News

Major unrest at Parc Prison following mounting drugs deaths

Published

2 years ago

June 1, 2024

PARC PRISON in South Wales has been engulfed in chaos over the past 24 hours, with a riot involving around twenty prisoners erupting, and growing unrest among inmates and their families.

This comes on the heels of a troubling series of deaths within the prison. The unrest at Parc follows the death of Warren Manners, 38, marking the tenth inmate to die in just over three months.

***Emergency services at the prison at 1.30am on Saturday (Image: Facebook)***

Manners’ death, which occurred earlier this week, has intensified scrutiny on the prison, particularly concerning allegations of drug misuse among prisoners. South Wales Police have reported that four of the ten deaths were related to synthetic opioids, including Nitazene and Spice.

The epicentre of the current disturbance appears to be B3 wing.

As well as the riot, there was a seperate incident involving a number of prisoners, some of whom required hospital treatment.

An air ambulance was dispatched to the prison, but was not needed, it has been confirmed.

Throughout the night, sounds of shouting and unrest have been heard from within the prison, particularly by those gathered in the top car park. Families and friends of inmates have converged outside, expressing their support by honking car horns—a gesture aimed at showing solidarity but one that has drawn mixed reactions from the community.

The scene outside Parc Prison has been marked by both solidarity and tension. Friends and families of inmates have gathered, creating a noisy environment by continuously honking car horns. While some see this as a show of support, others fear it might escalate the situation further. There have been calls by some for more extreme measures, including blocking the prison’s exits with vehicles.

The response from the authorities has been robust yet somewhat fragmented. Reports indicate that the government has taken control of the situation from G4S, the private company managing the prison. Riot vans and police have been deployed to handle the unrest, and some staff members appear to be leaving, possibly indicating a shift in control or an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

A significant challenge throughout this crisis has been the lack of clear communication from prison authorities. Families of inmates have expressed frustration over the sparse information available, leading to widespread speculation and misinformation. Social media has been abuzz with various unverified claims about the conditions inside the prison and the reasons behind the riot.

The spate of deaths at Parc Prison has been linked to drug misuse, with synthetic opioids playing a central role. In March, the prisons and probation ombudsman, Adrian Usher, issued a stark warning urging inmates to dispose of synthetic drugs like Spice. Despite these warnings, the drug-related deaths have continued, raising serious questions about the prison’s ability to control substance misuse within its walls.

A HMP Parc spokesperson told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “Staff at HMP Parc swiftly resolved two short-lived incidents involving prisoners on Friday, with no officers injured.

“Those involved will receive the strongest possible punishments, including criminal prosecution.”

“There were two short-lived incidents at HMP Parc on Friday 31 May. One involved approximately twenty prisoners and thanks to the efforts of our staff, was safely resolved.”

Parc Prison confirmed that mutual was sought from HMPPS, and was received “in line with national protocol.”

A spokesperson explained that the second incident was unrelated and involved an altercation between three prisoners, who required hospital treatment.

“No injuries sustained were life-threatening. An air ambulance did attend the site but was not needed. No staff were injured in either incident.”

Even before the latest trouble, the situation at Parc Prison has drawn national attention, with two MPs calling on the UK government to intervene and take charge of the prison. The families of deceased inmates have also protested outside the jail, demanding justice and better conditions for those still incarcerated.

***There were protests outside the prison this week (Image BBC)***

Climate

Port Talbot confirmed as ‘cornerstone’ of wind industry — questions remain for Milford Haven

Published

17 seconds ago

March 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

New government-backed deal with ABP reinforces Port Talbot’s central role in Celtic Sea wind plans

PORT TALBOT has been firmly established as the “cornerstone” of the UK’s floating offshore wind ambitions in the Celtic Sea, following a major agreement between the UK Government and Associated British Ports.

The deal confirms government support for the development of large-scale port infrastructure at Port Talbot, enabling manufacturing, assembly and deployment of floating wind turbines for gigawatt-scale projects.

The announcement strengthens Port Talbot’s position as the primary industrial hub for the emerging sector.

Henrik L. Pedersen, Chief Executive of Associated British Ports, said the development would “establish the port as a cornerstone of the Celtic Sea floating offshore wind industry.”

Clear role for Port Talbot

The agreement, subject to final regulatory approval, will support the delivery of major offshore wind projects awarded through the latest Celtic Sea leasing round.

Government ministers visiting the site described the development as a key step in building the UK’s clean energy future.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said the project would help Wales “storm ahead in floating offshore wind,” supporting thousands of jobs and driving economic growth.

Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added that the investment would “further cement Port Talbot as a hub of the industries of the future.”

Milford Haven still waiting for detail

The latest announcement comes just days after questions were raised about Milford Haven’s role within the wider Celtic Freeport.

While Port Talbot’s position as a manufacturing and assembly hub is now clearly defined, there has still been no detailed breakdown of what activity will be based in Pembrokeshire.

Industry figures continue to point to Milford Haven’s strengths in operations, maintenance, logistics and servicing of offshore wind projects.

However, no formal commitments have yet been made.

Industry backing grows

Developers involved in Celtic Sea wind projects welcomed the progress at Port Talbot, describing it as essential infrastructure for delivering future schemes.

Ocean Winds said strengthening port infrastructure was “essential” to ensuring regional ports can support the rollout of offshore wind.

The Crown Estate also described the move as a key step towards unlocking the economic potential of the Celtic Sea, which could create thousands of jobs across Wales and beyond.

Growing pressure for answers

With Port Talbot now firmly positioned at the centre of construction and deployment, attention is likely to turn to how other ports—including Milford Haven—fit into the wider strategy.

For Pembrokeshire, the question remains unchanged:

As billions of pounds flow into the Celtic Sea over the coming decade, will Milford Haven secure a defined share of that investment—or continue to wait for clarity?

News

Tenby waterman riding high in global hydrofoil rankings

Published

32 minutes ago

March 26, 2026

Herald Sport

Local athlete Mogsy Morgan breaks into world top ten in elite ocean discipline

TENBY waterman Gareth “Mogsy” Morgan is making a name for himself on the world stage after breaking into the top ten of one of the most demanding single-handed watersports disciplines.

Morgan has been ranked sixth in the world in the latest Hydrofoil Downwind leaderboard for 2026, based on performance over a 10km ocean swell navigation split—an elite benchmark in the sport.

Hydrofoil downwinding involves riding offshore ocean swells using a board, hydrofoil and paddle, often far from shore and exposed to challenging conditions. Athletes use GPS tracking to log their routes, which are then uploaded to global ranking systems for comparison.

Morgan said he is now competing alongside some of the sport’s biggest names, including Hawaiian world champions John Florence and Nathan Florence.

“I’m right up there in the world rankings,” he said. “I’ve trained hard to get into peak condition, and I’m continuing to improve my performance. The momentum is definitely on my side.”

He added that the sport offers a unique experience: “There’s a real flow state when you’re riding ocean swells—linking one wave to the next. It’s an incredible, almost meditative feeling, even though you’re exposed to real hazards offshore.”

Morgan has spent recent years travelling internationally to develop his skills, bringing that experience back to Wales as he pushes towards even higher rankings.

His recent success builds on a strong 2025, when he placed 69th in the world for the same 10km category and also ranked within the top 100 for shorter sprint distances.

“I’ve already improved on my 2025 results in the first few months of this year,” he said. “My goal now is to break into the top 50 worldwide.”

Morgan was an early pioneer of hydrofoiling in Wales, first adopting the technology during his time competing in the British Kite Racing Circuit, where he secured a third-place podium finish in his division.

He was also invited to take part in Olympic kite racing trials at the British Sailing Academy in Weymouth and has previously been crowned UK Kitesurfing Circuit Wavemaster Champion in his category.

Today, he continues to promote the sport locally by organising hydrofoil events across Pembrokeshire and South Wales, helping to grow interest and develop new talent.

With his sights firmly set on climbing the global rankings, Morgan added: “I’m still getting faster and pushing the limits. Watch this space—Cymru am byth.”

Community

Local history society announces April events in Pembroke

Published

41 minutes ago

March 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PROGRAMME of talks, history and community events has been lined up in Pembroke this April by the Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society.

The society’s next Coffee Morning and Talk will take place on Saturday (Apr 11) at Pembroke Town Hall.

Guest speaker Rose Blackburn BEM will present a talk titled Romancing the Stone: Stories behind personal adornment through the ages.

Rose, well known locally for her long service as Pembroke’s Town Crier and her extensive community work, was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of her contributions. She is also a Fellow of the Gemmological Association and trained in stone cutting during her time in South Africa before gaining further qualifications at Goldsmiths’ Hall in London.

Her talk will explore the history and uses of gemstones, sharing lesser-known facts alongside personal anecdotes from her experience in the field.

Doors open at 10:00am for coffee, with the talk beginning at 11:00am. Pembroke Museum and the Council Chamber, located on the first floor of the Town Hall, will also be open to visitors. Lift access is available.

Following the Easter holiday, the museum will extend its opening hours to Monday to Thursday 10:00am to 3:00pm and Friday 10:00am to 1:00pm. Entry is free.

Later in the month, the society will host a Quiz Night and Buffet on Friday (Apr 24) at Pembroke Town Hall.

Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7:00pm start. Tickets cost £5 per person and include a buffet and refreshments. Attendees are welcome to bring their own drinks.