Community

Pembrokeshire Organic Dairy goes Superfast

Published

10 years ago

February 9, 2016

Screen Shot 2016-02-01 at 15.06.57 AN ORGANIC dairy, located in rural Pembrokeshire, is benefiting from superfast broadband thanks to the Superfast Cymru project.

The introduction of faster internet within the business means better productivity, with quicker research able to be done and less time being spent on sending e-mails.

The well-known dairy, Daioni, is located in Boncath and produces organic fresh milk, flavoured milk, long-life milk and cream. Daioni products are sold throughout Britain, as well as worldwide, including countries such as the United Arab Emirates, mainland China and Hong Kong.

Since the beginning of last year, Daioni has benefitted from high-speed internet made possible by a partnership between the Welsh Government and BT, who together produced the ‘Superfast Cymru’ project, which has also been funded by Broadband Delivery UK (BBUK) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Laurence Harris, founder and director of Daioni, said: “Farmers work mainly outside, and are fairly notorious at being impatient at working inside. High speed internet certainly helps with this. The increased speed also means that we are in a better position to shop around for supplies and compare prices online. Additionally, it has provided quick access to independent research and advice for particular problems that arise during the farming year.”

He continued: “On the Daioni business front, real benefits we’ve seen since taking up superfast broadband include increased employee productivity. Time spent waiting to receive and load emails have been cut in half. Businesses in the Far East expect virtually immediate responses to their emails, a key element in building strong relationships.”

Private internet companies have decided that at present it isn’t commercially viable to have fibre-optic broadband in Welsh counties such as Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, so Superfast Cymru delivers faster broadband speeds to areas which would otherwise have no chances of receiving it.

The Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James, visited the dairy to hear first-hand about the difference the faster internet speeds have made. She said: “It has been great to visit Daioni and hear about the difference superfast broadband has made for them.

She concluded: “Bringing superfast broadband across Wales is not an easy task and Superfast Cymru is without doubt a challenging and ambitious programme. But it is paying off with almost 550,000 in all parts of Wales now able to access it as a result.”

Alwen Williams, Director for BT Cymru, said: “Superfast broadband is having a huge impact on the way we live our lives in Wales. As proven by companies like Daioni, having access to superfast broadband helps business to move, act and trade more quickly and effectively. With fast broadband, businesses are no longer limited geographically to their local markets. International markets are a reality.”

He continued: “When combined with BT’s commercial roll-out we’ve already provided more than 1.24 million Welsh homes and businesses with access to high-speed fibre broadband and we look forward to working with our partners to extend this even further across the country.”

The Superfast Cymru programme is a huge undertaking that will involve laying 17,500km of optical fibre cable and installing around 3,000 new green roadside cabinets. On average, this project currently allows superfast broadband access to 100 more premises every hour across Wales.

Community

Cosheston gypsy traveller 60 foot shed plans refused

Published

5 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for a 60-foot-long shed and stables at the proposed home of a gypsy traveller family near a Pembrokeshire village has been refused by planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Ryan Surname Boswell & Family, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, sought provision for an access road and replacement of temporary stables and storage containers with a multi-purpose shed and stables at Greenwells, Cosheston Bridge, Cosheston.

The application initially sought a 24.3 by 9.1 metre building, which has now been reduced to 18.3m by nine.

A supporting statement said that land to the north “is subject to a current planning application for the provision of two traveller family pitches with improvements to access and ecological enhancements with other land in our client’s ownership being un-affected”.

It added: “Mr Boswell and his family are of traveller origin and intend to make this site their family home. They own various domestic equipment, children / family articles, mowers / tools and farming equipment that require secure storage. The shed will also be used to house horses/ponies that are currently stabled in the temporary wooden stable block currently on skids on the land in question.”

It concluded: “The scale, design and use of materials (and colours) of the proposed shed is comparable to many new such sheds throughout Pembrokeshire. There will be no significant negative impacts on the level of amenity enjoyed by any neighbours or those travelling along the minor county road to Cosheston from any aspects of the proposed development.”

Local community council Cosheston had raised concerns including the “excessive” size of the proposed building, feeling “this is on the large side of what is required for a couple of ponies”.

It added: “Our concern is that the applicant intends to run his building/property maintenance business from the property. If the council grants the application, restrictions should made on the property’s use. i.e. restricted to agricultural use only.

“We have no objection to the construction of a small stable block, similar in size to the existing one on site.”

Objections were also received from two members of the public, raising concerns including the scale, environmental concerns, and a potential conflict with the ongoing application.

An officer report recommending refusal said the scheme was part-retrospective due to the prior formation of an access track within the field.

It added: “Despite amendments to the application as originally submitted by the reduction in building footprint and scale, the proposal remains a substantial and visually intrusive structure in the open countryside. An essential countryside need has not been justified nor evidence provided of an agricultural or equine enterprise warranting a building of this size or permanence.”

The application was refused on the grounds it “is not typical of a structure intended solely for the storage of paraphernalia associated with grazing land or for equine use and no information has been provided within the application to demonstrate the functional need for a building of this scale”.

It added: “The nature, siting and scale of the building would not be compatible with the capacity and rural character of the site, and together with the access track results in an unjustified and visually intrusive form of development in the open countryside, which does not represent sustainable development.”

Community

Johnston FC pays tribute after sudden death of Rhyan Nolan, 27

Published

2 days ago

April 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Community rallies around grieving family as club honours much-loved player at weekend fixture

JOHNSTON FC paid an emotional tribute at the weekend to Rhyan Nolan after his sudden death at the age of 27.

The club marked the occasion with a flawlessly observed minute’s silence before kick-off, as both teams, officials and supporters came together in his memory.

A signed match ball and Rhyan’s much-worn number ten shirt, covered in messages from team-mates and friends, were also prepared to be handed to his family, who were present for the tribute.

The death of Rhyan has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many gathering around his loved ones in the days since the devastating news emerged.

A fundraiser set up on GoFundMe says his family received the heartbreaking news on Monday that they had lost their “precious, loving son and brother” suddenly at such a young age.

The appeal names his close family as Nichola, Shamus, Brandon, Callum and Lilly, and says relatives are hoping to ease the financial burden while giving Rhyan the send-off he deserves.

It states: “Rhyan deserves a celebration of his short life.”

Johnston FC said it had been a difficult week for all those who knew and loved him, but said it had also been heartwarming to see such an outpouring of love at the match.

The club thanked everyone who helped make the tribute possible, along with those who had sent messages of support and donated towards helping the family.

Photographs shared after the game showed the scale of the moment, with both sides lined up in silence and the orange number ten shirt left covered in handwritten tributes.

For many in attendance, it was a powerful and deeply personal farewell to a young man clearly held in enormous affection.

A GoFundMe appeal has now been launched to support the Nolan family.

Community

Flood Alert issued for Pembrokeshire coast as weather conditions worsen

Published

3 days ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued a Flood Alert for the Pembrokeshire coastfollowing rising water levels. The alert, which affects areas between St Dogmaels, Cardigan and Amroth, warns that flooding is possible in the region due to adverse weather conditions and high tides.

The alert was issued at 12:53 PM today (Apr 4), urging local residents to be prepared for potential flooding in the coming hours.

Key Advice for Residents

As the flood risk increases, NRW has shared crucial advice to help people stay safe:

Prepare a flood plan: If you have one, now is the time to follow it.
Protect valuables: Residents should move important items, such as documents and sentimental belongings, to higher ground or safer locations.
Stay alert and pack an emergency kit: Ensure your phone is charged, and pack essential items like medications, chargers, insurance documents, and warm clothing in case you need to evacuate quickly.
Check on vulnerable individuals: Ensure that children, elderly relatives, and pets are safe, with a plan for their evacuation if necessary.

Avoid Floodwater at All Costs

NRW is also stressing the importance of avoiding floodwater, as even shallow levels of water can be extremely dangerous. As little as 30 cm (1 foot) of floodwater can sweep away a car, and 15 cm (6 inches) can knock you off your feet.

Authorities are urging everyone to never walk or drive through flooded areas.

How to Stay Updated

Residents are advised to stay informed through NRW’s website, where they can track water levels and access real-time updates. The agency also recommends checking its social media accounts for the latest information.

For more detailed information or if you need assistance, call Floodline at 0345 988 1188 (quick dial number: 503013).

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