News

Major childcare expansion from nine months would ‘transform family support’

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2026

SAMUEL Kurtz has backed Welsh Conservative plans to expand free childcare for working families across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

The Conservative candidate for the new Ceredigion Penfro constituency said the proposals would ease pressure on parents struggling with the rising cost of living.

Under the plans, up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week would be extended to working parents of children aged from nine months to four years.

At present, funded childcare in Wales is largely focused on children aged three and four, with eligible working parents able to access up to 30 hours a week. However, many families do not qualify for the full offer, while others struggle to find suitable provision locally, particularly in rural areas.

The Welsh Conservatives say their proposal would help parents return to work sooner and reduce the financial strain faced by families during a child’s earliest years.

The plans also include support for informal childcare arrangements, with grandparents who help provide childcare able to receive up to £200 per month per child.

Mr Kurtz said: “Families across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion are feeling the pinch, and childcare costs are a huge part of that pressure, especially for younger children where support is currently very limited.

“These plans would make a real difference locally by extending up to 30 hours of free childcare a week to working parents from when their child is just nine months old right through to school age.

“That is a major step forward from the current system, which is largely focused on children aged three and four and often does not work for families in rural areas like ours.

“By expanding childcare, cutting income tax and keeping council tax under control, we can ease the cost of living and help more parents get back into work.”

Alongside the childcare expansion, the Welsh Conservatives are also proposing a cut to income tax and measures aimed at keeping council tax rises under control.

The party says the package would support working households, improve access to childcare in rural communities, and help strengthen the local economy by allowing more parents to remain in work.

Crime

Man who assaulted woman remanded after failing to attend court

Published

20 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A 50-YEAR-OLD man of no fixed abode has been remanded in custody after admitting failing to surrender to court bail.

Michael Sudbury, whose address was listed as no fixed abode, Llangunnor Road, Llangunnor, Carmarthen, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Apr 23) following the execution of a bench warrant.

Sudbury admitted failing without reasonable cause to surrender to custody at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Apr 20), having previously been released on bail at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on March 30.

The court also dealt with a common assault matter. Sudbury had denied assaulting the female in Haverfordwest on October 22, 2025, but was found guilty on Monday (Apr 20).

Magistrates Mr S Weatherall, Mr C Rees and Mr J Ross committed Sudbury to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody on the basis that inquiries are needed and to determine the most suitable way of dealing with the case. The court recorded bail exceptions including a likelihood of further offending and a risk of causing injury or fear of injury to an associated person.

A pre-sentence report was ordered and a victim personal statement is expected to be presented to the court.

Sudbury will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday, May 7, at 9:00am.

Community

Pembrokeshire RNLI lifeguard represents Wales at Buckingham Palace

Published

20 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Lifeguard supervisor attended special reception marking Queen Elizabeth II centenary

A PEMBROKESHIRE RNLI lifeguard has represented Wales at Buckingham Palace during a special event marking the centenary of Queen Elizabeth II’s birth.

Matty McLeod, RNLI Lifeguard Supervisor for North Pembrokeshire, attended the reception on Tuesday (Apr 21) alongside three other RNLI representatives, with one chosen from each UK nation.

The event commemorated the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, who was the RNLI’s longest-serving patron. Her Late Majesty held the role for 70 years.

RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes said: “It was a great honour for the RNLI to be represented at Buckingham Palace as part of this national occasion.

“Queen Elizabeth II’s unwavering support to the RNLI meant a great deal to our volunteers and staff, and the reception provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on The Late Queen’s extraordinary dedication to saving lives at sea.”

Matty, who has been part of the RNLI for 12 years, was nominated in recognition of his dedication and service to the lifesaving charity.

This year also marks 25 years of RNLI lifeguarding across the UK and Channel Islands.

Growing up on the coast and becoming a keen surfer, Matty developed a strong interest in water safety and helping people around the coastline.

He said: “I feel very grateful to have attended such a prestigious occasion and represent Wales and West RNLI lifeguards in their 25th anniversary year.”

Queen Elizabeth II was a much-loved member of the RNLI family for seven decades. During that time, the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards saved 65,979 lives.

Her Late Majesty attended many RNLI occasions during her reign and recognised the efforts of thousands of RNLI volunteers through visits to lifeboat stations, national honours, and Jubilee medals issued to RNLI crew in 1977, 2002, 2012 and 2022.

Her connection with the charity included the opening of the RNLI College in Poole on July 24, 2004, accompanied by Prince Philip and the RNLI President, the Duke of Kent.

Queen Elizabeth II’s final official engagement on behalf of the RNLI took place on May 17, 2013, when she unveiled a plaque at St Ives Lifeboat Station in Cornwall and met the volunteer lifeboat crew and fundraisers.

Crime

Hakin resident fined £1,330 over repeated noise and intimidation breaches

Published

20 hours ago

April 24, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAKIN resident has been ordered to pay £1,330 after repeatedly breaching a community protection notice over loud music, shouting and intimidation.

Tania Evans, aged 47, of James Street, Hakin, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Apr 23), where guilty pleas were entered to six offences.

The court heard that Evans had been issued with a community protection notice requiring behaviour at the property not to have an unreasonable and detrimental effect on people living nearby.

However, the notice was breached on six separate dates: October 28, December 3, December 9, December 23, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.

The breaches involved excessive and persistent loud music, abusive or excessive shouting, and the use of intimidation by Evans or visitors to the property.

One of the later breaches stated that Evans failed to ensure that people at the property did not act in a way likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress through amplified music, shouting or intimidation in the local area.

Magistrates fined Evans £162 for each of the first three offences. No separate penalty was imposed for the remaining three matters, but the guilty pleas were taken into account.

Evans was also ordered to pay a £194 victim surcharge and £650 costs, bringing the total to £1,330.

A collection order was made, with the court noting that deductions from benefits could be used if necessary.

The full amount must be paid by May 20.