News
Sandy Buttle memorial sea kayaking weekend
THIS AUTUMN, Pembrokeshire Paddlers Canoe Club held the sixth sea kayaking weekend in memory of Sandy Buttle. Sandy who passed away in 2009 was known to most paddlers in Wales as the Canoe Wales President and for his lifetime commitment to canoeing in Wales. Sandy, and his wife Moira, were also hugely important to the community of Pembroke Dock. With his involvement in further education, youth clubs and scouts, Sandy was instrumental in introducing huge numbers of youngsters to outdoor experiences of all kinds.
Every year in late September Pembrokeshire Paddlers organise a Sea Kayaking weekend in his memory. This year Celtic Camping, Pwllcaerog Farm, St Davids was chosen as the base for the weekend. They turned out to be brilliant hosts with excellent bunkhouse accommodation. Rob, Ian and all their staff being very helpful and accommodating. After assembling at the campsite on a Saturday morning a group of 20 paddlers mostly from West and South Wales headed off to Newgale. In view of the forecast for a stiff northerly wind the group set off under the shelter of the cliffs towards Solva and Saint Davids.
After passing Porthmynawyd and the headlands of Dinas fach and Dinas Fawr Solva was reached. Avoiding the temptations of the hostelries in Solva lunch was taken on a rocky beach to the west of Solva at Ystafelloedd. After lunch the party proceeded on past Caerbwdy, Caerfai and St Non’s Bay to Porthclais. It was a fairly tired but happy group who had enjoyed a 13km trip with superb scenery that then headed back to Celtic Camping. That evening in the bunkhouse a meal was prepared by club members and thirty people of all ages spent a very convivial evening talking about the day’s paddle and past exploits including many involving Sandy.
The next morning saw an earlyish start with a few hangovers to be brushed off over breakfast before we set off for a circumnavigation of Ramsey Island. The weather forecast was favourable and the day sunny and so we assembled at Whitesands in near perfect conditions. After paddling due west we picked up the south going tide to take us round and down the west side of Ramsey Island. The group was rewarded with the superb cliffs, caves and beaches of Ramsey’s west coast: “We couldn’t explore too closely in some places so as not to disturb the large numbers of seals that had gathered for the pupping season. This however did not stop them coming to investigate us!” We then paddled through the gap between Ynys Cantwr and Ynys Bery back into Ramsey Sound in time to pick up the north going stream to take us through the Bitches to the harbour where we paused for a break and some lunch.
The harbour is the only place on Ramsey you can land on during the pupping season but even here there was a mother and its pup on the beach! Some of the party then headed off back up Ramsey Sound to Whitesands while a few adrenaline junkies went to ‘play’ in the Bitches tide race. Eventually everybody rode the tidal stream back to Whitesands where we finished. Everybody agreed it had been a brilliant day’s paddling with magnificent scenery, challenging paddling and beautiful wildlife. Tea and cakes in the café finished everything off nicely before everybody headed off home. Pembrokeshire Paddlers would like to thank Celtic Camping for accommodating us for the weekend and also Nige Robinson at Sea Kayak Guides for the loan of sea kayaks.
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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