News
Santa visits Cardigan banks with some motley elves, and a polar bear
IF YOU WENT down to Cardigan last week, you may have seen Santa, some motley elves, a polar bear and a bank manager making some visits.
They were visiting all the banks in town, and looking at whether they have been naughty or nice this year. Those which have been naughty, through funding an expansion of fossil fuels were given a potato as a mark of disapproval, while any which have made moves away from this were rewarded with chocolate.
While this was a fun spectacle, put on by the Cardigan Extinction Rebellion group, there was a serious message behind it. One of the group, Jane Mansfield explained,
“We have just experienced the warmest year on record, record wild fires and the lowest ever recorded levels of sea ice. The science is clear. In their report Net Zero by 2050, The International Energy Agency told us categorically that we could have no new oil and gas if we are to have a chance of limiting warming to 1.5°C
And yet the Rainforest Action Network report, Banking on Climate Chaos 2023 shows that Barclays remain the world’s 7th largest funder of fossil fuels, shamefully still financing new oil and gas projects, often in extremely vulnerable parts of the world such as the Amazon and the Arctic.”
Sian Vaughan, a retired head teacher, dressed as an elf last week, added, “In the last 12 months for which figures are available (2022) Barclays have funded new coal mining, new arctic oil and gas, new tar sands, new oil and gas in the Amazon, new offshore oil and gas, new fracking and new liquid natural gas. So it is one of the key banks accelerating climate breakdown by financing the burning of fossil fuels and biomass and the destruction of nature.”
The Extinction Rebellion group said that HSBC’s record is only marginally less ‘naughty’ than Barclays, so they also received a potato from Santa.
Jim Bowen, CEO of Clynfyw Care Farm, who was the tallest elf, pointed out that not all high street banks are equally bad. “Lloyds bank has definitely moved in the right direction. It has the lowest fossil fuel investments of any of the major UK banks. and put no new money into fossil fuels last year. So Lloyds Bank in Cardigan were given chocolates by Santa this year.” And he added, “While we want high street banks in town, we want them to improve their policies – for the sake of the planet and the future of all of us”.
Apart from the banks, 2 shops also received an unexpected visit from Santa and his helpers – Oxfam and the Eco Shop, to thank them for all their good work for the planet.
News
Crackwell Street set to reopen after five-month closure
ROADWORKS linked to structural repairs at Goscar House in Tenby are nearing completion, with Crackwell Street expected to reopen to through traffic today (Wednesday, June 24).
Scaffolding has now been removed from the property, with contractors carrying out a general clearance of the area.
The road has been closed for around five months while structural repair work has been taking place.
Local residents, businesses and visitors are expected to welcome the reopening, with Crackwell Street forming an important route through the town.
Pembrokeshire County Council has indicated that, all being well, the road will reopen later today.
Gareth Davies, of Gareth Davies Photography Tenby, said it was “good to see the removal of scaffolding today and general clearance on the property”.
He added that locals and visitors would be “so pleased” to see the road open once again.
Photo caption:
Clearance work: Contractors at Crackwell Street, Tenby, as scaffolding is removed from Goscar House (Pic: Gareth Davies).
Crime
Dock woman given mental health treatment order after supermarket thefts
A PEMBROKE DOCK woman has been placed on a mental health treatment requirement after repeatedly stealing meat, cheese and other grocery items from local supermarkets.
Lisa Stewart, 45, admitted three theft offences when she appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.
The first offence took place on March 11, when Stewart stole Vanish, Lenor and three packs of Persil capsules from Home Bargains in Pembroke Dock, with a total value of £58.41.
The following month, she stole four small beef joints, four steaks and three blocks of cheese from Asda in Pembroke Dock, worth £55.68.
Seven days later, she stole four legs of lamb from Farmfoods in Pembroke Dock, valued at £99.96.
Stewart, of Truscott House, London Road, Pembroke Dock, also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to police bail on or around May 26.
She was represented in court by solicitor Alaw Harries, who told magistrates the thefts involved items of relatively low value and were not the result of “sophisticated offending”.
“The defendant has had an exceptionally difficult time, as last year she lost her partner to cancer and has struggled profoundly to process that grief,” said Ms Harries.
“Instead, she has attempted to cope by taking more of her prescribed medication than she should. And this is what has led her to be here today.”
Ms Harries said Stewart is now motivated to address her issues.
Magistrates sentenced Stewart to an 18-month community order. She must complete 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days, a 12-month mental health treatment requirement and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement.
The order will include monthly reviews in court.
Stewart must also pay £214.05 compensation to the supermarkets, together with a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.
Crime
Grandmother banned after cocaine drug-drive offence
A GRANDMOTHER has been banned from the roads after being caught behind the wheel with 800 mcg of a cocaine metabolite in her system.
Eleri Phillips, 57, was stopped by police in the early hours of December 18 as she drove her Audi Q5 along Derwent Avenue, Steynton.
A roadside drugs swipe proved positive, and further blood tests carried out at the police station showed she had 45 mcg of cocaine in her system and 800 mcg of benzoylecgonine, a cocaine metabolite.
The legal limits are 10 mcg and 50 mcg respectively.
Phillips, of Brook Close, Steynton, Milford Haven, pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when she appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates. She was legally represented by solicitor Michael Kelleher.
“She is absolutely ashamed of what has happened,” Mr Kelleher told the court.
“She had been out with friends that evening and someone offered her cocaine. Very foolishly, she took it.
“As a result, she is now going to be disqualified from driving, which is going to cause problems not only for her but for her family, as she regularly helps look after her grandchildren with general pick-ups from school.”
Phillips was disqualified from driving for 12 months and fined £120. She must also pay £85 court costs and a £48 surcharge.
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