News

Police say up to 400 people attending illegal rave in Carmarthenshire

Published

4 years ago

March 27, 2022

POLICE are dealing with an illegal rave at the Halfway Forest near Llandovery, officers have confirmed.
It is understood that hundreds of people were planning to attend the site, including a large contingent of ravers from Pembrokeshire and the surrounding west Wales area. Police said they disrupted many attempting to get to the site.

Up to 400 people were at the rave this morning (Mar 27) police said.

A spokesperson for the police told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Dyfed-Powys Police officers are dealing with a rave in the quarry of Halfway Forest, Llandovery.

“Concerned residents of the area reported a possible rave during the early hours of this morning (27 March 2022), and officers immediately attended the area.

“Officers found large amounts of people had travelled to the site which was located within the Natural Resources Wales Forestry.

“Overnight an authority under Section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 was granted by the duty Chief Superintendent. This has allowed Dyfed-Powys Police officers to set up vehicle check points within a 5 mile radius of the scene in accordance with Section 65 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

“Safety considerations surrounding breaking up the event were paramount, and a policy of containment and disrupting any further vehicles and people entering has been instigated overnight.

“This will be constantly assessed throughout today by a senior officer at the scene, and a notice to ‘leave land’ could be issued to all present. It is estimated that there are approximately 300 – 400 attendees at the rave this morning.

“Officers have arrested a 22 year old man for failing a drug swipe as he was trying to enter the site. He remains in police custody.”

Inspector Dawn Fencott-Price said: “Some of those that have travelled to this rave were from as far afield as Devon and Gloucestershire. Social media was used to disclose the location at the last possible minute in order to prevent law enforcement taking preventative measures. We are really grateful to local residents for quickly reporting their concerns and allowing officers to take a practical approach to dealing with it. Our priority is to keep the area safe and end the unlawful gathering in a timely and peaceful manner. We will deal robustly with any offences that come to light during the course of this operation.”

Dyfed-Powys Police said that it has a well-rehearsed strategy for dealing with illegal raves and unlicensed music events, collaborating with partners such as Natural Resources Wales.

Police say social media has made it easier to organise raves at short notice and for numbers to grow quickly.

Supt Robyn Mason said: “We keep an eye on social media but the organisers of these raves know that we do that.

“There’s nothing better than the local communities who see and hear things happening. Hopefully then we can deal with these events before they escalate.

“Once they start they are very challenging and it’s more a case of tolerating it and dealing with the aftermath.

“It’s frightening for people living in small isolated communities and there’s the significant impact loud music has on wildlife and that hundreds or thousands of people have on the environment.

“If those rave-goers understood that then perhaps they would consider doing something else with their leisure time.”

Speaking last year a spokesperson for Natural Resources Wales said the impact of illegal raves on forests, such as Halfway Forest near Llandovery, could be “devastating” and wasted limited resources.
It has installed lockable barriers at several access points to Brechfa forest and increased patrols before weekends.

Land Management team leader Dai Rees said at the time: “Illegal raves only cause distress to local people but also required considerable time and money to clean up afterwards.
“We strongly urge anyone who is concerned about any suspicious activity in their local forest to report it to the police.”

(Image: Herald file, from a rave in similar location, 2019)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.