Community
Call for action over stalled St Clears station project
Independent candidate says five-year delay is “simply not good enough”
AN INDEPENDENT Senedd candidate has called for urgent action to restart progress on the long-promised reopening of St Clears railway station.
Carl Peters-Bond, who is standing in Caerfyrddin and also serves as Mayor of Kidwelly, has urged the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to finally deliver on commitments first made more than five years ago.
The station, located on the West Wales line between Carmarthen and Whitland, was closed in 1964 as part of the Beeching cuts, which saw widespread reductions to the UK rail network. Its reopening has been the subject of local campaigns for decades, with supporters arguing it would reconnect rural communities to the national rail system.

In 2020, the project secured funding through the UK Government’s New Stations Fund, with Carmarthenshire County Council leading initial development work. The announcement was widely welcomed as a significant step towards improving transport links in west Wales.
However, despite early progress including feasibility studies and design work, the scheme has yet to move into construction. No confirmed timetable for delivery has been published.
Carl Peters-Bond said: “People in Carmarthenshire were told in 2020 that St Clears station was coming back. Five years on, we have vision documents, glossy strategies and endless consultations, but not a single shovel in the ground. It’s simply not good enough.”
He contrasted the delay with major transport investment elsewhere, adding: “While hundreds of millions are being invested in Cardiff and the Valleys through the Metro, and billions have gone into HS2, still labelled as ‘England and Wales’ infrastructure, communities like ours are left waiting.
“Carmarthenshire deserves its fair share of investment, and St Clears station should be at the front of the queue.”
Supporters of the scheme say a reopened station could help reduce reliance on cars along the busy A40, while improving access to employment, education and healthcare for residents in surrounding rural areas. It is also seen as an opportunity to boost tourism by making west Wales more accessible by rail.
Carl added: “Transport for Wales talks about improving connectivity in West Wales, but plans do not get people to work, school or hospital. Trains do. It is time for delivery, not more documents.”
As part of his campaign, he has pledged to push for a clear timetable, hold decision-makers to account on delays, and press for greater investment in the county’s transport network.
He added: “Carmarthenshire has waited long enough. If elected, I will make sure St Clears station is not forgotten again. Our communities deserve action, not another decade of promises.”
Community
Fake ‘Tenby Town Council’ page sparks confusion with AI “cash cow” rant
Concerns raised over misleading social media account using AI imagery and satire to mimic official voice
A FACEBOOK page posing as Tenby Town Council has sparked confusion after sharing a lengthy “cash cow” rant about investment in Pembrokeshire — alongside what appears to be an AI-generated image.
The post, which criticises Pembrokeshire County Council’s spending priorities, was published under the name “Tenby Town Council” and has already been circulating locally. However, The Herald understands the page is not affiliated with the real Tenby Town Council.
The genuine council page is used for official updates, meetings and community notices, and does not publish political commentary or satirical essays in this style.
The post itself features a surreal image of an emaciated cow drinking from Tenby’s historic town pump in Tudor Square — a scene widely believed to be artificially generated. The accompanying text uses highly stylised language to portray Tenby as a “cash cow” for the wider county, claiming the town generates significant tourism revenue while receiving limited reinvestment.
While the argument reflects concerns that are sometimes voiced by local businesses, the tone and presentation have raised questions about the use of artificial intelligence and parody accounts to mimic official bodies.
A spokesperson for Tenby Town Council is expected to clarify that the page is not legitimate.
The incident highlights growing concerns about the ease with which social media accounts can imitate trusted organisations, particularly when combined with AI-generated images and persuasive writing styles.
With no clear indication that the page is unofficial, there are fears that residents and visitors could be misled into believing the content reflects the council’s official position.
The Herald understands that the matter may be raised with Facebook, as calls grow for clearer verification of public authority accounts online.
Community
Narberth to host climate briefing and Senedd hustings
Community invited to engage in key discussions ahead of election
TWO major public events focusing on climate challenges and Welsh democracy are set to take place in Narberth next month, with organisers encouraging residents to attend and take part.
The first event is a screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing film, which explores the growing risks posed by climate change and environmental damage to everyday life in Britain.
The screening will be held at the Bloomfield Centre in Narberth on Friday, April 17 at 7:00pm.
The film features contributions from leading UK experts across climate science, food security, health, economics and national security. It aims to provide a clear and evidence-based overview of how environmental changes are already affecting communities, as well as outlining potential responses.
Organisers say the initiative is strictly non-partisan and is supported by a wide range of organisations, including the National Trust, the Church of England, Exeter University, the Royal Meteorological Society and WWF.
Following the 45-minute screening, attendees will be invited to take part in a structured discussion focusing on what the issues mean for Pembrokeshire, including local resilience, preparedness and long-term planning.
A second event, a Green community hustings ahead of the Senedd elections, will take place the following week.
The hustings will be held at The Queens Hall, Narberth, on Friday, April 24 at 7:00pm, and will give residents the opportunity to meet candidates standing in the Ceredigion Penfro constituency and put questions directly to them.
Organisers say the event will include refreshments and an open discussion following the formal hustings.
Pembrokeshire Friends of the Earth, who are hosting both events, say they hope the gatherings will encourage informed debate and greater public engagement ahead of the upcoming Senedd election.
Residents unable to attend are invited to submit written messages to be shared during the events.
Community
Historic estate nears capacity after attracting 60 new organisations
Major Carmarthen site transformed into thriving health and wellbeing campus
PARC DEWI SANT in Carmarthen is approaching a major milestone after attracting 60 organisations in just two years, transforming the historic estate into one of Wales’ most significant integrated health and wellbeing campuses.

Set within 38 acres of the former St David’s psychiatric hospital site, the campus is now home to around 80 occupiers spanning primary care, therapy and rehabilitation services, nursing education, specialist autism provision, charities, and a wide range of community organisations.
Demand for space within the main buildings has been strong, with most now fully occupied. Attention is turning to two remaining buildings on the estate which require substantial restoration and are expected to form the next phase of development.
The owners say discussions are already underway with potential partners interested in repurposing the buildings for further healthcare, rehabilitation, and community-based services. They are seeking organisations that can help maximise the long-term potential of the site before major refurbishment work begins.
Future uses under consideration include nursing care provision, mental health step-down accommodation, and complementary services designed to strengthen the wider health and wellbeing network already established at Parc Dewi Sant.
Originally developed in the 19th century as a county asylum and later used for NHS mental health services until 2001, the estate has been reimagined as a modern campus focused on prevention, education, and community wellbeing.
Today, a broad range of services operate from the site. These include GP provision alongside NHS clinics such as diabetic eye screening, antenatal services, weight management, and smoking cessation programmes.
Community-based services including social prescribing, the Hywel Dda Community Resource Team, and the Parent and Infant Feeding Group are also based there, alongside specialist facilities such as Hafen Derwen and the Cwm Seren mental health unit.
In addition to clinical provision, the campus hosts a variety of wellbeing, leisure, and support organisations, including the Better Health and Wellbeing Hub, Hwybod + gym, and a range of therapy and rehabilitation services supporting both physical and mental health.
Parc Dewi Sant serves a strategic catchment of around 187,000 people across Carmarthenshire and is located close to Glangwili Hospital, offering complementary services focused on prevention, recovery, and community care.
Mark Andrews, Director of Parc Dewi Sant, said: “It has been a privilege to become custodians of such a historic and important estate in the heart of Carmarthen.
“From the outset we believed the site had enormous potential, and it is incredibly rewarding to see such a vibrant community of organisations now operating here.
“To have 80 occupiers on site, including 60 who have joined us in the past two years, is a fantastic milestone and a real testament to the vision for Parc Dewi Sant.
“As the main buildings reach capacity, our focus now turns to the remaining buildings and how they can be brought back into productive use.
“We would welcome conversations with organisations that can bring complementary services and ideas to the site and help us continue building a campus that supports health, wellbeing, and community life across Carmarthenshire.”
Organisations based at the campus say the environment has created new opportunities for collaboration and improved service delivery.
Meddygfa Parc, a new NHS GP surgery, relocated to the site from the town centre last month.
Jodi Bateman from the surgery said: “We feel incredibly fortunate to have moved to the beautiful surroundings of Parc Dewi Sant. This exciting new chapter allows us to continue providing high-quality care in a welcoming and modern environment.
“Our new premises give us the space and facilities to expand and develop the services we offer, helping us to better meet the needs of our growing community.”
The site will also host a free public open day on Saturday (Mar 14), giving local residents the opportunity to explore the campus and meet some of the organisations based there.
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