News

Hours extension granted to farm shop

Published

4 years ago

April 30, 2021

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S Licensing Sub-Committee approved an application to extend the opening hours of a farm shop and café in the tiny hamlet of Bubbleton, near Penally.

Meeting on Tuesday, April 27, the Committee considered an application made by Bubbleton Farm Ltd that would allow an extension to its licensing hours the café could provide further catering provision, including serving alcohol, until 10 pm at night.

None of the relevant statutory authorities, Dyfed-Powys Police and the Council’s environmental health department objected to the application.

The Committee accepted that, in the absence of specific observations from those bodies, it had to accept they were content with the application and believed it a routine matter that did not need their involvement.
Bubbleston Farm has a licence to serve alcohol during its regular opening hours every day between 9 am and 6 pm. It operates in accordance with those provisions and has done so for some time without incident.

Presenting the application for Bubbleton Farm Ltd, Thomas Evans told Committee members that the extension to hours sought was to meet demand and secure the future of the enterprise.

The extended hours did not mean, Mr Evans said, the location would host a bar every night of the week. The café needed to extend its licensing hours to allow the hosting of occasional events; for example, barbecues, at which alcohol could be legally served.

Questioned by the Chair of the sub-committee, Cllr Tim Evans, Mr Evans said that the last year of Covid restrictions had proven gruelling.

Mr Evans said there was increased local interest in attending outdoor catering events, such as those covered by the application.

There was evidence of a sophisticated local customer base who appreciated the chance to go to occasional barbecues outside their homes and have a drink with their food.
He explained the Farm’s planned to hold barbecues during the summer months and that each event would end before dusk.
Mr Evans continued to say the barbecues would be organised on a more-or-less ad hoc basis, depending on the weather. Details of an event would be circulated on social media in the three days leading up to one.

The Committee had two written objections.

The first objection came from a neighbour and expressed concern about the possibility of ‘late night revelry’ and the potential that, were music played, the quiet locality would become ‘a mini Glastonbury. A thought which the correspondent wrote, ‘fills us with horror’.

Asked to address the question of music being played at the premises, Thomas Evans could not recall asking for a live music licence. There was no indication of one being requested on the licensing officer’s report. Although the box was ticked on the application form the subsequent section was blank.

Mr Evans told members of the Committee he did not want a live music licence.

Recorded background music played during the day and current evening hours and that was enough. He explained with his own young children living on the Farm, he was mindful of potential disturbance and did not require a licence for live music.

The second letter of objection came from the non-resident owner of a nearby property.

That letter said: ‘Whilst I am not always present at the property (my wife and I share our time between the property and our primary residence in Berkshire), I am concerned that the proposed extension of the hours for the sale of alcohol will have a negative impact on the relative peace and tranquillity we enjoy at the property’.

The Committee members noted the objections, although neither objector was at the meeting.
Cllr Tim Evans noted the comprehensive way in which the applicant both prepared and presented its case.

After a brief retirement to consider its decision, the Committee approved the application.

Crime

Dyfed-Powys Police pays out hundreds of thousands in compensation claims

Published

16 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

NEW figures reveal Dyfed-Powys Police has paid out £324,000 in compensation over the past five years, following nearly 200 claims made by members of the public.

A Freedom of Information requests show a whopping 186 claims were lodged against the force between 2019 and 2024, with compensation payments peaking in 2021/2022 at £138,111. Claims included allegations of unlawful arrest, financial losses, personal injury, and failure in duty of care.

In 2019/2020, 36 claims were made, with nine settled. The following year, 22 claims were lodged, with nine again resulting in payouts. Numbers rose to 38 claims in 2021/2022, with 11 settlements, before dropping slightly in 2022/2023 to 36 claims and eight payouts. However, the most recent figures for 2023/2024 show a significant rise, with 54 claims and seven settlements.

Lucy Parker, a solicitor from JF Law, said: “Claims against police forces highlight the importance of accountability. Issues such as wrongful arrest, assault, and negligence must be addressed seriously.”

Nationally, UK police forces have paid out millions in compensation, with property damage from botched raids cited as a frequent reason.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been approached for comment.

News

Rail passengers in west Wales ‘let down’ by hundreds of train cancellations

Published

16 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

RAIL passengers in west Wales are being “let down” following the cancellation of more than 650 Transport for Wales (TfW) trains on routes to Swansea and beyond in just 12 months.

Between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, a total of 654 services were cancelled, impacting key routes to Llanelli, Carmarthen, Pembroke Dock, Fishguard, and Milford Haven. The cancellations have sparked frustration among passengers and raised concerns over the reliability of rail services in the region.

Transport for Wales, which took over day-to-day rail operations from Arriva nearly seven years ago, has faced ongoing criticism for service quality. A Rail User Survey in 2023 revealed that only 72% of passengers were satisfied with TfW services, making it the worst-rated operator in the UK at the time. By comparison, Southern Railway scored 80%.

Recent surveys show some improvements. Between February and September 2024, overall satisfaction rose to 85%, with punctuality increasing to 73% and frequency to 66%. However, these numbers remain below national averages, and the situation in west Wales continues to lag behind other regions.

Passengers in west Wales have long expressed frustration over frequent delays and cancellations. One traveller recounted a 60-mile journey from Cardiff Central to Carmarthen that resulted in an overnight stay in Cardiff due to multiple delays and cancellations. Replacement buses offered little reprieve, with onward journeys stretching well into the early hours.

Peredur Owen Griffiths MS, Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for Transport, criticised the situation, saying: “These statistics show that Welsh passengers are being let down. Historical underinvestment in our rail network and infrastructure has led us to this position. In order to create a Welsh rail network that works for the people of Wales, it’s vital that decisions regarding Welsh rail are made in Wales.”

Mr Griffiths added: “Only Plaid Cymru fights for the devolution of rail infrastructure to ensure we can secure consistent investment in our network and deliver reliable services.”

Despite some recent improvements in customer satisfaction, the sheer scale of cancellations highlights ongoing issues with rail services in Wales, particularly in west Wales where consistent, reliable transport remains a challenge for many commuters and travellers.

Charity

Tributes paid to former Tenby RNLI crew member Stuart Fecci

Published

17 hours ago

January 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

TENBY RNLI is mourning the loss of former Shore Crew member Stuart Fecci, who passed away recently. Stuart served aboard the Henry Comber Brown lifeboat until a tragic accident in 1988 resulted in the loss of his hand.

Despite the injury, Stuart remained a dedicated supporter of Tenby RNLI. The Fecci family has deep roots with the station, including Stuart’s son Samuel, who raised over £300 by completing the RNLI’s Mayday Mile walk in 2021.

Deputy Coxswain Jon Lewis, Stuart’s cousin who carries the Fecci name through his mother, paid tribute: “The last time I spoke to him, he greeted me in a packed Tudor Square as the larger-than-life character he was and shouted, ‘Coxswain Lewis!’ before continuing to congratulate me.”

Stuart will be deeply missed by the entire community. The thoughts of everyone at the station are with his wife Sally and his family during this difficult time.