News
National Park team take home two awards
THE NATIONAL PARK’S Communications and Marketing Team scooped two prestigious Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Cymru Wales PRide Gold Awards at a recent ceremony held in Cardiff. The evening saw the Authority’s visitor newspaper Coast to Coast named Best External Publication, while the team behind the paper was recognised as Wales’s Outstanding In-House Publications Relations Team. National Park Authority Communications and Marketing Manager Marie Edwards said: “To be shortlisted for two CIPR PRide Awards was a fantastic accolade, so to win Gold in both categories is truly an amazing achievement as the level of competition was so high.
The judges recognised that despite the team’s modest size, we have consistently delivered strong results, having adapted well to the various economic challenges we’ve faced in recent years.” “The awards are testament to the team’s commitment, innovation and creativity in promoting the National Park and Authority, and to have our success recognised by the country’s leading PR professionals is a huge honour.” Commenting on Coast to Coast’s entry, the impressed judges noted that the team had definitely ensured that it was a ‘must read for visitors to the county’ and that the great success of the publication came from an “understanding of its audience, purpose and objectives.”
The judges described the Outstanding In-House Public Relations Team submission as ‘a standout entry which is highly impressive considering the small team’. The Authority’s wellreceived retro poster campaign was also praised for taking a traditional idea and making it modern and interactive. Val Bodden, Chair of CIPR Cymru Wales commented: “All the hard work and perseverance has paid off for our deserving winners at this year’s CIPR Pride Cymru Awards evening. They should all be as proud of their achievements as CIPR Cymru Wales is to cheer them on as upholders of creative and professional PR standards of excellence.”
National Park Authority Chairman Cllr Mike James added: “These awards recognise the wide ranging efforts the team make to promote the National Park to local, national and global audiences. “The team has proved that it is able to punch above its weight, working on communications programmes across Wales and developing innovative ways to support the team’s core resources to promote the National Park and encourage more people to visit this world-class
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.”
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