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Murco refinery deal saves 400 jobs

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MURPHY OIL has agreed to sell its Milford Haven refinery in Wales to oil entrepreneur Gary Klesch, who vowed to maintain operations at the struggling plant.

The sale, which follows several failed attempts to sell the 135,000 barrels per day refinery over the past two years, will see Arkansas-based Murphy Oil exit most of its British operations.

The price of the deal was not disclosed.

“We look forward to using our considerable industry expertise to return the site to profitable growth,” a Klesch Group spokesman told The Herald.

“By taking a long-term investment view we aim to secure the future of this refinery for its employees and the broader community.”

Bryan Kelly of Murphy Oil Corporation said: “Murphy Oil is pleased to announce that a deal has been agreed for the sale of the Milford Haven Refinery. We have worked tirelessly to find a workable solution that would see the refinery remain open, and are delighted that a positive outcome has been reached. The company is extremely grateful for the patience and professionalism of Murco employees, without whom a deal would not have been possible.”

Murphy halted production at the ailing plant in May after failing to strike a deal with London-based private equity fund Grey Bull. The Klesch Group is a global industrial commodities business, with three divisions specialising in the production and trading of chemicals, metals and oil.

Stephen Crabb MP said on twitter: “Excellent news for Murco refinery employees as sale moves forward. It’s so important to maintain UK oil refining.”

Stephen Crabb later told The Herald: “I am delighted that Klesch Group have today formally agreed to purchase the Murco oil refinery in Milford Haven, following an agreement in principle reached last month. Gary Klesch has a strong track record of reviving businesses in loss making industries and I was pleased to be able to bring him into the negotiations seven months ago. There is still more work to be done but today’s announcement is very encouraging news for the refinery staff and their families.”

Pembrokeshire County Council has welcomed the announcement: “This is good news for Pembrokeshire, Wales and indeed the whole of the United Kingdom” said the Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, Councillor David Pugh.

He went on: “The refinery is a key component of the UK energy supply system and its retention supports and strengthens the role of the Milford Haven waterway as a global energy centre – a position recognised in terms of its Enterprise Zone status.

“The refinery supports hundreds of quality jobs in the local and regional economy, both directly and indirectly.

“Safeguarding this skill-set – and the local supply chain – has been an important focus of the Task and Finish Group which the County Council has contributed to.

“We look forward to working with the Klesch Group and take this opportunity to congratulate all partners involved in bringing these negotiations to a successful conclusion.”

The refinery has been a major employer since it opened in 1973.

According to Murco, the deal is still pending regulatory approval and subject to other material conditions.
“This transaction is scheduled to close no later than October 31, 2014”, a spokesman told The Herald.
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Crime

Police appeal for information after several tractors stolen

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POLICE officers in Pembrokeshire investigating a theft from several tractors, which happened overnight between April 17-18, 2024.

The tractors had been in a field near to Loch Turfin, Haverfordwest.

Included in the stolen items were vehicle keys, tools and waterproof clothing.

A spokesperson said “Police are now appealing for anyone with information that could help them with their investigation to contact PC 772 Boyt either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 101.

“Quote reference: 24*355571”

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Community

Pembrokeshire firefighters help deliver fire engines to Ukraine

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FIRE services from across the United Kingdom have rallied together to donate vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, amidst ongoing conflicts that have seen local fire stations and firefighters come under direct attack.

The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) was at the forefront of this international goodwill effort, donating three fire appliances and dispatching nine of their personnel to ensure safe delivery.

The initiative, coordinated by Fire Aid UK, involved a total of 11 UK fire services. Over a grueling 5.5-day journey that spanned several countries—starting from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and moving through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and into Poland—33 fire appliances were transported to a location just 20 miles from the Ukraine border. They left Kent on April 23.

This convoy, laden with not just fire engines but also 3000 items of critical firefighting gear including cutting equipment, fire hoses, first aid kits, and generators, was a sight of resilience and humanitarian commitment. Watch Manager Rob MakePeace, a Business Fire Safety Officer, and Watch Manager Keith Jenkins, who is retired but still oversees part-time personnel at Haverfordwest, played pivotal roles in the operation from Pembrokeshire.

Speaking on the experience, Keith Jenkins expressed the profound impact of the mission, “It was a fantastic experience to be involved in. The convoy itself was an amazing sight, but the people we met, places we stayed and the reason we were delivering the appliances was something we will remember for a long time.”

The donation comes at a critical time for Ukraine, where daily attacks have not only jeopardized the lives of local firefighters but have also devastated much of the essential infrastructure needed to fight fires effectively. The additional appliances and equipment from the UK are expected to significantly bolster the capabilities of the Ukrainian fire departments, providing them with the necessary tools to save lives and protect property under dire circumstances.

This act of generosity and the strenuous efforts by the UK firefighters underscore a deep commitment to aiding those in peril, transcending borders and showcasing the best of international cooperation and humanitarian assistance.

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Protest outside Stephen Crabb’s office over Rwanda deportations

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SUPPORTERS of West Wales Stand Up to Racism group will attend a protest outside the office of Stephen Crabb MP in Market Street at 6pm on Tuesday evening (May 7).

The protest is to highlight the inhumane scheme to send refugees to Rwanda.

Since the Rwanda Bill was finally passed last week, refugees have already been identified, detained and are being prepared to be flown to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed there.

Rushi Sunak has said “To detain people while we prepare to remove them, we’ve increased detention spaces to 2,200.

“To quickly process claims, we’ve got 200 trained, dedicated caseworkers ready and waiting. To deal with any legal cases quickly and decisively, the judiciary has made available 25 courtrooms and identified 150 judges who could provide over 5,000 sitting days.”

The protestors are asking: why is all this money being spent when these vulnerable people could have their asylum claims dealt with in the UK?

If the Prime Minister hoped his Rwanda plan would help get more votes for the Conservative Party in the recent elections, it would appear he was mistaken.

A new report from the Refugee Council warns that the UK Government’s flagship Illegal Migration Act and Rwanda Plan will lead to another catastrophic “system meltdown”, trapping over 100,000 people in permanent limbo while costing taxpayers billions.

West Wales Stand Up to Racism has campaigned against the Government’s plan to send refugees to Rwanda from the time this scheme was first suggested.

Supporters have previously met with Simon Hart MP and attempted to deliver a giant postcard to his office.

The group has taken part in the online Hands in Protest project organised by Artisan Avenue, Tenby which allowed everyone to express on line how they felt about Rwanda by submitting drawings of their own hands. The collective Hands In Protest gives a powerful message that the Rwanda plan should be stopped.

The organisers said: “Supporters will be once more taking the giant postcard on Tuesday, to protest about the Rwanda scheme. We will have small post cards for supporters to write messages to Stephen Crabb, telling him how strongly we feel about this.

“All over the UK, anti-racists are picketing Home Office buildings to show their opposition to the Rwanda scheme and are trying to prevent arrests and giving support to the refugees being arrested and detained.

“West Wales Stand Up to Racism supporters want to make their voices heard too.”

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