News

Fire and Rescue Service strikes Gold

Published

12 years ago

February 20, 2014

MID & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has been awarded the Gold level of the Corporate Health Standard.

The Corporate Health Standard is a Healthy Working Wales programme and a national mark of quality awarded at Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. The standard has become a pivotal benchmark of healthy working within Wales, with a number of private and public sector organisations committing to attaining the standard at its various levels. The service attained the Silver standard in October 2011, and has been aspiring to achieve the Gold level since.

The service was recently subject to an assessment by three assessors from Welsh Government to establish whether it had met the Gold Corporate Health Standard. The assessment reviewed the service arrangements for implementing standards of Occupational Health and Wellbeing, Corporate Risk, Human Resources, Communications, Nutrition and more across the whole service.

The Gold level only recognises employers who provide the highest standards of commitment towards the health and wellbeing of employees by providing a planned approach to promoting the general health of their employees. More importantly, the Corporate Health Standard brings together a whole host of healthy working arrangements under one single standard which needs to be evidenced as being within mainstream working practices in order to be recognised as effective.

As a result of this success, the service will receive official recognition at an awards ceremony to be held later in the year at a Healthy Working Wales Employer engagement event.

Head of Corporate Risk, Mydrian Harries, who has been leading the Corporate Health Standard said: “The service is thrilled with this Gold award and it speaks volumes about the dedication of all our staff in both contributing as well as maintaining a healthy work life balance. We are all extremely proud to have been recognised for achieving such a high standard and I can think of nothing better to start the year off!”

Chief Fire Officer Richard Smith commented: “I am extremely pleased with the success the service has obtained in achieving the Gold award within the Corporate Health Standard especially as I know how much commitment has been made by all those involved over the last few years.

“To receive this recognition is testimony to how our service continues to strive to provide the best possible arrangements for both our staff and our communities during such a challenging time of public sector finances and increased demands upon individual workloads”.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

3 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

4 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.