Community rallies behind Pill shop owner after latest break-in adds to concerns over repeated attacks on local shops

MILFORD HAVEN residents are rallying behind the owner of AJ Store in Pill Lane after the independent shop was hit by another break-in.

The latest incident has left the shopkeeper facing repair and security costs just nine months after taking over the business.

Supporters say the owner has worked hard to keep the shop running and provide a valuable service to the local community, investing his own time, energy and savings into the business.

A fundraiser has now been launched, with the owner’s permission, to help towards repairs and improved security.

Community support

The appeal says: “Our local shop has recently suffered another break-in, leaving the owner facing repair and security costs that are difficult for a small independent business to manage.

“Having taken over the shop just nine months ago, he has worked hard to keep the business running and provide a valuable service to the local community.

“Following the latest incident, repairs and security improvements are needed to help protect the future of the business.”

Organisers said every donation, however small, would make a difference, and urged those unable to contribute to share the appeal with friends, family and local community groups.

Wider concerns

The break-in comes amid continuing concern about attacks on shops and small businesses in Milford Haven.

The Herald has previously reported on robberies and break-ins affecting traders in the town, including incidents in the Pill Lane and Charles Street areas.

Last year, Pill Corner Store was targeted three times in two months, while the nearby Pill Ship store was also robbed at knifepoint. In another case, the One Stop store in Charles Street was burgled, with tobacco, cigarettes, vapes and other items stolen.

Small independent shops are often left to deal not only with the financial cost of crime, but also the emotional strain and the cost of trying to improve security afterwards.

How to help

Residents wishing to support the AJ Store owner can donate through the community fundraiser here:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-local-shopkeeper-get-back-on-his-feet

The appeal is titled “Help A Local Shopkeeper Get Back On His Feet – AJ Store, Pill Lane, Milford Haven” and says donations will go towards repairs and security improvements following the latest break-in

Targeted again: AJ Store in Pill Lane, Milford Haven (Pic: Supplied).

UP TO ten new surgical and diagnostic hubs are to be developed across Wales as part of new plans to cut NHS waiting times and ease pressure on hospitals.

Wales’ new Health Minister, Mabon ap Gwynfor, has set out a programme aimed at reducing delays, recruiting more GPs, expanding community care and moving more treatment out of hospitals.

The Welsh Government says the new hubs will be developed over the next four years to increase NHS capacity and speed up diagnosis and treatment.

Two-year waits are due to be eliminated within months, with the overall backlog reduced to pre-pandemic levels before the end of the current Senedd term.

The plans also include recruiting up to 100 new salaried GPs and expanding access to out-of-hours primary care, in an effort to reduce pressure on hospital services.

Community care is also set to be expanded, with stronger discharge planning intended to help patients leave hospital sooner and receive more support at home.

A ten-year Digital and Data Strategy will be introduced to modernise NHS infrastructure, while a long-term workforce strategy is expected to be published this autumn.

The Welsh Government also said organisations would be brought together for a summit to consider support for this year’s nursing, midwifery and paramedic graduates, following concerns over a shortage of available posts.

Mr ap Gwynfor said: “Having to wait years for treatment, with all the pain and anxiety that entails, is an intolerable reality for far too many people in Wales.

“With urgency, decisive action and ambition, we will protect the NHS and build a healthier, fairer Wales — with a health and care system that puts people first and delivers the change our nation needs.”

A NORWEGIAN vessel wrecked off the Pembrokeshire coast more than a century ago has inspired a new art exhibition at the Torch Theatre.

Professional artist Warren Heaton, from Pembrokeshire, will exhibit his paintings at the Joanna Field Gallery this June in a show titled Ragna – the link that connects two coastal communities.

The exhibition tells the story of the Norwegian vessel Ragna, which was wrecked at Aberfelin in 1900, and the dramatic rescue carried out by villagers from Trefin.

Warren, who has a gallery and studio in Solva, said the idea grew from conversations in the village while he and his wife Helen were living in Trefin.

He said: “My wife and I were living in Trefin when I got talking about the project with Andy and Richard over a pint at the Ship Inn.

“We arranged a small re-enactment down at Aberfelin. The villagers all dressed up and posed for me to photograph, and then paint. That’s where it all started.”

Warren and Helen, who live in Llangwm, have strong links to the sea. Helen has recently completed a row across the Atlantic, and maritime history and coastal communities are central themes in Warren’s work.

He added: “We’re trying to take the exhibition all over Pembrokeshire and eventually to Cardiff and maybe even Norway.

“So far it’s been to St Davids, Fishguard and Trefin Museum, but to take it to Norway would be amazing, as that is where the Ragna originated from.”

The Ragna Art Exhibition – the link that connected two coastal communities features paintings by Warren Heaton, interpretation panels by Richard Cotton and sound design by Andy Wheddon. It also features Mari-Anne Maddocks and Eleanor Bennett.

The exhibition can be seen at the Joanna Field Gallery, Torch Theatre, from Wednesday (Jun 3) to Monday, June 29, during Box Office opening hours.

For further information visit torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01646 695267.