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New Chair and Deputy Chair for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority

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A NEW Chair and Deputy Chair have been elected to lead Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority over the next two municipal years.

At the Fire Authority’s Annual General Meeting on Monday, June 12th, 2023, Councillor Gwynfor Thomas of Powys was elected Chair and Councillor John Davies of Pembrokeshire was elected Deputy Chair.

Councillor Gwynfor Thomas joined the Fire Authority in June 2020 and takes over from Councillor Elwyn Williams of Carmarthenshire. Cllr Thomas has 13 years’ experience as a Powys Councillor, has previously served as Chair of Powys County Council and is currently Chair of the Powys Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee. As well as his background as a business owner in the hospitality and agriculture industries, Councillor Thomas is a Trustee of the DPJ Foundation and Deytheur Educational Foundation. He is also School Governor at Ysgol Llanfyllin and Ysgol Llansantffraid and former President and Chair of Montgomery RFC.

Commenting on his appointment as Fire Authority Chair, Councillor Thomas said:

“I am thrilled to have been appointed Chair of the Fire Authority. I look forward to the task of providing good governance to an emergency service that so deserves it, which will in turn provide the communities it serves with a service and the protection that can be trusted and relied upon.”

Councillor Davies has served as a Pembrokeshire County Councillor representing Cilgerran since 1999, working as Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council from 2004-2012. Councillor Davies has been Chair of the Board of Directors of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society since 2012 and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Agricultural Societies of the UK in 2015. From 2010-2018, Councillor Davies completed two terms as a member of the S4C Authority and is a former High Sheriff of Dyfed, he still spends much of his spare time as Chairman of the High Sheriff of Dyfed Trust Fund.

On his appointment as Fire Authority Deputy Chair, Councillor Davies said:

“It is a privilege and an honour to serve as Deputy Chair of such a highly regarded and trusted emergency service. I will endeavour, along with the Chair, to support the values and objectives that deliver at the hour of need.”

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service serves Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, Swansea, Powys and Neath Port Talbot. The Service covers some 4,500 square miles – almost two-thirds of the landmass of Wales – and provides public safety information, prevention and protection programmes as well as emergency response to a population of over 900,000 people. The Service runs 58 fire stations and employs over 1,350 members of staff.

 

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Local rugby talent Osian Williams selected for Wales Under-20 clash with England

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A FORMER Haverfordwest Blues junior has earned international honours after being selected to represent Wales Under-20 rugby union team in their fixture against England.

Osian Williams, who began his rugby journey at Haverfordwest Rugby Football Club, will pull on the red jersey this evening in what marks a proud milestone for both the player and the Pembrokeshire club that helped develop his talent.

Club members said the call-up reflects years of hard work, commitment and steady progress through the ranks, with Williams recognised locally for his determination and performances on the pitch from a young age.

A spokesperson for Haverfordwest RFC said the whole club is “incredibly proud” to see one of their own step onto the international stage.

They added that it is always special to watch former junior players progress to represent their country, describing Williams’ selection as “fully deserved” and an inspiration to the next generation coming through the Blues’ youth setup.

The match against England provides a stern test for the young Welsh side, but for Williams and his family it is also a moment to savour after years of dedication to the sport.

Friends, coaches and former teammates are expected to be cheering him on from Pembrokeshire as he makes his mark in Welsh colours.

Photo caption:

Osian Williams has been selected to play for Wales Under-20s against England (Pic: Supplied).

 

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Crime

Man arrested for murder following death of pensioner in Pembroke Dock

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Officers called to Hawkstone Road property as investigation continues and residents urged to come forward

DYFED-POWYS POLICE officers have launched a murder investigation following the sudden death of an eighty-five-year-old man at a property in Hawkstone Road, Pembroke Dock.

Emergency services were called at approximately 1:30pm today (Friday, Feb 6).

Officers attended the scene and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the death.

A man in his forties has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.

Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while the investigation continues.

Anyone with information that could assist officers is urged to come forward.

Information can be provided online, by 101.

Quote reference: 212 of February 6.

Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via their website.

 

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Education

Second west Wales school placed in lockdown within days

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Precautionary measures activated at Ysgol Brynteg after morning disturbance outside gates

CARMARTHENSHIRE pupils were kept inside classrooms after a precautionary lockdown was triggered at Ysgol Brynteg on Friday morning (Feb 6), marking the second west Wales secondary school to enter lockdown in the same week.

Police were called shortly after 9:00am following reports of a verbal altercation outside the school grounds.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended and the Llanelli school activated its safeguarding procedures while the situation was assessed.

No weapons were reported, no injuries have been confirmed and there have been no arrests at this stage. The incident is understood to have involved a dispute outside the site rather than inside the school itself.

Pupils remained indoors under staff supervision while officers made checks. Once police were satisfied there was no ongoing risk, the lockdown was lifted and lessons continued as normal.

A spokesperson said the measure was purely precautionary.

The incident comes just days after armed officers were deployed to Milford Haven School following a serious assault on a teacher, prompting a temporary closure and widespread concern among parents.

While the circumstances in Llanelli were far less severe, the two events occurring so close together have heightened anxiety among families across west Wales.

Schools routinely use lockdown procedures when there is any uncertainty or potential threat nearby, even if the risk later proves minimal. The approach is designed to err on the side of caution and protect pupils while emergency services investigate.

Parents were informed that Brynteg was safe and operating normally once the situation had been resolved.

There is currently no indication that pupils inside the school were directly involved in the disturbance.

The Herald understands enquiries are ongoing.

Both incidents underline how quickly everyday school days can be disrupted, and how safeguarding responses are increasingly becoming part of standard practice across Welsh schools.

Anyone with information about the Llanelli incident is asked to contact police.

 

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