Tree surgeon preparing 150ft descent after live firing delayed rescue attempt

A MAJOR rescue operation is being planned this afternoon to reach two lambs stranded below the cliffs at Stack Rocks.

Local tree surgeon Callum Jones is preparing to descend around 150ft using rigging and harnesses in a last-ditch attempt to bring the animals to safety.

The lambs, believed to be this year’s stock and less than 12 months old, have been stranded below the cliffs for more than 24 hours.

Their rescue has been complicated by live firing at Castlemartin Range during daylight hours. Concern had grown on Tuesday as the tide rose, but there have since been unconfirmed reports that the animals survived the night.

The Herald understands that firing at the range is due to finish at 4:30pm today (Wednesday, May 6), allowing the rescue attempt to go ahead.

Callum, of Mighty Oaks Tree Care, told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “It’s going to be difficult, but when you’re in this profession, every job is difficult in its individual way.

“My plan is to try and get my jeep down, as this will make it much easier to rig off the vehicle and get down the cliff.

“Obviously I’ll have multiple ropes to back myself up, and if all goes well, I’m hoping to use a haulage system to bring the lambs up.

“If I can’t get them inside a harness, then I’ll have to get them up in a ton bag.”

Callum will be supported by two members of his Mighty Oaks Tree Care team.

He added: “They’re exceptionally competent lads who are used to rigging up difficult things, so rescuing the lambs from Stack Rocks shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

“As soon as I found out about the lambs’ situation, I knew I had to do as much as possible to try and save them.

“Their plight has prompted so much concern throughout the county, and we’re determined to do everything we can to get them back to dry land.”

The coastguard has urged members of the public to stay back from the cliff edge and not to attempt to look down at the animals.

Meanwhile the RSPCA said they would not help. In a statement sent to The Herald they said: “We need to focus our dedicated frontline officers where they can help as many animals as possible, so we have made the difficult decision to cease our sea boat and rope rescue operations.

“These teams have done some amazing work over the years but the reality is we deploy these services very infrequently and they are very time and resource intensive.

“After careful consideration, we decided the considerable costs of training staff and maintaining equipment for this service, at a time when there are unprecedented demands on our services, can be better redeployed into other areas of our work.”

HM Coastguard attempted to rescue the animals on Tuesday (May 5), but were unable to complete the rescue due to live firing exercises.

The RNLI were also contacted.

Hands-on sessions will give potential recruits a taste of life in the fire service

PEOPLE interested in becoming firefighters are being invited to take part in special Firefighter Experience Days being held by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service this June.

The events will take place at Haverfordwest Fire Station on Wednesday, June 3, and at Newtown Fire Station on Friday, June 5. Both sessions will run from 10:00am until 1:00pm.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, which covers almost two-thirds of Wales, says the days are designed to give people a practical introduction to life in the fire service in a relaxed and informal setting.

Around 75 per cent of the service’s fire stations are crewed entirely by on-call firefighters, who play a vital role in protecting communities across the region.

Visitors attending the experience days will have the opportunity to try on firefighting kit, learn how equipment is assembled, and take part in practical exercises alongside serving crews.

Firefighters from both stations will also be on hand to explain the realities of the role, answer questions, and offer guidance on the recruitment process.

Topics covered during the sessions will include the modern role of a firefighter, fitness requirements, personal protective equipment, career pathways within the service, and what applicants can expect during recruitment.

Booking is essential for anyone wishing to attend.

Further information can be obtained by contacting Lily Evans, Digital Marketing Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, by emailing [email protected].

AROUND 31,000 properties across Mid and West Wales are at risk of flooding, according to figures released as part of a new fire service response strategy.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has completed a major engagement process to shape how it deals with future flooding incidents.

The work brought together operational crews, partner agencies and community representatives through a series of “Flooding Balanced Room” workshops.

The service said the aim was to make sure all voices were heard equally while developing practical options for prevention, response and recovery.

Nearly 24,000 properties in the service area are at risk from river flooding, while more than 7,000 are at risk from tidal flooding.

The service attends around 300 water rescue and weather-related flooding incidents each year.

Officials say flooding is becoming more frequent and more serious because of climate change, including heavier rainfall and prolonged weather events.

Recent data also shows a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest number of flooding incidents taking place between October and February.

The third quarter of 2025/26 was the busiest for flooding incidents since 2017/18, while February 2020 and November 2025 recorded the highest monthly levels of flooding activity.

The workshops produced four key priorities: prevention first, collaboration and partnership, enhanced specialist capability, and learning and continuous improvement.

Eleven initial options were narrowed down to five main areas.

These include better public education, community flood groups, improved flood messaging with partner agencies, more staff training, improved welfare and PPE for firefighters, better vehicles and technology, and stronger post-incident support for communities.

Proposals include using flood awareness in home fire safety checks, improving training scenarios, increasing the number of qualified water incident managers, expanding drone use, and using climate data to plan future fleet and equipment needs.

The options have now been assessed, with recommendations presented to the service’s Executive Leadership Team.

The plans will feed into the service’s future flooding strategy and its Community Risk Management Plan 2040.

Iwan Cray, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Flooding Balanced Room process has highlighted the importance of collaboration.

“By listening to our staff, partners, and communities, we’ve created practical, forward-thinking solutions that will strengthen our ability to prevent and manage flooding in Mid and West Wales.

“Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Wales.”