Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

Tributes pour in for Derek

Published

on

DerekRoberts

ONE of Pembrokeshire’s most popular football figures lost his fight against cancer on Sunday night.

Sixty-year-old Derek Roberts passed away at Withybush Hospital where he had worked as an employee for most of his working life.

Many tributes have already been placed on Twitter and Facebook as the sad news spread amongst the community.

Derek played for Haverfordwest County Youth in the team that beat Carew to lift the Wiltshire Cup in 1970. Derek also made his debut in the early 1970s playing as a defender for Haverfordwest County in the old Welsh League Division One. He later played for the highly successful Merlins Bridge team who won Pembrokeshire Football League division one two years on the trot in 1979 and ’80, and the same team won the Senior Cup three times from 1978 to 1980, and achieved the double two years running.

Following his retirement from football he took up many coaching and managerial positions with teams such as Merlins Bridge, Camrose and Haverfordwest County.

He also gained an ‘a licence’ as a football coach with good friend Michael Ellis, and had spells as an academy coach with Cardiff City and Swansea City.

Earlier this year Derek underwent a successful liver transplant in a hospital in Birmingham.

Following his recuperation this summer he felt a lot better and set up his own football coaching school for children at the Bridge Meadow called the ‘Soccer Blast Coaching For Kids.’ All the money raised from these sessions was handed to Birmingham Royal Infirmary and Wales Air Ambulance.

In August, Derek was thrown a surprise 60th birthday at the Haverfordwest County clubhouse where many family and friends celebrated.

Haverfordwest County chairman Rob Summons said: “Derek was a fantastic and genuine man who was a great friend to me. I will miss him greatly but will treasure the memories of all the good times we had together. He was one of the bravest people I have ever known.”Former Bluebirds manager and friend Michael Ellis said: “It is such sad news that Derek has passed away.“I can’t believe it’s happened so quickly. Life is hard to take when someone so special is taken so early in life.”

Pembrokeshire League secretary Brian Hawkins said: “The Pembrokeshire Football League would like to pass on our sincere condolences to the family. Our thoughts are with them during this sad time. He spent a lot of time coaching in Pembrokeshire and will be sorely missed.”

The funeral will take place next Monday, December 11 at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth at 3.15pm, and after the service the wake will be at Haverfordwest Golf Club.

There will be no flowers and all donations are for the Liver Transplant Foundation in Birmingham. All cheques made payable to Mr Rob Summons, 19 West Street, Rosemarket, SA71 1JH.

Chris O’Sullivan, Haverfordwest County

The Man was a true Gentleman, a proper mans man, always had class about him no matter what he said or did.! This world at times is very unfair, takes all the good ones.! Was an absolute pleasure to play my football in an around the same football club as him for so long, great coach and an absolute great man.. RIP Mr Derek Roberts you will be missed greatly xxx

Adam Raymond, Formerly Haverfordwest County

Absolutely stunned and devastated to hear the news about a true Pembrokeshire football great. My first county coach and the man who gave me so many opportunities in the game. An absolute gentleman and somebody who I could always rely on for advice and guidance. Rest in Peace Derek Rocco Roberts x

Jason Rice Merlins Bridge

The Pembs football community has sadly lost a great man I’m DEREK ROBERTS, it was Derek that gave me baptism of fire debut in Pembs footie as a 17 yr old way back in 1990 down in S’Foot, I came on for last 10 mins for the Merlins Bridge for legend Tony Jones who got injured (shock)! ,Derek simply said Ricey I know your keen but just enjoy it, show us what u got but don’t do anything silly, next thing I get nut megged so I just turn around and before the bastard crosses it, bang i take him down… yellow card! Fair play mind Derek after game put his hand on my shoulder and said, well done Ricey, good tackle but next time tuck your balls away and close your legs, even only last year we still laughed about that. brilliant advice by a brilliant coach which I’ve never forgotten.RIP Derek.

 

News

Two rescued from rocks near Pendine after tide alert

Published

on

TWO PEOPLE were rescued from rocks near Pendine after Tenby’s lifeboats were called out on Monday evening.

Both the all-weather lifeboat and inshore lifeboat were requested to launch at 6:15pm on Monday (Apr 27), while crews were preparing for their weekly exercise.

The alarm was raised following a report that two people were possibly cut off by the tide at Gilman Point, near Pendine, around six miles north-east of Tenby.

Choppy conditions meant the inshore lifeboat made slower progress, with the all-weather lifeboat arriving first on scene.

As crews reached the area, members of Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team, who were positioned on the cliffs above, alerted them to two people on the rocks.

The all-weather lifeboat’s Y-boat was launched to get in close to the rocks and make contact with the pair. They confirmed they were in difficulty and were taken aboard the Y-boat before being brought safely ashore at Pendine, where Coastguards were waiting.

The inshore lifeboat arrived shortly afterwards and collected the casualties’ bags before also returning to shore.

Once everyone had been accounted for and it was confirmed nobody else was in difficulty, both lifeboats returned to Tenby and continued with their exercises.

 

Continue Reading

News

Energy bills put at centre of Senedd election debate

Published

on

CAMPAIGNERS are calling on Wales’ political leaders to act faster on energy bills, saying electrification could help cut costs for families, businesses and community institutions.

Electrify Cymru, the Welsh arm of Electrify Britain, has published an open letter to party leaders ahead of the Senedd election.

The campaign, backed by EDF, Octopus Energy and E.ON, is calling for greater support for solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicles, arguing that the technology needed to reduce bills is already available.

Public First polling for Electrify Britain found that 44% of Welsh voters put energy bills among their top three concerns, ahead of NHS waiting times on 43% and growing the economy on 30%.

The campaign says the next Welsh Government will be judged on whether it makes electrification easier and more affordable for households, businesses and community organisations across Wales.

The call comes ahead of a live Senedd Sources debate at the Electric Brewery Field in Bridgend on Tuesday (Apr 28), where senior figures from Labour, Reform UK and Plaid Cymru will discuss energy, the economy and the election.

Those due to take part include Huw Irranca-Davies, Labour’s Deputy First Minister of Wales, Jason O’Connell from Reform UK, and Luke Fletcher from Plaid Cymru.

The venue is home to Bridgend Ravens, where Electrify Cymru recently became the club’s official stadium partner. The campaign says the historic rugby club, which is approaching its 150th anniversary and relies heavily on volunteers, is among the community institutions being squeezed by rising energy costs.

Electrify Cymru claims a club such as Bridgend Ravens could save hundreds of thousands of pounds over the next Senedd term through electrification, including solar power and heat pump technology.

Camilla Born MBE, chief executive of Electrify Britain said: “If we want lower bills, warmer homes and yes, better rugby, we have to Electrify Cymru.

“The next Welsh Government will be judged on this. Not on warm words, but on whether families and businesses are paying less, homes are warmer, and clubs like Bridgend Ravens are thriving.

“We are ambitious about what an electrified future for Wales can look like. It’s where the world has to go in the face of so much uncertainty, so let’s make Wales a leader, not a follower.”

In its open letter, Electrify Cymru asks party leaders to meet the campaign at the Brewery Field to discuss how electrification could be delivered across Wales.

It also calls on the next First Minister to put electrification on the agenda for their first meeting with the Prime Minister, arguing that the powers needed to deliver change sit across both Welsh and UK governments.

The Senedd Sources live podcast recording will take place at the Electric Brewery Field, Bridgend, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Tuesday (Apr 28). Street food will be available from 6:00pm and tickets are free through seneddsources.com/live.

 

Continue Reading

News

Starmer faces Commons showdown over Mandelson vetting row

Published

on

PRIME MINISTER ACCUSED OF MISLEADING PARLIAMENT OVER AMBASSADOR APPOINTMENT

SIR KEIR STARMER is facing a Commons vote over whether he should be investigated for allegedly misleading Parliament about the vetting of Lord Mandelson.

MPs are due to debate on Tuesday whether the Prime Minister should be referred to the powerful Commons Privileges Committee, which investigates claims that MPs have broken parliamentary rules.

The row centres on Sir Keir’s statements that “full due process” was followed when Lord Mandelson was appointed as Britain’s ambassador to the United States, and that there had been “no pressure whatsoever” on Foreign Office officials involved in the process.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has agreed to allow the debate after requests from a number of MPs, including Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch. He stressed that his decision did not amount to a judgment on whether the Prime Minister had done anything wrong.

Lord Mandelson was later sacked from the Washington post following renewed scrutiny of his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The appointment has since become a major political headache for Sir Keir, with questions over whether the vetting process was rushed and whether officials were put under pressure to approve the appointment.

Sir Olly Robbins, the former senior civil servant at the Foreign Office, told MPs last week that there had been “constant pressure”, although he said it did not affect his decision to approve Lord Mandelson’s security clearance.

Sir Keir has denied misleading Parliament and has sought to draw a distinction between improper pressure and the ordinary pressure of government to get things done quickly.

Downing Street dismissed the move as “a desperate political stunt by the Conservative Party” ahead of the May elections.

A No 10 spokesperson said the Government was already co-operating with parliamentary processes looking into Lord Mandelson’s appointment, adding that the Conservatives had “no answers on the cost of living or the NHS”.

Mrs Badenoch accused Sir Keir of misleading Parliament “multiple times” and urged Labour MPs to “look into their consciences” before voting.

The Liberal Democrats, Reform UK and the Greens have also indicated support for an inquiry.

However, Labour’s large Commons majority means the motion is unlikely to pass unless a significant number of Labour MPs rebel or abstain.

If the matter is referred to the Privileges Committee, it could examine whether Sir Keir knowingly misled MPs or failed to correct the record quickly enough.

The Ministerial Code states that ministers who knowingly mislead Parliament are expected to resign, while inadvertent errors should be corrected at the earliest opportunity.

 

Continue Reading

Local Government19 hours ago

Council pays tribute to long-serving councillor Brian Hall

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has paid tribute to long-serving Pembroke Dock Market councillor Brian Hall, following his death. Cllr Hall first...

Sport2 days ago

Bluebirds reach European play-off final after penalty drama in Barry

Haverfordwest County beat Barry Town United 3-1 on spot-kicks after 1-1 draw at Jenner Park HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY are one win...

News3 days ago

Barley Saturday brings bumper crowds to Cardigan

CROWDS lined the streets of Cardigan on Saturday (Apr 25) as Barley Saturday once again brought the town centre to...

Community3 days ago

Freshwater West memorial honours crews lost in wartime tragedy

VETERANS, standard bearers and civic representatives gathered at Freshwater West on Saturday (Apr 25) for a moving service of remembrance...

News3 days ago

Haverfordwest Hemp hustings to explore role in Wales’ future economy

Debate at Haverhub to link agriculture, sustainability and Senedd election issues A UNIQUE political and environmental debate is set to...

News3 days ago

Parties use postcode-targeted social media adverts in Senedd campaign

LABOUR has spent more than twice as much as any other Welsh political party on Facebook and Instagram advertising in...

News4 days ago

Pressure builds as Labour ducks farming hustings

NOT one of Labour’s seven list candidates for the Ceredigion Penfro seat turned up for farming hustings in either Pembrokeshire...

News5 days ago

Kemi Badenoch warns over loss of industry during Valero visit

Conservative leader says Wales cannot afford to lose more strategic jobs as she attacks Reform and backs Darren Millar KEMI...

News5 days ago

Waiting lists fall for ninth month — but cancer, A&E and ambulance pressures grow

Labour points to “real progress” on treatment backlogs as surgeons and Conservatives warn the next Welsh Government still faces a...

Crime5 days ago

Man on trial over historic sex offence allegations

Pembroke Dock defendant faces charges spanning from 1984 to 2008 A MAN from Pembroke Dock is standing trial at Swansea...

Popular This Week