News

Two of Pembrokeshire County Council teams shortlisted for UK awards

Published

5 years ago

August 9, 2021

Pictured is Hannah Johns (left), one of the many people on Pembrokeshire’s Supported Employment Programme, with Sue Rivett, Participant Support.

TWO of Pembrokeshire County Council’s teams have been shortlisted for the prestigious LGC Awards later this year.

The awards celebrate the most exceptional local government talent and is open to over 1,500 councils across the UK.

The Council’s Supported Employment Programme is one of only eight teams shortlisted in the Diversity and Inclusion category.

The award recognises how the County Council has developed a diverse and inclusive work culture across a number of areas, in particular through social care, Norman Industries and Scolton Manor and partner organisations.

From employing 25 people with disability in 2017, today the Council employs over 65 people with disability in the supported employment programme.

Programme Manager Karen Davies said; “In 2018, Pembrokeshire County Council became the only council in Wales to be a Disability Confident Leader and the work has continued to improve diversity and inclusion in the workplace ever since.

“Our work to provide supported employment is founded on the belief that someone’s impairment or difference is not the barrier to having a job – we can remove the barriers that society puts in the way of someone having a job.”

The programme combines a number of tried and tested approaches to create support that meets the unique needs of Pembrokeshire.

“The Supported Employment Programme is a partnership between a number of projects, teams and work streams,” said Karen.

“Our Employability Pembrokeshire projects (Workways+, Experience 4 Industries and Tackling in Work Poverty) support people as they start their journey and help identify any barriers and find solutions to overcome them.

“Norman Industries and its social enterprise projects help people to gain work experience and supported employment in a wide range of customer facing services. The programme works with a number of council services and departments to provide work opportunities– from the café in Milford Haven Leisure Centre to the social care business unit and the farm shop at Scolton Manor.”

The second team to be shortlisted for a LGC award is Pembrokeshire County Council’s Intermediate Care Team.

Pembrokeshire ICT is uniquely a partnership between health, social care and third sector. It provides a short term service to support individuals to maintain their independence, preventing hospital admission and facilitating hospital discharge.

Pictured are some of the members of the Intermediate Care Team.

“Intermediate care was ‘fast-tracked’ to become operational at the start of the pandemic,” said Linda Tucker, Intermediate Care Manager for the Council.

“Despite staff changes, IT problems, and having to ‘learn on our feet’, we have successfully delivered a service which has seen referrals increase from 39 to 309 a month.

“At the same time, we have maintained a two hour response time of over 80%, preventing 133 hospital admissions, facilitating 368 discharges and enabling 528 individuals to remain in their home.

“As well as this, the service has been at the forefront of innovating and developing new ideas, such as successfully piloting work on the discharge 2 assess pathways, their work on which attracted extra funding. We are also regional leads on initiatives such as trusted assessor.”

LGC say that to be on the awards shortlist, ‘entrants demonstrated outstanding practice as well as cutting-edge innovations and the judges were very impressed with the high standard’.

Cllr Tessa Hodgson, Pembrokeshire’s Cabinet Member for Social Care, said; “We know that we have some amazing talent in our teams here in Pembrokeshire and this is well deserved recognition for the fantastic work that is being done. To achieve two shortlists for these prestigious awards is an outstanding achievement.”

Business

Wolfscastle spa earns prestigious AA recognition

Published

5 minutes ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

WOLFSCASTLE COUNTRY HOTEL and Spa in Pembrokeshire is celebrating national recognition after its luxury spa was included in the prestigious AA Recommended Spa Awards.

The accolade highlights the hotel’s commitment to delivering high-quality wellbeing experiences, exceptional service, and first-class facilities.

The AA Recommended Spa status is awarded to venues that provide an outstanding guest experience, combining professional expertise, premium treatments, and a relaxing environment. The recognition places Wolfscastle among a select group of leading spa destinations across the UK.

Grace, Levi and Bethan, full-time spa therapists at the award-winning Wolfscastle Spa.
Hot stone massage in the Wolfscastle Country Hotel & Spa treatment room.

The spa, which has been open for nine years, has established itself as one of Pembrokeshire’s top wellness destinations, welcoming both hotel guests and day visitors seeking relaxation in a tranquil countryside setting.

Facilities include hydrotherapy experiences, thermal suites, and dedicated relaxation areas, alongside a wide range of luxury treatments designed to help guests unwind and recharge.

Bethan, Spa Manager at Wolfscastle Country Hotel & Spa, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be recognised by the AA as a Recommended Spa. The team here work really hard to make sure every guest feels relaxed, welcomed and properly looked after from the moment they arrive.

“To receive this recognition is very special for us and reflects the care and effort our therapists put into every treatment.”

The award further strengthens the hotel’s reputation as one of West Wales’ leading hospitality destinations, offering award-winning dining, boutique accommodation, and premium wellness experiences.

Guests can enjoy spa days, overnight breaks, and tailored treatments throughout the year.

For more information or to book, visit www.wolfscastle.com.

The hotel is also marking a significant milestone this year, with owner Andrew Stirling celebrating 50 years at the helm.

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

3 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.