News
The Pembrokeshire Herald celebrates 10th anniversary by transitioning to digital
THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD says it is thrilled to announce its transition to a fully digital format on the eve of its 10th birthday this weekend. This exciting move comes in response to the evolving media landscape, where the decline of print media has been unfortunately witnessed. By embracing a digital future, The Herald aims to maximize its readership and provide an enhanced experience for its loyal audience.
Remaining true to its roots, The Pembrokeshire Herald will retain its current tabloid format while offering more news, features, and content than ever before. Unlike the limitations imposed by physical paper publication, the digital format empowers the newspaper to expand its offerings, delivering captivating content to its readership.
The publication will continue to be available every Friday, ensuring that readers can still rely on their favourite source of news and information.
Editor Tom Sinclair expressed enthusiasm for the transition, likening it to stepping through a wardrobe into the world of online Narnia. With the new digital format, every advertiser will have a click-through link to their website featured in all editions.
This innovative approach not only maximizes advertising space but also significantly enhances exposure for businesses. The digital edition of The Herald will now feature an impressive 128 pages, representing an increase of 48 pages from previous editions.
This expanded content will cover a wide range of new topics, and introduce a new Locals School Section, Mental Health Section, and will have more focus on local sport and sports teams. Within this section, readers will find click-through links to relevant charities, both locally and beyond, ensuring easy access to help for those in need.
Boden Llewellyn, Senior Advertising Executive, shared his confidence in the transition, stating, “With this exciting move, we anticipate a substantial growth in our readership from 17,000 weekly readers to a minimum of 170,000. Moreover, we have witnessed an average of 500,000 monthly followers actively engaging with our online news stories. Many individuals will discover our paper for the first time, as a significant number of people shifted away from print media years ago. As we embark on a new adventure and era, commencing our second decade as a news source, we are genuinely excited about the possibilities ahead.”
In celebration of its 10th Birthday and the launch of the digital platform, The Pembrokeshire Herald will offer the first edition available for FREE to all readers this Friday. This gesture reflects the publication’s commitment to its loyal audience and the community it serves. Additionally, the decision to go digital aligns with The Herald’s dedication to environmental sustainability. As a completely green company, the transition represents a conscious effort to reduce the publication’s ecological footprint and contribute to a greener future.
Some of The Pembrokeshire Herald’s advertisers have said that they are equally delighted with this digital transition, as their message will reach a larger audience than ever before. This expanded reach and exposure will undoubtedly generate new opportunities for businesses to connect with a broader customer base.
As The Pembrokeshire Herald embraces the digital era, it remains dedicated to delivering high-quality journalism, maintaining its familiar look and feel, and providing award-winning content. The publication looks forward to serving its readership with renewed energy and engaging stories as it embarks on this exciting new chapter.
Crime
Motorist jailed over death of popular Tenby taxi driver ‘Mukka’
MOTORIST Mateusz Sikorski, 30, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 8) for causing death by dangerous driving.
Addressing the court, the judge HH Geraint Walters KC, said: “These cases are amongst the most difficult that courts have to deal with. This wasn’t a momentary crossing onto the other carriageway; you were travelling along there for at least half a mile.”
Sikorski had been staying with friends in Manorbier, Tenby, since June 2024, when the fatal incident occurred.
On September 2, CCTV captured Sikorski driving on the wrong side of the A4139 between Tenby and Penally. Christopher Boyle, 57, was travelling northbound on the same road in his taxi when the two collided head-on.
Prosecutor Dean Pulling recounted Sikorski’s comments at the scene: “I think it may have been my fault, I think I was on the wrong side of the road.” Boyle was pronounced dead at 11:32 pm on September 2, having sustained multiple traumatic injuries.
A heartfelt family statement from Boyle’s sister was read in court, describing the devastating impact of his death: “The loss of Chris has been absolutely devastating. His death has left a profound void that can never be filled.
“He was a son, brother, father, and beloved member of our community. My father has had to endure the unimaginable by burying his own son. For Christopher’s children, they have lost a dad.
“Chris was a much-loved character within the community. His loss has left a hole in the hearts of so many. All of this was caused by a moment of selfish and careless actions, and caused a lifetime of grief.”
In mitigation, James Hartson argued that Sikorski had accepted full responsibility for Boyle’s death and expressed genuine remorse.
Christopher Boyle, affectionately known as “Mukka” was a devoted father, son, brother, partner, and community figure, whose absence is deeply felt by all who knew him.
News
Paul Davies congratulates Pure West Radio on the launch of its DAB service
SENEDD Member Paul Davies has visited Pure West Radio and congratulated them on their expansion to Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). Listeners of the station can now tune into Pure West Radio on the North Pembrokeshire and South Pembrokeshire DAB multiplexes.
Mr Davies said, “Pure West Radio plays such an important role in broadcasting news, events and programming across west Wales, and I’m delighted that they have expanded to DAB broadcasting on both the North Pembrokeshire and South Pembrokeshire multiplexes.”
“This will enable the station to reach more and more listeners and continue to be a trusted voice of news and entertainment across the county.”
He added, “It was a pleasure to visit the station and join their presenter, Toby Ellis live on-the-air. Pure West Radio is a fantastic community-focused station and I look forward to it going from strength to strength in the future.”
Education
More Pembrokeshire schools championing going mobile phone free
SCHOOLS in Pembrokeshire are leading the way in reducing issues with mobile phones with the Council among the first in Wales to develop a policy to support it.
The rationale behind the policy is the ubiquitous presence of mobile phones and devices that presents significant challenges to how pupils behave and learn in school settings.
Increasingly, there is mounting evidence suggesting that the unchecked use of mobile phones in schools is having a detrimental impact on pupils’ mental health and academic progress, while also draining the energy of school staff who must manage resulting problems.
As well as distraction by normal messaging there are the risks of bullying, sexting or sharing inappropriate chats and images.
Education officers set up a Local Authority and Schools working group to develop guidance on removing mobile phones during the school day following the success Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi had when it was introduced last year.
Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Milford Haven School, Haverfordwest High, Pembroke Dock Community School and Gelliswick VC Primary School were involved in the group which has developed mobile phones guidance for schools to introduce this academic year.
Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher Michele Thomas said: “Establishing good habits in primary school to be mobile free supports the transition into secondary schools with the same policy.
“Nearly all Pembrokeshire schools prohibit the use of mobile phones during the school day, which has helped learners have a clearer focus on their work and reduces distractions. In addition the policy reduces the risk of any inappropriate use. The policy has been working well and will have long term benefits all round.”
Rachel Thomas, Headteacher of Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi added: “The prohibited use of mobile phones and storage of them during lesson time has changed our entire school community’s safeguarding, wellbeing and learning environment completely.
“My latest mantra is that we live in a society where children are banned from playing conkers but are allowed mobile phones and online devices which put their safeguarding, wellbeing and childhood at risk.”
Funds have also been allocated to support schools with the logistics of removing phones, such as storage facilities, and all secondary schools are now implementing or are planning to introduce the policy guidance this year.
Sean Thomas, Assistant Headteacher for Behaviour, Culture and Ethos at Milford Haven School said: “As a school, we anticipated this policy being challenging to implement, at least for the first few weeks. However, the pupils, staff and parents have bought into it fantastically, it has been a huge success.
“Pupils and staff have all commented on an increased focus during lessons, less distractions and a calmer environment.”
The Prefect Team, Communications Team and Headteacher collaborated to create a fun and informative video for social media, addressing concerns about the new mobile phone policy after the pupil voice session to ensure pupils felt heard and informed about the changes ahead.
Headteacher Ceri-Ann Morris added: “I am extremely proud of how our pupils have embraced this positive change. Listening to our pupil voice prior to implementing the new policy has been instrumental in its success as their input and cooperation have helped shape a smoother, more positive transition for everyone.
“The Prefect Team did a wonderful job addressing concerns from our pupil voice in a fantastic video that was released to parents and pupils prior to the new policy being in place. We have seen tremendous positive impact in classrooms as pupils are more focused and an increase in social interactions at break. The feedback from staff, parents, and pupils has been overwhelmingly positive.”
Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, Cllr Guy Woodham, said: “Our schools are leading the way in improving safety and learning for their learners, this mobile phone policy supports them in this work to protect young people.
“‘I’d like to thank all those involved in developing and implementing this new and effective policy.”
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