News

Petition calls for councillor to step down

Published

11 years ago

February 24, 2015

A PETITION has been launched calling for Narberth County Councillor Wynne Evans to step down from his role in the public office. Cllr Evans has been at the centre of a controversial planning application which will see a Sainsbury’s store built in the town. The Herald spoke to a number of traders in Narberth before Christmas who spoke of their concerns for the project. At the time of going to press the petition had been signed by 183 residents. The online petition states that the community has never been considered and goes on to say: “Pembrokeshire County Council has approved the plan without public consultation of any description.

This view is shared not just by residents, but by the Narberth Future Forum, the Town Council, the Chamber of Trade, the independent shopkeepers of the town and visitors to the town. It is astonishing that approval has been offered without public consultation, given the continuing local climate of opinion.” Earlier in January, a consultation meeting took place at County Hall, hosted by Narberth Councillor Wynne Evans. In the closed meeting, and in attendance, were three representatives of the developers, Abbeymore Estates, the architect of the proposed structure, a PCC officer, as well as eight people representing the Narberth Future Forum (NFF).

Speaking with the Herald after that meeting, Simon Montgomery of NFF, said: “We queried why there had been no public consultation. We were then told about the developer having booked the Plas Hyfryd to conduct a full public consultation. It took some pushing to find out why that meeting had been cancelled; apparently a banner had appeared in town encouraging people to support their independent shops because we didn’t want chain stores in Narberth. Wynne Evans stated that he had felt that the meeting should be cancelled because there might be aggressive opposition.

Wynne Evans is a county councillor. He is not in a position to make such a judgement.” Speaking at the Planning meeting, which also took place in January, Narberth County Councillor, Wynne Evans, spoke in favour of the application, stating: “I am very proud of Narberth and what has been achieved there over many years. We have an old school building – empty for 5 years – which is a source for vandalism and graffiti. It’s not good for the town, it’s frowned upon and it’s right at the entrance to Narberth.

The housing allocation provides 14 affordable houses for people with a local connection who live in Narberth. They need to be in the town and have their children go to school in the town. There are lots of opportunities to look at possibilities of new sites in Narberth (in relation to extra parking) and to move forward and work together. We must invest in the future and in Narberth.

I am looking for a small supermarket with some retail units and housing, and I have put together, in the last few weeks, a new working party. Narberth is growing and growing, but we must move forward.” Simon Montgomery’s petition adds: “You (Wynne Evans) have breached the trust of the people that voted for you to become their county councillor. You have presided over a situation in which the voice of the town, at a critical moment in its history, has not been given the opportunity to be heard.

You have benefited yourself with the baubles of office that you wear with such obvious pride. You have not benefited the town by a single brick. This is not the role of a county councillor, it is the role of a knave. We ask you to do the right thing and resign from your position as a councillor with Pembrokeshire County Council for the Electoral Division of Narberth.” The Herald tried to contact Cllr Evans about the matter but he was unavailable for comment.

Local Government

Pembroke’s Henry Tudor Centre awarded £249,813 National Lottery grant

Published

38 minutes ago

December 6, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE County Council, in partnership with the Henry Tudor Trust, has secured a £249,813 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the creation of the new Henry Tudor Centre at South Quay, Pembroke.

The Centre will bring to life the largely untold story of Henry Tudor – the son of Pembroke who carried the Welsh language to the English court and ultimately claimed the greatest prize of all: the crowns of Wales and England. His victory in 1485 established the Tudor dynasty, one of the most influential in British history.

The new attraction will explore Henry’s Welsh heritage, his formative years in Pembroke, and his lasting impact on the national story, Welsh identity and wider British culture.

Funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will help develop the Centre ahead of its opening in Spring 2027. The grant will also support a one-year Community Programme Coordinator role to deliver an events programme, establish a volunteering scheme, and create educational resources for local schools.

The Henry Tudor Centre forms part of the wider regeneration of South Quay, which also includes a new library, community café, and an integrated healthcare, social services and supported employment hub in the adjoining buildings.

Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, said:
“Thanks to National Lottery players, these prominent listed buildings beside the magnificent Pembroke Castle have been rescued from dereliction and given a new purpose. The new centre will celebrate Henry Tudor’s deep connection to Pembroke and will be a major draw for visitors. It is a key element of our wider regeneration of Pembroke town centre.”

Andrew White, Director for Wales at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“We’re proud to support Pembrokeshire County Council and the Henry Tudor Trust in bringing the story of Henry Tudor to life. Thanks to National Lottery players, this project will not only shine a light on Wales’ rich heritage and cultural identity, but also create a vibrant hub for learning, volunteering and community engagement in the heart of Pembroke.”

Crime

Man accused of Milford Haven burglary and GBH remanded to Crown Court

Published

17 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared in court charged with burglary and inflicting grievous bodily harm, following an incident at a flat in the town earlier this week.

Charged after alleged attack inside Victoria Road flat

Stephen Collier, aged thirty-eight, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court today (Friday, Dec 5). Collier is accused of entering a property known as Nos Da Flat, 2 Victoria Road, on December 3 and, while inside, inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man named John Hilton.

The court was told the alleged burglary and assault was carried out jointly with another man, Denis Chmelevski.

The charge is brought under section 9(1)(b) of the Theft Act 1968, which covers burglary where violence is inflicted on a person inside the property.

No plea entered

Collier, represented by defence solicitor Chris White, did not enter a plea during the hearing. Prosecutor Simone Walsh applied for the defendant to be remanded in custody, citing the serious nature of the offence, the risk of further offending, and concerns that he could interfere with witnesses.

Magistrates Mr I Howells, Mr V Brickley and Mrs H Meade agreed, refusing bail and ordering that Collier be kept in custody before trial.

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court

The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Collier will next appear on January 5, 2026 at 9:00am for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing.

A custody time limit has been set for June 5, 2026.

Chmelevski is expected to face proceedings separately.

News

Woman dies after collision in Tumble as police renew appeal for witnesses

Published

17 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for information after a woman died following a collision in Tumble on Tuesday (Dec 2).

Officers were called to Heol y Neuadd at around 5:35pm after a collision involving a maroon Skoda and a pedestrian. The female pedestrian was taken to hospital but sadly died from her injuries.

Dyfed-Powys Police has launched a renewed appeal for witnesses, including anyone who may have dash-cam, CCTV footage, or any information that could help the investigation.

Investigators are urging anyone who was in the area at the time or who may have captured the vehicle or the pedestrian on camera shortly before the collision to get in touch. (Phone: 101 Quote reference: DP-20251202-259.)