News
Karate classes allowed to continue after governing body provides emergency cover
MILFORD HAVEN KARATE SCHOOL has been issued emergency insurance – and pupils will be sent karate licences directly – to allow the school to continue function, the national governing body for the sport, NAKMAS has said today (May 10).
Chairman of NAKMAS, Rev. Joe Ellis, told The Pembrokeshire Herald that the new certificates will be issued shortly. (Students who do not hold in date licences are not covered by insurance to train or be graded in karate.)
Rev. Joe Ellis said: “Emergency licensing (insurance) has been actioned for all children as of this morning.
“Certificates will be issued directly tomorrow to all students by NAKMAS.”
The rush to get the club back into good legal standing was required after an investigation by this newspaper uncovered that the club was operating – according to the national governing body – without the correct insurance cover for pupils.
NAKMAS also confirmed that grading certificates for belts at the club were in the words of the governing body “fake”, and that they were “alarmed” that they had been issued without permission.
But the NAKMAS boss Rev. Ellis said: “I will do everything in my power” to ensure that pupils at the popular martial arts club would be able to keep their grades.
The Herald understands that governing body has bent over backwards to sort out all the outstanding issues for the pupils and families in a very short period.
One parent said: “The fact that this has been brought to light and is now being sorted is the best outcome we could have hoped for.
“The kids will now get the official karate certificates that they have worked so hard for, and which the parents have paid for.”
It is not known how long unauthorised grading certificates have been issued for, although this newspaper has had sight of some going back to 2019.
In a Facebook post, Milford Haven Karate Club and NAKMAS have confirmed that all the students will have to be sent new certificates but said that comments made yesterday by NAKMAS and printed in a story this morning by The Pembrokeshire Herald made them “victims of some devastating allegations”
On social media, the club put not having insurance or licences in place as just a “clerical error” – they said: “We have just had the meeting with the head of NAKMAS.
“We have addressed a clerical error and NAKMAS are resolving this for us.
“They have confirmed we can continue lessons as normal.
“They have also confirmed they have received the licence renewals we have sent, although they are currently on hold until the clerical errors are sorted.
“We have in date certificates of the club/liability insurance and Kevin’s senior instructor examiner licence.
“We have an email dated May 7 that we sent to inform them that we were opening the club and for our covid risk assessment.
“NAKMAS will be issuing new grading certificates in the next few days to ensure all issues are covered.
“Kevin has put his heart and soul into building the Club for the last 18 years, he has never put a foot wrong, and we have been absolutely devastated by this.”
The Herald has been told that several parents have contacted the police about the matter, and NAKMAS said they would be also.
“Our legal team will contact the police within the next 24 hours”, they said.
NAKMAS confirmed that they were not allowing the club to comment about the issues raised by the Herald as they are still investigating irregularities. They said the club would not be allowed to comment until they “close all issues,” the UK’s only regulatory body for karate said.
On Facebook on Wednesday (May 11) NAKMAS posted on The Pembrokeshire Herald’s Facebook page saying: “Kevin John is a nationally accredited 6th Dan Black Belt and the Milford Haven Karate Club is an accredited affiliate of Nakmas which supports the club in all aspects of its membership.
“For the avoidance of doubt, full insurance and legal cover are operative. Students should continue to train within the club and parents should support Kevin John who clearly is well respected and much loved within the club and community as a whole.”
A spokesperson for the police said only: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report on Tuesday 10th May 2022 which is currently being assessed.”
Business
Expansion for Ashmole & Co with acquisition of Jones Ward Accountants
CHARTERED, Certified Accountants, Ashmole & Co, are delighted to announce their expansion following the acquisition of JonesWard accountancy firm in Carmarthen.
Ashmole & Co Carmarthen has today taken over JonesWard who have closed their office in Lammas Street, Carmarthen. All JonesWard staff, including Ian Jones and James Ward, have transferred over to Ashmole & Co and will be based in the Old School, the Quay, Carmarthen.
JonesWard informed their clients that the administrative burden of running a practice had increased significantly over recent years due to the constant changing money laundering and tax regulations, software requirements and so on. Over the past 12 months it had become more challenging to maintain the level of service they had been used to providing.
Ian Jones said, “We feel Ashmole & Co share the same values as us and have the necessary expertise and resources to ensure we can continue to provide the personal touch and level of service clients have been accustomed to. Myself and James are not retiring but we will be supported by Ashmole & Co’s partners and staff from now on in their Carmarthen office.”
Ashmole & Co partners Sharon George, Carwyn Morgan and Vinal Patel will strive to ensure JonesWard clients will continue to receive the high quality of service they are used to.
Vinal Patel, Partner with Ashmole & Co said, “It is our priority to make the transition as smooth as possible with all employees of JonesWard having already transferred to Ashmole & Co and are now based in our office on the Quay in Carmarthen. We look forward to meeting our new clients and working closely with them to meet their needs in the future.”
Ashmole & Co Chartered and Certified Accountants have been established since 1897 and are one of the largest accountancies and auditing practices in south Wales, now operating from thirteen offices throughout south and west Wales including Swansea, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford.
Charity
Fundraiser to take on epic 87k steps challenge to raise funds for Withybush
SAM Faulkner is challenging himself to walk 87,000 steps in one day to raise funds for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in memory of his father.
Sam will be walking along the Brecon and Monmouth Canal from Brecon to Rogerstone in Newport.
Sam said: “Since losing my Dad last year, I made a personal commitment to do something to raise money every year for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest who looked after my Dad so well in his final days.
“I will be challenging myself to complete 87,000 steps in a day on July 20th 2024 – 1,000 steps for every year of my Dad’s life. I’ll be walking around 40 miles in about 10 hours.
“Canal walks were always a firm favourite of mine and my Dad’s, with many days spent walking along the Grand Union in Northamptonshire when I was growing up.
“My family and I, and the unit at the hospital, would be beyond grateful for anything supporters could give. Thank you ever so much in advance.”
Katie Hancock, Pembrokeshire Fundraising Officer, said: “We’d like to say a huge good luck to Sam with his challenge. Thank you so much for dedicating your time to raise more funds for the Cardiac Care Unit.
“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”
You can donate to Sam’s fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sam-faulkner-1712508280259?newPage=true&fbclid=IwAR2tyVVQVea0DLQelSsrp7Ie2CKjX0jXGnwndR_tBKL-Av2kv8f5nchEolw
For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk
Business
Dragon LNG explores integration of LNG and CO2 liquefaction processes
DRAGON LNG, based in Waterston, Milford Haven, recently announced a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions.
The company awarded a contract to Worley, global professional services company of energy, chemicals and resources experts, to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study.
The study is focussing on exploring the potential benefits of integrating LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
regasification and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) liquefaction processes at Dragon LNG’s facilities. This integration holds promise for a more efficient operation, with the potential to reduce energy consumption, carbon intensity and the levelized cost of CO2 export not only at the Dragon site but also for Haven industry companies.
If feasible, the technology at Dragon would support wider collaboration with RWE Pembroke Net Zero Centre, whose CO2 would be transported to the Dragon facility for processing before being shipped via non-pipeline transport (NPT) to carbon sequestration sites.
Key aspects to be addressed in the feasibility study include:
- Technical Solutions: Worley will evaluate various technical approaches to seamlessly integrate LNG and
- CO2 liquefaction processes, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and effectiveness.
- Carbon Intensity Reduction: Dragon LNG is committed to sustainability, and the study will assess how the integration of processes can contribute to lowering the carbon intensity of operations, aligning with broader environmental goals.
- Economic Viability: Understanding the financial implications is crucial. The study will delve into the levelized cost of CO2 and other economic factors to determine the feasibility and financial benefits of the proposed integration.
Commenting on the partnership, a spokesperson for Dragon LNG stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Worley on this important initiative. As a responsible energy provider, Dragon LNG is continuously seeking innovative ways to enhance our operations while minimizing our environmental footprint. This feasibility study represents a significant step towards achieving those objectives.”
Worley’s expertise in engineering and consultancy services including in the CO2 and LNG sectors makes them an ideal partner for this endeavour. Their track record of delivering sustainability solutions aligns perfectly with the ambitious goals of Dragon LNG.
This collaboration underscores Dragon LNG’s commitment to driving sustainable practices within the energy sector. By exploring the integration of LNG regasification and CO2 liquefaction processes, the company aims to pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient energy future with their ambition of a net zero terminal by 2029.
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