News

Haverfordwest mayor vote descends into chaos as fiery dispute breaks out among councillors

Published

3 years ago

March 28, 2023

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

SCENES of pandemonium, including three councillors resigning and the mayor being called a disgrace to the town, broke out during the election of Haverfordwest’s mayor for the forthcoming year.

For most councils the election of mayor is almost a formality, the deputy mayor traditionally taking on the role.

However, Haverfordwest took a somewhat different view to allowing Councillor Jill Owens, a decorated former police sergeant who was once forced to resign after falling in love with an armed robber, to slide seamlessly into the role.

Despite there being no argument about Cllr Owen’s fitness for the role, the March meeting of the town council contained an agenda item considering applications for the 2023-24 mayor, with both Cllr Owens and Cllr Rhys Evans listed.

^{Haverfordwest Deputy Mayor and former Dyfed-Powys police sergeant Jill Owens at her home in Havefordwest – Photo: Ben Birchall / PA Media}

Intention

From the outset of the meeting, the “wisdom and integrity” of that decision was questioned, with current mayor Alan Buckfield and town clerk Juliet Raymond coming in for flak.

Former town councillor Peter Lewis was one of several former town mayors present as members of the public, along with county councillor Tim Evans.

Mr Lewis said: “This council is being asked for the first time in its history to break its own rules,” adding that he understood no other nominations could be received if the deputy mayor had offered to stand – a motion in the meeting itself being needed to overcome this.

Citing the code of conduct, members raised concerns of “pre-determination,” with claims some councillors had already made their intention to vote for Cllr Evans clear.

Cllr Evans, formally making a proposal he be considered for election, said: “I have been approached by several members of the community asking if I would stand as mayor,” adding: “I think it would be negligent of me not to stand.”

Cllr Owens said the decision to take additional nominations was against the advice of One Voice Wales – the national representative body for community and tow councils in Wales – and that four councillors had pre-determined their vote by saying they would vote for Cllr Evans.

“There is a procedure in place, for hundreds and hundreds of years in this town, this hasn’t happened before.”

“Ashamed”

She told the mayor: “You, as a council – mayor – are looking to ride roughshod over the Code of Conduct, you will be responsible to the Ombudsman.”

She later added: “I would just like to put on record you should be ashamed of yourself Mayor, you and the clerk have ignored advice. It’s disgusting the way you have conducted this,” adding: “You [Clerk Juliet Raymond] are a clerk on this council and you are not impartial.”

Cllr Buckfield, attempting to steer the meeting along, said: “You should be talking about procedure, not personality.”

He later said: “A chair can only do what council wants me to.”

Cllr Owens replied: “You are duty bound to abide by standing orders and the code [of conduct]; these people [the four said to have made their voting intentions clear] should’ve left. You [Cllr Buckfield] are a disgrace to the town.”

Councillor Jonathan Twigg proposed members actually support Cllr Owens taking over as mayor, a call that was not accepted by the mayor.

Members then voted to consider Cllr Evans take on the role of mayor, which was defeated.

After that vote failed, several councillors were seen leaving the meeting, with Councillor Richard Blacklaw-Jones, Councillor Gareth Roberts, and Councillor Rhys Evans formally resigning the following day.

After the deputy mayor was formally adopted as mayor for the following year, Cllr Evans said: “I just want to say – in the most humble way – congratulations. This council should always remember we are here to serve the people of the town.”

Cllr Owens said: “I am happy for the history of the town that the right result has happened.

“There are clear fractures in this council, let’s now try and move together and work together for the good of this town, and do a good job, let’s all support each other and work to one goal.”

“Change”

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Owens said: “It’s never, ever happened in 900 years, the town council of Haverfordwest needs to change, it needs to be more open and transparent, at the end of the day justice did prevail.

“It wasn’t about me becoming mayor, it was about more being in the right place for the town, and that history continuing.”

Also speaking after the meeting, Mayor Alan Buckfield said: “I believe in democracy, I believe people have the right to express themselves in a proper and distinguished manner. The whole point of the debate was to test the standing order; to my mind the only way to test that was by voting.”

Relating to comments made about his fitness to drive he said: “In a debate on procedure and the interpretation of Standing Orders, there should be no place for personal remarks or references to illness and disability.”

He also expressed his concern about criticism of the clerk: “What really worried me about that meeting was the way the clerk was spoken to, the duty of care towards the clerk was sadly lacking.”’

Clerk Juliet Raymond said: “Prior to the March full council meeting, I passed on the impartial advice given by One Voice Wales to every member. This advice was requested by Councillor Jill Owens, Councillor Martin Lewis and Councillor Jonathan Twigg.”

Councillors Richard Blacklaw-Jones, Gareth Roberts and Rhys Evans have all been contacted for a comment.

Community

Firefighter experience days planned in Haverfordwest and Newtown

Published

13 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Hands-on sessions will give potential recruits a taste of life in the fire service

PEOPLE interested in becoming firefighters are being invited to take part in special Firefighter Experience Days being held by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service this June.

The events will take place at Haverfordwest Fire Station on Wednesday, June 3, and at Newtown Fire Station on Friday, June 5. Both sessions will run from 10:00am until 1:00pm.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which covers almost two-thirds of Wales, says the days are designed to give people a practical introduction to life in the fire service in a relaxed and informal setting.

Around 75 per cent of the service’s fire stations are crewed entirely by on-call firefighters, who play a vital role in protecting communities across the region.

Visitors attending the experience days will have the opportunity to try on firefighting kit, learn how equipment is assembled, and take part in practical exercises alongside serving crews.

Firefighters from both stations will also be on hand to explain the realities of the role, answer questions, and offer guidance on the recruitment process.

Topics covered during the sessions will include the modern role of a firefighter, fitness requirements, personal protective equipment, career pathways within the service, and what applicants can expect during recruitment.

Booking is essential for anyone wishing to attend.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Lily Evans, Digital Marketing Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, by emailing [email protected].

News

Local Windsurf instructors ride the waves with Welsh Sailing Impact awards

Published

35 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Local windsurfers who support the Windswept Watersports are riding the waves this month after being presented with their Welsh Sailing Impact Awards.

Volunteer instructors David Picker, Bob Jones, Leslie Burton and Graham Smith

have all been recognised for their commitment to encouraging the next

generation of windsurfers at the community watersports centre in Dale.

The dedicated team has played an essential role in supporting the Windswept

Warriors youth windsurfing club since its launch more than four years ago.

Sarah Bagley, Director of Windswept Watersports, said: “A huge congratulations go to

our windsurf volunteers on being chosen for Impact Awards – Bob, Leslie, Graham

and Dave have supported us so much by making our Windsurf Warrior sessions

happen every week, and they couldn’t deserve this more.

“They have made a huge impact in making the club what it is today and we’re able

to grow the club’s numbers and keep the costs down due to them giving up their

Sundays. Since the club started they’ve been so enthusiastic about inspiring

the next generation of windsurfers and their passion for the sport really is

Infectious.

“What’s more, the club has gone on to win medals at windsurfing national

championships and none of this would have happened without our superstar

volunteers.”

Windswept Watersports is a Not-For-Profit organisation which aims to make

activities accessible for all, including delivering outreach sessions to local schools,

youth and community groups, and running a variety of clubs encouraging local

people to enjoy getting on the water.

The Windswept Warriors group enables young people aged 10-19 to learn the

sport and take their skills to the next level, with Sunday morning sessions for just

£10 a go, including all equipment and tuition thanks to its volunteer instructors.

Impact Awardee Leslie said: “I didn’t start windsurfing until my late 30s so I really

love helping the juniors to progress. It’s great to see their confidence grow by just

having fun on, and in, the water. We just love sharing our sport with youngsters

and seeing the enjoyment they get from it, whether that’s improving and

progressing their skills or just having a go occasionally.”

Explaining their enthusiasm for giving back to the sport, fellow Impact Awardee

Graham said: “I’ve had some fantastic times and I’ve met some amazing people while

windsurfing and by volunteering I get the opportunity to give those chances to

others. I also love it when I see people progress and what it means to them.”

Award-winning team members Bob and Dave likewise sum up the satisfaction

and rewards of seeing young windsurfers progress from beginner to intermediate

to themselves becoming instructors.

Bob said: “I love coaching the junior club, seeing their progression week by week, especially those big ‘Hallelujah, I did it’ moments. I’m super proud to be a colleague of Windswept’s young instructors who were part of the junior crew not so far back.”

Welsh Sailing Impact Awards are presented by RYA Cymru Wales to recognise the

hard work of individuals and organisations who go the extra mile to support

activities afloat, in line with the governing body’s Together on our Waters strategy

to create a connected, inspired and inclusive sailing and boating community.

Hester Walker, Club Development Officer for RYA Cymru Wales, said: “This team

commit a huge amount of time to supporting the youth windsurfers at Windswept

Watersports. Their time allows for the training to be offered at a lower rate, helping

to remove the barrier of cost and enabling more young people to get on the

water. Dale has become one of the most active windsurfing communities thanks

to Windswept Watersports and the fantastic support of these volunteers.”

News

Plaid tells Carmarthenshire voters: ‘Only we can stop Reform’

Published

43 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PLAID CYMRU has urged voters in Sir Gaerfyrddin to back the party on Thursday, claiming it is the only party able to beat Reform UK in the new constituency.

The appeal comes after the latest ITV Cymru Wales, YouGov and Wales Governance Centre MRP poll suggested Plaid Cymru is on course to become the largest party in the Senedd, with Reform close behind. The poll put Plaid on 33% across Wales and Reform on 29%. (YouGov)

Sir Gaerfyrddin is one of the new Senedd constituencies being used for the first time in this election. It has been created from the Carmarthen and Llanelli Westminster seats and will elect six Members of the Senedd under the new closed-list system.

Plaid Cymru’s list in Sir Gaerfyrddin is led by Cefin Campbell, followed by Nerys Evans, Adam Price and Mari Arthur. (Who Can I Vote For?)

The party says the contest locally is now between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, and has called on voters who want to stop Nigel Farage’s party from gaining ground in Carmarthenshire to “lend” Plaid their vote.

Nerys Evans said Plaid was offering “new leadership” and a “positive vision” for Wales, including childcare support, a National Development Agency to grow the economy, and a new numeracy and literacy scheme for children.

She said: “As the voters of Sir Gaerfyrddin head to the polls on Thursday, the choice could not be more stark.

“Only two parties can win here: Plaid Cymru, who offer new leadership, a positive vision, and which will be accountable only to the people of Wales; or Reform, which would divide our communities, threaten the future of our NHS, cut support for our culture and language and is controlled by Nigel Farage, billionaires, and ex-Tories in London.

“Support for Labour has disappeared in Carmarthenshire, with people unwilling to vote for a party that has let Wales down for over 27 years and in Westminster since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.

“There is no evidence that the Greens or the Liberal Democrats will secure enough votes to come close to winning a seat.

“We ask anyone who wants to prevent a victory for Reform in Carmarthenshire to lend their vote to Plaid Cymru on Thursday.”

The Senedd election takes place on Thursday (May 7).