News

Western Telegraph lodges complaint with Advertising Standards Authority about Herald

Published

10 years ago

August 11, 2016

sinclair THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY has received a complaint from the Western Telegraph about The Pembrokeshire Herald’s advertising claims.

In recent weeks, The Pembrokeshire Herald has carried advertising saying that the newspaper has more combined online and print readers than its nearest rival.

The Western Telegraph disagrees with this and has therefore made a complaint.

This is the second complaint made by the Western Telegraph about the Herald’s circulation claims.

A similar complaint made to the ASA in 2014 about The Pembrokeshire Herald’s media pack and marketing by the Western Telegraph’s then publisher, Dean Merrick, which was later rejected.

In his complaint, Mr Merrick alleged that information provided to customers regarding the number of copies being printed per week were ‘untrue’. Mr Merrick also challenged the Herald’s weekly readership figures.

An investigation by the ASA confirmed that the Pembrokeshire Herald correctly advertised that the publication prints 10,000 copies per week.

The regulatory body is also allowing The Herald to advertise a readership figure of 17,000, on the basis that it is made clear to readers that this is an estimated figure.

At the time, Herald publisher Thomas Sinclair said: “At the time of the complaint I said that it was a pretty desperate act. Now, the Advertising Standards Authority reviewed both our print run and circulation figures and they were satisfied that we were able to substantiate both. So my view remains the same about Dean Merrick’s actions.”

Mr Sinclair added: “The number of readers a paper has every week is calculated by the average number of people a newspaper is seen by; that is called the “pass on rate”. We checked our position against the accepted industry benchmark and erred on the side of caution when calculating our total readership. If anything, we underestimate our readership and did this knowing that our figures would be eventually audited.

“Other papers claim a higher pass on rate than we do. If you read some advertising features in some other papers, they bear no relation to the pass on rate. One feature in a rival claimed something like 50,000 plus readers. That would mean a pass on rate far in excess of what can be justified by reference to industry standard practice and would mean they were selling almost twice as many papers as they actually do.

“I am pleased that, subject to a very minor change that we have agreed pending the end of year audit, the ASA have determined the complaint to be groundless and will take no further action.

“It makes you wonder just how desperate multinational newspaper groups are if, rather than give their advertising customers a positive message about themselves, they allow the outsiders they parachute in to run their supposedly “local” brands to attack competitors.”

Mr Sinclair concluded: “I think what has happened shows the difference between something produced by a soulless corporation without roots in the community and a real local newspaper concentrating on real local issues.”

Sales Director Tim Evans added: “We sell our product positively. It’s a pity that some others lack the confidence and ability to do the same with their own.”

Speaking yesterday (Aug 11) Mr. Sinclair said: “It will be pretty simple to provide the figures to the ASA that show that The Herald going from strength to strength. As a business we commit considerable resources to our online content and delivery, including internet radio and online video; something which we think is vitally important – our local competitors do not. Moving with the times rather than complaining to the ASA would be the best move for the Western Telegraph.”

Websites belonging to The Herald were inaccessible for some customers last week due to high demand. Increased capacity has now been added to the system to allow more simultaneous users online.

Related Topics:

Up Next

Milford Waterfront sponsors Pembrokeshire Tourism Awards

Don't Miss

St Davids RNLI lifeboat goes to the aid of an upturned yacht

24 Comments

Dewa77

November 25, 2025 at 9:48 pm

heⅼlo!,I reɑlly ike your writing very a ⅼot! proportion we keеp in toucһ more aƅout your post օon AOL?
I require an eхpert in this house to unravel my problem.

May be that’s уou! Tɑking a l᧐ok forᴡard to peer you.

My ƅlog Dewa77
Filomena

November 26, 2025 at 1:37 am

I am in fact dеlighted tߋ glance ɑt this weblog posts
which includes lots of helpful information, thankѕ for pгoviding sսch
data.

Cheсk out my webpage: Filomena
Dewa77

November 26, 2025 at 2:53 am

Faѕcinating blog! Is your thｅme custom ade or did you download it from somewheгe?
A design like yours with a fеw simple adjustements would really make my blog shine.

Pⅼеase let me know where you got your design.Thank you

my page :: Dewa77
Rgo365

November 26, 2025 at 8:11 am

Way cool! Sⲟme extremely valіd points! I appreciatе you writing this
post and the rest of the website is very good.

My blog: Rgo365
Rgo365

November 26, 2025 at 12:27 pm

Hі! Dо you кnow if they makｅ any plugins to help with Search Engine Optimization?
I’m trying to get my blog to rank fօr some
targeted keywords but I’m not seеing veгy good success. If you
know of any please share. Thank you!

Here is my webpage … Rgo365
Slot Gacor

November 26, 2025 at 1:57 pm

Howdy! I couⅼd have swоrn I’ve been to this website beefore but after going through some of tһe posts I realized it’s neѡ to me.
Anyways, Ӏ’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll
be book-marking it and checking back regularly!

Feeⅼ frеe to surf to my blog post … Slot Gacor
Dewa77

November 26, 2025 at 4:56 pm

I savⲟur, lｅad to I discovered just what I used to be having a look for.
Youu have ended my 4 day lerngthy hunt! God Bless you
man. Have a nice day. Bye

Here is my homepage – Dewa77
Slot Gacor

November 26, 2025 at 10:19 pm

I was wondering if you ever tһought of changing the pzge layout of your ѡebsitе?
Its very well written; I love ѡhat youve got to say. Ᏼut maybe
you could a little more inn the waү of сontent so people could connect with it better.
Youvе ɡot an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 images.
Maybe you could space it out better?

Here is my blog; Slot Gacor
Dewa77

November 27, 2025 at 2:32 am

Thank you for the good writeᥙp. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanceԀ tto far added agreeaЬle from
ʏou! However, how can we communicate?

Also viѕit my homepage :: Dewa77
Rafa88

November 27, 2025 at 8:04 pm

Thɑnkfuⅼness to my father who stated to me on the topic of this web site, this webрage is truly amazing.

Here iss my pagе … Rafa88
Crvbet

December 25, 2025 at 7:36 am

Hі there! This post cⲟuld not be written much better!

Looking through thus post reminds me of my previoᥙs roommate!
He continually ҝept talking about this. I most ceｒyainly will
ѕend this information to him. Pretty sure
he’ll have a great read. Тһanks for sharing!

My webpage :: Crvbet
Dutaslot

December 25, 2025 at 10:11 am

My spouse and I abѕolutely love ʏour bⅼog and find a lott օf your post’s
to be exactllу what I’m looking fоr. Do you offer guest writers to write content in yoᥙr case?
I wouldn’t mind composing a poѕt or elaЬorating on a few of the subjects yoᥙ write regarding here.
Agаіn, ɑwesome website!

Here іs mｙ blog; Dutaslot
Rgo365

December 28, 2025 at 1:28 am

Тhis site was… how ԁo I say it? Relevаnt!!
Finally I’ve found sometһing whіch helped me. Appreciate
it!

Loߋк at my webpage … Rgo365
Rgo365

December 30, 2025 at 4:02 am

It’s very trouƄle-free to fіnd οut any topic ᧐n net as
compared to books, ass I found this post at tһis web site.

Alsߋ visit my web site; Rgo365
Dutaslot

December 30, 2025 at 3:34 pm

Haѵing read tһis Ӏ thought it was rather enligһtening.

I aρpreciate you finding the time and energy to
put this information together. I once again find myself sрending a lot of time Ьoth reading and leaving comments.
But so what, it was still worth it!

Feel free to visit my webpage: Dutaslot
Final88

January 3, 2026 at 1:58 am

I ⅼove your blog.. very nice colоrѕ
& theme. Did you cгeate this website yoᥙrseelf or did you hire
someone to do it forr y᧐u? Plz reply as Ι’m looking to create my
own blog and would like to khow where u got this fгom. kudos

Look at my page; Final88
Jesus

January 4, 2026 at 6:57 pm

I ɑlwayѕ used to study article in news papers but now as I am
a user of net so frߋm noԝ I am using nett for articles, thanks
to ԝeb.

Take a look att my site Jesus
Portalmedia24

January 6, 2026 at 7:24 pm

Its sᥙch as you learn my thoughts! You appear to kmow a ⅼot approximately this, like
yoᥙ wr᧐te the e bߋok in it or sοmething. I believe that youu јust
couⅼd dо with a few percent to pressure the message hоuse a little bit, һowever іnstead of that, that
is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.

My homepage – Portalmedia24
Detikpos24

January 7, 2026 at 2:38 pm

Hi mｙ famiⅼy memƅer! I want to say that thіs post is
awesome, nice written and come wittһ approximately all siցnificant infos.
I’d like to sеe extra posts like this .

Have a look at my site :: Detikpos24
Detikpos24

January 7, 2026 at 11:31 pm

Hey therе! Someone iin my Facebook group shared
tһis website with us so I camｅ too cһeck it out. I’m defіnitely loving thee
information. I’m booҝmarking and will be tweeting this to myy followers!
Ꮤonderful blog and amazihg style and design.

Also viѕit my webpage Detikpos24
Dutamedia24

January 8, 2026 at 10:08 am

I am rеgular visitor, how are you everybody? This piece of writing
poѕted at this ѕite is actually fastidious.

My blog post :: Dutamedia24
Rans88

January 11, 2026 at 2:13 am

Thank you for sharing ｙour info. I really appreciate yοur efforts and
I will bｅ waiting for your further post thanks once
again.

my web blog; Rans88
Mohammed

January 28, 2026 at 1:01 am

If sоme one wants too be uⲣdated with latest technologies afterward hе
must be goo to see this web page and be up tⲟ date all tһe time.

Look at my blog; Mohammed
Carol Young

February 11, 2026 at 1:06 am

I’ve been searching for a new menthol flavor that isn’t too overpowering, so I’m definitely going to check out the cool mint kilo you mentioned—sounds like it hits that perfect sweet spot!

News

Vote.wales: Information website launched to give people voting confidence

Published

6 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Vote.wales to host all essential election information for the Senedd election

A BRAND new voter information website, vote.wales, has been launched today (2 March) by the Electoral Management Board for Wales, part of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.

Vote.wales is the first website of its kind in Wales and tells people everything they need to know about the election, including advice about voting, information about the Senedd, and a postcode search function to provide tailored local information.

The website holds information about who can register to vote, how voting works in polling stations, as well as postal and proxy voting, and what accessibility support people can expect when they go to vote.

A postcode search function on vote.wales allows voters to see which of Wales’ 16 new constituencies they will be voting in, as well as telling them where their local polling station is located.

Once nominations have closed, the website will also inform voters which political parties and independent candidates are standing in their area.

The website explains how the Senedd works and what it does, highlighting which policy areas are devolved to the Senedd and which remain the responsibility of the UK Parliament. It also sets out the difference between the Senedd and the Welsh Government.

Further developments are expected in the coming weeks. In a first for Welsh elections, voters will soon be able to access detailed accessibility information about their local polling station. Political parties and independent candidates will also be able to publish their election leaflets on the platform, so voters can see not only who is standing but what they stand for.

Following the election, vote.wales will publish the full election results.

Commenting on the launch, Shereen Williams MBE OStJ, Chief Executive of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, said:

“An important election is coming on 7 May, and vote.wales is the place to go to find out all about it.

“We know that people across Wales are looking forward to making their voices heard at this election, but many people don’t feel they have all the information they need before they go and vote.

“If you have questions about this election, then head to vote.wales. Voting confidence starts here.”

Crime

Pencoed: Assault victim dies and murder investigation launched

Published

9 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE POLICE investigation into the serious incident which happened on Felindre Road, Pencoed, in the early hours of Saturday, February 28, is now being treated as murder.

We can confirm the 58-year-old man who was critical in hospital passed away earlier today – his family are being supported by specially trained officers at this time, and our thoughts are with them.

The Major Crime Investigation Team at South Wales Police is now leading the investigation, and the 26-year-old man arrested remains in police custody.

Detectives investigating the incident are appealing to anyone who may have been in the vicinity of Felindre Road, Pencoed, between midnight and 5am on Saturday to get in touch.

Motorists are urged to their check dashcams for any footage which may be relevant.

Detectives would like to speak to two potential witnesses – two elderly people who are believed to have walked along Felindre Road between 12.30am and 4am on Saturday.

Detective Inspector Graham Williams, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Sadly, a 58-year-old man has died in hospital following the incident on Saturday morning. Our thoughts are with his family at this time and they are being supported. I would like to reassure the local community that we have somebody in custody and are not looking for anybody else at this time. I thank everyone in the community who has helped our investigation so far, and I urge anyone with information which may be relevant to our investigation – particularly the two potential witnesses – to get in touch.”

If anybody does have information, they should contact 101 quoting reference 2600063517. Alternatively, they can submit information via the Major Incident Public – https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62SWP26C30-PO1

Crime

School lockdown lifted after telephone threat as police continue enquiries

Published

10 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUPILS and staff at Maesydderwen Comprehensive School in Ystradgynlais were released safely on Monday afternoon (Mar 2) after a lockdown was implemented following a reported telephone threat.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers were called to the school earlier in the day and worked with staff to ensure the safety of everyone on site. As a precaution, the school activated its lockdown procedure while enquiries were carried out.

Police said there were no reports of injuries and that all pupils and staff were safe and secure throughout the incident.

Officers remain at the scene while “diligent enquiries” into the threat continue. At this stage, no arrests have been made, and police have confirmed there is no evidence of any ongoing risk to pupils or staff.

Reassurance patrols will take place in the coming days to support pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.

Parents and guardians will continue to receive updates directly through the school messaging app, including confirmation on whether the school will open as normal on Tuesday.

Maesydderwen Comprehensive School is located in Ystradgynlais, Powys, and is served by Dyfed-Powys Police.