News

Rath Paddling Pool to be saved

Published

9 years ago

March 6, 2017

THE RATH PADDLING POOL in Milford Haven is set to be saved despite plans by Pembrokeshire County Council to stop its funding for the popular facility.

The pool had been identified as a potential saving in an email sent to all councillors prior to a Full Council Meeting on Thursday, March 2.

On hearing that it would close at Thursday’s Council meeting, Cllr Stephen Joseph, who has played an active part in saving the pool before, said he was ‘bleeding furious’.

Cllr Joseph was unable to read that email and said that many people in Milford use the pool during the summer.

Senior Officers in the council have apologised to Cllr Joseph for the way the situation has been dealt with.

Cllr Joseph told the Herald that they now need to secure the pool for the future and that he would be submitting a written request to Milford Haven Town Council, to ask them if they will be able to take over the running of the pool.

Speaking at the meeting on Thursday, Cllr Joseph said: “I am flabbergasted to be honest. I didn’t read that email yesterday so that came as a bit of a bombshell to say the least.

“That was certainly not mentioned at the last seminar I went to but in actual fact, the Head of Leisure pulled me to one side and said we need to talk about the paddling pool down the Rath but I said I’m quite happy to take the guys who work down there and do all the building maintenance that needs doing for the summer, that’s the only conversation I’ve had about the Rath Swimming Pool.

“To find out today that it’s shutting down I’m bleeding furious to be honest with you. Every year I go down there with friends of mine, a couple of the town councillors weed the place and clean it and no one’s got the courtesy to phone me and say that it’s closing.”

Council Leader Jamie Adams said: “We provide a county swimming pool in Milford Haven at the leisure centre; you cannot argue that the Rath is a county facility, therefore, with £170,000 of precept is the Town Council the appropriate body consider the operation of that funding? I would suggest that it’s worth a conversation.”

Cllr Joseph added: “A lot of senior officers and possibly yourself know the commitment that a lot of people in Milford have for putting this pool on every year. I really appreciate what the authority has done in the past.

“To hit it with that for a £1000 saving which on paper, I believe it’s higher than that in reality, and to put this into perspective there is a large element of single parents in Milford, they don’t drive and this paddling pool in the summer, which takes a maximum of 30 people, these people go down there for the summer, they can’t walk to the beach, they can’t afford buses.”

Crime

Spittal man to stand trial accused of ABH

Published

19 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

A SPITTAL man is to stand trial accused of assaulting a man and causing actual bodily harm.

Robert Hedley, 41, of Wesley Way, Spittal, Haverfordwest, is charged with assaulting Liam Morley-Trivett at St Clears on August 30, 2025.

The case was before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jun 18).

Hedley was granted unconditional bail and is due to stand trial at the same court on Monday, June 29.

The trial is listed for 10:00am and has been given a time estimate of twenty minutes.

Crime

Milford Haven woman spared jail despite string of shop thefts

Published

43 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Repeat offender stole from Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and petrol stations in wave of offences

A MILFORD HAVEN woman who admitted a series of shop thefts committed over a matter of weeks has been handed a suspended prison sentence by magistrates.

Marion Picton, aged 46, of Hawthorn Path, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Jun 18) and pleaded guilty to eight theft offences and a drugs-related offence.

The court heard that Picton carried out a string of thefts at stores across Milford Haven between April and June this year.

Among the offences, Picton admitted stealing meat from Food Warehouse on Apr 23, food worth £60 from Victoria Filling Station on May 29, groceries from Home Bargains on Jun 7 and Jun 8, food from Victoria Filling Station on Jun 7 and Jun 9, groceries and non-food items worth £51.09 from Tesco on Jun 16, and food worth £32.50 from Food Warehouse on the same day.

She also admitted failing to attend an initial drugs assessment after testing positive for Class A drugs, including cocaine and opiates.

Magistrates were told the offences represented persistent repeat offending and had been committed while Picton was already subject to a court order.

The bench imposed an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

As part of the order, Picton must complete up to 15 rehabilitation activity days under the supervision of the Probation Service.

The court ordered her to pay compensation to several of the businesses affected, including Tesco, Home Bargains, Food Warehouse and Victoria Filling Station.

In sentencing, magistrates said the offences were serious enough to justify immediate custody but suspended the sentence because there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and Picton appeared motivated to address her addiction issues.

Picton was warned that any further offending during the 18-month suspension period could see the prison sentence activated.

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

59 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.