News

As further protest planned, police say last nights scenes ‘endangered everyone’

Published

6 years ago

September 22, 2020

A FURTHER protest is planned for tonight in Penally. It follows a similar protest last night which saw demonstrators clash with police over the plan to use Penally Army Camp as a holding centre for 250 male asylum seekers.

Following last nights events, described by the Superintendent in charge of Pembrokeshire as dangerous, Anthony Evans said: “Dyfed-Powys Police is a service that relies on co-operation with our communities and we will always work to ensure that everyone’s voices are heard, in a peaceful and safe way. We understand that tensions are running high in the community, but last night’s scenes endangered everyone and caused understandable alarm.

Police and protestors in stand off in Penally on Monday night (Pic: Herald)

“We are actively reviewing a significant amount of footage extracted from our officers’ body worn cameras, from footage shared to social media and intelligence obtained from other sources. Those identified committing criminal offences will be prosecuted – last night’s policing priority was to ensure the safety of everyone at the scene.

“We are in conversation with our partners across Pembrokeshire and are grateful to those in Penally and the surrounding community who are engaging with our officers on the ground and sharing concerns and information with us. Our history as a service is one of co-operation and we are working with partners across the county and the Home Office to get the support residents are asking for.”

Darren Edmundson, one of the protestors, told The Herald that there will be a huge protest tonight at Penally Camp.

He said: “We are expecting a large turnout of protestors tonight – many more than at previous protests.”

“We are expecting the protest to start at 6pm.”

“I am doing this because I am concerned for the safety of our family and our children as we don’t know the background of the asylum seekers. It has been confirmed that is just 250 men. Why not woman and children as well?

“There was a lack of communication prior to the protest. We wanted to know the facts etc.

“It was so disappointed to not see the council or any MPs turn up to answer any questions. Simon Hart should have been there.

“We feel that the camp should have been used to benefit the community especially the homeless.

“Wales has struggled for homelessness for years.”

CRIME COMMISSIONER

In a further development, the local Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn has said that he attended a further meeting with Home Office officials and partner agencies today (Sept 22) to discuss the planned housing of approximately 250 asylum seekers at a military base in Pembrokeshire.

Mr Llywelyn said: “I am totally frustrated that the finer details involving numbers and timescales are being kept from local leaders and residents. There is a complete lack of ownership and leadership being shown by Ministers at the Home Office on this issue and this is disrespectful to the local community”.

The Crime Commissioner has actively been involved in ensuring adequate resources and planning is in place within Dyfed Powys Police since learning of the plans last week highlighting that the response by local leaders of service has been phenomenal. “I am grateful to the Home Office’s operational team in Wales who have supported the planning and I will continue to personally support this activity”.

Last week he wrote an open letter to the Home Secretary, noting local concerns of apparent lack of strategic planning.
The letter stated: “I reiterate once again what I emphasised in my letter to the Home Secretary last week, that greater strategic planning and engagement is needed to ensure we support and safeguard these vulnerable individuals and respond to local concerns.”

COUNCILLOR LOBBIES HART

Penally County Councillor, Jon Preston, is urging Simon Hart MP to do more. He told The Herald that he has contacted the local MP saying the following: “As our representative at Westminster, you are the only one in any position to request that this location is re-considered. We have proven in the past that as a community we can rise to most challenges, however riots on the doorsteps of an elderly community is totally unacceptable.”

“The Home Office have breached their own guidelines placing these asylum seekers here in every respect and some of the threats of planned violence and criminal damage that I have heard being talked about by some outsiders in the protests is a matter of real concern.

“Can you please do all you can to get this awful decision by the UK government/ Home Office reversed as a matter of urgency. The situation is already having a bad effect on the physical and mental health of some Penally residents, myself included.

“I have not had one proper night’s sleep since this decision became known about to the local community last Monday. I have had no sleep at all last night because of the events described.”

LOCAL MEMBER OF WELSH PARLIAMENT

Commenting on the clashes at Penally overnight local Member of the Welsh Parliament, Angela Burns MS said: “I was appalled to see the scenes overnight outside Penally Camp.

“I have been working closely with the County Council, Local Health Board and representatives from the UK and Welsh Government to try and find the best way to accommodate the Asylum Seekers whilst causing a minimal impact on the local community.

“Mistakes have been made and communication from the Home Office has been poor, but the scenes last night were upsetting and disgraceful and not the way to help resolve this issue.

“I am worried that the legitimate concerns of local people have been hijacked by people from outside of the area to make extreme political points. The videos demonstrated not only a total disregard for the rule of law, but a lack of respect for authority and for other human beings. It is not acceptable for mob rule to guide decisions taken by Government.

“I have already written to the Home Secretary to seek assurances and clarity on a number of concerns that both I and local people have about the location of the camp and whether the local community has the resources provide services for residents housed in the Penally Camp. I will be raising the matter later today with the First Minster in questions in the Welsh Parliament.”

Local Government

Mayor and deputy mayor appointed in Milford Haven

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL has congratulated Cllr Mark Woodward after he was inaugurated as the town’s new Mayor and First Citizen.

Cllr Woodward was formally appointed on Monday evening, with Cllr Kathy Gray confirmed as Deputy Mayor.

Following the ceremony, Cllr Woodward said it was a “true honour and privilege” to take on the role, adding that it was something he had “never in my wildest dreams imagined would happen to me.”

He thanked his fellow councillors for their trust, as well as residents who had sent messages of congratulations.

Cllr Woodward also paid tribute to his wife Eva, who now becomes Mayoress, saying her support had helped make the moment possible.

He said: “I promise I will do my absolute best and fight hard and passionately for my beloved adopted town.”

With Cllr Gray serving as Deputy Mayor, Cllr Woodward added that residents could “rest assured it will not be a quiet year.”

Local Government

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park chief to be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PARK CHIEF RECOGNISED

PEMBROKESHIRE Coast National Park Authority Chief Executive Tegryn Jones is to be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru at this year’s National Eisteddfod.

Mr Jones has been named among those who will be admitted to the Gorsedd in recognition of their achievements and contribution to Wales, the Welsh language and local communities.

He will be admitted in the Blue robes, which are awarded to people who have given distinguished service in areas including public life, local and national activity, journalism, media, sport, science and law.

Originally from Lampeter and a fluent Welsh speaker, Mr Jones has played a prominent role in Welsh public life through a career spanning environmental, educational and community leadership.

Before joining Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, he served as Chief Executive of Keep Wales Tidy and also worked for the General Teaching Council for Wales.

He was nominated for his work in education, youth work and the environment, as well as for developing environmental initiatives at both local and national level.

In Pembrokeshire, he is also closely associated with the development of Welsh-medium education through his long-standing involvement with Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest, where he was the first Chair of Governors.

Mr Jones said: “It is a great honour to be recognised by Gorsedd Cymru, particularly in a year when the National Eisteddfod returns to Pembrokeshire for Eisteddfod y Garreg Las.

“The Welsh language belongs to all our communities, and I have been very fortunate to work with so many people who care deeply about its future, whether through education, culture, the environment or public service.

“The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park is one of the jewels of Wales and provides an outstanding landscape that contributes to the environmental, social and economic goals that are essential to Wales’ future.

“I am very fortunate to lead the National Park Authority and extremely proud that this work has been recognised by the Gorsedd.”

This year’s National Eisteddfod, Eisteddfod y Garreg Las, will be held in Llantwd, North Pembrokeshire, from August 1-8, 2026.

The event will be especially significant as it marks 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan in 1176, just across the river from this year’s Maes.

News

New RSPCA poll shows opposition to badger culling in Wales

Published

2 days ago

May 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR CULLING ‘NOT THERE’, CHARITY SAYS

NEW polling from RSPCA Cymru suggests there is no clear public support in Wales for badger culling as a way of tackling bovine TB.

The charity says the new Welsh Government must “listen to people’s love of wildlife” after a survey found that just over a quarter of people in Wales actively support the culling of badgers.

The polling, released today (May 13), comes as 96 Members of the Senedd prepare to take their seats in the newly-expanded Welsh Parliament, with bovine TB expected to become one of the major animal welfare and farming issues facing the next administration.

RSPCA Cymru said only 27% of those surveyed supported badger culling, while 46% were opposed. A further 28% said they did not know.

The charity is calling on Plaid Cymru, which is seeking to form a minority government following the appointment of Rhun ap Iorwerth MS as First Minister, and on MSs from all parties, to reject culling and focus instead on what it describes as a science-led, cattle-focused approach.

The survey of 1,033 adults in Wales found that 63% of respondents were uncomfortable with badger culling being carried out using lethal methods approved by government authorities.

More than two-thirds, 68%, said they were uncomfortable with public money being used to fund the culling of badgers.

The polling also suggested that the issue could affect political support. More than half of those surveyed, 52%, said they would be less likely to support a political party that backed badger culling, while only 7% said they would be more likely to do so.

RSPCA Cymru said the figures showed that badger culling was “unsupported by a clear majority” of the Welsh public.

Billie-Jade Thomas, senior public affairs manager for RSPCA Cymru, said: “How the new Welsh Government approaches bovine TB will be one of the biggest talking points concerning animals in Wales in the coming years.

“This polling should remind all newly-elected Senedd Members that the Welsh public cares about how badgers are treated, and politicians must listen to people’s love of wildlife.

“There is a clear lack of public support for badger culling in Wales, and those supporting such action could see their support wane among their constituents.”

She added: “Wildlife control and badgers were featured in several parties’ Senedd manifestos, including Plaid Cymru, Wales’ new biggest party.

“We now hope MSs from all political groups recognise that badger culling is unsupported by a clear majority of the Welsh public, and they should instead prioritise a science-led, cattle-focused approach to combatting bovine TB.”

The polling also found that almost 98% of people in Wales consider protecting Welsh wildlife to be important, with 69% saying it is very important.

Badgers were among the most popular species named in the survey, with 73% of respondents choosing them as one of the species they were most concerned about when asked to select their top three.

RSPCA Cymru said badgers remain one of Britain’s most distinctive and misunderstood wild mammals.

Ms Thomas said: “Badgers are such wonderful creatures and, like all wildlife, deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

“A growing body of evidence suggests that the majority of bovine TB infection occurs between cattle, with scientific evidence suggesting that badger culling is not an effective way to reduce the disease in cattle.

“The new administration must always tackle bTB in a way which does not needlessly pose a threat to one of our most distinctive, well-loved yet misunderstood species of wildlife.”

RSPCA Cymru’s manifesto for the seventh Senedd, Securing A Better Future For Animal Welfare in Wales, calls for badger culling to be rejected, describing it as ineffective and inhumane.

The poll was carried out online by Savanta between April 24 and May 12, 2026. Figures were weighted to be representative of adults in Wales.