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Could you find the missing ink?

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Screen Shot 2016-03-15 at 11.11.45BEACHCOMBERS around Pembrokeshire are being asked to help as part of a nation wide cleanup operation, which is currently underway after thousands of printer ink cartridges have been washing up on the Welsh coast.

The Hewlett Packard (HP) printer ink cartridges were lost at sea more than a year ago, and are only now making their way to European shores. The cartridges have reached countries such as Ireland, France, Portugal and even as far north as the tip of Scotland.

In Wales, the cartridges have so far been spotted on the shores of many beaches, including Freshwater West, Abereiddy and Poppit Sands in Ceredigion.

Although only making appearances on a smaller number of beaches so far, those organising the beach cleanups have stated that there is a definite possibility of the cartridges appearing on even more of Wales’ beaches as time goes on.

Beachcomber Tracey Williams from Newquay found the first batch of printer cartridges and has been recording reports of more cartridges being found on beaches ever since.

She said: “We’ve only been recording them for the last month or so, but now that word has spread we’re getting daily reports of people finding 8 or 10 at a time. There must be many more out there. We had a report this week of 100 being found on an island in the Azores.”

Groups of conservationists and environmentalists in Fishguard and Goodwick have been combing the local beaches in search of cartridges, but none have been discovered yet.

Frances Chivers, a local Fishguard resident, said: “Hewlett Packard, together with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) are offering support to non-profit organisations who are undertaking beach clean-ups in areas where cartridges have been found.”

“The environmental and planting groups of the Fishguard and Goodwick Community Forum were on Lower Town beach last weekend and although they didn’t find any cartridges, perhaps others residents have,” she continued.

Due to the incident, HP have allowed funding for the Marine Conservation Society to help with ridding beaches of the cartridges.

Gill Bell of the Marine Conservation Society said: “A fund will support nonprofit organisations, individuals and local authorities who are undertaking beach litter clean-ups on UK beaches in areas where HP cartridges have been found.”

There was an uproar about the incident from conservationists, who are now urging the public to collect the cartridges if they happen to come across any, as any plastic in the sea could present itself as a hazard to wildlife.

Gill continued: “Studies have shown that up to 52% of sea turtles may have ingested various debris, and 95% of northern fulmar birds in the North Sea had plastic in their stomachs. We advocate that containers on ships are properly fastened and secured, and hope there’s a fast response from companies when containers are lost at sea.”

She concluded: “It’s not their direct fault, but it is important that companies look at cleaning it up. As soon as the MCS were aware of this issue, HP set the fund, administered by the MCS, to ensure the cartridges were removed quickly.”

HP have also set up a cartridge collection and recycling service for safe disposal of any more cartridges found on beaches around Europe.

 

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Local Government

Consultation over electoral changes to eight Pembrokeshire community councils

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Residents are being asked for their views on proposed changes affecting councillor numbers and electoral arrangements in communities across the county

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is inviting residents, organisations and other interested parties to have their say on proposed changes to the electoral arrangements of eight community councils across the county.

The consultation follows recommendations published by the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru in January 2025 as part of a wider review of Pembrokeshire’s community boundaries and local electoral arrangements.

The Commission’s review considered whether the county’s existing communities and community wards continued to provide effective and convenient local government.

It examined issues including community boundaries, the number of councillors serving each area, the distribution of councillors between community wards and whether existing arrangements continued to reflect local populations and community identities.

While a number of the Commission’s recommendations involved changes to community boundaries, it also proposed alterations to the electoral arrangements of some community councils where no boundary changes were recommended.

Those particular proposals could not be introduced through the original community review process and must now be considered separately by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The latest consultation concerns the following communities:

  • Lamphey
  • Llanrhian
  • Martletwy
  • Nolton and Roch
  • Pencaer
  • St Dogmaels
  • Stackpole and Castlemartin
  • Wolfscastle

The proposals could affect matters such as the number of councillors elected to individual community councils and how council seats are distributed between community wards.

Community and town councils form the most local tier of elected government. They represent the interests of their communities and may be responsible for services and facilities including public spaces, community buildings, play areas, noticeboards and local events.

The County Council said it was seeking views from residents and organisations with connections to the communities affected to ensure that local perspectives were considered before any decisions were made.

The consultation will open on Tuesday, July 28, and close on Friday, September 11, 2026.

Full details of the proposed changes and supporting documents will be available through Pembrokeshire County Council’s Have Your Say consultation portal.

Residents will be able to review the proposals affecting their community and submit comments online.

Paper copies of the consultation documents can also be requested by contacting the Council’s Customer Contact Centre on 01437 764551 or emailing [email protected].

Anyone with questions about the proposals or the review process is encouraged to contact the Council’s electoral services team.

 

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Community

Narberth Eisteddfod fundraisers celebrate reaching £8,000 target

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Community support and a £2,000 contribution from Narberth Town Council help committee achieve its fundraising goal

Narberth Eisteddfod Fundraising Committee is celebrating after successfully reaching its £8,000 fundraising target.

The milestone follows a busy programme of events organised by the committee, each of which received strong support from residents, businesses and community groups across the Narberth area.

Committee chair Glinys Meredydd thanked everyone who had helped make the campaign a success.

She said: “I would like to thank all members of the Narberth Eisteddfod team for their hard work and commitment.

“They organised some fantastic events, which were extremely well supported by the local community.

“I would also like to thank Narberth Town Council, which donated £2,000 on behalf of the people of Narberth.”

The committee will hold one final fundraising event with a last sale of its locally produced and hand-printed Eisteddfod Garreg Las 2026 T-shirts.

Members of the public are invited to visit the committee at Narberth Carnival Field on Saturday, July 25, where they will have a final opportunity to buy or win one of the T-shirts and join the celebrations ahead of the Eisteddfod’s return to Pembrokeshire.

The committee has thanked everyone who attended an event, made a donation, volunteered their time, purchased a T-shirt or helped promote the campaign.

Reaching the £8,000 target has been described as a powerful example of what can be achieved when the Narberth community comes together in support of Welsh language and culture.

 

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Crime

Man, 37, found dead following major police response in Pembroke Dock

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Death not being treated as suspicious as police make statutory referral to IOPC following active investigation

A 37-YEAR-OLD man has been found dead at Warrior Way in Pembroke Dock.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers attended the area at around 7pm on Sunday, July 19, after concerns were raised for the welfare of an individual.

There was a significant police presence in the area, with several units positioned at the scene on Sunday and further police activity continuing into Monday.

The scale of the response prompted speculation among members of the public about the nature of the incident.

Police have now confirmed that the man was found deceased and that his death is not being treated as suspicious.

His next of kin have been informed.

HM Coroner has been advised, and officers will continue to assist with the coroner’s investigation.

The matter has also been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct because the man had been involved in an active police investigation.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the referral was made in line with the IOPC’s statutory referral criteria.

Such referrals are required in certain circumstances and do not, in themselves, indicate that police officers or staff are suspected of wrongdoing.

 

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