News
‘Bags of Help’ for Pembroke woodland
HOLYLAND COMMUNITY Woodland in Pembroke has managed to successfully bag a share of Tesco’s Bags of Help initiative.
The supermarket, teaming up with Groundwork to launch its Bags of Help scheme, dispensed a series of grants with values between £8,000 and £12,000.
The money, which was raised by Tesco’s 5p carrier bag charge, is given to local environmental and green space projects.
To whom the grants were given was decided by over eight million shoppers around Wales who voted in Tesco stores up and down the country.
It was recently revealed that the Holyland Community Woodland Project in Pembroke, which is managed by Pembroke 21C Community Association, has been awarded an impressive £8,000 of funding.
Following this announcement, it is expected that work on the site will begin soon, bringing the project to life.
John Hayes, Chairman of the 21C Community Association, said: “We are delighted to have received the grant and thank all those who voted for us in the local Tesco stores.
“It is now nearly ten years since we installed paths and a boardwalk through the reed bed and marsh areas of Holyland to create a circular walk around the woodland which has a wide range of important habitats.
It has been very well used and is much loved by the local community for walking, recreation and monitoring biodiversity.
“However, the boardwalk is now suffering wear in several places and needs upgrading.”
The project is hoping to improve access to the beautiful woodland area by upgrading the popular boardwalk. The group will raise the sunken sections that are prone to flooding as well as straightening other sections of the boardwalk which have been buckled by willow roots.
Additionally, the group will alter the boardwalk to help ensure that it can be safely enjoyed by wheelchair users by adding raised wooden edges all along, and installing posts to prevent movement of the walk.
Caroline Silke, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “Bags of Help has been a fantastic success. We have been overwhelmed by the response of our customers and the feedback has been brilliant.
“We can’t wait to see the money being put to use bringing these projects to life.
“Nominations for the next round of the initiative will open in April and we look forward to helping a further round of groups and projects bag their share of the bag charge fund.”
The grant will be used to pay for the additional materials needed, as well as the tool hire and the cost of labour to carry out the work, which will be done alongside a team of experienced volunteers.
Graham Duxbury, Groundwork’s National Chief Executive, said: “We have been delighted to have been involved in the Bags of Help project. It has been wonderful to follow the projects through the application process to the final announcement.
“This is money that will go directly back into the communities up and down the country creating places to meet people, be active, play or simply relax.
“This initiative is really putting something back into the local environment, transforming green spaces and helping the community at a grass-roots level.”
Voting ran in local Tesco stores between February 27 and March 6, with supermarket customers choosing which group they’d like to get the top award using a token given to them at the check-out in store.
Nominations and applications for the next round of the Bags of Help initiative’s funding will open on Monday, (Apr 18) and votes can be cast in local Tesco stores.
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/.
-
News3 days ago
Police investigating after woman found dead on beach near Pennar
-
News3 days ago
Police discover body in search for Luke Stephenson, 19
-
News3 days ago
Councillors block Milford Haven boxing event – promoter to appeal
-
Crime5 days ago
Llandissilio man accused of making hundreds of child abuse images
-
News2 days ago
Beautiful, funny and lovely: Family pay tribute to Sian Batchelor
-
Business4 days ago
Lidl GB eyes Pembroke Dock for new larger supermarket
-
News4 days ago
Search efforts continue for missing teenager Luke Stephenson
-
News7 days ago
‘Honest’ caravan site owner ran site ‘under the radar’ for 20 years