LLANDYBIE: Accountants help adventurous two-year-old with ultra-rare condition take to the slopes

Mabli Strick was born with GAND syndrome, a neurodevelopmental condition that affects only around 455 people worldwide.

One of her greatest joys is skiing every week at the Pembrey Country Park ski slope with the volunteer-run charity, Ski4All Wales.

The charity, which provides life-changing opportunities for children and adults with disabilities, has now received a financial boost from Ashmole & Co accountants.

The Ammanford-based firm has made a contribution to help the charity buy urgently needed new equipment to continue offering its transformative skiing experiences.

Jim Cornock, a Partner with Ashmole & Co, visited the ski centre to meet Mabli and her mum, Gwenno.

“It was a privilege to meet Mabli and see the incredible work Ski4All Wales are doing,” he said.

“It was lovely to see the joy on Mabli’s face while she was skiing. The work that Ski4All Wales do for help families is humbling.”

He added: “We are happy to be able to give a financial contribution to this worthwhile charity and I would urge any other businesses that can afford to do the same to seriously consider it.”

Mabli’s mum, Gwenno, said the charity had made a huge difference to their lives.

“Ski4All Wales has truly transformed our lives,” she said. “Through their kindness, support and encouragement, we’ve seen Mabli blossom, gain confidence, courage and pure happiness, every time she takes to the slopes.”

She added that adaptive skiing has given her daughter “a freedom and joy that few other activities could offer.”

Ski4All Wales offers the opportunity to experience the thrill of skiing safely through the use of specialist adaptive sit-skis.

The charity has warned that without vital support to buy new equipment, many regular skiers, including children like Mabli, will no longer be able to take part.

I think Waffle enjoyed #Pembrey beach on Saturday.

#DogsOfMastodon #Dogs #Dog #Corgi #Corgis #PembreyCountryPark #DogsOfFedi

Pembrey Country Park and Swiss Valley Reservoir join Wales National Forest scheme

The National Forest Scheme is run by Welsh Government, with members having to demonstrate ownership or management control of woodland in Wales that meets National Forest for Wales outcomes and has a woodland management plan in place.

Pembrey Country park and Swiss Valley’s Lower Lliedi Reservoir join Llys y Fran and Coed Uno in Pembrokeshire, Coed Parc y Moch in Gwynedd, Penpont in Powys, Halkyn Castle Wood in Flintshire, Pontyclun Woodlands in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Denmark Farm in Ceredigion and Sirhowy Hill Woodlands in Gwent in joining the scheme.

Welsh Government Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said: “It’s wonderful to see the continued expansion of the National Forest for Wales and to be able to welcome this next group of woodlands to the network. We have a great ambition to have more of these throughout Wales, where they can be enjoyed by everyone.

“This is a very strong round with all the sites meeting all six of the National Forest outcomes, and shining a real light on the diversity of National Forest sites and the breadth of impacts and activities they undertake.

“I’d encourage other sites to join the National Forest so we can continue to expand the network of good quality, well designed and managed resilient woodland – as well as opening up more outdoor spaces, which are good for our wellbeing, and creating new green job opportunities.”

#Environment #HuwIrrancaDaviesMS #Llanelli #LowerLleidiReservoir #nationalForest #PembreyCountryPark #PembreyForest #SwissValley #SwissValleyReservoir

Historic Pembrey pumphouse up for sale for £1.25m

The Old Pump House, which comes with planning permission for holiday lets and luxury lodges, is being marketed by specialist agents, Christie & Co.

Located on Factory Road in Pembrey, on the outskirts of the coastal Pembrey Country Park, Christie & Co say the the 4.6 acre site presents an opportunity for an operator to establish a brand-new holiday let and lodge business. Planning permission is already in place to create 16 holiday lets within the Old Pump House building, and 23 luxury lodges on the site.

Gabriela Williams, Business Agent at Christie & Co, is managing the sale and commented, “Demand for holiday sites is currently strong across the market. This is an excellent opportunity for an existing operator to expand, or a new-to-sector operator to build a bespoke holiday lodge and let business, in a very desirable coastal location, with passing traffic of over 400,000 visitors to Pembrey Country Park a year.”

The former pump-house and surrounding land was originally built Circa 1937-39 and was working until 2000. It was used to store and pump clean water to Swiss Valley Reservoir, when the demand for water in Llanelli required it to do so.

#Carmarthenshire #ChristieCo #Pembrey #PembreyCountryPark #Property

Pembrey’s Cefn Sidan beach retains blue flag status

The Blue Flag Award, managed by Keep Wales Tidy on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education, is an internationally renowned mark of quality. Cefn Sidan remains one of the most celebrated beaches in Wales, offering eight miles of golden sand, stunning coastal views, and a pristine natural environment for locals and visitors alike.

Carmarthenshire Council, which owns the beach and the country park, says that retaining Blue Flag status is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local authorities, park staff, volunteers, and the community in maintaining high environmental standards. The beach continues to implement sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that its unique coastal habitat is protected for future generations.

Cefn Sidan was hailed as not only being beautiful but also safe and accessible, with excellent lifeguard services, clear safety signage, and well-maintained facilities. The beach is a haven for families, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities such as walking, cycling, beachcombing, and water sports.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism, Cllr Hazel Evans said: “We are thrilled that Cefn Sidan Beach has retained its Blue Flag status once again. This award reflects our ongoing efforts to preserve and enhance our natural coastline while ensuring visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience. We encourage everyone to continue respecting and protecting our beautiful beach.”

#BlueFlag #CarmarthenshireCouncil #CefnSidanBeach #Environment #KeepWalesTidy #Pembrey #PembreyCountryPark

Pembrey Country Park picks up ‘Best Campsite’ at tourism awards

Nestled amidst 500 acres of lush parkland and boasting 8 miles of golden sandy beaches, Pembrey Country Park offers a unique combination of natural beauty and modern amenities.

Carmarthenshire Council say the South West Wales Tourism award recognizes the park’s continued commitment to excellence, sustainability, and delivering memorable experiences for families, adventurers, and nature enthusiasts alike.

Pembrey Country Park will now represent the region at the National Wales Tourism Awards on 27th March 2025.

Carmarthenshire Council say that as a result of receiving SPF funding, the campsite will introduce pay-as-you-go pitches to align with the targets set by its green agenda.

Additionally, a new amenity block will be constructed to replace the original facility from the time the campsite first opened.

Cllr Hazel Evans, Carmarthenshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, expressed delight at the recognition: “This award is a testament to the hard work, passion, and dedication of our entire team at Pembrey Country Park. We are incredibly proud to receive this honour and look forward to representing South West Wales at the national awards.”

(Lead image: Carmarthenshire Council)

#campsite #Carmarthenshire #CarmarthenshireCouncil #Pembrey #PembreyCountryPark #tourism

Appeal launch after man bitten by ‘mastiff type’ dog at Pembrey Country Park

The reported attack took place on Sunday 2 March around 2.30pm, where the man who was cycling through the park was bitten on his leg by the large dog.

Police are now asking for information to identify the owner of the dog and for any witnesses of the incident to come forward.

A spokesperson for Dyfed Powys Police said: “Officers are investigating a report of a man having been bitten by a dog while cycling in Pembrey Country Park at around 2.30pm on Sunday 2 March, 2025.

“The incident is reported to have involved the man being bitten to his lower right leg and resulted in the victim seeking medical attention.

“The dog is described as a large mastiff type dog and officers are now appealing to identify the owner as part of their enquiries.

“The owner is described as a white male, around 5 feet and 9 inches tall and of a stocky to large build. At the time of the reported incident, he was described as wearing a dark coloured jacket, a white bobble hat, knee-length shorts with knee supports on both legs.

“If you have any information that could help enquiries, please get in touch.”

(Lead image: Carmarthenshire County Council)

#dog #dogAttack #DyfedPowysPolice #Mastiff #PembreyCountryPark

Richard Jones jailed for life for the murder of Llanelli mum Sophie Evans

When the 30-year-old let her partner’s father into her home on July 5, 2024, she believed he was there to carry out a repair. 

But less than 40 minutes after he arrived, Richard Jones had killed the mother-of-two.

After being found guilty of murder earlier this year, 50-year-old Jones, of Y Rhodfa in Burry Port, has today been jailed for life.

Swansea Crown Court heard the devastating impact his ‘disgraceful’ actions have had on Sophie’s family.

In a joint statement, they said: “Our Sophie was a kind caring and wonderful mother, daughter, sister, and auntie.

“We all adored her. She was the rock of our family and the best mum to her two little girls. She lit up every room, gave the best advice and loved her family so much.

“We are completely lost without her beautiful smile and comforting ways. Our lives have been completely destroyed by this senseless and cruel act.

“Nobody will ever compare to Sophie, we have to live our lives with an enormous part of us missing.”

During a two-week trial in January, the court was shown CCTV footage of Sophie dropping her daughters off at school just half an hour before Jones arrived at her home in Bigyn Road.

Within 40 minutes he had attacked Sophie and left her for dead in her kitchen.

It wasn’t until 5.27pm that the alarm was raised with emergency services, after Jones indicated through a series of text messages to an ex-partner that he had killed the 30-year-old.

Dyfed-Powys Police officers immediately made their way to Sophie’s home, where it was confirmed that she had tragically died. At that time, Jones was still in contact with his ex-partner, asking her not to disclose what he had done.

Through CCTV, digital and financial enquiries, Jones was found by police near the entrance to Pembrey Country Park at 8pm. He was arrested, and after nine interviews he was charged with murder.

Sophie’s family added: “There will never be enough justice for what he has done and caused us.

“Sophie trusted this man and let him into her home where she lived with her two girls, because that’s the person she was. This man took advantage of a young vulnerable woman in the most disgraceful way.

“Two little girls cry every night missing their mummy, a father lost his loving daughter and we have lost our amazing sister.

“He has taken everything from us all in the most despicable way possible.

“We will never forget our beautiful Sophie. She will remain in our hearts as that is all we now have.

“All for nothing because someone lost their temper.”

Dyfed-Powys Police Detective Superintendent Gareth Roberts said: “My thoughts remain with Sophie’s family, who have endured unimaginable heartbreak at the loss of their mother, daughter, sister and auntie.

“Sophie’s death was completely avoidable, a result of senseless violence triggered when Richard Jones lost his temper.

“Sophie was vulnerable when Jones attacked, alone in her home with no means of defending herself. She was left with fatal injuries when Jones fled the scene, feeling no remorse or sense of responsibility for what he had done.

“I can only hope that Sophie’s family take some comfort from today’s sentence. Now that legal proceedings are over, I am sure they will endeavour to focus on the happy memories they have of her.”

(Lead image: Dyfed Powys Police)

#BurryPort #DyfedPowysPolice #Llanelli #murder #PembreyCountryPark

We went to the food festival at #PembreyCountryPark and Waffle got to have a scurry on the beach. I think he had fun.

#DogsOfMastodon #Corgi #Pembrey #PembrokeshireCorgi #beach #Carmarthenshire

Burry Port man found guilty of murdering Llanelli mother-of-two

Jones denied murdering Sophie Evans, but admitted manslaughter – saying he snapped when he suspected the victim and her boyfriend, his son Jamie Davies, were trying to defraud him.

Following a two-week trial, a jury reached a guilty verdict against the 50-year-old of Y Rhoddfa, Burry Port.

The court heard how Jones arrived at Sophie’s home in Bigyn Road, Llanelli, at 9.19am on July 5, 2024. He was captured on a doorbell camera speaking on the phone with Sophie before she let him in through the front door.

He was at the home for just 40 minutes before CCTV shows him running back to his car, returning to the house and then driving away. By this time, he had attacked Sophie and left her for dead in her kitchen.

Following the incident, CCTV footage shows Jones driving to Llanelli town centre where he visited the bank and a bakery before going home to Burry Port. By 10.35am he had left his home address by car and was driving to Pembrey Country Park.

Through a series of text messages to an ex-partner, Jones explained that he thought he had been ‘scammed’ and that he ‘won’t be about’. He’d suspected Sophie and his son Jamie Davies of trying to defraud him.

At 5.27pm Dyfed-Powys Police say they received a 999-call reporting that Richard Jones had killed Sophie Evans. Officers immediately attended her address and forced entry through the back door. Sophie was found on the kitchen floor and was confirmed to have died.

Fifteen minutes later, Jones again text his ex-partner asking her not to say anything.

Following police enquiries, Jones was found by police near the entrance to Pembrey Country Park at 8pm. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to hospital where he remained for four days.

When he arrived at custody on July 9, 2024, Jones made a phone call to his mother in which he told her he had ‘messed up again’.

During their enquiries, officers found notes handwritten by Jones stating, ‘I got scammed and rinsed by my own son, so I dealt with it myself, I had no other choice’.

On July 11, after nine interviews, he was charged with the murder of Sophie Evans.

Detective Superintendent Gareth Roberts said: “The guilty verdict of the court is welcomed. Our thoughts at this time are with Sophie and the family and friends who loved her. Sophie was a young mother, beloved family member and friend. Richard Jones has been found guilty of what was a senseless, cowardly act triggered by anger and temper. Sophie was within her own home and not in a position to defend herself from Richard Jones’ cruel act of violence. The family will take some comfort that he’s now removed from society and cannot harm any others.”

Richard Jones will appear at court on March 3rd for sentencing.

(Lead image: Family photo)

#BurryPort #DyfedPowysPolice #Llanelli #murder #PembreyCountryPark