News

Labour leader receives hero’s welcome in Haverfordwest

Published

4 years ago

December 10, 2019

AROUND 1000 people waited patiently in a drizzly and cold Castle Square for the Labour Leader’s visit to Haverfordwest. Despite being around an hour late, the crowd remained cheerful – listening to music from the stage, and speeches from various local contributors.

Just before Jeremy Corbyn took to the stage, Labour’s Preseli Pembrokeshire candidate, Phillipa Thompson addressed the crowd.
She is hoping to gain the the 300 odd extra votes she missed out on in 2017 to get elected.
The candidate addressed the crowd: “Good evening Haverfordwest!”
The crowd cheered loudly; Mrs Thompson went continued: “I’m delighted to be here alongside our leader of the Labour Party, Jeremy Corbyn. And Jeremy, the first time I met you was when you spoke to a group of us from the foreign office about working in parliament. And you spoke passionately about the shortage of housing in your constituency of Islington North. And if I remember rightly your first question as prime minister when you became leader of the opposition was about housing. So, I have the good fortune to have the opportunity later this week to be elected to represent the constituents of Preseli Pembrokeshire with just as much passion and just as much care as Jeremy has represented his constituents, and would now represent all of us for this country.

“Pembrokeshire is a fantastic place to live, and a fantastic place to visit. However, many of our young people in particular leave to find work. I would like see people Have more opportunities here in Pembrokeshire so that they have more choice. So, I hope Jeremy not to see you here only at election time but to welcome you back here again as Prime Minister.
Working together we can all make labour’s ambitious plans a reality for everyone in our country. With change coming right along the M4 and carrying on to this far-western edge of Wales.
I say on behalf of all of us here: Croeso i’r Sir Benfro – welcome to Pembrokeshire, Jeremy Corbyn!”

It was the moment the crowd had been waiting for.
Jeremy Corbyn took to the stage: “Good evening Haverfordwest… good evening Preseli Pembrokeshire!”
“Are you going to win it for Labour on Thursday? Is Phillipa going to be your next MP?
“This election is going to be about justice for people all over Britain.
“Last night you saw in the debate that was going on – you saw that the Prime Minister represents a party that is created and funded by billionaires.
“You saw that the only solution to his problems is a trade deal with the United States, which will put the NHS at risk of American companies taking it over.
“You can see what they are doing in this election campaign.
“A party for billionaires, funded by billionaires for the in equality of this country.
“Well, is it right that in the fifth richest country in the world there are five million children living in poverty? That over Christmas more than 100,000 children will know the security of a safe home in which to live? That thousands of people will be sleeping rough over Christmas in parks and tents, stations and bus stations, and all other places – they just try and find somewhere to survive. And all the while that gap between the richest and the poorest has just got wider, and wider, and wider.
“In 2010, the Tories and Liberal Democrats got together and formed a coalition government and decided to make the political choice – and it was a political choice – of austerity. They used it to cut local government spending in England – to cut the budget of the government of Wales.
“They used it to freeze benefits, to freeze public sector wages, to introduce Universal Credit – and to create – quite deliberately – poverty in the lives of very many millions of people.
“Most working-class families have a spending power of between 20 and 25% less than ten years ago. Small wonder that all over the country in Wales, England and Scotland, high streets are struggling to survive. Shops struggling to survive because of that loss of spending power. And so, we cannot go on like this as a country. We cannot go on with this degree of inequality and the levels of stress it creates in society. The growth of mental health stress and the mental health crisis. The growth of debt. Personal debt, household debt and student debt all over the UK. Surely to goodness we need to do things differently.
“And when the United Nations – yes, the United Nations – sends a special rapporteur to Britain you must ask yourself the question: Hang on a minute, we’re supposed to be a rich country. “We’re supposed to have a welfare state. We’re supposed to be a country which reaches out to everyone, and that report says that the 1940’s contract between the people and the government that says nobody should be in destitution has been “cast aside” and replaced in their words by “a cold and uncaring ethos”

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Charity

RNLI offers safety advice ahead of bank holiday weekend

Published

27 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE RNLI in Wales is offering safety advice to those visiting the coast this bank holiday weekend and encouraging people to visit a lifeguarded beach.

The RNLI is encouraging anyone planning on heading to the coast to enjoy this weekend to do so safely, by visiting a lifeguarded beach and swimming between the red and yellow flags.

RNLI lifeguards will be patrolling at the following beaches along the Welsh coast this bank holiday from 10am-6pm:

In Pembrokeshire: Whitesands Beach and Tenby South Beach
In Swansea: Aberavon, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay, Port Eynon and Three Cliffs Beach
In Bridgend/Vale of Glamorgan: Coney Bay, Trecco Bay and Whitmore Bay

Vinny Vincent, Lead Lifeguard Supervisor for Swansea said: ‘We strongly encourage anyone planning to go in the sea this weekend to visit one of the lifeguarded beaches.

‘Lifeguards set up the flags in the safest areas of the beach. Swim or bodyboard between the red and yellow flags, and black and white

chequered flags indicate an area monitored by lifeguards for use of watercraft such as surfboards and kayaks.

‘If you see a red flag flying, the lifeguards have deemed that area of the beach as dangerous, and we recommend that you do not enter the water.

‘If you ever have any questions, feel free to approach the lifeguards. We’re a friendly bunch and are always happy to offer advice.’

After the bank holiday weekend, some patrols extend to full time whilst others remain as weekend-only patrols.

In Pembrokeshire, Whitesands Beach and Tenby South Beach will both be patrolled on weekends only until 25 May.

In Swansea, Langland Bay, Caswell Bay and Port Eynon will be patrolled full time (every day from 10am-6pm). Aberavon and Three Cliffs will be patrolled on weekends only until May 25.

In Bridgend/Vale of Glamorgan, Coney Bay and Trecco bay will be patrolled full time, whilst Whitmore Bay will be patrolled on weekends only until 25 May.

Chris Cousens Water Safety Lead for Wales said: ‘We want people and their families to enjoy the coastline, but to do so safely. We encourage people to always swim at a lifeguarded beach.

‘Whilst out on the coast, if find yourself or see anyone else in difficulty, remember to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard. If you find yourself in trouble in the water, Float to Live.

‘Our volunteer lifeboat crews are on call 24/7 to come to your aid. If in doubt, call it in as it’s always better safe than sorry.’

RNLI Float to Live advice:

Tilt your head back with your ears submerged
Relax and try to breathe normally
Move your hands around to help you stay afloat
It’s okay if your legs sink, we all float differently
Spread your arms and legs to improve stability

To find your nearest lifeguarded beach visit: Lifeguarded Beaches – Find Your Nearest Lifeguarded Beach (rnli.org)

Health

Chairman opens new NHS 111 Wales Service Centre in Haverfordwest

Published

31 mins ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN a ceremonial occasion on Thursday (May 2), Thomas Baden Tudor, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, inaugurated the new NHS 111 Wales service centre at Haverfordwest Ambulance Station. The event was marked by Mr. Tudor cutting the red ribbon, a task he was honoured to perform at the behest of Matthew Jones, Locality Manager of the Pembrokeshire Ambulance Service.

The NHS 111 service, which is accessible round the clock, offers urgent health advice and information about available services, including dental care and general medical guidance. This vital resource also provides support on managing illnesses and conditions and ensures continuity of care when GP offices are closed.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Tudor expressed his pride and privilege in participating in the launch, which underscores the community’s commitment to enhancing healthcare accessibility. The new service centre is expected to play a pivotal role in providing prompt medical advice and support to the residents of Pembrokeshire.

The service is free and can be reached by dialling 111 from any phone, ensuring essential healthcare advice is just a call away.

Crime

Tragic blaze and standoff in Haverfordwest home as eviction looms

Published

19 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST man ignited his own home during a prolonged confrontation with police, fueled by distress over a forced move after his mother’s death.

The ordeal unfolded on Jury Lane where Robert Ward, 56, resided in a three-bedroom council property he previously shared with his mother. Following her demise, Pembrokeshire County Council requested Ward to relocate to a smaller residence, prosecutor Georgia Donohue informed Swansea Crown Court.

The crisis escalated on October 21 when a dispute involving Ward and his sister led to a distressing 999 call by a neighbour at 4 PM, after overhearing threats of self-harm from Ward.

Upon arrival, police were met with a barricaded house. Ward, claiming to have booby-trapped the premises and armed with jerry cans and knives, refused entry, declaring his intent to end his life and warning of gas bottles placed behind the entrance.

As tensions heightened, a specialist negotiator was brought in while nearby homes were vacated and utilities to the property cut to prevent further risk. The standoff persisted into the night until police forcibly entered around 12:30 AM, finding the home ablaze.

During the confrontation, Ward hurled an unknown substance at officers, initially suspected to be an accelerant, though he later claimed it was water. Fire services extinguished the flames within 15 minutes, and Ward was apprehended in the loft of the burning structure around 1:06 AM, amid a suicide attempt. He suffered significant burns and was subsequently hospitalized.

During police interviews, Ward expressed remorse, stating his actions were driven by despair over his impending eviction. “He said he was extremely sorry for his actions and didn’t intend to harm [the officers],” Donohue relayed.

The court heard of previous convictions, including a 1983 arson charge. His counsel, Dyfed Thomas, highlighted the emotional attachment to the home and Ward’s troubled mental health, which significantly influenced his drastic actions.

Judge Geraint Walters recognized the “complex background” and the mental health struggles Ward endured for years, describing the episode as not “the acts of a person in his right mind.” He emphasized the need for substantial support post-release to prevent future incidents.

Ward was sentenced to three years and four months in prison after pleading guilty to arson recklessly endangering life, affray, and two counts of assaulting emergency workers. The incident, leaving behind £4,819.15 in damages, raises poignant questions about mental health support and housing policies for the vulnerable.