MP says community will be deeply shocked by events at railway station

HENRY TUFNELL MP has said he is deeply saddened by the stabbing of four young people in Tenby and has offered support to those affected.

Responding to the incident at Tenby railway station on Tuesday night (Apr 7), the MP said his thoughts and prayers were with the friends and families of those involved.

Mr Tufnell said the wider community would be shocked by the events, which saw four youths suffer stab wounds during serious disorder at the station.

He also praised the emergency services who responded to the incident.

In a statement, Mr Tufnell said: “I’m deeply saddened to hear of the events last night in Tenby, resulting in the stabbings of four young people. My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of those involved.

“I know our community will be deeply shocked by these events, but we are all so grateful for the vital services of the emergency first responders on the scene.

“I will be providing support in any way I can, and I encourage anyone affected to contact me.”

British Transport Police are leading the investigation following the disorder at around 9:50pm. A 16-year-old youth and a 19-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault.

PET owners across west Wales now have improved access to fast, high-detail diagnostic imaging after Carmarthen Veterinary Hospital installed a new in-house CT imaging suite.

The investment brings advanced diagnostics directly into the local community, helping pets receive quicker answers, earlier diagnoses and faster access to treatment.

CT scanning is an important tool in diagnosing a wide range of conditions, including chronic lameness, orthopaedic problems, cancer screening and staging, nasal and dental disease, thoracic and abdominal masses, spinal disorders and suspected foreign bodies.

For pets with unexplained or ongoing health issues, CT can provide a level of detail and accuracy that standard X-rays or ultrasound scans cannot always offer. This can be crucial in identifying subtle problems earlier, allowing for more targeted treatment plans and improving long-term outcomes.

Until now, many families needing this type of advanced imaging have faced long journeys to specialist hospitals and lengthy waiting times. With the scanner now available in a primary care setting in Carmarthenshire, pets can be scanned closer to home, reducing stress for both animals and owners and speeding up the path to diagnosis.

The scanner also offers reassurance for owners seeking answers about their pet’s condition. It can produce clear, high-resolution images within minutes, meaning pets spend minimal time under anaesthetic, while results can be shared quickly with the family vet or a specialist where required.

Michelle Kirk, Practice Director at Carmarthen Veterinary Hospital said: “We’re incredibly proud to offer this level of advanced imaging within a primary care environment.

“A CT scan can make a huge difference in understanding complex conditions, whether it’s chronic pain, cancer staging, internal masses or difficult-to-diagnose problems. Our goal is to help pets receive timely, accurate diagnoses without delays.”

In addition to supporting its own clients, Carmarthen Veterinary Hospital is also offering the CT scanner to other primary care veterinary practices across the region. Local surgeries can refer patients directly for a fixed-price CT scan package, which includes pre-anaesthetic blood tests, general anaesthesia with IV fluids, pre- and post-contrast imaging, and a specialist interpretation report.

The hospital said this collaborative approach will strengthen veterinary care across the region by giving more pets access to advanced diagnostic technology while offering owners greater choice.

The procedure is typically quick and requires only a short period under anaesthetic. Each patient is assessed by a vet at Carmarthen Veterinary Hospital on the morning of the scan to ensure the procedure is safe and to answer any questions owners may have.

Carmarthen Veterinary Hospital is at Llysonnen Road, Llanllwch, Carmarthen, SA31 3SA.

CVS Healthy Pet Club patients receive a 10 per cent discount, even if they are registered at a different CVS practice.

SHEEP farmers in Wales are being urged to pay close attention to the mineral and trace element supplementation of lactating ewes and lambs this spring and summer following what has been described as a “perfect storm” of nutritional challenges over the winter.

The warning comes from Rumenco’s Technical Services Manager, Dr Alison Bond, who said a combination of forage shortages, heavy rainfall and the increased use of brassica forage crops may have left some flocks at risk of underlying deficiencies.

She said that although sheep may not always show obvious outward signs, deficits in minerals and trace elements can still affect key areas of flock performance, including ewe milk production, lamb growth rates and the future condition of breeding ewes.

Dr Bond said: “Many sheep farms will have endured unprecedented conditions over recent months, with forage supplies depleted after a dry summer.

“This may have resulted in lower quality fodder being fed, or greater reliance on grazed fodder crops, for example. In the case of brassicas, which include swedes, turnips and forage rape, there are specific issues around iodine, vitamin B1 and other trace minerals, including copper, selenium and cobalt, that could present risks.”

She added that heavy winter rainfall in many areas is also likely to have increased soil nutrient leaching, particularly on lighter land, raising the risk of mineral deficiencies in early season grazing.

To help address the problem, Dr Bond is recommending that ewes and lambs at grass are supplemented with a high-quality mineral and trace element lick.

She said mineral buckets can provide an efficient method of supplementation and pointed to Rumenco’s Supalyx 4 in 1 bucket as one option designed to cover a broad range of potential deficiencies.

According to Dr Bond, the product includes plant essential oils intended to stimulate appetite and support gut health, alongside trace elements such as zinc and selenium in a bio-available form to help support hoof health, udder health and immune function.

She also highlighted the importance of vitamins, including vitamin B12 to support growth rates where pastures may be low in cobalt, and vitamin B1, or thiamine, which is particularly relevant where sheep have been grazed on brassicas.

Dr Bond explained: “Brassicas can cause shifts in the rumen bacteria environment which may affect the natural production of thiamine by the rumen.

“Furthermore, certain brassica crops can lead to the production of thiaminase which can destroy thiamine, leading to a deficiency. Vitamin B1 deficiency causes a condition called Cerebrocortical Necrosis, with common symptoms including blindness, head pressing and stargazing, something most farmers will have seen at some point.”

She said brassicas can also create problems with iodine absorption.

“Brassicas also contain glucosinolates, which are converted by hydrolysis into goitrogens in the rumen,” she said. “Goitrogens interfere with iodine absorption, which commonly results in the disruption of thyroid function. This is a cause of the condition goitre in sheep, which shows as a swelling of the thyroid gland.”

Dr Bond said adequate supplementation should not be viewed simply as a short-term measure, but as an investment in flock health and future performance.

“With market prices forecast to remain strong for the foreseeable future, ensuring that the flock avoids the effects of mineral and trace element deficiencies should help to prevent in-season health and performance problems,” she said.

“It will also give lambs the best chance of reaching their full potential as quickly as possible. Equally importantly, it will have a positive impact on the condition of ewes, which should ideally not lose more than 0.5 body condition score during lactation.

“Keeping ewes in good condition during lactation is the first step towards a successful tupping later in the year and a healthy lamb crop in 2027.”

Images supplied with the article are copyright Tim Scrivener, Agriphoto, and are for use only in connection with this story.

If you want, I can also turn this into a more natural Herald-style farming piece with a stronger intro and less promotional wording.