Community
Lantern parade lights up Haverfordwest in dazzling display
HAVERFORDWEST came alive with light and colour on Saturday evening (Oct 26) as the town’s annual Lantern Parade captivated thousands. Organized by SPAN Arts, the event drew a crowd of around 2,000 spectators, all eager to experience the magic of this much-loved community tradition.
Beginning at 5:00pm in St. Thomas’s Square, the procession wound its way through Haverfordwest’s streets, led by an impressive giant illuminated boat lantern. Music from the Samba DOC band created a festive rhythm for the parade, while the local choir, Côr Pawb, filled Castle Square with harmonious choral performances.
The night concluded in spectacular fashion at the Skate Park, where PFS Entertainment UK delivered a high-energy circus-style performance and dazzling fire display. The finale left the crowd exhilarated, bringing a memorable close to the evening’s festivities.
The parade featured approximately 500 lantern bearers, many carrying lanterns crafted during free community workshops held before the event. This collaborative effort highlighted Haverfordwest’s creative spirit, drawing participants and onlookers of all ages in a celebration of unity and artistry.
Thanks to careful planning, the event ran smoothly, with sections of Bush Row, Market Street, and High Street closed to facilitate the parade. SPAN Arts marshals were on hand to ensure safety, helping create a welcoming and well-organized atmosphere.
The Lantern Parade once again proved to be a highlight on the Haverfordwest calendar, shining a light on the community’s talent, creativity, and enduring spirit.
(Image: Lindsey Mac/Haverfordwest Civic Society/Facebook)
Community
Public toilet in Fishguard town centre up for sale, potential for commercial use
A PUBLIC toilet in Fishguard town centre is on the market with potential for commercial redevelopment.
Listed by John Francis, the former toilet block is available for £45,000, offering an opportunity to repurpose the building for retail or other uses, pending council approval. Located centrally, the facility has been closed but has attracted interest for its prime location.
The building covers approximately 22 square metres (237 square feet) and would require ecological and infrastructure assessments prior to any modifications. Buyers interested in transforming the site will need to submit a formal planning application.
Further details can be found on the John Francis website.
Community
Saundersfoot war veteran Duncan, 98, reunited with ‘old flame’
WAR Veteran Duncan Hilling has been reunited with an ‘old flame’ – who looks not a day older than ‘she’ did 80 years ago!
Duncan, a very active 98-year-old from Saundersfoot, visited the Tank Museum at Bovington, Dorset, specifically to see a wartime Universal Carrier, the tracked vehicle he drove in World War II. It is also known as a Bren Gun Carrier.
Thanks to Museum staff, Duncan was able to climb aboard, instantly recalling his days with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Duncan served in India and was among the first British Army contingent as occupying forces in Japan, at the end of the war in August 1945. At that time he visited both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, cities destroyed by the first atomic bombs.
Said Duncan: “I felt like I had gone back in time 80 years. I spent two years with the same five carrier drivers. We drove all over India, Japan and Malaya. Sitting in the Bren Gun Carrier, it felt like they were still with me. So many memories.”
Joining Duncan down wartime memory lane were daughters Katrina Pearn and Miranda Davies and son Lyndon, who arranged the visit.
Community
2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards nominations revealed
The waiting is over and the nominations for the 2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been revealed!
A total of 252 nominations have been received in 13 categories for individuals and teams involved in a variety of different sports across the County.
The three finalists in each category will be announced on the Sport Pembrokeshire Facebook page on November 15th.
The overall winners will be unveiled at a gala ceremony at Folly Farm on November 29th, organised by Sport Pembrokeshire.
The awards are sponsored by Valero, Folly Farm, and Pure West Radio.
Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, said: “We’re so pleased that so many people have yet again taken the time to nominate individuals and teams from our sporting community to be recognised in the Sport Pembrokeshire awards.
“The awards are a great opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and achievements of our local sportspeople, coaches and volunteers, as well as celebrating the wide variety of sports being enjoyed across Pembrokeshire.”
The nominations are as follows:
(some individuals/teams received more than one nomination)
Girls U16’s
- Ffion Bowen (Football)
- Grace Nichols (Swimming)
- Cerys Griffiths (Swimming)
- Chloe John-Driscoll (Air Rifle Shooting)
- Seren Morris (Football)
- Ada Woodman (Football)
- Tegan Hilton (Netball)
- Mary Falconer (Climbing)
- Elissa Tyrrell (Gymnastics)
- Olivia Harries (Gymnastics)
- Daisy James (Football)
- Poppy Canton Davies (Equestrian)
- Josie Hawke (Surfing)
- Keira Edwards (Sailing)
- Phoenix Phillipa (Cricket)
- Mari Cole (Cricket)
- Mali Green (Netball)
- Ava Tyrie (MMA)
- Lily Morgan (Swimming & Cross Country)
- Nansi Griffiths (Athletics)
Boys U16’s
- Kyle Gammer (Parkour)
- Kieran Bevans (Golf)
- Hugo Boyce (Cycling)
- Billydean Llewellyn (Football)
- Harrison Elcock (Hockey)
- Rupert Hannon (Tennis)
- Kieran George (Swimming)
- Ned Rees Wigmore (Hockey & Tennis)
- Sean Bolger (Boxing)
- Billy Lawrence (Golf)
- Carter Heywood (Football)
Club of the Year
- Camrose AFC Girls & Women
- Haverfordwest Gymnastics Club
- Pembrokeshire Triathlon Club
- Pembroke & Pembroke Dock ABC
- Pembrokeshire Parkour Club
- Burton Cricket Club
- Haverfordwest Badminton Club
- Neyland RFC
- Celtic Sea Watersports
- Solva AFC
- Pembroke Company of Archers
- Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club
- Fishguard Thunderbolts
- Hundleton AFC
- Milford Tigers Swimming Club
- Pembroke & District Amateur Swimming Club
- FF Dancers
- Windswept Watersports
- Hook Short Mat Bowls Club
- Strength Academy Wales (SAW Cymru)
- Vibe School of Dance
Junior Disability Award
- Finnley Walters (Pembroke & Pembroke Dock Boxing Club)
- Lewis Crawford (Boccia)
- Jac Johnson (Gymnastics)
Young Volunteer of the Year
- George Richards (Cresselly Cricket Club)
- Carys Ribbon
- Keira Edwards (Neyland Yacht Club)
- Anna May (Haverfordwest Tennis Club)
- Caitlin Chapman (Pembroke Netball Club)
- Caitlin Vaughan (HHVCS)
- Cara Williams (Ysgol Harri Tudur)
- Alice Gottwaltz (Tenby Sapphires Netball)
Junior Team
- Hakin United U16’s 2023/24
- Milford Haven Golf Club Junior Section
- Chaos Thunder U12’s
- Neyland AFC Under 14’s
- Neyland Yacht Club Junior Sailing Team
- Solva AFC under 9’s
- Ysgol Caer Elen Year 7 Cricket Team
- Fishguard & Goodwick Junior Hockey Team
- Haverfordwest Golf Club Junior Team
- Cresselly Cricket Club Juniors
- Neyland Pink Pirates Under 13’s & 14’s
- Haverfordwest High School Year 10 rugby team 2023/24
- Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA Equestrian Team
Unsung Hero
- Leanne Jones (Camrose FC)
- Sue Christopher (Broadhaven Buccaneers Surf Lifesaving Club)
- Matthew Harries (Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club)
- Luke Hinson (Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club)
- Christopher Dullagan (Milford Athletic FC)
- Brian Hearne (Haverfordwest Tennis Club)
- Sharron Hardwick (Kilgetty AFC)
- Owen Shanklin (Pool)
- Monika Davies and Emma Meacham (Exercise Buddies)
- Angela Miles
- Sarah & Miyah (Windswept Watersports)
- Brian Millard (Fishguard Thunderbolts)
- Emma Nevatte (Hundleton Junior Football Club)
- Peter Kingdom (Pembroke Dock Cricket Club)
- Daisy Griffiths (Haverfordwest Gymnastic Club)
- Clive Law (Short Mat Bowls)
- Richard Jones (Bowls)
- Joseph Lewis (Monkton Swifts FC)
Senior Team
- The Bluetits Chill Swimmers
- Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club
- Maeve Mcgee and Oliver King (Golf)
- John Roberts & Michael Jackson (Bowls)
- Pembrokeshire County Bowling Association
- Haverfordwest Ladies Rugby Team
- Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Team
- Haverfordwest Gymnastics Club
- Alan Evans, Andrew Evans and Mikey John
Male Achievement
- Lewis Davies (Weightlifting)
- Morgan Williams (Rugby)
- Oliver King (Golf)
- Matt Jones (Triathlon)
- David Booth (Football)
- Jeremy Cross (Tennis)
- Ieuan Hood (Powerlifting)
- Rhys Llewellyn (Athletics)
- Sam Coleman (E-Powerboat Racing)
- Dan Jenkins (Badminton)
- Macs Page (Rugby)
Female Achievement
- Seren Thorne (Target Shooting)
- Ffion Barnikel (Octopush)
- Tracey Thomas (Running)
- Stephanie Waring (Triathlon)
- Gracie Griffiths (Athletics)
- Helen Carrington (Powerlifting)
- Lotty Whalley (Weightlifting)
- Ava Midgley (Cricket)
- Lee Gibbons (Athletics)
- Ffion Evans (Boxing)
- Marie Tilley (Football)
- Alice Gottwaltz (Netball)
Disability Sport Award
- Jack Collings (Clarby Warriors)
- Brett Piggott & Leon Davies (Clarby Warriors)
- Jules King (Crossfit)
- Ross Price (Pembrokeshire Vikings Rugby)
- Matt Bush (Taekwondo)
- Brian Millard (Fishguard Thunderbolts)
- Lizzie Booth (Football)
- Evelyn Thomas (Para-powerlifting)
- Marc Evans (Fishguard Thunderbolts)
- Jodie Grinham (Archery)
Club Organiser
- Matthew Harries (Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club)
- Tom Waters (Haverfordwest Badminton Club)
- Richard Rees (Basketball)
- Rob Codd (Fishguard & Goodwick Hockey Club)
- Emma Nevatte (Hundleton Junior Football Club)
- Caroline Summons (Milford United AFC)
- Nadine Tyrrell (Haverfordwest Gymnastics Club)
- Huw Jones (Haverfordwest Golf Club)
- Nick Shelmerdine (Lamphey Cricket Club)
- Finola Findlay (FF Dancers)
- Paul Hudson (Short Mat Bowls)
- Sean Hannon (Neyland CC & AFC)
- Emma Williams (Pembrokeshire Freedivers)
Coach of the Year
- Tyler James (Parkour)
- Anthony Mayhew (Hakin AFC)
- Lewis Davies (Weightlifting)
- Phillippa Gale (Netball)
- Nick Russel (Swimming)
- Mikey Newman (Parkour)
- Daisy Griffiths (Gymnastics)
- Phil Sadler (Surfing)
- Dean Llewellyn(Monkton Swifts FC U11’s)
- Dale Humphrey (Pembroke Panthers Ladies Rugby)
- Tom Richards (Haverfordwest Tennis Club)
- Andrew Phillips (Solva AFC)
- Brian Millard (Fishguard Thunderbolts)
- Bruce Evans (Tennis)
- Francesca Morgan (Swimming)
- Conor Ratcliff (Skateboarding)
- Jo Price (Football)
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