ST DAVIDS was lit with festive spirit as the annual Christmas lights switch-on drew crowds to Cross Square on Monday evening. The event, which began at 5:15pm, marked the official start of the holiday season for the city.

Families enjoyed carol singing and mulled wine as the community gathered in the chilly coastal air. Children were thrilled by a special visit from Santa Claus, who spread joy and posed for photographs with eager youngsters.

Earlier in the day, the holiday buzz began with two Christmas markets. The Oriel Y Parc Outdoor Christmas Market and the Cathedral Christmas Fair opened at 10:00am, offering a selection of local crafts, festive treats, and seasonal goods. Visitors had the opportunity to shop for unique gifts while soaking in the festive atmosphere.

Shops extended their opening hours for the occasion, allowing visitors to explore local offerings late into the evening. Local pubs provided a cosy escape from the cold, enhancing the community atmosphere.

A cheer erupted as the Christmas lights illuminated Cross Square, transforming it into a magical scene. The sparkling decorations signalled the start of the festive season and brought residents together in celebration.

With more holiday events planned for December, St Davids is set to remain a festive hub, ensuring a joyous Christmas season for locals and visitors alike.

(Images: St Davids Cathedral)

A PEMBROKESHIRE farm barn attraction, which gained a 3,500-strong petition of support to keep it running after previously being refused by planning officers, is now recommended to be turned down by councillors next week.

Late last year, Stuart Williams of Home Farm, Leweston, near Camrose, was refused retrospective permission by planning officers to retain the Willhome Farm Barn farm park – and ancillary buildings – built in June 2022.

The site – whose facilities were used by the council’s own educational providers and parents of children with learning difficulties – is home to rabbits, llamas, donkeys, poultry, owls, goats, ponies and pigs, along with a café building, public conveniences, a children’s play area, and parking.

It was refused due to highway safety concerns and fears it would generate additional foul water flows which are likely to result in an increase in phosphate levels in the Cleddau River.

Since the refusal by planners, a change.org petition, Grant Planning Permission for Willhome Farm Barn in Pembrokeshire, was set up by Hook-based Jessica Austin, which has attracted more than 3,500 signatures to date.

Jessica’s petition said: “This decision not only affects this resilient family but also impacts schools attended with over 6,000 pupils, by adults from local wellbeing centres and families with children who have autism or learning difficulties like mine.

“It’s important to note that there are no apparent issues with existing amenities. Roads or waterways. The refusal of planning permission seems unjustified and is causing unnecessary distress within our community.”

Earlier this year, the applicant submitted a fresh call – supported by local community council Camrose – for permission to be granted, which was again due to be decided by planning officers.

At the request of local county councillor, and former council leader, Cllr Jamie Adams, a special meeting was held in July to discuss whether a decision could be made by councillors rather than officers, which was unanimously supported.

The application was due to be heard at the October meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, with a recommendation of refusal, reasons including those given for the previous application.

At the start of the October meeting, members heard the scheme had been temporarily withdrawn to allow the applicant’s agent more time to address concerns, with the plans now returning to the December 3 planning committee.

The application is recommended to be refused on the basis officers say it is in an unsustainable location and would have a negative environmental impact through additional traffic movements, highways issues, and “it has not been established that the proposed development would not generate additional foul water flows which would result in an increase in phosphate levels in the Cleddau River catchment adversely affecting the Cleddau Rivers Special Area of Conservation”.

TWO SCHOOL pupils from Pembrokeshire came out on top as the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has revealed the winning designs for its Christmas card design competition.

Children from primary schools across Wales had been invited to submit a farming themed Christmas card design in aid of Wales Air Ambulance, the FUW’s current Presidential charity.

The competition was split into two categories – English and Welsh designs. The English category was won by Will Smith, 10 years old, from Roch Community School, Haverfordwest. The Welsh category was won by Keira Lewis, 9 years old, from Narberth CP School, Pembrokeshire.

FUW President Ian Rickman said: “The competition was a roaring success once again and has attracted hundreds of entries from across Wales. The standard was very high and presented the judges with a tough task when it came to choosing the winners.

“I would like to thank every single child who entered the competition and to tell them that without their participation the contest would not have been such a success. I would also like to express my gratitude to the staff at the schools up and down the country that assisted the FUW in the running of the competition.

“It gave children in urban and rural areas of Wales an opportunity to connect with the farming industry and express their thoughts in a creative and colourful way. I believe it is vital that we as farmers maintain a strong link with young people so that they understand the way that food is produced in this country.”

The cards can be purchased either from the FUW’s head office by calling 01970 820820 or from respective FUW county offices.