News
Boathouse appeal success
RNLI volunteers at St Davids are ecstatic after an appeal to raise funds toward their new lifeboat station has exceeded all expectations. On February 24 the RNLI closed the appeal and announced it had raised over £214,000.
The community arm of the appeal towards the modern boathouse was launched in July 2014 by Welsh sporting legends Ian Welsh and Gerald Davies. The total cost of the construction project will be in the region of £10m.
Funds came pouring in towards the appeal, after Wales international footballer Ian and international rugby great Gerald, highlighted the fact the volunteer crew needed a new home for their new £2.7m Tamar class lifeboat.
Gerald and wife Cilla were instrumental in gaining support for the appeal, and Ian and daughter Amy, organised a golf day which raised a fantastic £10,000.
The biggest bequest – a surprise £80,000 donation was made in memory of Captain Bleddyn James, a local man who knew from personal experience the importance of respecting the water. The generous donation was made by Miss Ella James in memory of her brother Captain James, who passed away in July 2013 at the age of 91.
Special thanks has also been given to William Chadwick from Abergavenny who volunteered as auctioneer during a fundraiser in November last year. RNLI fundraising branches also pulled out all the stops with Cardiff, Usk, Harrow Branch, Crew and Nantwich all helping to reach the ambitious target.
The new lifeboat Norah Wortley, is already saving lives off the Pembrokeshire coast operating from a temporary mooring in Ramsey Sound. The new lifeboat is expected to move into her new home during the Autumn.
The boathouse project, which is well underway, includes a new RNLI Lifeboat station and slipway for the Tamar-class lifeboat with additional space to accommodate the smaller D-class inshore lifeboat. The boathouse will include modern facilities, including a drying room for kit and better provision from crew training and equipment maintenance.
There will be better access to the new station which is important for the delivery of equipment and, more importantly, for the evacuation of any casualties brought in by the lifeboat.
Jen Abell, RNLI Community Fundraising Manager said: “Our fundraising appeal at St Davids has exceeded all expectations. Thanks to the generosity of a community fundraising appeal towards the new £9.5M St Davids Lifeboat Station, we are delighted to announce how well the appeal has gone.”
She continued: “We have been overwhelmed by support from the public and would like to thank everyone who has given so very generously to provide our volunteer crew with this modern new facility.”
Crime
Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case
A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.
27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).
On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.
When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.
Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.
Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).
While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.
After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.
The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.
“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.
“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.
“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.
“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”
On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
In an emergency, always call 999.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.
News
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.
A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”
In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”
Business
Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’
THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.
“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”
Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”
“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”
Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.
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