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Scam Awareness

CAMPAIGN URGES – DON’T GET SCAMMED

A national campaign is currently underway to raise awareness of scams – particularly those that have emerged as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Pembrokeshire Trading Standards and Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire are taking part in the annual Scams Awareness campaign which has been running from the 15th June and ends on the 28th.

This year protecting people against scams is more important than ever. The coronavirus crisis means some people are facing issues – from employment and debt to housing and health – resulting in them being in vulnerable situations.

Added to this, the overall heightened uncertainty and anxiety caused by the pandemic is increasing the likelihood of falling victim to a scam.

Trading Standards wants to spread the message that scams are crimes that can happen to anyone and that we can all take a stand to help stop them.

Sandra McSparron, lead officer of the Consumer Safeguarding Team of Pembrokeshire Trading Standards said: “Increasingly we are all becoming targets of scammers, whether by telephone, internet or door to door.

“This campaign will help people spot the signs and how best to avoid them. Knowing how to spot a scam is the best line of defence to avoid being caught out.”

In Pembrokeshire some residents have been approached by rogue traders offering a range of property maintenance services from painting, power washing to roof repairs and hedge cutting. High pressure sales tactics are often used, no paperwork given and extortionate charges for often poor quality work.

Trading Standards advice is not to deal with anyone that cold calls at your home offering to do work. Instead speak to family and friends for recommendation of trades people and obtain a number of written quotes before deciding.

With more people shopping online, fake websites can be designed to steal money and personal details. People have ordered protective face masks, hand sanitiser, COVID-19 testing kits, and other products, which have never arrived. In a lot of cases, if they have arrived, they have been sub-standard.

Trading Standards offers the following tips on how to shop online safely:

  • if it is a company you’ve never purchased from before, carry out some research beforehand
  • use strong separate passwords for email and shopping accounts
  • keep software and anti-virus protection up to date
  • be careful with links in emails/texts about offers. Check the shop’s website address by typing this into a search engine instead of clicking on the link.

Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk, and the National Cyber Security Centre’s automated scanning system will check for scam emails and remove criminal sites.

Be wary of subscription traps in which ‘free trials’ of products and services are offered in a wide range of sectors and can sometimes end up costing more than people think.

Said Sandra: “We have received complaints where people have been unaware that they would be charged for items after the trial has ended and the need to pay return postage costs for the items at the end of the trial. As a result we would urge consumers to think carefully before signing-up.”

Business can also be the target for scams.

Malicious email attachments, bogus government grants, mandate fraud, demands for urgent payments, fake websites and impersonation scams are among a raft of scams undermining businesses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sandra warned: “Criminals are trying to gain computer access or get hold of passwords and login details. Once they have access, criminals can search the hard drive for valuable information.”

If someone needs consumer advice or wishes to report a scam, they can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or 0808 223 1144 for a Welsh speaker. These details will be shared with Trading Standards who may also make contact by phone to offer support and advice.

For the latest advice and press releases relating to coronavirus, please view: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

For press queries, please email: presspublicrelations@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

March In May

An idea by Neyland Cricketer Gavin Rowland, a few WhatsApp messages between him and Neyland Athletic Club Steward Jonny Sutton and the Community based March In May was born. Thrown together at short notice and with Cricketer and budding Journalist Tom Pritchard on board as the ‘Number Cruncher’ what started as an epic challenge to walk / run 11,073 – The length of Great Britains Coast Line – became a feelgood event which encapsulated patrons from 70 years of age to Toddlers just out of their push chairs.

In total 233 participants took part with many more posting encouragement throughout the month. Completing the Coastline with over a week to go, they extended the challenge to take in the Coastline of Ireland and eventually settled on mileage totalling over 15,000. An amazing 46 people completed Half Marathons, many of whom weren’t particularly keen on exercise pre May!! Another 15 completed Full Marathons with 7 of those going even further and completing 30 mile plus Ultra Marathons – Father and Son combination Kevin and Jack Rogers (U15 All Black) leading the distance charts with a huge 41.19 miler on the last day.

Heading the overall chart was Neyland Legend Andrew “Moley” Cole with over 390 miles!! In total 46 members of the group hit over 100 miles, a further 4 hit 200, miles with 5 warriors join the 300 club!

With sponsorship being split between 5 charities with local links – Sandy Bear, VC Gallery, DAPS, Roko20 Academy and Paul Sartori.

Following completion of the epic challenge, Gav Rowland said; “We were amazed by the level of commitment and community spirit. It became bigger than we ever expected but also delighted by the effort everyday. Adults, children and families got out and put one foot in front of the other and went for it. People who hadn’t walked run or gone on a family walk for such a long time made the effort and really enjoyed it which apart from raising funds for some fantastic charities, was the most pleasing for us, quality time together is something special. Being able to look forward to going out each day and just being able to bump into fellow walkers/runners and saying a ‘social distance hello or quick chat’ has helped so many people. A fantastic community to be a part of, well done to everyone”

BUS PASS DROP-IN SESSIONS


Drop-in sessions have been arranged by the local authority for concessionary bus pass holders who are unable to renew their cards online.

Transport for Wales recently announced that ‘Concessionary Travel Cards’ are being introduced to replace the current passes which will expire on 31st December.

To renew a bus pass apply at: tfw.wales/travelcards
For those unable to do this or who do not have anyone to do it on their behalf, Pembrokeshire County Council is offering assistance through drop-in sessions at libraries in Pembrokeshire during November.
Those attending will need with them:

• their existing bus pass with its 19-digit number printed on the front
• date of birth
• the postcode their current card is registered to
• National Insurance number (if over 16) which is on pension statements, disability statements or pay slips.
The drop-in sessions are taking place at the following libraries on:
• Monday, 11th November, at: Tenby (between 10 am and 1pm) and Neyland (2 pm – 4 pm)
• Tuesday, 12th November: Fishguard (10 am – 1 pm) and St Davids (2 pm – 5 pm)
• Wednesday, 13th November: The Riverside, Haverfordwest (10 am – 1 pm) and Milford Haven (2 pm – 4 pm)
• Thursday,14th November: Narberth (10 am – 1 pm) and Saundersfoot (2 pm – 5 pm)
• Friday, 15th November: Pembroke (11 am – 1 pm) and Pembroke Dock (2 pm – 5 pm)
• Monday, 18th November: Milford Haven (10 am – 1 pm) and Pembroke Dock (2 pm – 5 pm)

• Tuesday, 19th November: The Riverside, Haverfordwest (10 am – 1 pm) and Crymych (3.30 pm – 5.30 pm)
• Wednesday, 20th November: Newport (2 pm – 4 pm)
• Thursday, 21st November: Fishguard (10 am – 1 pm)
• Friday, 22nd November: Tenby (10 am – 1 pm) Haverfordwest (2 pm – 5 pm).

For further information contact: Len Mullins, Press and Public Relations Manager, on 01437 775387. The Council’s press releases are also available on the Authority’s website: http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk

SESIYNAU GALW HEIBIO AR GYFER CARDIAU BWS
Trefnwyd sesiynau galw heibio gan yr awdurdod lleol i ddeiliaid cardiau mantais bws sy’n methu adnewyddu eu cardiau ar-lein.

Cyhoeddodd Trafnidiaeth Cymru’n ddiweddar bod ‘Cardiau Teithio Rhatach’ yn cael eu cyflwyno i ddisodli’r cardiau presennol fydd yn dod i ben ar 31ain Rhagfyr.

I adnewyddu cerdyn bws gwnewch gais yn: tfw.cymru/cerdynteithio
I’r rhai sy’n methu gwneud hyn neu sydd heb neb i’w wneud ar eu rhan, mae Cyngor Sir Penfro’n cynnig cymorth trwy sesiynau galw heibio mewn llyfrgelloedd yn Sir Benfro yn ystod mis Tachwedd.
Bydd angen y canlynol ar bawb sy’n dod:

• eu cerdyn bws presennol gyda’i rif 19 digid ar y blaen
• dyddiad geni
• y cod post lle cofrestrwyd eu cerdyn presennol
• rhif Yswiriant Gwladol (os ydynt dros 16) sydd ar ddatganiadau pensiwn, datganiadau anabledd neu slipiau cyflog.
Mae’r sesiynau galw heibio’n cael eu cynnal yn y llyfrgelloedd canlynol ar:
• Dydd Llun, 11eg Tachwedd: Dinbych-y-pysgod (10am – 1pm) a Neyland (2pm – 4pm)
• Dydd Mawrth, 12fed Tachwedd: Abergwaun (10am – 1pm) a Thyddewi (2pm – 5pm)
• Dydd Mercher, 13eg Tachwedd: Glan-yr-afon, Hwlffordd (10am – 1pm) ac Aberdaugleddau (2pm – 4pm)
• Dydd Iau, 14eg Tachwedd: Arberth (10am – 1pm) a Saundersfoot (2pm – 5pm)
• Dydd Gwener, 15fed Tachwedd: Penfro (11am – 1pm) a Doc Penfro (2pm – 5pm)
• Dydd Llun, 18fed Tachwedd: Aberdaugleddau (10am – 1pm) a Doc Penfro (2pm – 5pm)
• Dydd Mawrth, 19eg Tachwedd: Glan-yr-afon, Hwlffordd (10am – 1pm) a Chrymych (3.30pm – 5.30pm)
• Dydd Mercher, 20fed Tachwedd: Trefdraeth (2pm – 4pm)
• Dydd Iau, 21ain Tachwedd: Abergwaun (10am – 1pm)
• Dydd Gwener, 22ain Tachwedd: Dinbych-y-pysgod (10am – 1pm) Hwlffordd (2pm – 5pm).

Geiriad
Y cerdyn bws newydd.

I gael rhagor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch â: Len Mullins, Rheolwr y Wasg a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus, ar 01437 775387. Mae datganiadau’r Cyngor i’r Wasg i’w cael hefyd ar wefan yr Awdurdod: http://www.sir-benfro.gov.uk

Neyland Rowing Club Day Race

Return of the Cleddau Race day plan – 8th June 2019

 

Time/Date

Activity

Area

On Friday 7th June

 

First Aid area set up

 

Toilets/changing room prep

 

16:00 Training Room –

Yacht Club

 

16:00 Changing area –

Yacht Club

 

On the day 8th June

 

 

 

 

Arrive to set up for Bacon rolls, tea coffee etc.

 

Set up for registration and coxes briefing.

 

08:00 Picton Centre

 

 

 08:00 Picton Centre

 

 

Registration

09:00 Picton Centre

 

 

Coxes briefing

10:00 Picton Centre

 

 

First boats away

10.30am Haverfordwest

 

 

First boats arriving back

(Need access to starter cabin at Yacht club)

12:10 Neyland slipway

 

 

Food for rowers

13:00 Alumchine

 

 

Raffle and presentation of trophies

 

14:00 Alumchine

Notes:

Officials on the day will be – Waiting for confirmation as to whether a WSRA official will be attending.

Safety boats – PYC, NYC

Assistance required with:

1.   Flags for lead boat – Green, yellow and red

2.   Microphone as back up for PA system

3.   First Aiders – Janet, Linsey, Janine

4.   Raffle donations

Neyland Community Litter Pick

There was an excellent turnout on Saturday at St Clements Church Hall for a community litter pick in glorious sunshine. The event was part of Keep Wales tidy, and organised by Neyland and District Environment Enthusiasts, Plastic Free Neyland and St Clements Church.

Following the litter pick, soup and bread was served all made from ingredients without plastic packaging.

Adam Pollard-Powell spoke about Neyland’s Plastic Free Community bid, Mark Bond from Pembrokeshire County Council then spoke about the council’s recycling scheme and Tim Brown spoke about the upcoming quiz night at the Alumchime at 7.30pm on Tuesday April 9th in support of Plastic Free Communities.

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”11″ gal_title=”LitterPickMarch2019″]

Neyland Vale Improvement

The popular walk through Neyland Vale had become very over grown over recent year but still remained a popular walk for many, so to kick start 2019, Neyland town council decided to invest in bringing it back to its glory by having the common land cut back and organised with the grass contractors to have it maintained on a regular basis. Clearing works was carried out by local company Roscoes and then the grass will be mowed by countryside as part of the help community’s scheme. The area will be left to grow and mature for 12 months when it will be looked at to plant some trees to become part of the Queens canopy for the commonwealth.

  • Before
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LOCAL BUS SERVICES CONSULTATION LAUNCHED

Members of the public are being asked for their views on proposals to cut some bus services in Pembrokeshire in a consultation launched by Pembrokeshire County Council.

The Council says some services will have to be reduced next year because of the severe financial pressures facing Pembrokeshire and other local authorities.

Cuts in the Welsh Government and County Council’s transport budgets mean that the funding allocated to passenger transport services will be drastically reduced next year.

Cllr Phil Baker, Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, explained that although some local bus services are operated commercially in Pembrokeshire, the vast majority are subsidised by the County Council.

And he urged the public to take part in the consultation and make their views known.

“We would like as many people as possible to let us know which bus services are important to them so that future changes have the least negative impact,” he said.

“There will be questionnaires on local buses and at libraries, leisure centres, and customer service centres.

“It is also available online at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/have-your-say

“Please get in touch and give us your views.”

The closing date for comments is 31st December, 2018.

For further information, please contact Anna Wilson, Press and PR Officer, on 01437 775855. The Council’s press releases are also available on the Authority’s website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/newsroom

LANSIO YMGYNGHORIAD GWASANAETHAU BWS LLEOL

 Mae ymgynghoriad, sydd wedi’i lansio gan Cyngor Sir Penfro, yn gofyn i aelodau o’r cyhoedd rannu eu barn ar gynlluniau arfaethedig i dorri rhai gwasanaethau bws yn Sir Benfro.

Mae’r Cyngor yn dweud y bydd yn rhaid lleihau rhai gwasanaethau flwyddyn nesaf o ganlyniad i bwysau ariannol sylweddol sy’n wynebu Cyngor Sir Penfro ac awdurdodau lleol eraill.

Mae toriadau yng nghyllid trafnidiaeth Llywodraeth Cymru a’r Cynghorau Sir yn golygu y bydd yr arian a glustnodir tuag at wasanaethau cludo teithwyr yn cael ei leihau’n sylweddol flwyddyn nesaf.

Eglurodd y Cynghorydd Phil Baker, Aelod Cabinet dros Drafnidiaeth a Seilwaith, er bod rhai gwasanaethau bws lleol yn gweithredu’n fasnachol yn Sir Benfro, mae’r mwyafrif helaeth yn cael ei gymorthdalu gan y Cyngor Sir.

Anogodd y cyhoedd i gymryd rhan yn yr ymgynghoriad, a lleisio eu barn.

“Byddem yn hoffi petai cymaint o bobl â phosib yn rhoi gwybod i ni pa wasanaethau bws sy’n bwysig iddynt, fel bod unrhyw newidiadau yn cael yr effaith negyddol leiaf,” meddai.

“Bydd holiaduron ar gael ar fysys lleol ac mewn llyfrgelloedd, canolfannau hamdden a chanolfannau gwasanaeth cwsmer.

“Mae hefyd ar gael ar-lein www.sir-benfro.gov.uk/dweud-eich-dweud

“Cysylltwch â ni a rhannwch eich barn.”

Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer derbyn unrhyw sylwadau yw 31 Rhagfyr 2018.

Am ragor o wybodaeth, cysylltwch ag Anna Wilson, Swyddog y Wasg a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus, ar 01437 775855. Mae datganiadau i’r wasg y Cyngor hefyd ar gael ar wefan yr Awdurdod: www.sir-benfro.gov.uk/ystafell-newyddion

Note for Editors

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Budget Strategy for 2019-20 and beyond is being developed around a number of principles, including identified services to find cost reductions/efficiencies totalling 8% of their controllable net expenditure budget for 2019-20.

 

 

 

Environmental Enforcement on litter picking and dog fouling

Many of you will be aware that over the past months the Environmental Services team have been working towards bringing in an enforcement team to deal with environmental issues, including dog fouling and littering.

This is to inform you that we have carried out a successful tender and awarded a contract to a specialised company “District Enforcement”. District will be operational on the streets of Pembrokeshire as from the 10th September, 2018.

The Environmental Services team have been working through the mobilisation plan with the company and you will probably have seen the recent press release.

The contract will deal initially with littering, dog fouling and other anti-social behaviour.

From listening to yourselves and residents we know how important it is for our local area to be clean, free from litter and dog fouling and a pleasant environment in which to live. Despite all Pembrokeshire County Council’s efforts to keep the area clean and litter-free some individuals continue to drop litter, fail to clean up after their dog or carry out other anti-social behaviour.

As part of a continuing commitment to improve the local environment for the benefit of us all this contract will enable us to increase our capacity to deal with environmental
enforcement across the County.

Uniformed Environmental Enforcement Officers will be operating in all parts of the County on the streets, car parks and on other open land that the public have access to. Anyone
witnessed littering by the officers will be issued with a £150 fixed penalty notice, which will be discounted to £75 if paid within 10 days.

We are asking for your support to make improvements to the local environment by bringing our enforcement approach to the attention of your constituents.

If you have any details regarding problem areas within your community or any queries please contact environmentalcrime@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

Sunday Bus to Withybush Hospital

Poster about Withybus bus service

Picking up from Tenby, Saundersfoot, Kilgetty, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Neyland, Milford Haven and Hakin, Haverfordwest
and villages in between.
Arriving at Withybush between 1:20 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Leaving Withybush between 3:30 p.m. and 4:40 p.m.

Booking Essential
Book on mobile: 07946 828 298
£5 to £7 return adults, £2.50 to £3.50 children
Concessionary Bus Pass holders travel free.