News
‘Reach out to friends and family’ says Council Leader
THIS week’s update from Cllr David Simpson, Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council:
‘Hello everyone, I hope you are all keeping well and safe.
‘I’d like to highlight that this week is Mental Health Awareness Week.
‘I’m very aware that the last 15 months has had a huge impact on our lives and, in some cases, our wellbeing.
‘Mental Health can be a hidden issue and we all need to be aware that some people may need some extra support.
‘On a personal level the lockdown restrictions have reminded me of the importance to talk to people and to ensure people are supported.
‘Supporting your friends and family can be as simple as a phone call to say hello. A quick hello can ensure people are ok and managing and can give someone a huge uplift.
“Our communities have done a fantastic job of supporting each other so please, Team Pembrokeshire, continue these efforts.
‘I urge you all to pick up the phone and say hello to your friends and family, as we all need to play our role in everyone’s wellbeing – talking about issues does make a difference.
‘If you are suffering from Mental Health or general wellbeing issues please reach out, do not struggle on your own, your friends and family can help and make a difference.
‘Please also take the opportunity to also view the website at https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week which has much more information and support.
‘I now want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in last week’s elections.
‘Elections take a phenomenal amount of organisation at the best of times but even more so in a pandemic situation.
‘To all those who ensured the smooth running of the elections process, thank you.
‘Congratulations to all the successful candidates and I look forward to working with them to further improve the lives of Pembrokeshire people.
‘We have now had further updates from Welsh Government and the next phase of the unlocking road map has been unveiled.
‘From Monday, 17th May, indoor hospitality can re-open.
‘Up to six people from six different households will be able to meet indoors in pubs, cafes and restaurants.
‘We have so many fantastic hospitality venues in Pembrokeshire who we know will be giving their customers a big welcome after so long away.
‘The opening of indoor hospitality will be a major landmark in our emergence from the pandemic and towards recovery.
‘While out and about please remember social distancing rules are still in pace, consider your actions on others, remember your footprint has an impact on our communities, so please tread lightly.
‘When you go home, leave with a smile – enjoy your days out, enjoy seeing your families and most importantly enjoy our beautiful county and please support us in keeping Pembrokeshire special – play your part and please be responsible.
‘I want to wish you all a lovely weekend and I look forward to talking to you all again next week through my update.
‘Thank you everyone.’
You can keep up to date with all the Council’s press releases here: https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom
Crime
Youths failed to stop, then crashed into Milford Haven home
POLICE in Milford Haven have arrested two male youths following a fail-to-stop incident that ended with their car crashing into a residential property on Hamilton Terrace.
The incident occurred at 10:50pm on Friday (Dec 27). According to officers, a black Mercedes failed to stop on North Road before speeding along The Rath and turning back onto Hamilton Terrace. As the car continued down the road, it was met by a second police vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.
In an attempt to avoid the oncoming police car and another pursuing from behind, the vehicle tried to drive up Francis Street against the one-way system. However, it failed to make the turn and crashed into a residential property.
The occupants then fled on foot, with one officer pursuing on foot and another driving against the one-way system towards The Trafalgar Public House.
The property sustained damage to a wall, and the vehicle was left undrivable and is now being recovered. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
The police were seen searching the crashed vehicle, and took several paper bags full of potential evidence from the scene.
Community
Milford Haven mum gives birth to triplets amid medical emergency
PREGNANCY is often a challenging experience, but for Ellie Davies from Milford Haven, it became even more stressful when she found herself facing a 140-mile round trip away from home during labour.
Ellie was initially admitted to Carmarthen’s Glangwili Hospital with pre-eclampsia, a condition causing dangerously high blood pressure. However, due to a lack of available neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds, staff arranged her transfer to Singleton Hospital in Swansea, nearly 30 miles away. Thankfully, accommodation was also provided onsite for her fiancé, Craig Butland.
RENAL FAILURE COMPLICATIONS
Ellie explained: “I had pre-eclampsia and was taken to Glangwili. My blood pressure was going up and down, and they had to ring around hospitals with a NICU to see if they had any spare beds – Singleton was the only one with space.”
On November 12, Ellie was transferred to Swansea, where she remained on the antenatal ward. However, her condition worsened. “On Sunday 17, my kidneys became affected by the pre-eclampsia, and I was going into renal failure,” she said.
In the early hours of Monday, November 18, Ellie underwent an emergency C-section, delivering triplets Mia, Isla, and Elsie two months prematurely.
BRIEF FIRST MEETING
“I only met Isla, the middle triplet, for around two minutes before she was taken to neonatal to be with her sisters,” Ellie shared.
Mia was born weighing 2lb 9oz, Isla at 2lb 10oz, and Elsie at 2lb 8oz. All three girls initially required breathing support and spent nine days in the NICU. Now, over three pounds each, they are receiving care at Glangwili’s special care unit and are reportedly “doing really well.”
SUPPORT FROM NHS STAFF
Reflecting on their experience, Ellie praised the hospital staff: “The midwives Louise and Emily were amazing, answering every question we had and supporting us through everything. Dr Sree Nittur, who was there during the delivery, followed up daily. The neonatal nurses were absolutely fantastic, and we can’t thank them enough for their care and dedication.”
A PLACE TO STAY
For Craig, the availability of accommodation at Cwtsh Clos, a row of five houses on the Singleton Hospital site, was a significant relief. Without it, he would have faced daily commutes between Milford Haven and Swansea.
“Craig spent a week in Cwtsh Clos, and I joined him for the final night,” Ellie said. “It was a huge help having Craig so close. It’s one problem you don’t have to think about, and it gives you a space to gather your thoughts.”
The couple is now supporting Swansea Bay Health Charity’s Cwtsh Clos appeal, which aims to raise £160,000 to refurbish the homes for future families in similar situations.
‘TRIPLETS ARE A RARITY’
Lisa Harris, interim matron for neonatal services, said: “We are delighted to hear the girls are doing well. Cwtsh Clos allows parents to stay close to their babies, which is so important during such critical times.”
NICU consultant Kate Burke added: “Triplets are a rarity for us. We serve families across south central and south west Wales, and often, we’re the unit they turn to when pregnancies are more complicated. It’s wonderful to see families like Ellie and Craig’s returning home with their babies healthy and thriving.”
The family recently celebrated their first Christmas together with Mia, Isla, and Elsie, expressing heartfelt gratitude to all who supported them through their journey.
Support the Cwtsh Clos Appeal: Donations can be made via the Swansea Bay Health Charity website.
(Pic: Swansea Bay University Health Board)
News
Christmas Eve sign-off for Pembrokeshire over-55s housing scheme
THE FINAL sign-off for a scheme to build 24 affordable homes for the over-55s at the “eyesore” site of the former Motor World building in Milford Haven has been given the go-ahead.
W B Griffiths & Sons Ltd, on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council, in an application before the council’s November planning committee, was given approval for the construction of a new residential redevelopment of 24 affordable apartments for over-55s at 70A-80A Charles Street.
It is planned to build 21 one-bed apartments and three two-bed apartments, along with associated works.
The former Motor World site, previously described as an “eyesore,” was cleared in 2018 to enable redevelopment, with planning permission granted on the site for the development of 15 affordable apartments for over-55s in 2020 but the previous contractor was put into administration under what was described as, ‘significant financial stress’.
The application, submitted through agent DPP Planning, followed a public consultation earlier this year.
At the November meeting, approval was proposed by Cllr Alistair Cameron, seconded by committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock, who said: “We need to achieve regeneration of our town centres by repopulating them, and they will be much more sustainable in the future.”
He was supported by Cllr Mark Carter, who said: “I like developments like these; I think this is the way forward for communities, we’ve got a site here that as far back as I’ve been a councillor has attracted questions about when it will be built.”
A sticking point for the application was it was subject to a Welsh Government Holding Direction where planning permission could not be fully granted until an awaited vehicle Swept Path Analysis has been approved demonstrating that a turning area can be provided within the site for the largest type of vehicle that would serve it.
Members backed delegated authority for the council’s head of planning to approve the application following resolution of the issue.
The application was formally conditionally approved by planning officers on December 24, a Welsh Government response saying it “as highway authority for the A4076 trunk road does not issue a direction in respect of this application”.
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