News

Five rescues in just six days for busy Angle RNLI crew

Published

1 year ago

October 1, 2024

THE ANGLE RNLI lifeboat was called into action five times over the course of six days, responding to various emergencies both on land and at sea. The series of shouts began on Thursday, 26th September and continued until 1st October.

Dog rescue at West Angle Beach

At 12:17pm on Thursday, 26th September, the lifeboat was requested to launch following a 999 call reporting a dog had fallen over a cliff at West Angle Beach, opposite Thorn Island. The lifeboat quickly made the short journey to the scene and found the dog at the base of the cliff, distressed but otherwise unharmed.

The crew deployed their inflatable Y-boat, and a crew member went ashore to recover the animal. The dog was transferred to the All-Weather Lifeboat and taken to East Angle Bay, where the Y-boat landed it safely ashore into the care of Coastguard Rescue Officers from St Govan’s and Tenby, as well as the relieved owners. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat returned to its berth and was readied for further service by 2:30pm.

Cancelled launch for surfer in difficulty

The following day, Friday 27th September, at 2:39pm, the lifeboat was once again requested to launch following multiple 999 calls reporting a surfer in difficulty at Freshwater West Beach. However, as the crew were preparing to launch, the surfer managed to self-recover to shore, and the launch was subsequently cancelled. The St Govan’s Coastguard Rescue Team was also dispatched to assist during this incident.

Yacht in trouble at Jack Sound

The lifeboat was next paged on Saturday, 28th September, at 3:48pm to assist a 37-foot yacht experiencing difficulties in Jack Sound due to a fuel-related issue. The crew located the yacht just off Gateholm Island, swiftly established a tow, and brought the yacht to Milford Docks. Once off the lock entrance, the yacht regained sufficient power to moor alongside the lock pits, under the lifeboat’s escort. With no further assistance required, the lifeboat stood down and returned to the jetty, ready for further service by 6:15pm.

Machinery failure off South Hook LNG Terminal

The following afternoon, at 12:48pm on Sunday, 29th September, the crew were tasked to assist a 25-foot power vessel suffering from machinery failure and adverse weather conditions near the South Hook LNG Terminal. The Milford Haven Harbour Patrol vessel and the port authority pilot vessel ‘Skomer’ were already on the scene, but due to worsening weather and the vessel’s proximity to the terminal, the lifeboat was requested.

Facing force 8 easterly winds averaging 45 knots, the lifeboat arrived at the scene where the Harbour Patrol was struggling to make headway while towing the vessel. The lifeboat then took over the tow and, with few safe havens available due to the weather, set a course for Hobbs Point. After about an hour, the vessel was safely left alongside the pontoon at Hobbs Point. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to its jetty, ready for service by 4:00pm.

Medical evacuation from warship

The final call came this morning, at 8:05am on 1st October, when the lifeboat was requested to carry out a medical evacuation from a warship just off St Ann’s Head. The casualty, a 20-year-old female, was suffering from appendicitis and required hospital treatment.

The lifeboat launched and quickly located the warship near the port entrance. The crew successfully conducted an underway transfer of the casualty and her colleague via a pilot ladder. They were transported back to the Port Authority Jetty, where an ambulance was waiting to take the patient to hospital. With the casualty in the care of paramedics, the lifeboat stood down and was ready for service again by 10:00am.

The crew and commanding officer of HMS Somerset, the warship involved in the medical evacuation, expressed their gratitude by gifting the RNLI with the ship’s crest in thanks for the assistance.

The dedication and skill of the Angle RNLI crew during this busy period have once again highlighted the crucial role they play in ensuring safety at sea and along the coast.

Crime

Jury told to continue deliberations in historic child sex abuse trial

Published

22 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Judge says majority verdict may be accepted after jurors report deadlock at Swansea Crown Court

A JURY has been told to continue its deliberations in the trial of a Milford Haven man accused of historic child sex offences after indicating it could not reach a unanimous verdict.

Thomas Kirk, aged 50, of Meyler Crescent, Milford Haven, is on trial at Swansea Crown Court accused of oral rape and sexual assault of a child. The offences are alleged to have taken place in Pembrokeshire between 2007 and 2009, when the complainant was aged between thirteen and fifteen.

At midday on Wednesday (Dec 18), the jury returned to court to say they were unable to reach a verdict on which all jurors agreed.

Judge Paul Thomas KC told the jury that while he would be prepared to accept a majority verdict if at least ten jurors were in agreement, he still wanted them to continue deliberations in an effort to reach a unanimous decision.

The jury was then sent back out to continue considering its verdict.

The trial continues.

Crime

Police appeal to locate 69-year-old man wanted in harassment investigation

Published

48 minutes ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for information to help locate a man from the Ammanford area who is wanted in connection with a harassment offence.

Alan Tait, aged 69, is being sought by officers as part of an ongoing investigation.

Police believe he may currently be in the Derbyshire area, but say he also has links to South Wales and Gwent.

Anyone with information that could assist officers in locating him is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Charity

Bluestone Foundation marks year of impact with more than £60,000 for local causes

Published

1 hour ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE BLUESTONE FOUNDATION, the charitable arm of Bluestone National Park Resort, has marked a significant year of community investment after raising and distributing more than £60,000 to support projects across Pembrokeshire in 2025.

Run in partnership with the Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services (PAVS), the Foundation has continued to expand its reach, backing a wide range of charities and community organisations working at the heart of the county.

During the year, the Foundation’s Community Fund delivered three rounds of grants, supporting projects focused on wellbeing, inclusion, creativity, and environmental protection.

Environmental organisations including BlueGreen Cymru, Greener Growth CIC and Sea Trust Wales received funding, alongside wellbeing and inclusion groups such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift, No Shame Foundation and Silbers CIC.

Creative, youth and heritage organisations including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and VC Gallery also benefited.

In total, £32,968.57 was awarded through the Community Fund in 2025.

Fundraising events held at the Blue Lagoon Water Park generated a further £19,500 in unrestricted income. Under the Foundation’s funding model, 75 per cent of that money is passed directly to charities, with the remaining 25 per cent placed into a flexible fund to support causes that fall outside the Community Fund’s criteria.

Flexible funding totalling £4,500 was used this year to support initiatives including Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project, refurbishment work at Martletwy Young Farmers Club hall, Bloomfield Bus and Green Dragon Bus services, and Nacro’s Christmas appeal, providing food, warm clothing and essential items to people in crisis.

The Foundation also supported the PATCH Christmas Toy Appeal, encouraging staff and visitors at Bluestone to donate gifts for families referred to the charity during the festive period.

In addition, more than one hundred fundraising events across the region were supported through prize donations from the Foundation, including over 200 family passes to the Blue Lagoon Water Park, 32 overnight spa breaks and nine Bluestone holiday breaks.

Marten Lewis, Chair of the Bluestone Foundation said: “This year’s achievements reflect the heart of who we are at Bluestone. The Foundation exists to uplift the people and places that make Pembrokeshire such a special community.

“The impact of our partners, grant recipients and fundraising efforts in 2025 shows what is possible when we work together, and we are proud to see the difference it continues to make across the county.”

Looking ahead to 2026, the Foundation has confirmed continued support for Sport Pembrokeshire’s Fit and Fed project and will act as gold sponsor of the DPJ Foundation’s Macchu Picchu trek.

Five further Blue Lagoon fundraising events are already scheduled between February and August, supporting Local Cadets, Belles Story, Martletwy YFC Hall, Blue Horizons Coastal Adventure and Friends of Portfield School.

Tickets for those events are available via the Bluestone Foundation’s Eventbrite page.

For more information about the Bluestone Foundation, visit the Bluestone website.