News
Official report into Joanna C tragedy released
AN OFFICIAL report has revealed the heartbreaking final moments of a Pembrokeshire fisherman who died as his ship sank.
Ship’s mate Robert Morley, was thrown into the sea in the early hours of November 21, 2020, when the Joanna C capsized off the coast of Newhaven.
Mr Morley, 38, lived in Llangolman and Clarbeston Road with his fiancée and two children but worked away on fishing boats for extended periods of time.
Robert’s fiancée, Natasha Croydon, said that Robert had intended on leaving at Christmas and “he was just doing it one last time to have a fantastic Christmas and we never got that.”
Captain David Bickerstaff, 34, was pulled from the sea hours later, the sole survivor of the tragedy, which also sadly claimed the life of 26-year-old deckhand, Adam Harper.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) discovered that there was a life raft on the ship, but it did not inflate, which “adversely affected the survivability of the crew”.
The MAIB investigation, which was released earlier this summer, reveals how the scallop dredger ran into trouble after being entangled in a line of whelk pots.

After Robert was thrown into the cold sea, David and Adam became trapped in the bunk room for approximately 40 minutes.
Shortly before 6am, David started to notice the ship sinking and opened an escape hatch, telling Adam they needed to get out.
David luckily managed to escape the sinking ship but Adam remained trapped inside as it went down.
The report stated: “When the vessel started to sink, the skipper was able to escape, which was fortunate given the darkness and likely obstructions in his path.
“However, the deckhand remained trapped.
“Once the vessel had begun to sink water ingress to the crew accommodation was likely rapid, denying the deckhand any opportunity to escape.”
David found Mr Morley in the water and the pair were able to see “the lights off other fishing vessels nearby”.
Sadly, before he could be rescued, Robert “succumbed to the cold and drifted away, leaving the skipper holding on to the lifebuoy”.
The report said: “The mate was tangled in an orange rope attached to the lifebuoy and was very cold.
“While attempting to untangle the mate, his lifejacket was removed and was lost.
“The consequent loss of dexterity and useful movement in his arms and legs meant that he could not maintain his hold on the lifebuoy, which was his only means of support following the loss of his personal flotation device.
“Without support, the mate’s ability to maintain his head and airway above the water was lost and he likely slipped below the surface and drowned.”

It is unknown how long Robert was in the water before he died.
The report estimates it could have been anywhere up to 3 hours 45 minutes after the boat capsized.
“After one hour in the water, the mate was within the window for exhaustion, unconsciousness, and death from hypothermia,” the report continued.
“Without the support afforded by a personal floatation device or the shelter of a life raft, his chances of survival were significantly reduced.”
When the Joanna C got into trouble, the boat’s emergency radio went off, alerting the coastguard.
A large search was undertaken, and David was eventually rescued from the ocean around 8.50 a.m.
Divers discovered Adam’s 26-year-old body five days later.
The following month, Robert’s body was discovered washed up near Bexhill.
Writing on Facebook, his stepfather, Barry Woolford, from Brixham, said: “To all the beautiful people of Brixham, it is with much sadness that I have to inform you that our son Robert Morley has been identified as the body that was brought from the sea at Bexhill in December.
“Thank you all for your fantastic support and love these past 12 weeks.”
Crime
Cocaine dealers jailed after flooding Aberystwyth streets with drugs
TWO men who supplied cocaine in Aberystwyth have been jailed after police seized large amounts of cash, drugs and weapons during coordinated raids.
Luke Hutton, aged 25, and Lee Mark Walsh, 37, were sentenced at Swansea Crown Court after admitting possession of cocaine with intent to supply and possessing criminal property.
The court heard that police attended Walsh’s flat in Aberystwyth on Thursday (Nov 14) to execute a search warrant. Officers saw several people outside the address, including both defendants. When police approached, Walsh remained at the property while Hutton attempted to flee but was quickly detained.
Walsh, of Yr Hafan, Aberystwyth, was found with cannabis, £160 in cash and a mobile phone. Hutton, of Corporation Street, Aberystwyth, was carrying £8,795 in cash and a phone.
During a strip search in custody, officers recovered a wrap of white powder concealed on Hutton. Further searches uncovered £850 in cash laid out on Walsh’s bed, five mobile phones, a silver knuckleduster and a large kitchen knife hidden beneath the bed.
Police also recovered scales with white powder residue, a bank card contaminated with drug traces, and a further bag of white powder elsewhere in the flat. At Hutton’s address, officers found £1,060 in cash, bicarbonate of soda and empty snap-seal bags, consistent with drug preparation.
Prosecutor Dean Pulling told the court both men were clearly involved in drug supply for financial gain.
Walsh also admitted possession of an offensive weapon and possession of cannabis. He has previous convictions for cannabis offences and failing to comply with a drugs test.
Hutton has a longer record, including offences involving communications, driving matters, domestic abuse and breaching a restraining order.
Mitigating for Walsh, Ryan Bowen said the defendant had experienced a troubled childhood, moving schools frequently, and had struggled with cannabis use from a young age. He said Walsh had shown a strong work ethic and hoped to pursue barbering on release.
Jon Tarrant, representing Hutton, said his client had been heavily addicted to cocaine and that drug use had dominated his life, contributing to the breakdown of relationships, including contact with his two young children.
Sentencing, Judge Vanessa Francis said both men had been involved in dealing with the expectation of making “significant financial gain”.
Addressing Hutton, she said: “You told the author of the pre-sentence report that when your benefits stopped, you ‘did what you had to do’. This court will do what it has to do to take off the streets those who spread the misery of drug supply.”
After reductions for guilty pleas, Hutton was jailed for three years and Walsh for 32 months. Both will serve up to half of their sentences in custody before being released on licence.
Community
Crowds line streets as tractor run hailed a festive success
CROWDS lined streets and pavements across Pembrokeshire on Saturday evening (Dec 20) as Clarbeston Road AFC’s illuminated Christmas tractor run was hailed a resounding success.
More than 200 tractors took part in the event, travelling through villages and towns including Newmoat, Maenclochog, Llys-y-frân, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Wiston, Newbridge, Poyston Cross, Crundale and Haverfordwest, where large crowds gathered to watch the festive convoy pass through.
Families, children and residents wrapped up against the cold to enjoy the sight of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays, with applause and waves greeting drivers as they made their way through built-up areas and rural roads alike.
The convoy set off from the Clarbeston Road AFC Knock Playing Fields at 5:30pm and concluded at the County Showground in Haverfordwest later in the evening. At the end of the run, refreshments were available and the raffle draw took place at the Park House building, which was open to the public.
Organisers said the turnout from both drivers and spectators exceeded expectations, with the event once again bringing communities together while raising funds for local causes, including The Catrin Vaughan Foundation, In It With Isaac, and Wales Air Ambulance.
Clarbeston Road AFC thanked tractor drivers, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public for their support, as well as residents and road users for their patience while the convoy passed through.
The illuminated tractor run has become a firm fixture in the local festive calendar, with Friday night’s event described by many spectators as one of the best yet.

Community
Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori
A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.
The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.
Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.
The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.
Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.
The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.
Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.
The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

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