Community
Get into the festive spirit with a new Christmas market and Gingerbread family trail at Milford Winterfront
Pembrokeshire’s Milford Waterfront will transform from the end of November in the lead up to Christmas to Milford Winterfront.
New for 2024, it will host an indoor Christmas market filled with the festive delights of local produce, craft, food and drinks stalls. Running across the weekend of 14-15th December, alongside the wide range of independent shops at Milford Waterfront there will be pop-up refreshments with food stalls, live music and free Christmas crafts for the children. Sparkle the Elf will roaming the destination too, creating mischief on adults and children alike.
Throughout the festive period, from 29th November to 2nd January, families will be able to follow a FREE special Gingerbread Family Trail to find the hidden characters in and around the Waterfront, on a prize-winning quest.
Finally, for a real dose of festive magic, from 13th to 29th December, the Torch Theatre will be staging its annual pantomime, which this year will be Jack and the Beanstalk.
Alongside the entertainment, visitors will be able to stock up on gifts from the many independent businesses. From artisan chocolates at Trwffl or Dilly’s to natural skincare products at Akamuti, plus a whole host of gift and clothing shops, there’s plenty of choice for support-local present ideas. And, adding to the pre-Christmas conviviality, visitors can head to one of the many independent restaurants that overlook the marina. With festive menus available from mid-November onwards, options range from locally sourced seafood specialities to family favourites.
Stay: Right in the heart of the action is Tŷ Hotel Milford Waterfront. Overlooking the marina, the hotel has a special Happy Holly-Days Festive offer with standard rooms from £58 per room per night and family rooms from £101 per night based on four sharing. www.ty-hotels.com
For more information on the festive season at Milford Waterfront, visit www.milfordwaterfront.co.uk.
Community
Find out more about what’s coming next in Haverfordwest’s regeneration journey
A COMMUNITY evening will be held this week with the contractor taking on construction of the new modern Public Transport Interchange (PTI) for Haverfordwest.
Kier Construction Ltd will be at HaverHub on Thursday, 21st November for people to meet the team and find out more about the development which is due to start its rebuild phase imminently.
The event will be open 3pm to 7pm and is a fantastic opportunity to ask any questions you may have about the plans.
The scheme forms part of the South West Wales Metro project and will provide a modern and innovative transport hub, integrating all transport modes.
Designs include improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities through the site, a more efficient and integrated bus station, and construction of a new modern multi-storey.
Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change and Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said: “This is another exciting step in the extensive regeneration of Haverfordwest and we are looking forward to seeing construction starting on this latest project.”
The bus station will be integrated within the PTI with seven bus bays and upgraded passenger facilities and a new multi-storey will have around 280 spaces, and be much easier to use for drivers.
Green credentials are also important with electric vehicle charging points included – with further vehicle charging expansion built-in and future-proofed – and solar panels installed on the new car park roof.
An upgraded public realm will further improve the environment around the Interchange and promoting Active Travel such as walking and cycling.
The project also involves improving car parking provision and local bus access at Haverfordwest railway station.
Local Member, Cllr Thomas Tudor said: “I welcome this public engagement event which is an opportunity for all to come together to share and learn about the various projects that are ongoing, which can only improve our county town for both residents and visitors alike.”
No booking is required for the event, just drop in at a time that suits you.
Jason Taylor, regional director at Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “We look forward to meeting with the residents of Haverfordwest at this community evening and sharing the exciting plans we have for this project.
“Kier is incredibly proud of its Welsh roots and can trace them back over 40 years and are thrilled to be extending this experience in Haverfordwest.”
Kier also plans to have a presence on the Riverside Shopping Centre, where people will be able to drop in to find out more once work begins this month.
The temporary Riverside car park has closed to allow for the development to start.
More information on car parking in Haverfordwest is available at: Haverfordwest car parks
Community
Save Lampeter University petition hits 2,600 in two days
A 2,600-STRONG petition has been launched calling for a sustainable future for Wales’ oldest university, Lampeter, after fears all undergraduate teaching is to end.
The change.org petition, by John Jennings, was started on November 13 and, to date, has gained 2,579 signatures
It says: “The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has announced a plan to end all undergraduate teaching at its Lampeter campus by September 2025, a decision that would sever nearly 200 years of Lampeter’s role as a centre of higher education and devastate the local community.
“As alumni, students, and supporters, we call upon UWTSD and the Welsh Government to protect Lampeter’s legacy and commit to a sustainable future for this historic campus.”
It adds: “Lampeter is not only Wales’s oldest university institution but a pillar of its educational and cultural history. By allowing undergraduate teaching to end, UWTSD would undermine the very essence of Lampeter’s mission, weaken the local economy, and sever its historic role as a centre of learning. The town of Lampeter, the alumni community, and the people of Wales deserve better.
“We urge UWTSD and the Welsh Government to halt the planned end of undergraduate teaching at Lampeter and instead work with all stakeholders to create a viable, sustainable plan for the campus. This must include a serious investment in new courses, marketing, and student recruitment efforts to ensure Lampeter’s relevance and appeal for future generations.”
The petition has three demands.
It calls for a “deep and transparent consultation,” saying: “UWTSD must engage meaningfully with all stakeholders, including current students, staff, alumni, and the local community, to ensure that any decision regarding the campus’s future is fully informed by those who care most deeply about its heritage and potential.”
It also asks for a “Commitment to Sustainable Solutions,” saying: “Rather than abandoning Lampeter’s undergraduate provision, UWTSD should commit to a strategy that revitalises the campus, leverages the unique academic and cultural appeal that Lampeter has held for nearly two centuries, and makes use of the considerable skills, knowledge, and dedication of its alumni.”
It finishes: “As outlined in UWTSD’s Royal Charter, the university has a constitutional responsibility to maintain ‘a significant physical University presence’ at Lampeter. Closing undergraduate provision would effectively hollow out the campus, eroding its educational mission and violating the university’s own mandate to uphold Lampeter’s historic role within Welsh higher education.”
A spokesperson for UWTSD said: “The university is aware of the petition. We held a very helpful and extensive meeting with our students on Wednesday afternoon in which we listened to a range of opinions and concerns which we will be carefully considering as we develop the initial proposals further.
“We are early in the process and as well as our students we are discussing the best way forward with staff and representatives of other key stakeholders.”
Community
Ogi gives back this Black Friday with big rewards for customers
This Black Friday, Ogi – Wales’s biggest alternative telecoms company – is giving back to its customers with up to £400 available in rewards for new introductions.
Existing customers can earn £40 for each introduction – unlocking up to 10 rewards a year every time a new sign up is successful.
New customers can also enjoy great savings this “Black Fibre Friday”, with Ogi doubling the speed of its £15 a month entry-level package (now 400Mbps). Plus, if they sign up through an introduction, they’ll receive a £40 referral voucher too. The “Black Fibre Friday” event package also includes two Amazon eero routers at no extra cost.
Offering standard installation slots right up until Christmas, all new customers could get full fibre speeds in time for the festive film, tv and gaming binge.
With nearly half of UK adults shopping during Black Friday, retailers are expecting around £3.8 billion* in sales as consumers hunt for the best deals amid continuing pressure on household budgets.
Announcing the time-limited “Black Fibre Friday” deal, Chief Revenue Officer, Sally-Anne Skinner, said: “Traditionally, Black Friday tends to reward new customers, but this year we’re excited to give back in a way that benefits existing customers too. With our new ‘introduce a friend’ programme, current customers can earn up to £400 by recommending Ogi to friends and family – a great way to share the love and get rewarded. For new customers, we’re offering unbeatable value too, doubling the speed of our entry-level £15 per month plan, plus two smart Amazon eero routers included.
“At Ogi, we’re all about making life easier and more affordable, and this offer is a great way to get fast, reliable broadband just in time for the festive season. It’s a win-win: customers get the best broadband deals and extra rewards for sharing with others, and all from a Wales-based service provider.”
With Ogi’s latest “Black Fibre Friday” event, customers can refer up to 10 friends a year, and earn £40 for every successful new installation – with the potential to earn up to £400 in vouchers.
The deal runs for 15 days from Monday 18 November, until Monday 2 December (Cyber Monday), before prices return to Ogi’s standard £15, £20 and £30 a month for new customers signing up for 12 months. The introduce a friend programme will continue after the end of the Black Friday period, subject to terms and conditions.
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