A HAVERFORDWEST museum has become caught up in a political row after Reform UK campaign material was photographed inside the premises.

The Welsh Spitfire Museum, based in Bridge Street, is now facing the threat of a peaceful protest after campaigners objected to what they described as political propaganda being displayed at the heritage attraction.

A photograph sent to ‘The Pembrokeshire Herald’ shows a Reform Wales poster on a wall inside the museum, alongside other aviation-related material. The poster includes the words “Wales needs Reform” and urges people to vote Reform UK.

On Wednesday morning (April 29), museum manager Ray Burgess (pictured), received a message from a woman identifying herself as Emma Flavell, who informed him that campaigners were in the process of organising a peaceful protest outside the museum.  In the message, she claimed the protest was aimed at stopping charitable organisations from being able to “openly advertise political agendas”.

She also alleged that Reform was an “extreme right wing party” and accused it of promoting division and racist policies.

Commenting on the escalating row Scott Thorley, the recently elected Reform county councillor and Haverfordwest town councillor, claimed the incident had ‘intimidated and bullied’ Mr Burgess.

“Emma Flavell called him a racist, she began filming him, and the irony is striking,” he said.  “The museum window was previously defaced with ‘Vote Plaid’ graffiti, and then 80-year-old Ray Burgess was intimidated and bullied into supporting their views.  This kind of behavior has more in common with fascism than with democracy.”

Cllr Thorley went on to say that Mr Burgess and his team at the Spitfire Museum ‘proudly support Reform’.

“They  believe it’s the party best placed to save our country,” he said. “We at Reform, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire stand firmly with him. There is no place in politics for bullying, intimidation and harassment.”

The Pembrokeshire Herald is unable to confirm whether Plaid Cymru was responsible for the alleged window defacement.

Meanwhile the incident has raised questions about whether political campaign material should be displayed in a charity-linked museum, particularly during an election period.  According to a government website, the Charity Commission states that  a charity must not support, oppose, promote or appear to promote any political party or candidate.  This applies even if the charity strongly agrees or disagrees with that party’s policies.

The Commission also says that ‘charities must be, and must be seen to be, independent from party politics’.

CATHY BEATON has been appointed as the new Lifeboat Operations Manager at Fishguard RNLI, taking on the most senior operational volunteer role at the station.

Mrs Beaton, who joined the station management team in August 2024 as a volunteer Launch Authority, succeeds long-serving volunteer Chris Williams following his retirement.

The role of Lifeboat Operations Manager involves leading the station’s operations team, supporting volunteers, ensuring regular communication across the station, and keeping the lifeboat and its equipment in a constant state of readiness.

The post also includes close liaison with local emergency services and representing the RNLI in operational matters.

Working with other RNLI personnel, the Lifeboat Operations Manager helps ensure that volunteers and staff meet the requirements of the RNLI Operational Competency Framework, which is designed to keep crews safe when they go to sea.

Mrs Beaton brings considerable experience in people management and dealing with difficult situations, having worked for 40 years in nursing with the NHS.

She said: “Throughout those years I was committed to giving the best service possible to my patients and to the teams with whom I worked. I will do the same in this role.

“I love being part of the RNLI team. I see the Lifeboat Operations Manager role as a way in which I can be more involved with the charity, which I am very happy to do, and I look forward to working more closely with the highly committed and highly skilled team at the station.”

Fishguard RNLI said it was delighted that Mrs Beaton had taken up the role, adding that during her time with the station she had shown the charity’s core values of being trustworthy, courageous, selfless and dependable.

A station spokesperson said: “We look forward to this new chapter in the station’s history under Cathy’s leadership.”

Photo caption: New role: Cathy Beaton has been appointed volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager at Fishguard RNLI (Pic: RNLI/Gemma Gill).

COMMUNITY MUSICIANS COME TOGETHER FOR CHARITY NIGHT IN SAUNDERSFOOT

THE SLIPWAY Ukes have raised a phenomenal £1,514.01 for the Paul Sartori Foundation following a charity gig in Saundersfoot.

The much-anticipated event took place at Regency Hall on Saturday (Mar 28), with support from Saundersfoot Rotary Club.

The ukulele group were joined on the night by local band Footbridge and community choir Pembrokeshire Pop Voices, creating a lively evening of music, food and fundraising.

Pembrokeshire Pop Voices also performed their current charity single, Love the Bones of You, which is raising money directly for the foundation. The choir is due to perform the song again at Voices at the Castle, taking place at Pembroke Castle on Saturday, June 13.

The Slipway Ukes have a long history of supporting Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, having raised significant sums for the charity through community events over the years.

Rosie-Faye Hart, Community Relationship Officer for the Paul Sartori Foundation, said: “Support through fantastic community events like these not only contributes to local culture and live entertainment, but also brings people together to raise money for a cause that impacts the lives of so many in Pembrokeshire.”

The evening was described as warm and buzzing, with guests enjoying food from local producers The Copper Hog and Saundersfoot Rotary Club, while dancing and tapping their feet to Footbridge’s upbeat set and the Slipway Ukes’ energetic performance.

The night ended with The Slipway Ukes, Footbridge and Pembrokeshire Pop Voices combining their talents for a joint performance.

The Paul Sartori Foundation is encouraging more musicians, artists and performing groups to get involved and support the charity in creative ways.

Donations help the hospice-at-home service ensure that people in Pembrokeshire do not have to face the end of life without the care, support and equipment they need.

Anyone who would like to organise a performance or fundraising event for the charity can contact Rosie-Faye Hart on 07584 684171 or email [email protected].

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a much-loved local priest who recognised the need for hospice care in Pembrokeshire before his death from cancer at the age of 39.

The charity supports people with any life-limiting condition, not only cancer, and provides care to people of any faith or no faith. It operates an open referral system, with referrals coming from patients, families, friends, district nurses, palliative care specialists and hospital staff.