News
First meeting of the new Cabinet
THE FIRST meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s new Cabinet takes place today (Jun 12).
Councillor David Simpson, the new Leader of the Authority, has appointed eight Cabinet members to direct policy and make decisions on key issues.
They are all new faces to the Cabinet apart from Councillor David Lloyd, who served as Cabinet Member for Education under the previous administration.
Councillor Simpson said he was excited about the combination of knowledge and breadth of experience possessed by the Members.
“I’m very happy with the Cabinet because I have picked them on their ability and nothing else” he said.
“I’m especially pleased about the new cabinet role of Transformation and IT, which I’ve introduced because of the impact that I feel Transformation will make to the Authority.”
He has not appointed a Deputy Leader, as all Cabinet Members will be expected to deputise for Councillor Simpson if necessary.
The Cabinet Members are as follows:
Councillor David Simpson, Lampeter Velfrey (Unaffiliated)
Cabinet Member for Corporate Matters
David has been a magistrate for 20 years and a County Councillor since 2004. He retired from business in 2000. David moved to Pembrokeshire in the early 90s, after having a holiday home in Neyland.
A Duke of Edinburgh Gold award holder and a staunch supporter of the scheme, he lives in Clynderwen and is married with four children and seven grandchildren.
Councillor Neil Prior, Llanrhian (Unaffiliated)
Cabinet Member for Transformation and IT
Neil’s family moved to Pembrokeshire over 30 years ago and he himself returned home two and a half years ago having worked for blue chip companies including O2 and Microsoft.
During his career he has worked with over 100 local authorities across the UK, helping them to make the most of technology to provide services more efficiently and effectively. He is looking forward to bringing this experience to help the County Council respond and adapt to the challenges it faces.
Councillor Paul Miller, Neyland West (Labour)
Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure, and Culture
First elected in 2012 representing the Neyland West Ward, Cllr Miller has led the Council’s Labour Group for the past five years.
Paul’s professional work has seen him lead major capital development and regeneration projects across the UK and this experience will be key as the new administration takes a more proactive approach to regeneration and development across Pembrokeshire.
Councillor Phil Baker, Saundersfoot (Unaffiliated)
Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Assets
Since 1982, Phil has worked both for Civil Engineering Consultants and Civil Engineering Contractors in Pembrokeshire and across the UK. Projects have included reclamation schemes, Local Authority and Private Development infrastructure installations, Water Utilities Asset Management Capital investment Programmes and for the last 12 years Welsh Government Highway Improvements.
Phil has represented Saundersfoot as County Councillor since 2008 and has been a Saundersfoot Community Councillor since 1998. He is the County Council appointee on Saundersfoot Harbour Commission and Governor at Saundersfoot C.P. and Greenhill School.
Councillor Bob Kilmister, Dinas Cross (Liberal Democrat)
Cabinet Member for Finance
Bob lives on a smallholding near Llanychaer with his wife of 40 years Nikki. He worked for J Sainsbury Plc for 30 years mainly running large supermarkets in the West Midlands. These had an annual turnover of up to £18 million and employed over 300 staff. He finished his career working as the link between the Distribution and Retail arms of the business.
He has always been interested in politics, and was a District Councillor in Worcestershire for eight years being elected first at the age of 25.
Councillor Cris Tomos, Crymych (Plaid Cymru)
Cabinet Member for Environment and Welsh Language
Cris has over 25 years’ experience of working with social enterprises and charities to develop sustainable non-grant dependent income. He has developed and helped set up several community benefit cooperatives in West Wales. The majority of the new cooperatives are community asset based, where redundant buildings are bought by the community to allow new social enterprises to trial their services.
Cris was named Wales Co-operator of the year in 2012, and Wales Social Enterprise Champion in 2013.
Councillor Tessa Hodgson, Lamphey (Unaffiliated)
Cabinet Member for Social Services
Councillor Tessa Hodgson grew up in Milford Haven where she attended the grammar school. She has a background in business and marketing and currently owns and runs a B&B and holiday cottage complex near Lamphey.
She is a mum of three teenagers who are all educated locally. Since being elected in 2012 she has served on the Older Persons Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Senior Staff Committee.
Councillor Pat Davies, Fishguard North West (Unaffiliated)
Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Housing
Pat has for many years been involved and had concern around social issues and she intends to bring her experiences into her new role. She says she is delighted to have the opportunity to work with a new team of Cabinet Members under the new and vibrant Leadership of David Simpson.
“We start, I feel, with fresh innovative ways of working in a professional manner to bring about a progressive and inclusive County Council,” she said.
Councillor David Lloyd, St Davids (Unaffiliated)
Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning
David is a Pembrokeshire man who has been involved in community action for the past 50 years. He was a Dyfed County Councillor in the eighties during which time he moved the creation of the Economic Development Committee. In the nineties, he campaigned for the National Eisteddfod to visit St. Davids for the first time in 2002.
He has been a County Councillor and Chair of Governors at Ysgol Dewi Sant since 2012, leading the campaign to save the school from closure in January 2016.
Community
Lucy’s sudden passing at just 38 leaves a community in mourning
MILFORD HAVEN is reeling from the untimely passing of Lucy Wind, a beloved mother, daughter, and sister.
Lucy, aged just 38, passed away suddenly but peacefully at her residence on Sunday, April 21, leaving behind cherished memories and a profound sense of loss among family and friends.
Lucy was known for her devotion to her two boys, Ryan and Adam, aged 15 and 12.
Her passing has left a significant void in their lives, as she was not only a dedicated mother but also a pillar of strength for her family.
Lucy’s parents, Angela and the late John Wind, and her siblings Sharon, Jason, and the late Alison, are mourning the loss of a beloved daughter and sister.
Details surrounding Lucy’s sudden demise have shocked many in the community.
Just hours before her passing, Lucy had been joyfully celebrating her cousin’s 18th birthday at a family gathering. Witnesses recount her vibrant presence on the dance floor, reveling in the company of loved ones. She left the venue early at 10:30pm to prepare for work the following day, but passed away at home. Lucy’s unexpected departure has left many grappling with disbelief.
Lucy was known for her selflessness and frugality, always prioritising her family over material possessions.
In line with her wishes, her funeral service will be a testament to her minimalist approach to life.
The service is scheduled to take place on Thursday, May 9, at 10:45am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth. In honour of Lucy’s vibrant spirit, attendees are encouraged to wear a splash of purple, her favourite colour.
In lieu of floral tributes, the family has requested donations to support Lucy’s sons, Ryan and Adam, through a GoFundMe page set up by Lucy’s cousin, Kerryanne. The outpouring of support from the community has been overwhelming, reflecting the impact Lucy had on those around her.
Expressions of sympathy and support can be directed to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd., Hamilton Court Funeral Home, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven. For those wishing to contribute to the fund for Lucy’s sons, donations can be made through the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/lucy-wind.
As Milford Haven prepares to bid farewell to one of its own, Lucy Wind’s memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Her legacy of love, kindness, and dedication to family will forever be cherished by the community she leaves behind.
News
Jonathan Davies to say farewell to Scarlets at the end of the season
ONE of the Scarlets’ greats, Jonathan Davies, will say farewell to the club at the end of the season.
After 16 seasons spanning two spells at the club, the man known as ‘Foxy’ will be moving on at the end of the campaign.
From Bancyfelin in Carmarthenshire, Jonathan has made 209 appearances in a Scarlets jersey having made his debut for the club against Northampton Saints as an 18-year-old back in 2006.
A former club captain, he was an integral member of the side that lifted the Guinness PRO12 title in 2016-17, the Scarlets clinching the trophy in style thanks to a mesmeric brand of attacking rugby.
Jonathan has gone on to become one of the most decorated centres in world rugby, representing the British & Irish Lions in the Test series against Australia (2013) and New Zealand (2017) – where he was player of the series. He has also played 96 Tests for Wales, featuring in two Grand Slam-winning sides, a further two championship wins, and two Rugby World Cups in New Zealand (2011) and Japan (2019). He has also captained the national side on four occasions.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s final home match against Ulster, Jonathan said: “I am going to miss this place and this group. Day to day, being around a great bunch of boys and saying you are working you feel very privileged.
“It has been incredible to play for a team I supported when I was a young boy. I have enjoyed every minute and have some wonderful memories, but everything has to come to an end.
“I remember my first day coming into the Academy at Stradey, I remember walking into the changing room for training with the likes, Vernon Cooper, Matthew Rees, Iestyn Thomas, Alix Popham – who were the ‘guvnors’ of the changing room – and putting my bag on the bench and coming in afterwards and it was on the floor; I tried another spot the next day and the same happened! it was a great learning; myself, Ken and my generation were probably the last ones to have experience of that old school environment.”
Recalling the highlights of his Scarlets career, lifting the PRO12 trophy in Dublin in 2017 figures at the top of the list, as does playing alongside his younger brother James ‘Cubby’.
He added: “There was a span of five or six games in which I never enjoyed rugby as much as I did during the end of that season when we won the PRO12. I have always said, if we were still in European competition at that point we would have won it.
“The rugby we played was so much fun and so natural, we were operating at a level that we didn’t really need to talk about what was expected of us. It felt as if we were operating at our highest level possible and the talent in that group was so high it showed in the games leading up to the final and then in the final.
“Playing alongside my brother was another special moment and winning a trophy as part of the same side is something I am very proud of.”
As for the future, Jonathan has a testimonial year beginning in June and is also hoping to continue his playing career.
“I would love to see if there is another opportunity to play elsewhere, whether that be abroad or not,” he adds. “I still enjoy coming to train and playing. I am always told you are a long time retired – if you feel you can add to an environment or a team I feel I’d be stupid not to.
“The Scarlets have been a huge part of my life. When you get older there is an appreciation of the effort that people – coaches, team-mates, staff – have put into your career. The supporters here have been amazing from day one as well.”
Paying tribute to one of the Scarlets’ greats, head coach Dwayne Peel said: “I played in the same game as Foxy’s debut, there was a lot of talk of this kid from Bancyfelin coming through and when he turned up he was more developed than some of the senior boys! He was strong and fast and you could see straight away he was something special.
“He was always destined for big things, but he has also worked tirelessly on his game to become the best No. 13 in the world and is an example to any young player who aspires to make it as a professional.
“I am sure the next few weeks will be an emotional time for him, saying his farewells. He has been a big part of this club for a long time.”
News
Fourth Bank Holiday shout for Angle RNLI
ANGLE All-Weather Lifeboat was requested to launch at 5:46pmon Bank Holiday Monday to assist a small vessel in difficulty off the Angle buoy, between Angle and Dale.
The vessel had suffered steering failure, and with a large VLCC tanker inbound the casualty vessel was quickly taken under tow by a Port Authority Pilot Vessel.
As the pilot vessel was required to stay with the tanker as a specified vessel requiring a patrol, the pilot boats crew requested the lifeboats attendance.
The lifeboat launched and rendezvoused with the pilot vessel off Chapel Bay and a tow was swiftly passed to the casualty vessel.
After discussing the options with the vessels skipper, the casualties were taken under tow to their mooring at Castle Pill. Once off the narrow entrance to the Pill, the vessel was transferred into an alongside tow and manoeuvred through the tight entrance.
Around 30 minutes after being taken under tow, the casualty vessel was placed safely on their mooring. Content that no further assistance was required, the lifeboat and her crew were stood down to return to station where she was readied for further service by 6:45pm.
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