THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced the launch of its first Waterway Safety Competition, set to begin in April.

The initiative aims to promote safe and responsible use of the Milford Haven Waterway, one of the busiest and most diverse waterways in Wales. The waterway is used daily by paddleboarders, kayakers, sailors, swimmers, and large commercial vessels, making safety a key priority.

As part of the competition, participants are invited to showcase their own interpretation of the waterway through any creative medium. All art forms are welcome, and entries will be judged monthly.

Each month, winners will receive prizes designed to support water safety, including lifejackets and training sessions.

The Port hopes the competition will encourage greater awareness of safety while celebrating the unique character of the waterway.

For more information or to enter, visit: https://www.mhpa.co.uk/waterway-safety-competition/

Visit described as ‘coming home’ as Bishop Dorrien joins worshippers in Bro Lliedi

BISHOP DORRIEN marked Palm Sunday (Mar 29) with a series of visits and services across Llanelli, describing his return to the area as “coming home.”

The Bishop of St Davids spent the day in the Bro Lliedi Local Ministry Area, beginning with the main parish Eucharist at St Elli Church, where he both preached and presided.

Following the service, he joined members of the local ministry area for lunch, before spending time visiting parishioners in the community.

The day concluded with a Songs of Praise service in Felinfoel, bringing together worshippers for an evening of reflection and celebration.

As a token of appreciation for his visit, Bishop Dorrien was presented with a print of St Davids Cathedral.

The Bishop has strong personal ties to the Llanelli area, having served his title there earlier in his ministry. Speaking during the visit, he said returning to the town always feels like “coming home.”

Church leaders said the visit was a valuable opportunity for the Bishop to connect with congregations across the area during one of the most significant periods in the Christian calendar.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, a central time of reflection for Christians leading up to Easter.

PROTESTS against proposals for a deep-space radar site at Pembrokeshire’s Cawdor barracks, Brawdy, which have seen a local city council object, have taken place close to the site and at County Hall, Haverfordwest

In a pre-application consultation, ahead of a formal planning application, The Ministry of Defence wants to install 27 radar antenna and a long list of associated works at Cawdor Barracks, Brawdy.

The pre-application consultation on the UK Government website, ran up to March 23, with the MOD intending to submit a formal planning application to Pembrokeshire County Council after that date.

Proposals for a worldwide network of sensors called the Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC) to track active satellites and other objects would utilise three sites worldwide, in the USA, the UK and Australia “enabling 360-degree coverage of the sky at all times of day and under any weather conditions”.

In late 2023, Cawdor Barracks was identified as the preferred UK site by the-then UK Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps.

A supporting statement accompanying the pre-application consultation, through Montagu Evans LLP says: “The Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability proposal will enhance the UK’s ability to detect, identify, and track objects in Earth orbit, including satellites, space debris, and potential threats.

“This capability is vital for ensuring the resilience of UK space systems, enabling the UK to secure attribution, maintain stability and provide information for managing emerging challenges. Fundamentally, the project forms a key site that will support wider international space traffic management and enhance collective international security.

“As part of the ongoing investment into this domain, the UK has been working with its allies to identify a location for a new deep space monitoring facility to protect and defend both military and civilian infrastructure that supports our way of life.”

It adds that, as well as the civilian importance of satellite technology, “there is the strategic importance of secure communication for command-and-control activities undertaken by the UK military,” adding: “This not only serves to support operations for and with our allies across the globe, but also the day-to-day security of the nation.”

St Davids City Council members recently unanimously opposed the proposals, raising concerns including the impact on tourism, the loss of the only 4G sports pitch in the county area currently available to the community at Brawdy, the impact on the Pembrokeshire Dark Skies designation, and potential health considerations relating to non-ionising radiation.

Public objectors to the proposals have said there are concerns “about the scale, complexity and potential implications of the proposal,” adding: “A number of peaceful protests have taken place, including gatherings outside Brawdy Barracks and County Hall.

“In addition, a small number of people made camp over the weekend near the proposed site to highlight their concerns and to encourage further public dialogue about the proposed development.”

Concerns raised include a potential impact on the local economy, which is dependent on tourism, the environment, and potential impacts on human health.

“Other are worried that the presence of the radar would alter the profile of the region in terms of security,” Penny Dafforn of the protestors said, adding: “As we are seeing in the current action of the USA against Iran – such installations can very easily become a target for hostile forces.

“Given the technical and geopolitical complexity of the proposal, some residents have also expressed uncertainty about whether the local planning authority is best qualified to fully assess all aspects of this application.”