News

Army to undertake critical training exercise at Castlemartin

Published

2 years ago

June 5, 2024

THE ARMY will be using the Castlemartin Ranges, in Pembrokeshire, for a large-scale Exercise in June and July 2024, it was confirmed this week

Exercise CABRIT TEMPEST, which runs from the 24th June to the 5th July, will provide critical training for the Royal Dragoon Guards Battlegroup, who are set to deploy in September on a NATO Operation in Estonia.

The Castlemartin Training Area will host live-firing, tactical battlegroup-level exercises involving multiple Armoured Fighting Vehicles and the site plays a key role in maintaining full training capability for units within the UK.

This exercise will see the training area in use by around 1,000 personnel with heavy transport travelling to and from the area, including Challenger 2 tanks and Warrior infantry fighting vehicles.

Consideration to local residents remains a priority and any disruption will be kept to a minimum. Firing times will be published widely within the local community to help minimise disruption.

The Defence Training Estate plays a vital role in providing a safe place to train ensuring our Armed Forces are prepared and ready to deploy on operations at home and abroad. Castlemartin Ranges are managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, supported by Landmarc Support Services, who provide the facilities for the delivery of military training.

Deputy Commander Defence Training Estate – Wales and West Midlands Paul Snelling said: “Our most important job is to provide the ‘safe place’ for military training and to ensure our personnel and the public don’t come to harm. We ask that the public always follow our simple steps when visiting MOD land to help keep themselves and our armed forces safe: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safe-access.

“Castlemartin Ranges provide essential training opportunities for large scale exercises, such as this, which supports the training of military personnel from multiple units. We are grateful to the local population for their continued support.”

The unit undertaking the training, The Royal Dragoon Guards, is an Armoured Cavalry Regiment, currently equipped with the Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicle. It is a reconnaissance force, fighting at the front of the British Army’s armoured formations. The Battlegroup also includes elements from The Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Engineers and Royal Horse Artillery.

Captain Oliver Grell, The Royal Dragoon Guards, said: “This training exercise is the climax of our pre-deployment training, bringing together the technical gunnery preparation which has taken place on the ranges, and the tactical exercises which were carried out on Salisbury Plain earlier this year and in 2023. This exercise is the only occasion, and Castlemartin the only place in the UK, where we can combine the tactical setting of an exercise with live firing from our vehicles, along with artillery.

“The experience we will gain from completing this training successfully will be instrumental in allowing us to deploy ready to fulfil our commitments to our NATO allies.”

The public can find out more about the exercise by visiting the GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) website and searching ‘Castlemartin firing notices’. A public briefing will also be held prior to the exercise at 18.30hrs on the 13th June at Castlemartin Camp (SA71 5EB) and post exercise on the 10th July at 18.30hrs. Pre booking is not required for either event.

Soldier from B Company, 3rd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, pushed through the enemy trench during the combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) phase of Exercise Swift Response on the 4th of May 2024. 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, the British Armys global response force, is leading a force of more than 2,300 soldiers, sailors and aviators from four countries working together in Estonia on Exercise Swift Response. The training is about NATO airborne forces building their ability to respond together to crises. It is part of Steadfast Defender 24, NATOs largest military exercise since the Cold War, which involves approximately 90,000 troops from all 32 NATO allies.

Charity

Donation gives Stackpole Quay book trailer fresh new look

Published

4 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A COMMUNITY donation will help spruce up a popular summer book trailer at Stackpole Quay after members of the Pembrokeshire National Trust Association handed over more than one thousand pounds to support the project.

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association presented a cheque for £1,095 to the National Trust at Stackpole Quay this weekend.

The cheque was formally given to Rhian Sula, General Manager for the charity’s Pembrokeshire and Carmarthen Bay portfolio, by association chairman Jane Mason during a National Trust information coffee morning at the Stackpole Centre.

The money will be used to refurbish the well-known second-hand book trailer which operates at the quay during the summer months. The trailer allows visitors to pick up a holiday read while making a donation, with proceeds supporting local conservation and access projects.

Last year alone, the trailer raised more than £1,500.

Jane Mason said the association had originally funded the purchase of the trailer several years ago and wanted to build on its success.

“Our new donation from members’ support will improve the trailer with updated imagery and design,” she said. “This will help the National Trust present a more professional, welcoming and brand-aligned offer, and potentially grow donation income.”

The Pembrokeshire National Trust Association runs a programme of talks, visits and guided walks in support of local Trust properties. Membership of the National Trust is not required to join the association. Annual membership costs £5 for individuals and £8 for couples.

At its AGM in November, the group announced £3,000 in additional donations for local projects, including replacement willow hurdles at Tudor Merchants House, footpath improvements at Little Milford, and a new bench, tree planting and path works at Southwood.

With the latest contribution towards the book trailer, the association’s donations for the current financial year now exceed £4,000.

Photo caption:

Jane Mason presents a cheque for £1,095 to Rhian Sula at Stackpole Centre (Pic: supplied).

Crime

OAP admits stalking woman with emails, posters and letters

Published

4 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A HAVERFORDWEST man has admitted stalking a woman by sending repeated unwanted emails, putting up posters and contacting third parties about her.

Michael Lockheart, aged 80, of Daisy Lane, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having previously pleaded guilty to stalking.

The court heard that between July 27 and September 10 last year, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking and harassment against a female.

His behaviour included sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop contact, distributing defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to her GP and the local authority.

Lockheart admitted the offence, contrary to Section 2A of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

Sentencing was adjourned to allow a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

He was granted conditional bail with strict restrictions. He must not contact the complainant directly or indirectly, including through third parties or social media, and must not enter any address where she lives.

Lockheart is due back before magistrates for sentence at 10:00am on Monday, March 9.

Crime

Pensioner back in court over persistent nuisance calls

Published

5 hours ago

February 9, 2026

Court Reporter

A TEMPLETON pensioner has appeared before magistrates again after admitting repeatedly using the phone network to cause distress and inconvenience.

Ann Gateley, aged 79, of Chapel Hill Lane, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 9) for sentencing, having already pleaded guilty to a communications offence.

The court heard that between November 24 and November 26 last year, at Templeton near Narberth, Gateley persistently made use of a public electronic communications network for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another person.

She admitted the offence, contrary to Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing to a later date and granted conditional bail.

As part of her bail conditions, Gateley must not contact 999 unless there is a genuine emergency.

Gateley is well known to the courts and has appeared on numerous occasions over recent years for similar communications-related matters.

She will return to the magistrates’ court at 10:00am on Tuesday, February 17 for sentencing.