News
Newborn dolphins feed in the bay
NEW QUAY Sea Watch Foundation witnessed a rare sighting of a bottlenose dolphin calf feeding from its mother last Thursday (Aug 4) offering an exciting opportunity for the UK-wide research charity to widen their knowledge of Cardigan Bay’s dolphin inhabitants.
Volunteers begin their shift at 7am and work through to 9pm when the light and weather conditions allow. Sonia, of the research charity, began her shift on Thursday (Aug 4) and was welcomed by a collection of six dolphins, including a tiny newborn calf.
Although it is not uncommon for the bay’s bottlenose dolphins to appear very close to the harbour wall in New Quay, this occasion was extraordinary as six appeared seemingly out of nowhere and to Sonia’s astonishment, one was a tiny newborn dolphin calf.
On occasion, bottlenose dolphins do use the sheltered waters of Cardigan Bay to have their young. However, Sonia was overjoyed to witness the rare site of the youngster feeding from its mother.
Dolphins, along with whales and porpoises (collectively termed cetaceans), are mammals and produce milk which they feed to their young.
Sonia, Research Assistant for the charity this summer, described the event, stating: “I didn’t know where to look! There was so much happening all at the same time and I could not believe that I had the opportunity to witness a newborn calf being fed.”
Aside from the opportunity to see this special behaviour, there were also four other dolphins in the mix, including ‘Berry’ and her calf, ’Pip’.
Scientists are able to identify individual dolphins by photographing their dorsal fins. Over time, the fins build up nicks and notches which are unique to each animal, similar to a finger print in humans.
Once an animal is photographed and identified, its life history can be determined; which habitats does it prefer, which months is it seen, where does it travel to, how old is it, does it have any young?
Pip was named last year by the public who took part in a naming competition both online and from the pier in New Quay. With three youngsters having been seen in the past couple of weeks, the foundation will be again offering the opportunity to name one of these youngsters.
Using the photo-identification technique, the charity is able to offer an ‘Adopt a Dolphin’ scheme which offers adoptees the chance to follow the fortunes of real wild bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay.
The charity is reliant on the scheme for funding, which directly contributes to the well-being of Cardigan Bay dolphins.
Two new calves had been previously spotted in the bay, the first of which was witnessed during a Sea Watch all day survey on July 30, during which its mother was identified as ‘Trouble’ who has been followed by the team of researchers since 1989.
The other calf was photographed by the staff on board Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips on August 3 and the researchers will be working with the boat company to identify the individual’s mother in order to calculate just how many baby dolphins there are in the bay.
Crime
Police appeal for information after several tractors stolen
POLICE officers in Pembrokeshire investigating a theft from several tractors, which happened overnight between April 17-18, 2024.
The tractors had been in a field near to Loch Turfin, Haverfordwest.
Included in the stolen items were vehicle keys, tools and waterproof clothing.
A spokesperson said “Police are now appealing for anyone with information that could help them with their investigation to contact PC 772 Boyt either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 101.
“Quote reference: 24*355571”
Community
Pembrokeshire firefighters help deliver fire engines to Ukraine
FIRE services from across the United Kingdom have rallied together to donate vital firefighting equipment to Ukraine, amidst ongoing conflicts that have seen local fire stations and firefighters come under direct attack.
The Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) was at the forefront of this international goodwill effort, donating three fire appliances and dispatching nine of their personnel to ensure safe delivery.
The initiative, coordinated by Fire Aid UK, involved a total of 11 UK fire services. Over a grueling 5.5-day journey that spanned several countries—starting from Kent Fire and Rescue Service and moving through France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and into Poland—33 fire appliances were transported to a location just 20 miles from the Ukraine border. They left Kent on April 23.
This convoy, laden with not just fire engines but also 3000 items of critical firefighting gear including cutting equipment, fire hoses, first aid kits, and generators, was a sight of resilience and humanitarian commitment. Watch Manager Rob MakePeace, a Business Fire Safety Officer, and Watch Manager Keith Jenkins, who is retired but still oversees part-time personnel at Haverfordwest, played pivotal roles in the operation from Pembrokeshire.
Speaking on the experience, Keith Jenkins expressed the profound impact of the mission, “It was a fantastic experience to be involved in. The convoy itself was an amazing sight, but the people we met, places we stayed and the reason we were delivering the appliances was something we will remember for a long time.”
The donation comes at a critical time for Ukraine, where daily attacks have not only jeopardized the lives of local firefighters but have also devastated much of the essential infrastructure needed to fight fires effectively. The additional appliances and equipment from the UK are expected to significantly bolster the capabilities of the Ukrainian fire departments, providing them with the necessary tools to save lives and protect property under dire circumstances.
This act of generosity and the strenuous efforts by the UK firefighters underscore a deep commitment to aiding those in peril, transcending borders and showcasing the best of international cooperation and humanitarian assistance.
News
Protest outside Stephen Crabb’s office over Rwanda deportations
SUPPORTERS of West Wales Stand Up to Racism group will attend a protest outside the office of Stephen Crabb MP in Market Street at 6pm on Tuesday evening (May 7).
The protest is to highlight the inhumane scheme to send refugees to Rwanda.
Since the Rwanda Bill was finally passed last week, refugees have already been identified, detained and are being prepared to be flown to Rwanda to have their asylum claims processed there.
Rushi Sunak has said “To detain people while we prepare to remove them, we’ve increased detention spaces to 2,200.
“To quickly process claims, we’ve got 200 trained, dedicated caseworkers ready and waiting. To deal with any legal cases quickly and decisively, the judiciary has made available 25 courtrooms and identified 150 judges who could provide over 5,000 sitting days.”
The protestors are asking: why is all this money being spent when these vulnerable people could have their asylum claims dealt with in the UK?
If the Prime Minister hoped his Rwanda plan would help get more votes for the Conservative Party in the recent elections, it would appear he was mistaken.
A new report from the Refugee Council warns that the UK Government’s flagship Illegal Migration Act and Rwanda Plan will lead to another catastrophic “system meltdown”, trapping over 100,000 people in permanent limbo while costing taxpayers billions.
West Wales Stand Up to Racism has campaigned against the Government’s plan to send refugees to Rwanda from the time this scheme was first suggested.
Supporters have previously met with Simon Hart MP and attempted to deliver a giant postcard to his office.
The group has taken part in the online Hands in Protest project organised by Artisan Avenue, Tenby which allowed everyone to express on line how they felt about Rwanda by submitting drawings of their own hands. The collective Hands In Protest gives a powerful message that the Rwanda plan should be stopped.
The organisers said: “Supporters will be once more taking the giant postcard on Tuesday, to protest about the Rwanda scheme. We will have small post cards for supporters to write messages to Stephen Crabb, telling him how strongly we feel about this.
“All over the UK, anti-racists are picketing Home Office buildings to show their opposition to the Rwanda scheme and are trying to prevent arrests and giving support to the refugees being arrested and detained.
“West Wales Stand Up to Racism supporters want to make their voices heard too.”
-
News6 days ago
Police investigating after woman found dead on beach near Pennar
-
News6 days ago
Police discover body in search for Luke Stephenson, 19
-
News6 days ago
Councillors block Milford Haven boxing event – promoter to appeal
-
News5 days ago
Beautiful, funny and lovely: Family pay tribute to Sian Batchelor
-
Community1 day ago
Joy as Willow rescued by coastguard after 12-day ordeal
-
Business2 days ago
Dragon LNG explores integration of LNG and CO2 liquefaction processes
-
News4 days ago
Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police
-
News6 days ago
Tigers second division Cup Champions