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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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Crime

Police appeal for information after several tractors stolen

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POLICE officers in Pembrokeshire investigating a theft from several tractors, which happened overnight between April 17-18, 2024.

The tractors had been in a field near to Loch Turfin, Haverfordwest.

Included in the stolen items were vehicle keys, tools and waterproof clothing.

A spokesperson said “Police are now appealing for anyone with information that could help them with their investigation to contact PC 772 Boyt either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 101.

“Quote reference: 24*355571”

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Pembrokeshire firefighters help deliver fire engines to Ukraine

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FIRE services from across the United Kingdom have rallied together to donate vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, amidst ongoing conflicts that have seen local fire stations and firefighters come under direct attack.

The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) was at the forefront of this international goodwill effort, donating three fire appliances and dispatching nine of their personnel to ensure safe delivery.

The initiative, coordinated by Fire Aid UK, involved a total of 11 UK fire services. Over a grueling 5.5-day journey that spanned several countries—starting from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and moving through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and into Poland—33 fire appliances were transported to a location just 20 miles from the Ukraine border. They left Kent on April 23.

This convoy, laden with not just fire engines but also 3000 items of critical firefighting gear including cutting equipment, fire hoses, first aid kits, and generators, was a sight of resilience and humanitarian commitment. Watch Manager Rob MakePeace, a Business Fire Safety Officer, and Watch Manager Keith Jenkins, who is retired but still oversees part-time personnel at Haverfordwest, played pivotal roles in the operation from Pembrokeshire.

Speaking on the experience, Keith Jenkins expressed the profound impact of the mission, “It was a fantastic experience to be involved in. The convoy itself was an amazing sight, but the people we met, places we stayed and the reason we were delivering the appliances was something we will remember for a long time.”

The donation comes at a critical time for Ukraine, where daily attacks have not only jeopardized the lives of local firefighters but have also devastated much of the essential infrastructure needed to fight fires effectively. The additional appliances and equipment from the UK are expected to significantly bolster the capabilities of the Ukrainian fire departments, providing them with the necessary tools to save lives and protect property under dire circumstances.

This act of generosity and the strenuous efforts by the UK firefighters underscore a deep commitment to aiding those in peril, transcending borders and showcasing the best of international cooperation and humanitarian assistance.

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Protest outside Stephen Crabb’s office over Rwanda deportations

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SUPPORTERS of West Wales Stand Up to Racism group will attend a protest outside the office of Stephen Crabb MP in Market Street at 6pm on Tuesday evening (May 7).

The protest is to highlight the inhumane scheme to send refugees to Rwanda.

Since the Rwanda Bill was finally passed last week, refugees have already been identified, detained and are being prepared to be flown to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed there.

Rushi Sunak has said “To detain people while we prepare to remove them, we’ve increased detention spaces to 2,200.

“To quickly process claims, we’ve got 200 trained, dedicated caseworkers ready and waiting. To deal with any legal cases quickly and decisively, the judiciary has made available 25 courtrooms and identified 150 judges who could provide over 5,000 sitting days.”

The protestors are asking: why is all this money being spent when these vulnerable people could have their asylum claims dealt with in the UK?

If the Prime Minister hoped his Rwanda plan would help get more votes for the Conservative Party in the recent elections, it would appear he was mistaken.

A new report from the Refugee Council warns that the UK Government’s flagship Illegal Migration Act and Rwanda Plan will lead to another catastrophic “system meltdown”, trapping over 100,000 people in permanent limbo while costing taxpayers billions.

West Wales Stand Up to Racism has campaigned against the Government’s plan to send refugees to Rwanda from the time this scheme was first suggested.

Supporters have previously met with Simon Hart MP and attempted to deliver a giant postcard to his office.

The group has taken part in the online Hands in Protest project organised by Artisan Avenue, Tenby which allowed everyone to express on line how they felt about Rwanda by submitting drawings of their own hands. The collective Hands In Protest gives a powerful message that the Rwanda plan should be stopped.

The organisers said: “Supporters will be once more taking the giant postcard on Tuesday, to protest about the Rwanda scheme. We will have small post cards for supporters to write messages to Stephen Crabb, telling him how strongly we feel about this.

“All over the UK, anti-racists are picketing Home Office buildings to show their opposition to the Rwanda scheme and are trying to prevent arrests and giving support to the refugees being arrested and detained.

“West Wales Stand Up to Racism supporters want to make their voices heard too.”

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