News

Bishop of St Davids, Dr Joanna Penberthy, to step down due to ill health

Published

3 years ago

May 29, 2023

THE BISHOP OF ST DAVIDS, Dr Joanna Penberthy, has announced her decision to retire from her position later this summer, citing ill health as the primary reason for her departure.

This announcement follows a prolonged period of absence from her diocese, which began after she faced widespread criticism for a tweet posted in March 2021. In the tweet, she wrote, “Never, never, never trust a Tory.” Dr Penberthy later apologized, explaining that her comment was in response to reports suggesting the Conservative Party’s intention to abolish the Welsh Senedd. Recognizing her mistake, she deleted her Twitter account, expressing regret for the irresponsible and disrespectful manner in which some of her comments were expressed.

At the time, the Archbishop of Canterbury expressed deep embarrassment over her posts, deeming them unacceptable. Three months later, Bishop Joanna was advised by her doctor to take a one-month leave of absence, which was later extended to four months. Despite a subsequent announcement by the diocese that she would make a phased return to work, another period of sick leave was announced in August 2022.

This week, Bishop Joanna acknowledged that her ongoing health issues have compromised her ability to fulfill the demanding responsibilities of her role within the diocese. In a statement, she affirmed, “This is not a decision I have taken lightly. The constant presence of migraines has impeded my ability to function at the required level to carry out my duties.”

Upon announcing her retirement, the Most Revd Andrew John, Archbishop of Wales, praised Dr Penberthy’s significant contributions to the Church in Wales. He emphasized her notable work in areas such as environmental matters and the social responsibility network, stating, “A decision like this is never easy to make.”

Dr Joanna Penberthy, born in Swansea in 1960, holds the distinction of being one of the first women to be ordained as a priest in Wales in January 1997. Prior to that, she served as a deaconess since 1984 and was ordained as a deacon in 1987 after completing her studies at Newnham College, Cambridge, and Cranmer Hall, Durham, for ordination purposes. Additionally, she pursued theological studies at the University of Nottingham, earning a Master’s degree in 1984 and completing a Ph.D. in quantum physics in July 2019, focusing on the intersection of theology and science through her thesis titled “Reading the ‘Paradoxical Book of Bell’: A Case Study in Theology and Science.”

Since January 2017, Dr Penberthy has held the distinction of being the first woman consecrated as a bishop in the Church in Wales. Her diocese covers a significant area spanning 2,266 square miles across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire, encompassing the archdeaconries of St David’s, Cardigan, and Carmarthen.

Dr Penberthy’s retirement will formally take effect on 31 July, and it is anticipated that a new bishop will be elected in October to succeed her position.

Crime

Carmarthen man admits takeaway burglaries

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Court Reporter

Phillip Roberts stole cash from USA Chicken and returned the following day with intent to steal

A CARMARTHEN man has admitted a string of burglaries at the same takeaway business on consecutive days.

Phillip Roberts, 44, of Brewery Road, Carmarthen, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to three offences connected to USA Chicken on Blue Street.

The court heard that on June 4, Roberts entered the premises as a trespasser and stole a tip jar containing cash. He also admitted a second burglary at the same business on the same date, during which £50 cash was stolen.

A further offence took place on June 5, when Roberts entered USA Chicken as a trespasser with intent to steal.

Magistrates adjourned sentence for the preparation of a pre-sentence report. The report will consider all sentencing options, including possible committal to the Crown Court.

Roberts was granted conditional bail. He must not enter USA Chicken, Blue Street, and must not contact Mustafa Baksi, either directly or indirectly.

He is due to return to Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on July 1 for sentence.

Health

Welsh Ambulance Service urges public to ‘choose wisely’ as pressures continue

Published

3 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH AMBULANCE SERVICE has issued a fresh appeal to the public following the declaration of a critical incident on Friday (June 26), as exceptionally high demand continues to place pressure on crews across Wales.

In a social media post published today (Saturday, June 27), the Trust warned that hot weather is contributing to a rise in ambulance call-outs, including incidents involving heat-related illness, falls, breathing difficulties and existing medical conditions worsened by the heat.

The message comes less than 24 hours after the service declared a critical incident amid unprecedented demand, with ambulance resources stretched across Wales.

The Trust is urging people to call 999 only for serious or life-threatening emergencies, contact NHS 111 Wales for urgent health advice, and use local pharmacies for minor illnesses and ailments.

It said choosing the right service can help ambulance crews reach the sickest patients more quickly while pressures remain high.

Crime

Six arrested after immigration raids at Florentino’s restaurants

Published

4 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIX people have been arrested following Immigration Enforcement raids at Florentino’s Italian restaurants in Tenby and Carmarthen.

Officers visited the Tenby branch in St Julian’s Street on June 18, where two Romanian nationals were identified as allegedly having no right to work in the UK. Both were arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Tenby operation followed an earlier raid at Florentino’s in Carmarthen in February, where four workers — two Romanian nationals, a Bangladeshi national and a Mongolian national — were also arrested on suspicion of illegal working.

The Herald previously reported in March that the Carmarthen restaurant had been linked to a major HMRC case, after Claudio Cernat Ltd, formerly trading as Florentino’s on Jacksons Lane, was listed over a £278,000 deliberate tax underpayment and a further £186,000 penalty.

Immigration officials say inquiries are now under way to establish who may be liable for employing the individuals. Employers found to have breached illegal working rules can face civil penalties of up to £60,000 per worker.

One of the Tenby workers has already returned, while the other is in the process of returning. Of the Carmarthen workers, two have returned, one was placed on immigration bail and another was de-arrested with a warning.

Immigration Enforcement Lead for Wales, Richard Johnson, said: “I want to thank my officers who showed the highest levels of professionalism under challenging circumstances on these operations.

“Immigration Enforcement teams in Wales continue to work round the clock to ensure businesses play by the rules and those with no right to be in the UK are tracked down and returned at the earliest opportunity.”

The Home Office says illegal working enforcement has increased significantly since July 2024, with raids and arrests rising across the UK and Wales.

No finding has yet been made against the restaurant operators in relation to the latest arrests.

Florentino’s has been approached for comment.