News
Fundraising event to help Syrian refugees
A SURF-THE-SKILL session has been organised, which will take place on Good Friday, in order for people to get together to share skills and help raise enough money to settle two Syrian families in the Cardigan area.
People arriving in Newport Pembs Hall at 5.30pm on April 14 will be met by a choice of skills on offer at different tables. For the price of £10 you can do six 20 minute sessions, or spend longer on one.
The skills on offer are diverse. You can choose between power tool woodwork, crafts for all ages, introduction to Arabic, how to install and live within wood warmth or hydro, wind or solar electricity and more.
Having enriched the mind, it will then be time for supper, made by a Welsh chef with Eastern flair and local veg.
At 8.15pm BBC presenter Kim Thomas will lead an auction. Local businesses have generously donated prizes for every taste: From essentials such as an MOT to exceptional art works, dining out in Newport, yoga retreat, holistic massage to a golf lesson or a Newport holiday with hot-tub. People can pick up a bargain or pay generously, as they choose, all topped off with a raffle!
The volunteers are raising the funds to welcome two Syrian families into Cardigan to escape the trauma of war and refugee camps. The proceeds will go to Croeso Teifi, which is a charitable organisation working with the Local Authority and Home Office.
Community sponsored settlement isn’t quite like government schemes, as the community has to raise the money, find homes, meet the family at the airport and ensure they have all they need to heal and integrate, without the council’s involvement.
Vicky Moller, secretary of Croeso Teifi, said: “If they do not become valued members of the local community within the first year or so, we will have failed in our job. The young Syrian children living in Cardigan will learn through Welsh, so they will have two languages to learn.
“Preparing to welcome a few families is a momentous journey, all kinds of people are helping. We are amazed at their generosity and enthusiasm. The Christian churches of all denominations have been awesome, so have local businesses, and people in queues outside the job centre have offered to help because they can understand the trauma and despair Syrians have experienced. It is quite moving.
“The positivity is partly a reaction to the tragedy in Syria which was a lovely country, and partly because our method of welcoming a few chosen families into a networked community is the right way to do integration. It is in stark contrast to what is happening in many cities and the negative reaction this provokes.”
This charitable event is just one of a series of sociable fundraising events. For more information, you can contact 07791 809 810, or visit www.croesoteifi.org.
Everyone is welcome to the free entry skill sharing event on Good Friday, lifts to and from Cardigan can be arranged.
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/.
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