News
Milford woman to brave waves in challenging swim for charitable cause
KELLY HOWES, a dedicated employee at Value Independence CiC in Milford, is preparing to take on the exhilarating challenge of Tenby’s Long Course swim this Friday, June 30. Not only will Howes be pushing her physical limits in this demanding open water event, but she will also be raising funds to provide equipment for the Well Being Walking Group, a local initiative supporting community health and well-being.
When asked about her motivation for participating in this challenging swim, Howes spoke enthusiastically about her passion for sporting events and her strong swimming abilities. Two years ago, she made the decision to give the Long Course swim a try, and ever since, she has been diligently training to prepare herself. Her training routine includes regular workouts, healthy eating, and consistent swimming sessions, which often involve her swimming with the Puffins Disability Swimming Squad in Haverfordwest. Additionally, she recently joined the Pembrokeshire Blue Tits swimming group to further enhance her skills and endurance.
Speaking about her upcoming swim, Howes expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to make a positive impact. “I’ve always been a fan of sporting events, and the Long Course swim seemed like the perfect challenge for me. The fact that I can also support the Well Being Walking Group through this fundraiser is incredibly rewarding. Their work in promoting community health aligns with my own values, and I hope to contribute to their cause.”
To support Howes in her fundraising efforts, individuals are encouraged to donate to her GoFundMe campaign. The link to the fundraiser will be provided by Howes to the campaign organizer, Tom, ensuring that every contribution goes towards providing necessary equipment for the Well Being Walking Group.
The local community and supporters are urged to rally behind Howes as she braves the waves and undertakes this remarkable endeavor. Her commitment to personal growth, community support, and charitable causes serves as an inspiration to all.”
Community
Dog rescued after multi-agency response in Pembroke Dock
AN ALSATIAN dog was rescued in Pembroke Dock after falling down an embankment and becoming trapped near the water’s edge.
Fire crews from Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest were called to the incident near Cleddau Bridge Business Park at 12:41am on Thursday (May 21), following reports that the dog, named Lunar, was unable to climb back to safety.
The rescue involved a multi-agency response, with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service working alongside HM Coastguard, the RNLI and Drone Search and Rescue teams.
Lunar was located and safely recovered by the RNLI boat team before being brought back to dry land and reunited with her grateful owners.
A photo released after the rescue shows Lunar, her owners, and members of the teams involved.
Cymraeg
Welsh language report says students face mixed experiences across colleges and universities
A NEW report has found that Welsh-speaking students face inconsistent access to Welsh language services across Wales’ colleges and universities.
The research, published by the Welsh Language Commissioner on Monday (May 25), gathered responses from more than 1,500 further and higher education students.
It examined four key areas: whether students can submit written work in Welsh, choose accommodation with Welsh-speaking students, access a Welsh-speaking personal tutor, and receive wellbeing support through the medium of Welsh.
The report also looked at the wider language culture on campuses, including how institutions promote Welsh language services and support students to use Welsh naturally in academic and social settings.
Osian Llywelyn, Deputy Welsh Language Commissioner, said colleges and universities had a vital role in helping students use Welsh as part of everyday life.
He said: “Given the importance of sustaining and developing the continued use of the Welsh language, it is essential to recognise the key role that further education colleges and higher education institutions play in ensuring that students have the opportunity to use Welsh naturally as part of their academic and social lives.
“While it is encouraging to see strong examples of good practice, that experience is not consistent across the sector. As a result, we have identified clear improvement actions, and we will be asking the relevant institutions to address them.”
Five improvement actions have been identified. These include standardising Welsh-medium assessment arrangements, proactively offering Welsh language services rather than simply making them available on request, addressing gaps in workforce Welsh-language skills, strengthening students’ sense of belonging through Welsh, and improving self-assessment and monitoring.
James Owen, Chief Executive of Medr, the body responsible for funding and regulating tertiary education in Wales, said the findings showed the need for more support across the sector.
He said Medr’s new Welsh Language Condition would place a clearer focus on providers promoting and supporting the use of Cymraeg, and on creating formal and informal opportunities for staff and learners to develop their Welsh-language skills.
Ioan Matthews, Chief Executive of Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, said students’ experiences of Welsh at college or university could influence their willingness and ability to use the language later in the workplace.
He said the report showed the need for the Welsh-language experience to extend “well beyond the classroom”.
The report will be officially launched at the Welsh Language Commissioner’s stand at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Anglesey at 11:00am on Monday (May 25).
Crime
Milford Haven man admits assault and harassment charges
A MILFORD HAVEN has admitted assaulting a family member and harassing another relative following incidents in the town last year.
Wayne Whatling, 39, of Howarth Close, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (May 21).
Whatling changed his pleas to guilty to one charge of assault by beating and one charge of harassment without violence.
The assault charge relates to an incident in Milford Haven on September 13, 2025, when Whatling assaulted Ben Whatling by beating him.
He also admitted pursuing a course of conduct amounting to harassment against Carol Whatling between September 1 and September 13, 2025.
The court heard the harassment allegation involved repeatedly asking Carol Whatling for money, with the complainant said to have feared repercussions if she did not provide it.
Magistrates adjourned the case for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Whatling was remanded on conditional bail and ordered not to contact Carol or Ben Whatling directly or indirectly.
He is due to be sentenced at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (June 9).
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