News
Neyland East
Aelwen Lee
“I am so pleased to be standing in the Neyland East area for Plaid Cymru in the upcoming county council election.
“I am a Pembrokeshire girl, and lived here my whole life, the last 17 years along the Haven area.
“My background is working within the healthcare sector also for the last 17 years, the majority of this in the community. I have seen the hardships people have in regards to daily living.
“For that reason alone, my decision to stand wasn’t a difficult one. Over the last few years we have all seen and been disgusted by what has gone on within the county council and now is the time for change!
“As a mother I want my daughter to grow up in an area she is proud to be part of. Neyland is a wonderful place to live, and I want to make sure that residents are not just listened to, but heard. I will be honest and open with you, if I don’t know the answer to a question I will tell you this, but I will find out and get back to you.
“I believe it is time to bring back logic and common sense to the council and look to the future.”
Simon Hancock
“I am honoured to have been nominated to stand for the ward of Neyland East on 4 May 2017. I have been serving my constituents diligently for 30 years and in that time I have assisted hundreds of individual residents with their problems. I have been at the forefront of providing community leadership. I have been Mayor of Neyland seven times (including currently), a County councillor since 1995 and I also serve on many public bodies including being a magistrate since 2003. I care so passionately about Neyland and it’s people. I was born and educated in Neyland and live in the ward. I have been a school governor for 24 years and I am the current vice- chair of Neyland Community School. I have been the Learning Disabilities, Equalities and Older Person’s Champion for Pembrokeshire.
“I founded Age Concern Neyland in 1991 and in 1997 I was one of the first trustees of the Neyland Youth Project to help youngsters in the town. I was successful in keeping a youth club for Neyland when the Charles Street premises closed and have helped to secure social housing as was developed by the Pembrokeshire Housing Association in St Clement’s Road.
“I have written six books on Neyland, penned the words of the town anthem and have lectured extensively about the town and it’s rich social history. I have been an historian and ambassador for my home town.
“I am involved in numerous local organizations including being President if the Neyland Ladies Choir, Judo Club and Brunel Festival Committee.
“This election is about the future. If elected I faithfully promise to be accessible at all times, continue to listen and work tirelessly to implement the community plan which has been developed and which has plans for improvement of play facilities, housing and public services. I stand on my record of public service for the people of Neyland. Please support me on 4th May.”
Entertainment
Dolly Parton to explore Welsh roots near Tenby in upcoming TV special
Country legend Dolly Parton, who has discovered her Welsh heritage, is set to explore her roots in an upcoming TV special. Although the 78-year-old 9 to 5 star was born in Tennessee, she recently learned that her ancestors hailed from near Tenby.
Dolly, accompanied by her family, will visit the Welsh valleys, known for their rich singing tradition, as part of a four-part docu-series to be released next year. Her niece, singer Jada Star, shared that they traced their DNA back to Wales.
“Dolly is releasing a four-part docu-series about our roots and where we come from. There’ll be lots of footage from over there,” Jada revealed. She added that Dolly is just as glamorous in private as she appears in public. “I have never seen her unglammed in my life. She never wears slippers. Even when she’s lounging around her own house in PJ’s, she still wears Frederick’s fluffy Marabou high heel slip-ons. She has them in every colour to slip on when she’s relaxing at home.”
Following in her aunt’s footsteps, Jada will perform at Glastonbury next month. “Dolly is so excited for me,” she said. “Her main advice was, ‘Make sure to bring your rain boots’.”
Reflecting on Dolly’s memorable performance at Glastonbury in 2014, Jada noted that it gave her aunt “a new lease of life”. Jada’s new single, Keeper of My Heart, is out now.
Crime
Drink-driver ‘in blind panic’ to escape Haverfordwest pub
A CONSTRUCTION supervisor was so desperate to flee an alleged attacker who had accosted him inside a Haverfordwest pub that he drove his car from the pub car park despite being over the drink-drive limit.
This week Haverfordwest court heard how Gary Newell drove his black Kia Ceed out of The Bull Inn car park in Prendergast with the passenger door open. As he proceeded to drive down Church Lane, he was seen to collide with several vehicles, including a Nisson, a Vauxhall Insignia and a Ford transit van.
“He then abandoned the scene and fled,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.
“Police received multiple calls in relation to his driving and to the fact that he’d collided with other vehicles.”
Officers eventually tracked Newell, 35, down to St David’s Church where he was arrested and charged with drink-driving.
Newell, of Linnet Close, Bristol, pleaded guilty to a charge.
“There was an incident inside the pub and a person followed the defendant out and tried to get into his car,” said his solicitor, Michael Kelleher. “He’d already received cuts and bruises and was in a blind panic to get away from the situation.”
Mr Kelleher said that Newell was subsequently taken by officers to Withybush Hospital where he received treatment for his injuries.
“He remained on a drip and was put on temazepam,” added Mr Kelleher.
“After this incident he moved away to Bristol to get away from the problems here.”
Mr Kelleher said that Newell is currently employed as a supervisor for a construction firm.
Newell was disqualified from driving for a total of 14 months. He was fined £800 and ordered to pay a £320 surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Mother-of-two drove on cocaine despite drug-drive ban
A MOTHER-of-two who ‘took a chance’ by driving on cocaine despite being disqualified for a previous drug-drive conviction has been ordered off the roads for four years.
Appearing before Haverfordwest magistrates this week was 42-year-old Donna Jones who pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle when she was over the specified drug limit on cocaine and the cocaine derivative, benzoylecgonine.
She admitted additional charges of driving whilst disqualified and of using a vehicle without third party insurance.
Police officers saw Jones driving a Renault Clio through Narberth just before 11pm on November 10, 2023. When they stopped the vehicle, they noticed a strong smell of cannabis emanating from the interior of the car.
“Checks carried out by the officers showed that the defendant had been disqualified from driving until April 2025,” said Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker.
“Her previous convictions took place in 2018 and 2022.”
Meanwhile probation officer Julie Norman told the magistrates that on November 10, Jones had travelled to Pembrokeshire from her home in Belvedere Avenue, Carmarthen, to attend her god-daughter’s funeral.
“After the funeral she went back to the family home in Preseli and although she wasn’t drinking alcohol, she took some cocaine,” she said.
“She then drove back from Preseli to Carmarthen but she got lost and ended up in Narberth. That’s where the police found her. That day, she just took a chance.”
Jones was sentenced to 20 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months. She must also carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, She was banned from driving for a total of 48 months and must pay a £154 surcharge and £85 costs.
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