News
Lib Dems: 6,215 households in Pembrokeshire ‘forced to remortgage’ last year
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HOUSEHOLDS in Pembrokeshire who remortgaged last year face a £8.5 million annual mortgage bombshell amidst spiralling interest rates following Liz Truss’s disastrous mini-budget new research by the House of Commons Library, commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed.
11.2% of households in Pembrokeshire remortgaged their home last year, resulting in an average additional hit of £114 every month. The 6,215households who were forced to remortgage saw a collective additional hit of £8.5 million across the County.
The Liberal Democrats have said that the research shows that the Conservative government’s claims that things are improving will “ring hollow” in the face of such startling increases in mortgage payments which have been “pushing families to the brink”.
Commenting Liberal Democrat Candidate for Ceredigion Preseli Mark Williams said: “Spiralling mortgage rates have been pushing families in Pembrokeshire to the brink.
“The aftershocks of Liz Truss’s disastrous mini budget have saddled thousands of households in our area with years of increasingly unaffordable monthly payments and the real threat of many losing their homes.
“This Conservative government has proven themselves utterly unfit to oversee our economy and it is families in our community who are paying the price for their staggering incompetence.
“The Prime Minister’s boasts about ‘an improved economic situation’ will ring hollow to the thousands in Pembrokeshire who have borne the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis and are struggling to put food on the table. The Conservative party does not deserve to be in office for a moment longer.”
“The Liberal Democrats will always use taxpayers’ money responsibly and will never be so reckless with the economy.”
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The following people have been nominated for election as a member of the UK Parliament for Mid and South Pembrokeshire constituency:
Hanna Andersen (Women’s Equality Party);
Alistair Cameron (Welsh Liberal Democrats);
Stephen Crabb (Welsh Conservative);
Stuart Marchant (Reform UK);
James Purchase (Green Party);
Vusi Siphika, (Independent);
Cris Tomos (Plaid Cymru);
Henry Tufnell (Welsh Labour).
Community
Public outcry over closed rides at Oakwood Theme Park
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LOCAL residents and visitors are up in arms after discovering that several key attractions at Oakwood Theme Park were closed during a recent visit, despite the park charging full admission prices. James Peniket, a visitor, sparked the debate with a Facebook post expressing his frustration over the situation, which quickly garnered numerous supportive comments from others who had similar experiences.
Mr Peniket’s post stated, “How can you charge full price when at least 5 of your main rides are closed? You only had a notice on your website for one of the rides being closed… £45 for a 13-year-old child to go and see a theme park full of closed rides… absolute shambles of a place… Robbing the public of money!”
The reaction was swift, with many people sharing their own stories and grievances about the park. Andrew Graham Feetham echoed the sentiment, calling the situation “unsafe” and the supervision “horrendous.” He added, “£20, fair enough, but £45 for half a theme park is robbery.”
Darren Briggs, a former employee of the park, reminisced about its glory days in the late 1980s. “Back in the day, we would regularly see attendance figures over 12k people a day. Yesterday was probably less than 3k. Very sad. Staff looked totally unhappy and disengaged,” he commented, highlighting the park’s decline and lack of investment.
The closure of multiple rides without prior warning was a common complaint. Alanda Williams and Andrew Morse also joined the conversation, suggesting alternative attractions such as Hangar 5, where all trampolines are open and operational. Joshua J Peniket quipped, “Should have gone to Hangar 5 then. All trampolines are open,” reflecting the public’s disillusionment with Oakwood.
The underlying issue appears to be a lack of transparency and investment. Several commenters, including George Coles, pointed out that the theme park had been sold to new owners, Aspro-Ocio S.A., a Spanish company known for operating water parks. Despite this change in ownership, there has been no noticeable improvement in the park’s conditions.
Visitors like Wayne Scourfield, who had pre-booked tickets for their families, expressed their frustration and disappointment upon learning about the closed rides. “I’ve booked to bring family on Thursday… they’re so looking forward to it,” he lamented, highlighting the broader impact on families planning visits during the school holidays.
In response to the public outcry, Oakwood Theme Park has issued refunds to some visitors, including Mr Peniket, who confirmed receiving an email from the park regarding his refund. However, this measure seems to be a case of too little, too late for many disgruntled customers.
The recurring theme in the comments was a nostalgic longing for the park’s past and a call for significant investment to restore its former glory. As Louise Burgin reminisced, “It used to be amazing when we were kids. It was such a treat to go. You knew you’d spend all day having fun, and it was value for money.”
Oakwood Theme Park, once a beloved local attraction, now faces mounting pressure to address these issues and restore public trust. Without immediate and substantial improvements, the park risks losing its place as a cherished destination for families in Pembrokeshire and beyond.
News
Male, 74, dies after getting into difficulties in water in St Davids
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A MULTI AGENCY operation took place on June 27 in the St Davids area after a man got into difficulty in water.
Following a 999 call, police, fire, and ambulance attended the gentleman, but sadly he died at the scene.
The fire service confirmed that its Swift Water Rescue Team located and retrieved the man from a three-metre-deep pond, measuring 40m x 20m.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “We attended after a report of a male who had got into difficulties in water at an address in St David’s on Thursday, June 27.
“Officers attended, along with colleagues from the fire and rescue service and ambulance, however, sadly, a 74-year-old man died at the scene.
“The death is not being treated as suspicious.
“His next of kin have been informed of the incident, as well as HM Coroner.
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 3.55pm on Thursday, June 27th, Mid and West Wales Fires and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) crews from Haverfordwest, St Davids and Carmarthen Fire Stations were called to an incident near St Davids.
“One male was located and retrieved from water by the Swift Water Rescue Team from a pond measuring 40m by 20m and 3m deep.
“The incident required a multi-agency response, with Dyfed-Powys Police, Air Ambulance and paramedics also in attendance.
“MAWWFRS crews left the scene at 6.05pm.”
Business
New Chair appointed at the Port of Milford Haven
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THE PORT of Milford Haven is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Siân George as its new Chair. Appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport, Siân took over the role on 22nd June 2024.
Siân brings a wealth of Board level experience, with a notable maritime, energy and safety focus. She is particularly recognised for her experience and knowledge of the marine renewables sector, where she has been a strong voice for UK and European policy and regulatory reform, working with stakeholders to help secure over €300m of public funding initiatives for the sector and overseeing an award winning strategic vision for developing Europe’s marine energy resources. Siân has a strong reputation for fostering constructive stakeholder relationships, and extensive experience working in safety-critical and highly regulated sectors.
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Dr-Sian-George-1.jpg)
Siân succeeds Dr Chris Martin who joined the Port as Vice-Chair in 2012 and became Chair in 2017 overseeing key steps in the Port’s development.
Dr Siân George, Chair at the Port of Milford Haven said “I am delighted to join the Port of Milford Haven and look forward to working with the team to achieve our goals for the business and for the region. I am very much looking forward to building on the great work undertaken during Dr Chris Martin’s tenure and continuing to ensure the Port plays its part in creating a wealth of new opportunities for current and future generations.”
Tom Sawyer, Chief Executive at the Port of Milford Haven said “Siân joins us at an exciting time. We are making significant investments in our pilotage operations to ensure we keep delivering our Waterway customer’s needs, safely and effectively. We are also focused on expanding the influence Pembroke Port has within the FLOW, wave and tidal industries to become a key hub for green industrial growth. And, through our investment in Milford Waterfront and other areas of hospitality and tourism, we are strengthening Pembrokeshire’s reputation as a must visit destination for UK holidaymakers.”
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