News

Dog owners urged to stay vigilant as palm oil lumps pose threat to pets at Marloes

Published

3 years ago

July 3, 2023

DOG owners in the Marloes area have been advised to exercise increased caution following the recent discovery of more lumps of palm oil washed up on the shores of Marloes beach. This warning comes after a harrowing incident where a beloved pet tragically lost its life due to the ingestion of palm oil on Newgale beach, further along the Pembrokeshire coast.

The latest discovery was made on Saturday, July 1, by John Lloyd, who was out walking his dog when the incident occurred. Recounting the alarming incident, Lloyd stated, “My dog found the large lump and managed to eat what I thought was a small flake of it. I ran over and got it off him, and it stank of chemicals. The following day he was sick and vomited up a lump the size of a small egg. I just can’t believe how it’s legal to put those overboard.”

Just four weeks ago, a heartbreaking incident unfolded when a three-year-old Maltese poodle crossed with a Jack Russell died after consuming a palm oil berg on Newgale beach. It is suspected that these palm oil bergs are being washed up on Pembrokeshire’s beaches as ships or tankers wash out their ballast tanks. The resulting oil bergs are then carried onto the shore, endangering unsuspecting pets and wildlife.

The palm oil bergs vary in appearance, often appearing as small, round objects of any color. The lumps discovered on Marloes beach this weekend were white, in contrast to the black berg that claimed the life of the three-year-old dog, Nellie.

“They’re off-loaded from oil tanks around 12 miles out at sea, and when they’re washed up, they have a very attractive scent to dogs as they’re covered in palm oil,” explained Lucy Beswick, Nellie’s distraught owner, in an interview with the Western Telegraph. “And this is why Nellie ate one. They are extremely toxic and contain cyanide. It’s a disgrace how the oil tanks are allowed to do this as it’s not only killing animals on land, but must also be harming and killing sea life. Please be on the lookout, as my family and I are beside ourselves with grief following the death of Nellie.”

The gravity of the situation has prompted the Pembrokeshire County Council to issue a warning about the dangers posed by palm oil bergs. While these lumps are not harmful to humans or children, they can prove fatal to pets and other wildlife.

“Palm oil is often seen in dark, yellowish, or white waxy blocks,” commented a spokesperson from the county council. “It’s not harmful to humans but, as was displayed last month, can be fatal to pets.”

Nellie fell ill on the same night she had visited Newgale beach. Initially, Lucy Beswick believed it to be a recurrence of pancreatitis, an ailment that the young dog had been diagnosed with a few weeks prior. However, by the following morning, Nellie’s temperature had risen to 38.5 degrees Celsius, and signs of dehydration became evident.

Nellie was promptly taken to a veterinarian, where she received intravenous fluids and an enema to flush out any potential toxins. Despite these efforts, her abdomen, face, and chin continued to swell, indicating that she had ingested a poisonous substance.

“She was given an anaphylactic, but because she was so small, her organs just wouldn’t cope,” expressed a grief-stricken Lucy Beswick.

In the early hours of Sunday, June 5, Nellie tragically convulsed and succumbed to the effects of the palm oil ingestion, leaving her family devastated by the sudden loss.

As the Pembrokeshire coast continues to be plagued by these hazardous palm oil lumps, dog owners are implored to remain vigilant during their beach outings. It is crucial to keep a close eye on their four-legged companions and prevent them from coming into contact with any unidentified substances. This collective effort will ensure the safety and well-being of beloved pets while enjoying the beautiful shores of Pembrokeshire.

Crime

Man charged with attempted murder after A44 collision near Aberystwyth

Published

22 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 24-YEAR-OLD man has been charged following a single-vehicle collision on the A44 near Capel Bangor, Aberystwyth.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the incident happened on Tuesday, June 30.

Owen Rhys-Jones, of Dol-y-Bont, Aberystwyth, has been charged with attempted murder, dangerous driving, and controlling and coercive behaviour.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before court.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and are asking anyone who was in the Capel Bangor area at around 8.50pm on Tuesday, June 30, to come forward.

Officers are particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed a disturbance in or around Capel Bangor, or who may have phone, video or dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with information can contact Dyfed-Powys Police through the force’s dedicated online portal.

The force said: “We would like to thank the local community for their support while officers have carried out extensive enquiries, and to those who have supported our investigation so far.”

News

A40 closed near Llandeilo following collision

Published

22 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SECTION of the A40 in Carmarthenshire has been closed in both directions following a collision.

The road is currently shut between Llandeilo and Nantgaredig, with traffic queuing in the area and emergency services attending.

Drivers are being urged to avoid the route where possible, allow extra time for their journeys and follow the diversions in place.

The closure is affecting traffic on the A40 between Carmarthen and Llandeilo, including the area around Pentrefelin and the Castle Dryslwyn turn-off.

This is a developing incident and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Local Government

Award-winning Saundersfoot sauna faces refusal over location concerns

Published

22 hours ago

July 3, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

PLANS to allow an award-winning outdoor sauna to remain permanently at Saundersfoot Harbour have been recommended for refusal by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners.

Hwyl Outdoor Sauna, run by Kerry Evans, was granted temporary two-year permission in June 2024 for a mobile wood-fired sauna at the harbour.

The business has since become a popular feature with residents, visitors and cold-water swimmers, and was named Sauna of the Year 2026/27 at the Wales Prestige Awards earlier this year.

***Saundersfoot’s cold-water swimmers are sauna regulars. (Image: Hwyl Outdoor Sauna)***

***Hwyl Outdoor Sauna (Image: Hwyl Outdoor Sauna)***

Ms Evans has now applied to make the siting permanent, but officers are recommending refusal when the application goes before the National Park Authority’s development management committee on Tuesday, July 15.

A supporting statement submitted with the application said the sauna had “become a popular and valued amenity for both residents and visitors, offering a space focused on health, wellbeing and community connection”.

It added: “The overall sentiment within the village has been strongly supportive, with many residents recognising the sauna as a valuable asset that enhances the amenities in Saundersfoot.

“Hwyl Outdoor Sauna has received positive attention in regional and national press, helping to promote Saundersfoot as a destination for coastal wellbeing and outdoor experiences.

“Media coverage has highlighted the sauna as an example of the increasing popularity of sea swimming and sauna culture around the UK coastline.”

Saundersfoot Community Council has raised no objection to the application, and most of the 19 letters submitted by members of the public support the proposal.

Supporters have described the sauna as “a major asset to the village,” “a wellness landmark for Saundersfoot,” and “a unique offering that attracts visitors to the beach and harbour”.

However, some objectors have said that while they support permanent consent in principle, they do not believe the sauna should remain in its current position because it “obstructs the view of the beach from the promenade”.

In their report to committee members, National Park officers say the proposal, in its current form and location, would harm the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

The report states: “The application, in its current form and with the proposed location of the sauna, is considered to result in a landscape impact that harms the setting of the Saundersfoot Conservation Area.

“The sauna is also located in a position which reduces public access along the existing promenade route, which is considered to prevent appropriate access from being achieved.

“In addition, since the temporary permission was granted, planning advice has been updated and there is now a requirement for a Flood Consequences Assessment in this location. The lack of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment results in insufficient information to support the current application.”

Officers also note that the latest application includes additional development, including a booking office which has already been installed, meaning the overall scale of the proposal is greater than the scheme approved on a temporary basis in 2024.

The report adds: “Following consideration of the implementation of the temporary permission and given the greater extent of the current proposal, it is considered that the visual impact of the sauna and related booking office has now increased and could be reduced by locating the sauna further back in the car park.

“This would also have the benefit of the sauna not requiring relocation during severe weather and increased flood risk.”

The application is recommended for refusal on the grounds of visual impact, impact on the conservation area, reduced public access along the promenade, and the absence of a suitable Flood Consequences Assessment.

Committee members will make the final decision at the July 15 meeting.