News
Ceremony held at County Hall for recipients of the British Empire Medal
HIS MAJESTY’S Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards, presented three Pembrokeshire recipients of the British Empire Medal (BEM) with their insignia recently at a ceremony at County Hall in Haverfordwest.
The Lord-Lieutenant was assisted by Lord-Lieutenant Cadet Maisie Millichip and the recipients were welcomed and congratulated by the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Pat Davies.
The BEM is awarded for meritorious civil or military service worthy of recognition by the Crown. It rewards a sustained, local contribution or innovative, high-impact work.
The recipients were Rose Blackburn BEM of Pembroke, Mandy Davies BEM of Hundleton and Suzanne Tarrant BEM of Narberth. Their honours were announced in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2022.
In addition, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant presented a Queen’s RVS Platinum Jubilee Medal to Mary Adams of Narberth. The award celebrates the generosity and dedication of volunteers who do extraordinary things every day.
His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed, Miss Sara Edwards, said: “It is an enormous pleasure to see these deserving recipients receive their honours, and it gives us in the community the opportunity to thank them for the work that they have done and continue to do.
“My most sincere congratulations to them all”
The ceremony was also attended by the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr David Simpson, who expressed his congratulations to all the recipients.

Pictured is Rose Blackburn who was presented with a British Empire Medal for Services to the Community in Pembrokeshire. Rose Blackburn BEM is pictured with His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed Miss Sara Edwards, Dyfed Lieutenancy Cadet Maisie Millichip, and the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Pat Davies.

Pictured is Mandy Davies who was presented with a British Empire Medal for Services to Health and Social Care in Wales, particularly during the Covid-19 Response. Mandy Davies BEM is pictured with His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed Miss Sara Edwards, Dyfed Lieutenancy Cadet Maisie Millichip and the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Pat Davies.

Pictured is Suzanne Tarrant who was presented with a British Empire Medal for Services to Health and Wellbeing during Covid-19 in her role as Head of the Staff Psychological Wellbeing Service. Suzanne Tarrant BEM is pictured with His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed Miss Sara Edwards, Dyfed Lieutenancy Cadet Maisie Millichip and Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Pat Davies.

Pictured is Mary Adams of the Living Memory Group in Narberth and Narberth and Whitland Rotary, who was presented with a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal for her outstanding contribution as volunteer. Mary Adams is pictured with His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Dyfed Miss Sara Edwards, Dyfed Lieutenancy Cadet Maisie Millichip and the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Pat Davies.
Crime
Pembroke Dock woman admits breaching community order
Magistrates revoke sentence after missed appointments
A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has admitted breaching the terms of a community order.
Shannon Charge, aged 30, of Pater Court, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).
She admitted failing to attend a scheduled probation appointment and a drug dependency appointment.
Magistrates revoked the existing community order and ordered her to pay £60 in court costs.
The court heard the order related to earlier offences, for which she had been made subject to rehabilitation and drug treatment requirements. A further review hearing is listed for March 2.
Crime
Milford Haven man given extra unpaid work after breaching court order
Magistrates add hours after missed appointments
A MILFORD HAVEN man has been ordered to complete extra unpaid work after breaching the terms of a community order.
Peter Jones, aged 33, of Precelly Place, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 2).
He admitted failing to attend scheduled unpaid work and a probation appointment earlier this month.
Magistrates varied the order, imposing an additional 10 hours of unpaid work. Jones was also ordered to pay £60 in court costs.
The court heard the original community order followed an earlier conviction.
Business
St Clears discount store in closing down sale after chain enters administration
A WELL-KNOWN discount retailer in St Clears is advertising a closing down sale after its parent company fell into administration, raising fresh concerns about the future of another high street store in west Wales.
The Original Factory Shop, which trades from Pentre Road in St Clears, has launched an “up to 30% off” sale as administrators attempt to secure the future of the business.
The chain, which sells clothing, homeware, garden products, toys and everyday essentials, appointed joint administrators Rick Harrison and James Clark of Interpath Advisory last week.
Founded in 1969, the retailer operates 137 stores across the UK and employs around 1,180 staff.
In a statement, Interpath said the company had faced difficult trading conditions common across the high street, including rising costs, weaker consumer spending and increased employment expenses. It added that problems with a third-party warehouse and logistics provider had also disrupted sales.
Despite the administration, the joint administrators say all stores will continue trading for now while options for the business are explored. The company’s online store is set to close.
Rick Harrison, managing director at Interpath and joint administrator, said the retailer had long been a fixture in town centres across the country but had struggled in the current climate.
Over the coming weeks, administrators will review whether parts of the business can be sold or restructured.
However, signage and social media posts from the St Clears branch suggest uncertainty locally, with the store promoting a closing down sale and urging shoppers to “grab a bargain while stocks last”.
The St Clears outlet is one of the last remaining branches in west Wales. Stores in Fishguard, Haverfordwest and Milford Haven closed last year. The Cardigan branch is also understood to be running a similar clearance sale.
The loss of another discount retailer would mark a further blow for smaller town centres already facing reduced footfall and rising costs.
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