Community

Brains has no drains

Published

11 years ago

September 22, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Sewage leak: Human waste leaked into gardens while pub was open

TWO prominent Milford Haven businessmen have contacted The Herald to explain how a neighbour’s dispute with the owners of a now-closed public house led them to remove its drain pipes.

The Alma Hotel, on Priory Street, Milford Haven, was recently closed after the police sought removal of the licensee of the premises, concerned over the way the premises had been run.

The Herald reported last year that in the police papers presented to the council’s Licensing Committee it stated member of the public had reported ‘twelve-year-olds snorting cocaine off the tables’ – a claim that was never substantiated.

However, the closure of the premises has not been the end of the problem for the owners of adjoining properties. Hugo Henricksen, who owns the HSBC Bank building at 12 Hamilton Terrace, and Tom Newing & Sons Ltd who own 13 Hamilton Terrace say that they have suffered loss and damage due to the actions of Brains, the Alma Hotel owners.

Last year solicitors acting for the landowners affected wrote to Brains. The Herald has seen the letter, which stated: “Many tons of debris have now been removed from our clients’ properties, including the removal of waste which had been used as a sort of foundation to the structures constructed at the rear of The Alma Public House. The property belonging to Messrs Tom Newing has suffered damage from patrons frequenting your Public House and you have a duty to restrain their behaviour and are thus responsible for the costs of repair to the premises.”

“Further, drainage pipes have been laid through the property formerly belonging to HSBC Bank. This land now belongs to Mr Henricksen. No permission had been given for the laying of the pipes. This has resulted in many years of raw sewage and other toiletry items being deposited into the garden of the former HSBC Bank premises due to faulty and inappropriate toilet pipes being installed.”

The letter went on: “Substantial expense has been incurred as a result of the actions of your former Licensee and reimbursement of that expense will be required from your company… We would request that someone from your Department attend at the site in order to discuss matters.”

Mr Henricksen told The Herald: “When The Alma Hotel was rebuilt several years ago instead of removing the old materials, the owners dumped them into the bank’s garden and into Mr. Newing’s garden. We are talking about tons of rubbish, debris and pub fittings including brewery pipes.”

He added: “The sewerage drains coming from the Alma Hotel were poorly fitted, and had collapsed and human waste was pouring into the bank’s garden. The closure of the pub meant an end to the bad smells but the rubbish still remained. I removed the pipes because not only had the drains collapsed, and posed a health hazard on my land but there was no permission for the drains to be laid on the land in the first place.”

Solicitors acting for Tom Newing & Sons Ltd first contacted Gareth Johns, Head of Estates at Brains in January 2010. Brains had built, according to solicitor Gareth Lewis, a smoking shelter on Newing’s land and placed a lock on their back gate. A site visit which took place in November 2008 had not resolved the issue.

Mr Henricksen concluded: “Brains are now auctioning the Alma Hotel, but the new owners will need to lay new drainage and ensure that the hotel’s structures are built on land that is owned by them, and not land belonging to Mr Newing or myself. I hope that the new owners sort these important issues quickly”

At the time of going to press Brains were not available for comment.

Community

Barcud Housing Assistant will walk over hot coals to raise funds for Charity

Published

1 day ago

May 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

BARCUD Housing Assistant, Amanda Evans, is a brave ‘sole’ as she has agreed to do a Firewalk to help raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance. The charity, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary, relies entirely on public donations to keep both the rapid response vehicles and helicopters running.

The firewalk is a sponsored walk with a difference! It might be the shortest and hottest walk, but it takes strength of mind to complete the challenge of walking five metres, barefoot, over hot coals which reach temperatures of up to 800°C!

Amanda has never done a Firewalk before but last year she changed her mindset and since then the word ‘no’ hasn’t been in her vocabulary. She said, “Doing a Firewalk sounds awesome. I decided it would be a giggle to sign up on behalf of Barcud to raise funds for Wales Air Ambulance. Why not? It would be great to have a crowd at the Firewalk in Aberaeron to show support and cheer me on.”

Day to day Amanda works at Barcud’s office in Glyn Padarn, Aberystwyth. She works as part of a team with housing officers to provide support for tenants.

Barcud is based in mid and west Wales with a 300 strong workforce and 4,500 tenants. This is the group’s first year of fundraising for a specific charity and at the annual colleague conference last winter the majority were in favour of supporting a charity, that, like Barcud, helped and supported those living rurally.

Gail Windley, Wales Air Ambulance’s Events and Partnership Fundraiser said, “We’re delighted to be launching our firewalks this year on our special 25th anniversary year. Fundraisers will take on the ultimate challenge of walking over hot coals to helps save lives across Wales. This is a wonderful challenge aimed at all physical abilities and one that needs some courage.

“Walkers don’t need any previous experience to take part in the firewalk, as all the training will be provided on the day. We want to reiterate that this is not an activity to be tried at home and should only be done during a professionally organised event.

“The Charity relies on donations to continue to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road. Fundraising events, like the firewalks, will help to continue this lifesaving service for the people of Wales. It will be an unforgettable day for the participants and their supporters.”

Amanda will be doing her Firewalk at Moody Meadows in Aberaeron from 6pm on Friday, 10th July 2026. Any donations to support Amanda, and Barcud reach its fundraising target of £5,000 would be very gratefully received. Click here to support Amanda online: https://firewalks.walesairambulance.com/amanda-evans

Community

Tesco expands free fruit and veg scheme to more Welsh schools

Published

2 days ago

May 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New research suggests most children in Wales are still falling short of five-a-day

TESCO is expanding its Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme across Wales after new research found that most children are not eating their recommended five portions a day.

The supermarket said only four out of 37 children in Wales, around 10.8%, eat their recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables on a typical school day.

The research also found that almost a third of Welsh parents said their child refuses fruit and vegetables altogether.

Tesco said it will double the number of schools supported by the programme from September, with an ambition to double it again the following year.

The scheme currently provides funding to more than 500 schools across the UK with higher-than-average free school meal eligibility, allowing them to provide pupils with fruit and vegetables during the school day.

Since launching in 2024, the programme has already reached more than 188,000 children across the UK, with pupils consuming more than 15 million portions of fruit and vegetables in its first year.

This year’s expansion is expected to support more than 388,000 children across the UK.

Tesco said the programme is designed to help children try a wider range of fruit and vegetables, build confidence with healthy food, and encourage better eating habits.

The company said pupils taking part have already sampled more than 100 different varieties of fruit and vegetables.

The research also suggested that choice and presentation can make a difference. More than three quarters of Welsh parents said their child is more likely to eat fruit and vegetables when they can choose them themselves, while many said making food fun or visually creative encouraged children to try more.

Ken Murphy, Tesco Group CEO, said: “We’ve set out an ambition to help one million children get free fruit and veg through our school and community programmes, supporting the development of healthy habits.

“Schools have told us what a positive impact the Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme has already made, so we’re delighted to be able to double the number of schools receiving support from September.”

Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive of the British Nutrition Foundation, said: “A significant number of children in the UK are growing up with diets that don’t support their health.

“Early food experiences matter, as they can help to shape children’s confidence, habits and long-term health outcomes.

“By helping children enjoy and regularly eat fruit and vegetables from a young age, programmes like Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools can help to make a lasting difference to diet and health now and in the future.”

Tesco is also inviting children to create fruit and vegetable-packed recipes as part of its Giant Fruit and Veg Challenge, with the winning dish to be served in more than 1,500 schools.

The supermarket has set a target of helping one million school children across the UK access free fruit and vegetables through its school and community programmes by July 2029.

Community

Banking hub to open in Pembroke Dock library within days

Published

2 days ago

May 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Temporary facility set to offer face-to-face banking support as permanent home is sought

A NEW temporary banking hub is expected to open in Pembroke Dock within the next week, offering residents and businesses access to everyday banking services following the closure of traditional high street branches.

The facility, which is being established inside Pembroke Dock Library, was visited this week by county councillor Jonathan Grimes and Preseli Pembrokeshire MS Paul Davies, who received an update on progress from Debbie of Cash Access UK.

According to Cllr Grimes, the temporary hub is now nearing completion and will provide a valuable service to the local community, particularly for residents who still rely on face-to-face banking and cash services.

At present, it is understood that NatWest, Lloyds and Barclays will each have a dedicated day at the hub during the working week, with staff available to offer advice, support and assistance with account-related queries. Other banks are expected to be confirmed in due course.

Importantly, customers will not be restricted to using services only from their own bank. The hub will allow people from any banking provider to carry out routine transactions such as cash withdrawals, deposits and other day-to-day banking needs.

The temporary facility will operate Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm and will be based inside the library while plans continue for a permanent banking hub in the town.

Jonathan Grimes, county councillor for Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said he was pleased with the progress being made.

He said the temporary hub “already looks fantastic” and would be a “really valuable addition for the community.”

The long-term location for the permanent Pembroke Dock Banking Hub is still being finalised by Cash Access UK, with the permanent site expected to open within the next 12 months.

The move comes amid growing concern over the loss of high street bank branches across Pembrokeshire and the impact this has had on elderly residents, cash-reliant businesses and people without easy access to online banking.

Banking hubs have been rolled out across the UK to plug the gap left by branch closures, offering shared facilities where customers from different banks can access essential services under one roof.

Photo caption: New banking hub: Jonathan Grimes and Paul Davies receive an update on the temporary Pembroke Dock Banking Hub at Pembroke Dock Library (Pic: Supplied).