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Milford Haven marks its 235th birthday with street celebration

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Family fun, live music, and tributes to town’s heritage fill Charles Street

MILFORD HAVEN will celebrate its 235th anniversary this Saturday (June 7) with a lively Founding Day event on Charles Street, organised by the Milford Haven Business Circle.

Running from 11:00am to 4:00pm, the event promises a packed schedule of family-friendly entertainment, including live music, free bouncy castles, face painting, and a range of stalls and street food vendors. Small children’s rides and games will also be provided by Pembrokeshire Attractions.

Founded in 1790 by Sir William Hamilton, the town will honour its long maritime history with a day of community spirit and local talent. The event is sponsored by a wide range of local businesses and organisations, with support from the Port of Milford Haven, Pegasus Ambulance Service, Milford Haven Town Council, Boulevard Theatre, and many others.

The day will be officially opened at 11:00am by local Senedd Member Paul Davies MS. Entertainment highlights include performances from Al ’n’ Steph, Milford Haven Town Band, Gelliswick Community Choir, and Tom & Abz. The Boulevard Theatre team will also take to the stage at 3:00pm.

Chris Didcote will kick things off with a welcome at 10:30am.

In addition to music and entertainment, a community raffle will be held to raise funds on behalf of the Business Circle, and various businesses and charities will be offering deals and activities throughout the day.

A spokesperson for the Milford Haven Business Circle said: “We’re incredibly proud to bring the town together for this celebration. None of this would be possible without the many hours of volunteer work and the generous support of our sponsors.”

The event is free to attend, and organisers are encouraging locals and visitors alike to come and enjoy the celebration of Milford Haven’s founding.

Chris Didcote will kick things off with a welcome at 10:30am (Pic: Herald)

Community

Coastal footpath between Coppet Hall and Wiseman’s Bridge reopens

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Popular route restored after months of safety work following landslides

THE COASTAL footpath between Coppet Hall and Wiseman’s Bridge has officially reopened—just in time for the warm weather and summer visitors.

The scenic route, which is a favourite among walkers and cyclists, had been closed for several months due to a series of landslides that made the path unsafe. Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed on Wednesday (June 19) that the stretch has now reopened following major safety repairs.

The council praised the efforts of its teams and contractors who “worked tirelessly” to make the route safe again. Temporary fencing, slope stabilisation and other remedial work has been completed to ensure the safety of all users.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “Thanks to everyone for their patience while the important safety work was carried out over the last few months. And a big thank you to the council teams and contractors who’ve worked so hard to get the path open again.”

The reopening has been welcomed by residents, local businesses and tourism operators in the area, who rely on the popular path for footfall during the holiday season.

A full press release and site photographs are expected in due course.

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Community

Landfill row escalates as campaigners urge NRW to reject Withyhedge permit expansion

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Fears over asbestos, pollution and criminal case against landfill owner spark calls for action

A PEMBROKESHIRE campaigner has submitted a formal objection to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) over a proposed expansion of the Withyhedge landfill site, warning that allowing more waste to be dumped would be “a danger to public health.”

Colin Barnett, a resident of Spittal and a leading member of the ‘Stop the Stink’ campaign, wrote to NRW’s permitting consultations team on Wednesday (June 19), urging them to reject a permit variation application submitted by Resources Management UK Ltd (RML).

The company is seeking to increase the volume of “waste soil” allowed at the controversial site in Rudbaxton, near Haverfordwest — a proposal that has provoked fierce backlash from local residents who say they have suffered over 18 months of ongoing odour and air pollution.

Withyhedge PR site visit in April 2025 (Image: Supplied)

Criminal proceedings pending

In his letter, Mr Barnett points to the criminal proceedings currently pending against RML’s owner, David Neal, who is due in court in September on alleged environmental offences.

He states: “It is highly inappropriate for NRW to consider any permit variation while serious legal proceedings are pending… Doing so risks further undermining public confidence in environmental regulation and due process.”

Mr Barnett says this is not the first time the company has faced prosecution for environmental breaches, calling into question their fitness to operate and expand such a facility.

‘18 months of pollution with no enforcement’

Local residents living near the landfill site have repeatedly complained about noxious gases and foul odours, with some families forced to stay indoors or keep windows shut. NRW has acknowledged receiving complaints and confirmed it is conducting an ongoing investigation.

But campaigners say little action has been taken.

“There has been no criminal enforcement action or meaningful consequences for the operator, despite the scale and duration of the pollution,” Mr Barnett claims. “Allowing increased waste volumes under these circumstances would significantly increase the risk of further environmental harm.”

He adds that the public has lost faith in NRW’s ability to regulate the site, and described the agency’s approach as a “silo system” which allows compliance issues to be assessed in isolation, rather than as part of a broader pattern of misconduct.

Questions over asbestos and contaminated soil

The site is one of only two landfill sites in Wales currently licensed to dispose of asbestos — a fact Mr Barnett says is under-communicated to the public. He warns that NRW’s failure to stop other pollution may mean it cannot be trusted to manage the risks associated with asbestos fibres or contaminated soil.

He also raises concern over the term “waste soil,” saying it is too vague and potentially misleading. “Waste soil can include material contaminated with heavy metals and chemicals,” he says. “It has not been properly explained to the public what is really being dumped at Withyhedge.”

Planning before permitting?

In a further twist, Mr Barnett questions why NRW is consulting on the permit variation before Pembrokeshire County Council has made a planning decision to allow the site’s height — and therefore its capacity — to be increased.

“Are there backroom agreements already in place?” he asks. “Or is it an expectation within NRW that Pembrokeshire County Council will pass anything that is needed to get the permit variation through?”

He accuses NRW of “prioritising a company with a criminal history above the wellbeing of the public” and suggests this could be seen as misconduct in public office.

Campaign gathers support

The ‘Stop the Stink’ campaign now has more than 2,500 members, and pressure is mounting on NRW to either reject the application outright or delay any decision until after the legal case against David Neal concludes.

In closing, Mr Barnett proposes a compromise — reducing the existing waste tonnage rather than increasing it — and calls for an independent audit of the site before any changes are approved.

The Herald has contacted Natural Resources Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

Photo caption: Protest sign near Withyhedge Landfill Site, part of the growing public campaign (Pic: Herald)

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Community

Tractor rally hailed a sunny success in Cardigan Bay

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Hundreds take part in cross-county fundraiser for emergency service charities

UNDER glorious sunshine, hundreds of vintage and modern tractors rumbled through the countryside on Sunday (June 15) for the Welsh National Tractor Road Run 2025 — a spectacular event that this year took in the stunning coastline and rolling hills of Cardigan Bay.

Led by Dai Rees and organised by the North Pembrokeshire Tractor Enthusiasts, this year’s event was hailed as one of the best yet, with a 35-mile route winding in and out of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, offering breathtaking views of both the coast and the Teifi Valley.

Starting just south of the River Teifi at Awenfryn, Glanrhyd — by kind permission of the Evans family — the convoy of tractors included models of all shapes and sizes, with larger machines grouped at the rear. The event remained a family-friendly and safety-conscious affair, with strict rules on seating and convoy discipline.

With HGV parking arranged at CCF agricultural depot and refreshments available at both the start and lunch stop, the event ran smoothly and drew praise from participants and spectators alike.

More importantly, the 2025 run raised vital funds for three local charities: Wales Air Ambulance, Crymych First Responders, and Cardigan First Responders. While final fundraising totals are yet to be confirmed, organisers say the response has been overwhelming, with generous donations and strong entry numbers.

Dai Rees said: “It was an incredible day. We couldn’t have asked for better weather, and the support from the local community was fantastic. It’s all about raising money for great causes and celebrating our shared love of tractors and the countryside.”

Entries were open via the WNTRR Facebook page, with dozens of photos already shared online capturing the colour, character, and community spirit of this year’s run.

As the sun set over Cardigan Bay, engines cooled and trailers rolled home — but the memories of a perfect day in the fields will last a long time.

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