News

Inflation and election hit Pembroke regeneration plan

Published

4 months ago

January 9, 2025

A PLAN to regenerate Pembroke town centre must be cut following delays caused by the General Election and an almost one-third increase in the cost of construction.

The Council’s Cabinet will consider an update on the Westgate to Eastgate scheme on Monday, January 13.

The County Council originally applied for around £11.5m from the Levelling Up Fund in June 2022. Although that bid was unsuccessful, the Council was invited to reapply in a further funding round and succeeded. The £11.5m cost of the project is 90% funded by the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The Council is due to contribute 10% of that figure.

However, even though the Council succeeded in resubmitting its application early in 2024, the General Election in July stalled further progress. At the end of November last year, the Labour Government in Westminster issued a final memorandum committing to the expenditure.

In the two years since the original application, inflation has increased the project’s construction costs by 30%, underlining – again – that the consumer price index is a nonsensical measure for determining public authorities’ costs.

The Council contends that interventions at Pembroke would help stimulate the town’s economy. The town is experiencing increasing market failure due to increased vacancies in the retail centre, a poor mix of uses and significant leakage to other centres. The regeneration scheme would strengthen the visitor market and capitalise on the current visitor economy for Pembroke Castle, which bypasses the town centre.

Pembroke has the smallest number of commercial units (81) of Pembrokeshire’s six main towns and a high proportion of vacant units (17.3%).

The Cabinet report says: “The private sector will not provide the improvements to wayfinding and public realm improvements that are required to change the nature of the visitor experience. The lack of private sector development resulting from low values and low demand means that the potential of any private sector contributions is limited.”

In the absence of private sector interest, the Council believes public funding is the only tool it has to regenerate Pembroke’s ailing town centre and support new enterprises.

The project has three work schemes. Its primary focus is improving connections between the Commons Road, where most visitors park, and the town centre. The alleys and cut-throughs will be improved, and visitors will be signposted towards Pembroke’s Main Street and Mill Pond.

To increase visitors’ time spent in the town centre, the Council will improve its public spaces and green spaces and fund the renewal of St Mary’s Bells, a noted feature of Pembroke town.

At the town’s East End, the former school building will be stripped back to a shell state and partially refitted in readiness for future use, while steps will be taken to improve vehicular access along Well Hill.

News

Fire crews test skills in airport training exercise

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FIREFIGHTERS from Haverfordwest and Milford Haven were put through their paces last week during a specialist training exercise held at Withybush Airport.

The operation, known as Exercise Red Kite, was carried out on Wednesday (Apr 29) and saw teams from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) simulate an emergency response at the airport, putting their incident command and rescue skills to the test.

As part of the exercise, crews deployed foam carriers and a water bowser, practising a complex rescue scenario designed to mirror the challenges of a real-life airport incident.

Station Manager Aled Lewis described the day as a valuable learning opportunity.

“Exercise Red Kite gave crews the chance to work together across stations, sharpen their operational response, and train in a realistic setting,” he said. “We’re very grateful to Withybush Airport for making the site available.”

The training forms part of the fire service’s ongoing commitment to readiness and teamwork in high-pressure environments.

MAWWFRS is currently looking to recruit new on-call firefighters across the region. Anyone interested can visit the service’s website for further details and to register their interest.

Health

Tufnell secures pledge to improve GP access across Pembrokeshire

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CAMPAIGN to improve GP access across Pembrokeshire has taken a significant step forward this week following a meeting between local MP Henry Tufnell and the Chief Executive of Hywel Dda Health Board.

The Herald understands that during the meeting it was agreed that best practice would be established across all GP surgeries in the county—something Mr Tufnell has been calling for since launching his primary care campaign several months ago.

The move follows a detailed public survey conducted by the MP, in which hundreds of residents voiced concerns over delays in securing GP appointments and inconsistent service levels across different practices.

In a video message posted to social media, Mr Tufnell said: “After a constructive meeting with Professor Phillip Kloer, I am pleased that we are both on the same page and recognise the need for real action in response to the needs of our community.

“For months now, I have raised the need for improvements, and thanks to the powerful feedback from my recent survey, we are on the right path to establishing best practices that will benefit everyone across Pembrokeshire. We must finally see an end to the postcode lottery of accessing primary care.”

Mr Tufnell is expected to meet with Professor Kloer again later this summer to assess whether the promised improvements are being implemented effectively.

He added: “I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who took the time to complete my survey on GP services. Your input is making a real difference, and together, we can continue to improve the healthcare services that are so vital to our community.”

The MP has also launched a new survey to gather public feedback on access to NHS dental services in the area.

Residents wishing to take part in the dental survey can do so online HERE.

https://actionnetwork.org/forms/mid-and-south-pembrokeshire-nhs-dentist-access-survey/

Entertainment

SPAN Arts presents: An Autopsy of a Mother, a Bear and a Fridge

Published

4 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A contemporary dance-theatre experience by Deborah Light

SPAN ARTS is proud to present Deborah Light — acclaimed choreographer, movement director, and mother — in her first solo show, An Autopsy of a Mother, a Bear and a Fridge. This bold and visceral work of contemporary dance-theatre delves into the complexities of motherhood through three seemingly unrelated objects.

With a distinctive blend of clinical precision, raw vulnerability, feminist fury, and wicked humour, Deborah unpacks the symbolic connections between a mother, a bear, and a fridge. In doing so, she lays bare personal truths and the societal pressures that weigh on the female body, in a powerful critique of patriarchal systems.

Known for her collaborative work across dance, theatre, film, and site-based performance, Deborah is also co-director of Light/Ladd/Emberton and lectures in movement at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. This new solo show is supported by Arts Council Wales, Chapter, NDCWales, YMa, SPAN Arts, and Taking Flight.

The performance will take place at Canolfan Hermon on Thursday, May 16 at 7:00pm. After the show, audiences are invited to stay for an informal post-show conversation with Deborah over tea and cake, to reflect on the themes of the piece.

Please note: The show is recommended for ages 14+ and contains references to death, motherhood/matrescence, surgery, violence against women, gender-based inequality, ageing, climate change, and may include strong language.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, 16 May 2025
Time: 7:00pm
Venue: Canolfan Hermon, Hermon, Glogue, SA36 0DT
Tickets: £12.00 (full price) / £8.00 (concessions)
Box Office: www.span-arts.org.uk/book or call 01834 869323
Access: Free companion/carer tickets are available. Please call 01834 869323 to arrange.

Refreshments and snacks will be available at the venue.