Community

Firefighters protest against ‘punishing’ shift changes in Mid and West Wales

Published

12 months ago

March 31, 2025

UNION CLAIMS MANAGEMENT IS IGNORING CULTURE REVIEW FINDINGS

MORE than 200 firefighters and supporters rallied outside the headquarters of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service in Carmarthen last week, protesting against proposed changes to shift patterns.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is calling on the fire authority to scrap plans to move from the current 9-hour day and 15-hour night shifts to a system of 12-hour days and 12-hour nights.

The shift change is part of a wider restructure of the traditional “2-2-4” pattern — two day shifts, two night shifts and four rest days. Management insists the new pattern will retain the same total weekly hours (42) while being “more efficient and effective.”

But the FBU says the plan is being pushed through without proper consultation and will disproportionately impact firefighters with childcare or other caring responsibilities. The union argues the changes will negatively affect mental and physical wellbeing, especially for those already stretched by demanding workloads and staff shortages.

***Fire fighters say management is not listening to their concerns about proposed changes to working conditions (Image: File)***

The protest follows a damning workplace culture review in January which described the service as an “operational boys’ club” where bullying and harassment were rife. The report called for a wholesale change in leadership culture — but union leaders say those calls have been ignored.

‘Staff pushed to exhaustion’

Tom Wass, Mid and West Wales brigade organiser for the FBU, said: “Firefighters have travelled from across the region today to rally in opposition to these 12-hour shifts. We keep the public safe around the clock, but pushing us to exhaustion and making the job incompatible with family life will only drive people out of the service.

“The huge turnout today shows how strongly firefighters feel. Senior management must stop attacking our conditions and start listening to the frontline.”

‘Trust in leadership has gone’

FBU regional secretary Duncan Stewart-Ball said the fire service was “in a state of crisis.”

“Firefighters no longer trust senior leaders,” he said. “Forcing through 12-hour shifts, especially after the ‘boys’ club’ report, is appalling.

“These changes will make it harder for women and those with caring responsibilities to stay in the job. The fire authority must hold management to account and scrap these damaging proposals if they want to start rebuilding trust.”

‘We’ve been railroaded’

Firefighters on the picket line told The Herald they felt bullied into accepting the changes.

Kirsty, who has been with the service for five years, said: “I’m hoping to start a family in the near future, and I can’t see how I’ll be able to juggle work and childcare under this new system.”

Dai, a firefighter for 11 years, added: “We’ve almost been bullied into this — they’ve completely railroaded us.”

Fire service defends proposals

In a statement, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said the shift proposals were based on “improved safety” for both staff and the communities they serve.

A spokesperson said: “Other fire services have successfully implemented the 12-12 model, which provides better continuity, clearer handovers, and greater operational resilience. This is in line with recommendations from the Welsh Government and health and safety improvements.”

The service said it was “disappointed” that there had been “no meaningful progress” in talks with the union.

FBU general secretary Steve Wright said: “Firefighters already go above and beyond to keep the public safe, despite a decade of cuts. Forcing gruelling shift patterns on them will only deepen the crisis. The fire authority must scrap these plans immediately.”

Community

Charlie the ventriloquist doll returns to Pembroke Dock after 100 years

Published

13 minutes ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Beloved character to greet visitors as Heritage Centre reopens for new season

CHARLIE the 100-year-old ventriloquist’s doll is coming out of retirement — and back to where it all began.

Visitors to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre will be greeted by the much-loved character when the attraction reopens for the new season on Monday (March 30).

It marks a nostalgic return for Charlie, who once performed in the very same building — then the Royal Dockyard Chapel — alongside his original owner, Ernie James, a Pembroke Dock bus company proprietor. Over the years, the duo became a familiar and popular act on the Pembrokeshire variety circuit.

Today, Charlie is cared for by Paul Elliott, of Llanreath, who inherited the doll from his father, Fred Elliott — better known locally as magician ‘Mr E’, whose shows delighted audiences for decades.

Charlie has also recently enjoyed a brush with national attention, appearing alongside Paul at a BBC Antiques Roadshow event in Swansea.

The Heritage Centre will offer free entry on opening day, with Charlie and Paul on hand to meet visitors and share stories from a century of entertainment.

Community

First person of colour to be elected mayor of Haverfordwest

Published

10 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE town council will soon have its first-ever person of colour as mayor, and its youngest mayor in a century.

Haverfordwest Town Councillor Randell Iziah Thomas-Turner, aged 37, is to become mayor this May.

Cllr Turner said: “Tonight [March 19], I had the honour of accepting the nomination as mayor-elect — a moment that will forever stay with me.

“In doing so, I am humbled to be making history as the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest and the youngest mayor in a century. This is not just my achievement, it belongs to every person who believes in progress, representation, and the power of community. This is a new chapter for our town — one built on unity, opportunity, and hope.

“My mayor-making will take place this May, and I cannot wait to officially step into the role and begin serving the people of Haverfordwest with pride, passion, and purpose. Haverfordwest is the best in the West — and together, we are just getting started.

“Diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength to embrace. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together with respect and openness, we unlock new ideas, stronger solutions, and deeper understanding.”

It’s a double celebration for the Thomas-Turner family.

Wife, and fellow town councillor, Dani, has been voted as sheriff of the town for the second-year-running, the first woman to serve as sheriff for two consecutive years.

“The coming civic year will be one to watch as my husband Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner is becoming the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest’s history,” said Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, adding: “It’s going to be a year of history and memory making for sure.”

Community

Kurtz welcomes £4.3m National Lottery boost for local communities

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL Kurtz MS has welcomed more than £4.3 million in National Lottery funding awarded to community projects across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2021.

Figures released by The National Lottery Community Fund show that £4,318,484 has been distributed through 122 grants in the constituency since the 2021/22 financial year, the same year Mr Kurtz was elected.

The funding has supported a wide range of grassroots charities, voluntary organisations and community groups through programmes including National Lottery Awards for All, offering grants of up to £20,000, and People and Places, which provides larger awards of up to £500,000.

Projects backed locally include mental health support for young people, environmental and sustainability initiatives, community workshops, outdoor wellbeing activities, support for vulnerable adults, and programmes aimed at building skills and confidence.

Among the organisations to benefit is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which received £343,584 for its Routes to Discovery project, helping improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible outdoor activities.

St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility was awarded £398,078 to deliver its Plant Dewi: Strengthening our Communities initiative, supporting families and local groups.

Other recipients include The VC Gallery, Redberth Croft CIC, The Tenby Project CIC and Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners, with funding supporting projects ranging from food initiatives and nature-based wellbeing to volunteering and environmental action.

Mr Kurtz said: “Community groups and charities across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire do incredible work supporting people and strengthening local communities.

“It is fantastic to see more than £4.3 million of National Lottery funding invested in projects that are improving wellbeing, tackling isolation and creating opportunities for people of all ages during my time in office.

“The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our area, and this funding is helping organisations deliver projects that bring people together and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in Wales, supporting initiatives that bring communities together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and improve health and wellbeing.

Organisations across Wales can apply for funding through the Awards for All and People and Places programmes to support projects that matter most to their communities.