News

Hunting for Wales’ missing wild plants: Pembrokeshire plays its part in botanical quest

Published

5 months ago

July 16, 2025

BOTANISTS across Wales are on a mission this summer to re-discover wild plants that haven’t been seen in decades – and Pembrokeshire is proving to be an important part of the search.

The two-year project, Priority Plants on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Wales, is led by the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI) and funded by the Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Programme. The goal is to track down plant species once recorded on protected sites but not seen in over 20 years.

Spotlight on Mynydd Preseli

Among the key areas being surveyed is Mynydd Preseli in Pembrokeshire – one of the few remaining strongholds for the elusive Marsh Clubmoss (Lycopodiella inundata), a rare plant that has disappeared from several other locations across Wales. Despite efforts to re-find the species at other historic sites, it now survives only in a handful of known spots, including in this iconic upland area of west Wales.

BSBI Wales Officer Alastair Hotchkiss said: “Although some plants remain missing, the rediscovery of species like the Marsh Clubmoss in places such as Mynydd Preseli is a glimmer of hope. These finds remind us that our protected sites are doing their job – allowing rare species to hang on.”

Vital role of local botanists

Local volunteers and amateur botanists across Pembrokeshire are playing a crucial role. Many of the county’s 60+ SSSIs – ranging from coastal headlands to marshes and moorland – are being revisited by those with deep local knowledge. These passionate plant-lovers are often the only people venturing into these hidden habitats, carefully comparing old records with today’s observations.

“Botanists in Pembrokeshire are helping to build the evidence base that conservation work depends on,” said Hotchkiss. “We’ve had real success stories, but we still need more eyes in the field.”

Re-finds give hope for recovery

While much of the recent attention has been on dramatic rediscoveries in north and mid Wales – such as Dwarf Willow in Gwynedd and Awlwort in Carmarthenshire – Pembrokeshire’s contributions are no less significant. The coastal climate and varied geology of the county make it a refuge for several rare or declining species, some of which may yet reappear as surveys continue.

One plant still on the “missing list” is the Small-white Orchid (Pseudorchis albida), a once widespread species now feared lost from many of its former Pembrokeshire sites. Botanists hope that with the right timing and conditions, this delicate plant might still be clinging on in an overlooked corner of moorland or heath.

Preserving biodiversity for the future

The project underscores the importance of safeguarding SSSIs – which cover around 12% of Wales – as havens for rare flora and fauna. In Pembrokeshire, this includes well-known landscapes like Ramsey Island, Stackpole, and the Preseli Hills, but also smaller, less visited sites.

Hotchkiss added: “We’re in a race against time, but these re-finds show nature’s resilience. Thanks to the work of our botanical community and the support of Welsh Government, we’re not just looking for plants – we’re building the foundations of their protection for years to come.”

Photo caption (top):
Mynydd Preseli: One of the last strongholds for the rare Marsh Clubmoss (Pic: BSBI).

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

5 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

10 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

1 hour ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.