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Pembrokeshire cottage industry receives UK’s most prestigious business accolade

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When Ferrari  stormed the Formula 1 World Championships in 2000 before downforcing the title yet again in 2004, little did a family-run Pembrokeshire company think that it, too, was on the cusp of international recognition.

But thanks to the custom-designed cooling jackets worn by Schumaker and his Ferrari teammates Rubens Barrickello and Jenson Button, Treffgarne’s ‘Frio UK Ltd’ began its own incredible journey to success.

This week the company received the highly prestigious business accolade – The King’s Award for International Trade – at a ceremony held on its site at Little Treffgarne, near Haverfordwest.

“This is something we never thought would happen to a small company here in West Wales,” said Frio’s managing director, Chris Wolsey.

The company was established by Chris’s parents, the late Garnet and Althea Worsley, who were dairy farmers at Whiteleys in Little Treffgarne.

“My father was always very innovative, coming up with all sorts of ideas, some of which were crazy and some of which were good,” explains Chris.

“My father had been researching his family tree with the result that some of our family members living in Canada came over for a visit.  While they were here, they explained that they were making cooling bands to help keep people cool.”

Garnet was intrigued by the idea, and wasted no time in networking the UK market to see whether there was sufficient interest to make the idea work.

Chris’s sister, Helen, used the band when she competed in the 1991 World Powerlifting Championships in New Delhi and seven years later they were used by the British Olympic and Paralympic teams in Atlanta.

But it was when a family friend mentioned the problems she was having keeping her insulin cool during long journeys abroad that the Worsleys realised they were definitely onto a winner.

“The best inventions are often the simplest, and this is certainly the case with Frio as it requires no batteries and depends only on water,” explained Chris.

The Frio wallets work through evaporation, ensuring the contents are kept cool and safe.  Each pouch consists of an inner wallet which contains crystals that activate when immersed in water, expanding into a gel.  When the gel begins to evaporate it immediately emits a cooling effect on the medication that’s housed in the wallet.  It is reactivated by placing it in water again.

Frio – which is the Spanish word for ‘cool’ –  will keep in-use insulin and other temperature sensitive medications within safe temperatures of between 18 and 26 degrees centigrade for a minimum of 45 hours.

“When my parents first started the business there was a lot of experimental work being carried out on the kitchen table with scissors flashing all over the place and lots of material being cut and sewn,” said Chris.

“We must have gone through hundreds of versions before deciding on the wallet which is the one that we know today.”

It was during a visit to Lloyd’s Pharmacy that Frio picked up a massive order for 24,000 units, with fulfilment required in just eight weeks.  So the family went into full-scale operation, installing 40-foot Portakabins on the farm and employing a team of local machinists to meet the order.

The company continued to grow as more and more people with diabetes learned how important Frio is in hot weather, while exports continued to increase to mainland Europe, with strong markets in Germany, Holland and Switzerland.  Since then, the company has spread into the United States of America, Canada and the Middle East.  Today the company exports to a total of 72 countries worldwide.

“Innovation has always been at the forefront of everything we’ve done, and we really try to keep on top of what’s needed,” concluded Chris.  “Over the last 30 years we’ve helped millions and millions of people all over the world, and to achieve this from this small farm in west Wales is something that our entire team should feel very proud of.”

His comments were endorsed by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Sara Edwards, who presented Chris with the award on Tuesday afternoon, on behalf of King Charles.

“This is the most prestigious award that can be awarded in the UK and I know His Majesty will feel extremely proud to learn that you are achieving so much here in the heart of deepest Pembrokeshire,” she said.

Health

Phone calls to reduce GP visits for 42% of patients this winter

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NEW research from the Royal Voluntary Service has shown that a simple phone call could significantly impact well-being, reducing GP visits by 42% among patients who receive regular telephone support.

The charity urges those feeling isolated this winter, particularly the elderly, to use telephone support services as a way to improve health and free up GP appointments, potentially reducing waiting times. It is estimated that if people experiencing loneliness in later life reduced their GP visits by just one appointment a year, this could free up 588,000 appointments annually.

As winter approaches, the Royal Voluntary Service reports that isolation can sharply increase, especially for adults over 75, with nearly half (47%) of people in this age group feeling lonelier in the colder months. Among those who live alone, one in six say they feel forgotten during winter, and 20% report having no one to turn to for emotional support.

In addition to loneliness, older generations face several winter worries, including increased heating costs, cited by 55% of respondents, and reduced ability to go out, which 29% said they dreaded as winter sets in.

To address these challenges, Royal Voluntary Service has launched the Stay Safe, Warm and Well campaign in partnership with Yakult. The campaign provides a guide for practical and emotional winter preparation, encouraging sign-ups for telephone support services and offering access to the Virtual Village Hall online community for events and activities. Practical advice on money-saving and energy-saving tips is also available through the guide.

Royal Voluntary Service Ambassador Elaine Paige, who has herself made support calls for the charity, described the positive impact these calls can have. “A warm, friendly phone call can transform someone’s day. Some conversations leave you smiling long after the call ends—something we could all use, especially in winter. For those facing the season alone, there are amazing people ready to remind you that you’re not alone,” she said.

The charity’s support services match volunteers with individuals across the UK for friendly chats, reducing isolation and boosting mental health. Catherine Johnstone CBE, Chief Executive of Royal Voluntary Service, said: “The feedback that conversations with volunteers are helping people to visit their GP less is testament to the value of connection.”

Yakult Marketing Manager Reshma Patel added: “Our research with Royal Voluntary Service shows that one in four adults over 75 feel they’d benefit from practical and emotional support over winter. We are committed to helping people access the Stay Safe, Warm and Well guide to support their overall well-being.”

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Crime

Welsh shop workers face ‘surge in shoplifting linked violence and abuse’ says union

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A NEW survey by retail trade union Usdaw has revealed disturbing figures on the abuse, threats, and violence endured by Welsh shop workers, with incidents increasingly linked to shoplifting. Released during Respect for Shop Workers Week, which runs from November 11 to 17, the statistics highlight a troubling trend that is impacting thousands of retail employees.

Usdaw’s survey, based on responses from over 4,000 retail staff, shows that in the past year:

  • 69% experienced verbal abuse.
  • 45% were threatened by customers.
  • 17% were assaulted.

Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis commented on the findings, saying: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive. These reports from Welsh retail staff make grim reading. It is shocking to see over two-thirds of our members subjected to abuse, threats, and violence. Seven in ten of these incidents are related to theft, much of it tied to addiction and organised crime.”

Usdaw’s survey suggests that shoplifting is increasingly becoming a flashpoint for violence. Many shop workers report encountering hardened criminals who appear to steal goods “to order” or to fund addictions. According to the union, incidents are on the rise across Wales, with police-reported shoplifting up by 33% in the past year.

Usdaw member testimonies paint a vivid picture of the dangers faced on the shop floor:

  • One respondent described being “spat at, pushed against a wall, punched, and threatened with a knife.”
  • Another reported that, after refusing to sell alcohol, they were told to “F**k off” and threatened with a beating by a group of five.
  • Others spoke of being punched, spat on, and verbally abused, with threats that often left lasting emotional scars.

New measures on the horizon

Usdaw has been calling for greater legal protection for retail workers for years, and it appears these calls are finally being heard. The recent Crime and Policing Bill, announced in the King’s Speech, proposes to:

  • End the £200 threshold for prosecuting shoplifters, which has been a source of frustration for retailers.
  • Introduce town centre banning orders for repeat offenders.
  • Allocate funding for tackling organised shoplifting and increase police presence in shopping areas.

“We welcome these new measures and hope they will provide much-needed protection,” said Mr. Lillis. “After 14 years of neglect under successive Tory governments, we are encouraged by the steps the new Labour government is taking to address the retail crime epidemic.”

As Christmas approaches—a time when retail crime tends to peak—Usdaw is urging the public to “respect shop workers” and remain calm as stores become busier.

Usdaw, which represents around 360,000 members, primarily in retail, launched its Freedom From Fear Campaign to tackle the growing issue of violence against shop workers. The final results of the 2024 survey are expected in March 2025.

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Charity

Milford Haven RNLI celebrates heartfelt donation from Neyland Ladies Choir

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MILFORD HAVEN RNLI Fundraising Group received a generous donation of over £1,000 from Neyland Ladies Choir this October, marking a touching tribute to Mrs. Dorothy Beckett, one of the RNLI’s longest-standing supporters.

The Neyland Ladies Choir held a special concert at St. Mary’s Church on Waterloo Road, Hakin, to celebrate Dorothy Beckett’s 90th birthday. A lifelong supporter of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Dorothy has played a crucial role in lifeboat fundraising in the Milford Haven area, dating back to the 1970s. She was instrumental in establishing the Hakin Point RNLI fundraising group, which has raised over £500,000 to support the RNLI’s lifesaving work.

The concert’s proceeds were presented in a moving ceremony at Bethesda Baptist Church in Neyland. Accepting the donation on behalf of the RNLI were Steve Lewis, Chairman of the fundraising group, and Thomas Kehoe, Deputy Coxswain of the Angle Lifeboat.

Adding to the evening’s celebrations, Alice Coleman, RNLI Community Manager, presented Dorothy with the Long Service Medal, recognizing her fifty years of dedication to the institution. This award, given by the RNLI, honors Dorothy’s unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea.

“Thank you, Neyland Ladies Choir and Dorothy Beckett,” said the RNLI in a heartfelt message to the community. “Your support and dedication mean the world to us.”

The Milford Haven RNLI Fundraising Group encourages supporters to share and spread the word, hoping that Dorothy’s legacy inspires continued community support.

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