News
2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards Finalists announced
THE finalists for the 2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been announced.
In total, 252 nominations were received and, following a selection meeting, the judging panel has named 39 finalists.
Matt Freeman, Manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide nominations.
“Every year it gets harder to narrow the nominations down to three finalists and once again the quality of the nominees was enormously high.
“The number and quality of nominees just shows the strength of the sporting scene here in Pembrokeshire.
All the finalists will be invited to a grand presentation ceremony at Folly Farm on Friday, November 29th, where the winners will be announced.
The ceremony will also reveal the winners of two further categories – the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award.
The awards are organised by Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire County Council’s sport development team.
They are sponsored by Sport Pembrokeshire, Valero, Folly Farm and Pure West Radio.
The awards aim to recognise those people who have excelled in sport over the last 12 months, or who have given their time to coaching and organising grass roots sport.
Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2024 – Finalists
(In alphabetical order)
Coach of the Year
Francesca Morgan (Swimming)
Philippa Gale (Netball)
Tom Richards (Tennis)
Female Sporting Achievement
Gracie Griffiths (Race Walking)
Helen Carrington (Powerlifting)
Seren Thorne (Shooting)
Male Sporting Achievement
Jeremy Cross (Tennis)
Rhys Llewellyn (Athletics)
Sam Coleman (Powerboat Racing)
Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement
Carter Heywood (Football)
Hugo Boyce (Cycling)
Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)
Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement
Cerys Griffiths (Swimming)
Chloe John-Driscoll (Shooting)
Ffion Bowen (Football)
Disability Sport Award
Evelyn Thomas (Powerlifting)
Jules King (Crossfit)
Marc Evans (Cricket)
Junior (U16) Disability Sport Award
Finnley Walters (Boxing)
Jac Johnson (Gymnastics)
Lewis Crawford (Boccia)
Unsung Hero
John Laugharne (Rugby)
Owen Shanklin (Pool)
Sue Christopher (Surf Lifesaving)
Team Achievement of the Year
Alan Evans, Andrew Evans & Michael John (Short Mat Bowls)
Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club
Pembrokeshire County Bowls Team
Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year
Chaos Thunder U12’s Netball Team
Hakin United AFC u16’s
Neyland Yacht Club Junior Sailing Team
Young Volunteer of the Year
Anna May (Tennis & Surfing)
Caitlin Chapman (Netball)
George Richards (Cricket)
Club Organiser
Nadine Tyrrell (Gymnastics)
Nick Shelmerdine (Cricket)
Paul Hudson (Short Mat Bowls)
Club of the Year
Camrose AFC Women & Girls Football
Haverfordwest Gymnastics Club
Strength Academy Wales Cymru
Pictured above: The 2023 Club of the Year winner – Pembroke Cricket Club.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
-
News20 hours ago
Ferry accident causes delay on new Dublin-Fishguard route
-
Top News5 days ago
Pembrokeshire man jailed after repeatedly punching pregnant wife
-
Top News4 days ago
Police investigate dogs seen persistently chasing sheep on Pembrokeshire airfield
-
News6 days ago
Dyfed-Powys Police launches attempted murder investigation
-
News6 days ago
Heroes of the storm: How Council workers rallied during rare red wind warning
-
Top News5 days ago
Milford man dealt ‘persistent’ blows on girlfriend after urinating in flat
-
News5 days ago
Engine room fire caused by loose fuel pipe connection previously flagged
-
Top News5 days ago
Caws Cenarth ‘matriarch’, Thelma Adams, dies aged 86