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A Pembrokeshire couple’s struggle with Lasting Power of Attorney application

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IN LAWRENNY, Pembrokeshire a tale of love, resilience, and bureaucratic hurdles unfolded when Alan Woodhouse, 71, suffered a stroke earlier this year.

As his health began to decline, he found it increasingly challenging to manage his finances. To ease his burden, Alan and his devoted wife, Donna, 58, decided to apply for a lasting power of attorney (LPA), allowing Donna to take control of his financial affairs.

“I was more or less told that he wouldn’t be able to manage paying the bills,” said Donna, expressing her concern for her husband’s well-being.

An LPA is a legal arrangement that permits someone to act on your behalf if you can’t manage your finances or fear you won’t be able to do so in the future. The application must be approved by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG), but time was of the essence for Donna and Alan.

With a sense of urgency, Donna filled out all the required forms from gov.uk and sent them off to the OPG in early April. However, the couple’s hopes were dashed two months later when they learned that their application had been rejected due to a minor issue with one of the dates beside Alan’s signature.

“There was a tiny line through the 0 in the date,” recounted Donna, visibly devastated by the rejection. “I thought it had all gone through. To my mind, it was silly.”

The rejection meant that Donna had to apply for another power of attorney, with the average registration process taking a staggering 20 weeks. The OPG offered a reduced fee of £41 if she resubmitted the application within three months, but the prolonged wait left Donna concerned that Alan’s health could worsen before the forms were approved.

Donna’s experience is not unique, as thousands of people across the UK face similar challenges with LPA applications. Financial and health LPAs have faced rejection at an alarming rate of 16.5% since 2018, according to data from the wealth manager Quilter.

In the past two financial years, the number of rejections has spiked, causing distress and uncertainty for many families. During the 2021-22 financial year, a staggering 31,254 LPAs were rejected, with the following year seeing only a slight dip to 29,124 rejections. These figures are significantly higher than in previous years, reflecting the growing concerns surrounding the LPA process.

Rosie Hooper from Quilter highlighted the difficulties applicants face, stating, “Navigating through the complexities of LPA applications can often feel like a difficult path.”

The primary reason for the high rejection rates lies in families’ lack of understanding of the legal requirements outlined in the Mental Health Capacity Act, according to Nicola Bushby from the law firm Boodle Hatfield. Many applicants inadvertently include instructions that violate the Act, leading to their forms being rejected.

Bushby emphasised the need for clearer guidance for families, suggesting that better alignment with the Mental Health Capacity Act could alleviate the issue. One common mistake involves the signing order, where improper sequencing invalidates the LPA.

Sarah Lockyer from the law firm Nockolds further highlighted potential pitfalls, noting that any mistakes on the form must be corrected in a specific manner, with initials from all involved parties to validate the changes. The use of Tipp-Ex is strictly prohibited, she warned.

In response to the rising concerns, the Ministry of Justice assured that plans to modernise and simplify the LPA process are underway, aiming for quicker and error-free applications, while strengthening fraud protection.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “If an application is started on our online LPA service, any issues will be highlighted so they can be rectified before the application is printed, signed and sent in to be registered.”

“Plans to modernise and simplify LPAs are going through Parliament — meaning the process will be quicker, with fewer errors and better protection from fraud.”

As families like Donna and Alan’s continue to navigate the intricate LPA landscape, it remains essential for individuals to seek expert advice and fully comprehend the intricacies of the process. With improvements on the horizon, hope shines through that the bureaucratic roadblocks will be cleared, allowing families to secure a lasting power of attorney with greater ease and confidence.

Adapted from an article originally appearing in The Times

Community

Marquess of Milford Haven’s daughter welcomes second child

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Joy for royal-linked family as baby boy is born

A NEW member of a family with strong historic ties to West Wales has been welcomed into the world, as Lady Tatiana Mountbatten, the daughter of the Marquess of Milford Haven, announced the birth of her son.

Lady Tatiana Mountbatten

The 34-year-old, who is a second cousin to King Charles III, shared the joyful news with her followers on Instagram on Sunday (Apr 13), posting tender photographs with her newborn, husband Alexander ‘Alick’ Dru, and daughter Elodie, who was born in September 2023.

Lady Tatiana is the daughter of George Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven.

​The title “Marquess of Milford Haven” was created in 1917 for Prince Louis of Battenberg, who had previously served as First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy.

Amidst the anti-German sentiment during World War I, he relinquished his German titles and adopted the anglicised surname “Mountbatten.”

The Milford Haven waterway, with its rich maritime history and has been home to a significant naval base and commercial fishing port. The town’s deep natural harbour has been used for naval purposes since the late 18th century, and it played a crucial role during both World Wars.

The naming of the marquessate after Milford Haven reflects the town’s importance in British naval history.

In her post, Tatiana revealed her son’s name – Auberon, affectionately known as ‘Albie’. “March might just have been the best month of my life,” she wrote, reflecting on a peaceful period spent with her young family in the Hampshire countryside, away from the bustle of London.

She described her daughter’s excitement at becoming a big sister and shared a touching image of baby Auberon clutching her finger, alongside family scenes of daisy-picking and garden play.

Tatiana said: “We’ve played, rested, nourished, slept a little, loved a lot and enjoyed every minute of the glorious spring weather… Now it’s time to head back to London and discover what our new normal looks like.”

Local interest in the royal-connected family remains strong, particularly due to the Mountbattens’ association with Milford Haven and their lineage linked to Queen Victoria and Prince Louis of Battenberg.

Followers flooded her post with messages of congratulations. One wrote: “Oh my goodness, my heart is absolutely exploding for you!” Another joked: “When are you buying the first pony?!”

The happy news comes not long after another royal birth, with Princess Beatrice welcoming a baby girl, Athena Elizabeth Rose, in January. Despite being born prematurely, Athena is said to be healthy and thriving.

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Farming

Applications open for £1,000 Pembrokeshire agricultural bursary

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STUDENTS in Pembrokeshire with a passion for agriculture or related fields are being invited to apply for a £1,000 bursary to support their further education or career development.

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s Student Bursary Award is now open to applicants currently studying—or about to begin studying—agriculture, veterinary science, agricultural engineering, food technology, forestry, or other related subjects.

Last year’s winner was Catrin Palferey from Llanfyrnach, who began her studies at Aberystwyth University in autumn 2024.

Mansel Raymond, Chairman of the Society’s Bursary Committee, said: “I would urge all Pembrokeshire students who are pursuing subjects clearly aligned with agriculture to apply. This bursary will not only support your studies but will also give you valuable experiences—such as taking part in an interview, which is a key employment skill. It could make a real difference to your future career in the agricultural sector.”

Applicants will be shortlisted by an independent judge, with finalists invited to attend an interview. The winning student will also be asked to give a short presentation at a future meeting of the Society’s Show Council.

Mr Raymond added: “The standard of applications is always exceptional, and it’s heartening to see so many talented young people in our community. We are really looking forward to hearing from this year’s applicants.”

To be eligible, students must not have previously won the bursary. Applicants must either be currently studying, or have been accepted to study, a relevant subject at A-level or higher at a UK college or university. They must also have their family home in Pembrokeshire.

The bursary is tax-free and will be awarded to the student who submits the best-written dissertation explaining how the funding will help them complete their course.

The closing date for applications is 12:00pm on Tuesday, 1 July 2025.

Further information and application forms are available at:
pembsshow.org/at-the-show/student-bursary-award/

Pictured:

The 2023 Pembrokeshire County Show bursary winner Lottie Wilson receiving her £1,000 prize from Robert James (Image: PAS)

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News

Cyclist airlifted after serious crash near Hundleton

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A WOMAN was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries following a cycling accident in south Pembrokeshire.

The incident occurred on Sunday (Apr 13) at around 6:00pm on the B4320 between Angle and the Speculation Inn, near Hundleton.

Dyfed-Powys Police attended the scene and closed the road for approximately one hour to allow emergency services to assist the casualty.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a woman who had come off her bike on the B4320 between Angle and the Speculation Inn at approximately 6:00pm on Sunday, April 13. The road was closed at around 6:30pm and re-opened just before 7:30pm.”

The woman was taken to hospital by air ambulance with serious injuries.

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