Business

Royal Mail brands stamp ‘counterfeit’ but others in same book are ‘genuine’

Published

2 years ago

April 5, 2024

ROYAL MAIL is being urged to investigate its systems after an investigation found some stamps are being deemed “counterfeit” by Royal Mail, while other stamps from the same book are not.

Royal Mail yesterday told ministers it would investigate problems with new barcoded stamps to try and “ascertain the source of the problem” amid fears customers are wrongly being fined to get letters.

A GB News investigation has found innocent people across the UK continue to be charged £5 for “counterfeit” stamps, which they insist were bought at reputable shops and Post Offices.

Since GB News first exposed the issue in January 2024, more readers have contacted us reporting similar problems.

Lorraine Hewitt, 66, was charged £5 for her birthday card due to a “counterfeit” stamp in February, but two other stamps from the same book have arrived at their destination as expected.

The sender says they bought the book of stamps from a well-known supermarket.

Ms Hewitt, from the West Midlands, had assumed she had been sent a parcel when she found a £5 “fee to pay” note from Royal Mail in her letterbox.

She had received all the birthday cards she had anticipated she may get, and, ahead of a birthday dinner with her brother that evening, she took the note to the delivery office.

She said: “I thought, ‘Oh as he’s coming tonight, if he’s got a card, he’ll bring it with him.’

“Because he was taking me out for a meal, I assumed that that was my birthday gift as it were.”

The member of staff showed her the envelope but, not recognising the writing, she decided not to pay the fee.

However, before she left the delivery office, she took a photo of the envelope, which had a yellow sticker branding the stamp “counterfeit” attached.

During the birthday outing, it emerged the card had been from her brother, and it contained a £5 note.

Having bought the book of eight stamps from a reputable supermarket, he decided to send a test letter using another of the stamps.

It arrived without a hitch.

Ms Hewitt’s brother has also since sent his niece some mail using another stamp from the book. Again, the letter arrived as expected.

“It makes you question what criteria they are actually using to determine if something is fraudulent,” the 66-year-old told GB News.

Ms Hewitt, who used to work in Royal Mail’s Returned Letters Branch (RLB), believes because the letter contained cash, it would need to be logged.

“You have to make a note of the item and make a note of the money and store the money or the goods that would be in there,” she said.

Ms Hewitt complained to Royal Mail about the matter and has sent photos of the book of stamps as well as the “counterfeit” label.

She was told that “specialised machines at all our mail centres examined stamps to check if they are genuine or not”.

The email continued: “If a stamp or stamps are deemed not genuine a surcharge is applied and the recipient is asked to pay the fee.

“This gives the recipient the opportunity to receive the item as quickly as possible.”

Ms Hewitt escalated the complaint to the Postal Review Panel, who requested she send the envelope which was surcharged or the stamps being called counterfeit to their Freepost address.

However, Ms Hewitt pointed out she does not have the envelope, as it’s with Royal Mail.

She was later told that while they “appreciate” she forwarded photos of the item and stamps, they “cannot identify if a stamp is counterfeit or not with photographs”.

Ms Hewitt said: “They’ve got the item, they’ve got the stamp, they’ve actually got the fiver.

“All they need to do is find this item in the Returned Letters Branch, find what they’ve done with the fiver, and have a look whether someone’s made a human error with regard to deciding if the stamp was counterfeit, as the other stamps have proved not to be.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

9 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port last week, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock on Wednesday 26^th November, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, has arrived in Pembroke Port today (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived last week with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

The Weather conditions were favourable for the arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin early next year, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

13 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

20 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.