s Haven, Cresswell Quay and the Fishguard breakwater.

“Obviously as a diver, it’s always good to visit shipwrecks and undersea historical monuments, but when we reach the wrecks we come across loads of commercial fishing equipment and rope.  You’d barely believe this, but on one dive alone we retrieved around 450 metres of rope.  So lifestyle change is definitely something that should be addressed.”

Dave went on to say that other diving sites around Pembrokeshire –  including Hobbs Point in Pembroke Dock – regularly attract fly tippers.

“We once pulled up a car which had been dumped in the water, and on another occasion we had to lift out a washing machine drum using special lifting bags, similar in design to a balloon with straps on, which can be clipped onto the item.  But what made this event particularly memorable was that when we pulled the drum out of the water, a conger eel swam out.

“On another occasion, the council lent us a skip to put all the rubbish inside.  But it ended up being so full, the side had to be unwelded so that we could pull everything out.

“Whenever we dive off Hobbs Point, it never fails to amaze me what we’ll end up finding.”

Dave however, like all the other NARC divers, knows just how hazardous the waters of Pembrokeshire can be.

“Diving can always be dangerous, because what we’re doing is totally unnatural,” he said.

“Obviously we’re dependent on our diving equipment, but diving around Pembrokeshire can be difficult as a result of its tidal range. We have one of the largest tidal ranges in the UK, so as a result all our dives have to be very carefully planned.”

Each dive consists of an average of ten diving volunteers, allowing sufficient space on the boat for the diving gear as well and all the objects retrieved during their dives.

“I’ve been diving now for almost 25 years, and NARC has been going for two decades.  Yet the seas around Pembrokeshire keep on giving me so much pleasure.  And this is why it’s good to be able to do something back, by trying to clear the seabed of rubbish.

“I’d love to see NARC reach it’s 25th year, and now that we’ve been going for 20 years, I don’t see any reason why this can’t be done.  

“Roll on 2025, when we can get out again and start removing more rubbish from our seabed.”

Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

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A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

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Late Griffiths strike caps dramatic Clarby fightback in nine-goal thriller

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CLARBESTON ROAD staged a remarkable comeback to edge out Pennar Robins in a breathless Division One contest that delivered nine goals, wild swings of momentum and a hat-trick that ultimately counted for nothing.

Despite falling behind on three separate occasions, Clarby showed resilience and attacking intent to secure a 5–4 victory, sealed late on by Emyr Griffiths after the hosts had earlier trailed 3–1 in the first half.

For Pennar, the result was a bitter one. Jack Jones struck three times and the Robins led at 1–0, 3–1 and 4–3, but each advantage slipped away as Clarby refused to lie down.

The opening exchanges hinted at little of what was to come. Ben ‘Rocky’ John tested Pennar goalkeeper Ryeley Clark early on, while Tom Davies dragged an effort wide at the other end. The game burst into life after nine minutes when Pennar opened the scoring following a slick team move. Nicholas Willis drove forward down the right, combined neatly with Kieran Smith and Noah Davison, and was tripped inside the box. Jack Jones made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Clarby responded almost immediately. Player-manager Matthew Ellis, keen to atone for conceding the penalty, rose to head home Travis Jones’ corner at the near post just two minutes later.

Pennar regained control midway through the half. Tom Grimwood’s curling corner was met by Jones, who nodded in at the back post, and moments later the same duo combined again as Jones completed his hat-trick, finishing from close range after Grimwood beat his marker and cut the ball back.

Crucially, Clarby struck back before the break. Matthew Bowen delivered an inviting cross from the left and John powered a header past Clark to give the hosts renewed belief heading into half-time.

With the wind at their backs, Clarby came out flying after the restart. John levelled matters by cutting inside and firing low into the corner, before sustained pressure saw Matthew Davies have a goal ruled out for offside and substitute Josh Woods flash a shot across goal.

Against the run of play, Pennar edged back in front on 69 minutes when substitutes combined — Adam Phillips delivering a cross that Conner Phillips met unmarked to head home.

Once again, Clarby refused to fold. Jack Ashman drove forward from the edge of the area and thundered a high finish into the net to make it 4–4, before the decisive moment arrived 12 minutes from time. Griffiths broke through the Pennar back line and showed composure to lift the ball beyond Clark, completing a stunning turnaround.

Clarby managed the closing stages well to see out a vital win ahead of the Christmas break.

Man of the match: Jack Jones
Despite ending on the losing side, Jones’ clinical finishing and constant threat were impossible to ignore. Kieran Smith and Noah Davison were also influential in Pennar’s first-half dominance, while Ben John was central to Clarby’s revival before limping off with a knee issue.

Clarby player-manager Matthew Ellis said: “It’s a huge three points. After nine goals your head’s spinning a bit, but you’ll take it when you’re on the right side of the result. Pennar caused us problems early on, but we really turned it around after the break.”

Pennar manager Craig Butland said: “The second half wasn’t good enough. Individual errors are hurting us and conceding just before half-time changed the momentum. We’ve got to see games out better.”

Clarbeston Road: Rhys Mansell, Matthew Bowen, Greg Brown, Matthew Griffiths, Samuel Hurton, Jack Ashman, Emyr Griffiths, Matthew Davies (capt), Matthew Ellis, Ben John (Jake Wesley 62), Travis Jones. Sub not used: Joseph Jones.

Pennar Robins: Ryeley Clark, Nick Willis (Ryan Walters 80), Alex Wheeler (Adam Phillips 53), Ethan Ball, Bobby Jones (Conner Willis 53), Connor Roberts, Tom Grimwood, Kieran Smith (capt), Noah Davison, Jack Jones, Toby Davies.

Referee: Stefan Jenkins.

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Crime

Ex-Gwent police officer now living in Pembrokeshire cleared of corruption

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A FORMER police officer from Pembrokeshire has been found not guilty of corruption following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

Luke Silver, aged 34, formerly of Gwent Police, had denied three charges relating to the improper use of police power or privilege. The allegations centred on claims that he made sexually inappropriate and unwanted comments to two women he encountered while on duty.

Jurors heard that one allegation involved remarks allegedly made to a woman during a police interview, while other claims related to similar conduct during separate encounters. Mr Silver denied all wrongdoing throughout the proceedings.

After hearing the evidence, a jury acquitted him of all charges.

Despite the verdict, Gwent Police confirmed that Mr Silver is no longer a serving officer. The force said he was dismissed in April following an accelerated misconduct hearing that dealt with matters separate from the criminal case.

Reporting restrictions had previously been imposed on the misconduct proceedings to prevent any potential prejudice to the criminal trial. Those restrictions were lifted following the conclusion of the court case.

The misconduct panel found that Mr Silver had breached standards of professional behaviour on two occasions, relating to honesty and integrity, and conduct likely to bring discredit on the police service.

As a result, he has been placed on the College of Policing barred list, preventing him from working for any police force in the future.

Assistant Chief Constable Nick McLain said Mr Silver was no longer employed by Gwent Police and stressed the force’s commitment to maintaining public trust.

He said the public rightly expects officers to uphold the highest standards of behaviour, adding that the force would continue to act decisively where conduct falls short.

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