News

Badger’s Birthday Honours

Published

11 years ago

March 4, 2015

HELLO READERS!

badgerlovescake It is one year since Badger was lured out of the comfort of his sett to cast a jaundiced eye over the outside world. And what a year it has been! Starting almost from the beginning, Badger has managed to burrow away to find information and, where possible, to bring it out blinking and shy into daylight. Badger has written something in the region of 50,000 words over the last twelve months. Some pieces have been funny; some have expressed outrage in varying degrees of bemusement and dismay; but Badger hopes that they have, at least managed to entertain and inform.

The almost unfettered licence has been given to follow his nose has sometimes caused offence, but not too often, Badger hopes, and not to people to whom Badger did not mean to cause offence. With the caveat that causing offence to those Badger thinks deserve it is both a worthwhile pursuit and causes only those with something to hide to wriggle in discomfort or complain. Being one of the friendly woodland folk of whom tree-huggers are so fond, and ( as is customary on birthdays, there will be gime gifts. Being an odd sort of Badger, it is Badger that will be doling them out to those he deems most deserving. It is for you, Badger’s readers to decide whether the right people have had their just deserts (Badger checked the spelling this time!) Public Servant of the Year.
This prestigious award is for the person who has done the most to expose the sheer incompetence at the heart of the administration of our County. The overwhelming winner of this award is Badger’s old chum ‘DIMOND’ DAVID PUGH. No single councillor did more to make sure that the Pembrokeshire public were made fully aware of just how supine, dim-witted and in the pocket of officers the !PPG Cabinet and its band of carpet-baggers are than ‘Dimond Dave’. Not a man to stint on digging a bloody big hole for himself and then to carry on digging, ‘Dimond’ Dave ranted and fulminated against those Councillors seeking information. He misled the Full Council; invented an imaginary wall on a building he claimed to have inspected; and said there was nothing to see in the grants scandal that has enveloped the council. The same scandal which has led to European funding being pull from other deserving Projects. How could ‘Dimond’ Dave have known what was afoot?

Well, he could have engaged his own critical faculties, presuming they exist, and done his own research. But no, he relied on the necessarily self-serving advice of officers who were tying to cover the tracks of their own serial incompetence and laxity (Badger said kindly).
Council Employee of the Year
Which employee has most contributed, whether deliberately or inadvertently to the gaiety of public discourse in Pembrokeshire? On the one hand Badger has to consider the claims of the Red Czar of the Kremlin, Bryn Parry-Jones, whose achievements go without explanation. On the other you have the claim of Doctor Doolittle himself, Dr Steven Jones the Council’s Director of Development, who memorably told the Audit Committee that anything found wrong with the Town Heritage Initiative and Commercial Property Grants Scheme in Pembroke and Pembroke Dock would amount to the equivalent of a few missing bread rolls from the canteen. Then we come to Gwyn Evans, the Council’s European Manager, whose Humpty-Dumpty like way with a dictionary and semantics belies his bean-counting background.

A tough call, this one. The little tin god in the CEO’s chair has come in for a lot of flak and a lot of attention. All of it richly deserved. On the other hand, he has let the muppets and puppets in the IPPG Cabinet do his speaking for him, without being quite so crass as to venture into the public debate himself. And it would be unfair to pick again on Gwyn Evans. After all, kudos should always go to the organ grinder and not his monkey. It is for this reason that the bland, arrogant and patronising remarks of Dr Steven Jones mark him out as a man apart.
As in only tangentially touching upon reality as he floats by in a cloud of self-contained self-assurance.

So: well done DR STEVEN JONES Badger sincerely hopes your future in industrial catering is a long and happy one. Remember bread rolls count when considering margin.
Business of the Year As the song goes: “You and me, we sweat and strain/ body all weary and wracked with pain”. But not if you were responsible for presiding over the almighty collapse of a business in hock to local businesses for hundreds of thousands of pounds. Mope, in those circumstances you just walk away and pretend that the accounts which showed Mustang Marine as your subsidiary were in error, even though the same accountants prepared them as prepared your own. You change your website as Mustang Marine was collapsing in effort to evade liability for Mustang Marine’s debts. Traders claim they were told that you stood behind Mustang Marine and that you would make sure they were paid. You had your own men involved at Mustang Marine, so you cannot say you did not know what was going on and what went wrong when money went on paying big directors’ bonuses and building new offices. Refineries come and dry docks go, but that old man river, the MILFORD HAVEN PORT AUTHORITY, it just keeps rollin’ along. Way to go Alec Don!
Trevor Purt Award
This award, formerly the Gordon Brown Memorial Cup, is given to the person who has created the biggest god-awful mess and then walked away from it to another well paid job.
On the basis that Bryn Parry Jones’ exit is not imminent and that Jamie Adams has the type of neck most often found on brass giraffes, there can be only one winner in the award’s inaugural year. Hats off, readers, to ‘Honorary Professor’ TREVOR PURT. Man. Legend. Beloved cost-cutting axe-man who thinks ‘excellence’ is synonymous with wrecking local health services and overseeing a series of decisions that has irreparably damaged the relationship between local people and their health care provider. The Rochdale Ranger rides off into the gloom of North Wales with Pembrokeshire’s curses ringing in his ears. Yes readers like TS Eliot’s Macavity the Mystery Cat, when the well-known brown and smelly stuff hits the fan (and it will) Pimpernel Prof Putt, won’t be there. Will we miss him, readers? It depends how big the field gun is and how accurate its ranging. (Watch out Betsi Cadwaladr! ‘Unforeseen recruitment problems’ ahoy!)
The Badger Award
That Badger has amused, annoyed, perplexed and informed his readers for the last twelve months is always nice to discover. Someone, whilst in their cups, said to Badger that he must really hate the Council, the Health Board and the Welsh Government. Badger was mortified. Badger LOVES them all. Without the constant stream of imbecilities pouring out of those bodies and others, Badger would have no material with which to work. But most of all Badger could not be Badger without the information readers send to him. And to you, readers, Badger gives his most personal and heartfelt award. His thanks.

Charity

Salvation Army calls for more volunteers across Wales

Published

5 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE SALVATION Army is encouraging more people to get involved in their local communities as Volunteers’ Week marks its 42nd anniversary.

Volunteers’ Week runs from Monday, June 1 to Sunday, June 7, recognising the contribution made by volunteers across the UK.

Across Wales, volunteers play a vital role in The Salvation Army’s community services. They help run activities and classes in community centres, prepare and serve food at lunch clubs and community cafés, support charity shops, and provide meals for people who might otherwise spend Christmas Day alone.

Lyddia Kibaara, The Salvation Army’s Volunteering Manager said: “We’re incredibly privileged to have the support of so many dedicated, kind people who keep our community services running.

“Time is the only non-renewable resource we have, and our volunteers give it generously. Their time transforms the communities we serve.

“We have families who have volunteered with us through the generations, students who are looking for their first volunteering experiences, people who can cook for a crowd, help others with debt advice, or share their digital skills to make sure others aren’t left behind.”

A chance to help others

Anne Evans, 74, began volunteering at The Salvation Army shop in Newtown after retiring and looking for something worthwhile to do.

She said the experience had opened her eyes to the problems faced by people in her community, including poverty, loneliness, relationship breakdowns and employment issues.

Anne said: “I enjoy talking to people who pop into the shop as everybody has a different story to tell. It makes you realise that you don’t know how many problems people can face.

“They are glad to have someone who listens to them and takes an interest in their lives.

“Also, with the rising cost-of-living, people appreciate that we sell items at affordable prices. That’s such an important thing for people right now. Life is becoming more expensive.”

‘More than just a shop’

The Salvation Army supports some of the most disadvantaged people in communities across Wales, including those experiencing homelessness, older people, people affected by drug and alcohol addiction, and those looking to develop skills for work.

Gary Chapman, 43, volunteers at The Salvation Army charity shop in Llanelli.

After his marriage broke down, Gary experienced homelessness for a number of years. He said volunteering at the shop had changed his life and helped him support others.

Gary said: “We are more than just a shop. We are a meeting place. A focal point in the community.

“We offer support, love and care in so many ways, whether through a friendly chat, a listening ear over a cup of tea, or practical help in someone’s hour of need.

“There could be one person comes through the door who is really struggling. Hopefully I can be there for that person.

“I enjoy interacting with people and helping them if I can. That’s what we are here for in The Salvation Army. We are here to help people. We are here to listen to their concerns.”

How to volunteer

Volunteers’ Week is an opportunity to thank those who give their time, passion and skills so generously, while also encouraging others to get involved.

Anyone interested in volunteering with The Salvation Army can visit: www.salvationarmy.org.uk/volunteer

News

St Davids lifeboats launched twice in one day after yacht damaged and kayaker rescued

Published

6 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BOTH St Davids RNLI lifeboats were launched on Wednesday (May 27) after separate incidents involving a damaged yacht in St Brides Bay and a kayaker who had become separated from his craft in Ramsey Sound.

The all-weather lifeboat Norah Wortley was first tasked at 3:12pm to assist a yacht in St Brides Bay after its mast snapped and its sails were lost during gusts in a thunderstorm.

The lifeboat launched at 3:27pm and made its way to the scene, encountering patches of fog and thundery showers en route. Conditions were otherwise described as smooth to slight, with good visibility and winds of between three and five knots.

The volunteer crew arrived at 4:00pm and found the yacht had also lost engine propulsion. A tow was established and the vessel was taken safely to a mooring in Dale.

The yacht was secured to a buoy before the lifeboat departed at 7:00pm. The crew returned to station at 8:00pm and the boat was back on service by 8:15pm.

While the all-weather lifeboat was still at sea, St Davids’ inshore lifeboat was tasked at 5:18pm to a kayaker who had become separated from his kayak.

The crew launched at 5:35pm and headed to the south end of Ramsey Sound, off Treginnis Head. The casualty was located on Shoe Rock, where crew members helped him aboard and carried out a medical assessment.

The kayaker had been wearing a buoyancy aid and had a means of calling for help, allowing him to dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard after becoming separated from his kayak.

He and his craft were safely returned to Porthclais Harbour, and the inshore lifeboat returned to station, where it was back on service at 8:00pm.

RNLI inshore lifeboat helm Chris Limbert said: “This rescue was a brilliant example of why it’s so important to always wear a buoyancy aid and carry a means of contact.

“If the kayaker had been without a buoyancy aid, he may have struggled to stay afloat and get himself safely onto the rock.

“He was also carrying a mobile phone which allowed him to call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

“Our crew of volunteers are on call 24/7 to go to people’s aid. Never be afraid to call for help.”

Pic: RNLI/Rosie Rees

Crime

Haverfordwest sex offender jailed over child abuse material

Published

10 hours ago

May 30, 2026

Court Reporter

Registered offender used library computers to hide social media accounts

A HAVERFORDWEST sex offender who used public library computers to exchange child abuse material and discuss the sexual abuse of minors has been jailed for 20 months.

Euwyn Draper, aged 22, of Hill Street, Haverfordwest, appeared at Swansea Crown Court after admitting four breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.

Recorder Greg Bull KC told him the courts had “bent over backwards” to assist him in the past, but said those efforts had failed.

He told Draper: “I’m not going to lecture you because I would be wasting my breath. You knew you had to comply with the order.”

Secret accounts

The court heard that Draper had been made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order in 2024 after earlier convictions for possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

The order banned him from holding social media accounts in any name other than his own and required him to disclose relationships or friendships to police when asked.

Despite this, Draper secretly maintained accounts on a number of platforms, including X, formerly Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and BlueSky. The BlueSky account had been registered under a false name.

His use of Snapchat was specifically prohibited because of the platform’s auto-delete function.

Library computers

Prosecutor Megan Williams said Draper’s latest offending came to light on May 5 this year during a routine meeting with his offender manager at Haverfordwest police station.

When asked about his internet use, Draper claimed he only went to the library to watch YouTube and listen to Spotify. He denied having any social media accounts or communicating with anyone online.

But as questioning continued, he became “flustered” and admitted he had been chatting to a male online and had an X account which had not been disclosed to police.

Officers attended the library with Draper the following day to examine his digital activity.

After he logged in using his library ID and opened his Google account, police reviewed his X profile and found sexually explicit conversations between Draper and another male in which the pair discussed sexual activity involving children aged five and above.

The court heard that explicit photographs had also been exchanged.

Police also discovered that Draper had reinstalled Instagram after previously deleting the account in front of officers.

Previous offending

Draper has three previous convictions for 14 offences.

In April 2024 he was given a suspended prison sentence and made subject to the sexual harm prevention order for possessing and distributing child sex abuse images.

Within months, he breached the order by maintaining an undisclosed social media account. In September 2024 he was jailed for 16 months for possession of further indecent images.

When interviewed about the latest breaches, Draper answered “no comment” to all questions.

‘Immature young man’

Alex Scott, defending, described Draper as an “immature young man” who lived an isolated life in rented accommodation and acted “impulsively” in relation to social media.

He said Draper had co-operated with police by accompanying officers to the library and recognised the need to address the underlying causes of his behaviour.