Community
Redland Cambrian Slate tops off St Davids’ housing development
THE UK’S smallest city, St Davids, is nearing completion of its final major housing development for at least the next 15 years, with every home finished with BMI Redland Cambrian Slate roof tiles.
The 58-home Maes-Y-Felin scheme, delivered by GRD Homes, sits within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, one of Britain’s most tightly protected landscapes. With no further large-scale developments permitted in the city for the foreseeable future, this once-in-a-generation project faced intense planning scrutiny to ensure it preserved St Davids’ historic character in this designated conservation area while also delivering current building performance standards.
“Building here required careful consideration of design and durability,” said Gareth Davies, Director at GRD Homes. “We needed a roofing product that not only blended seamlessly into its National Park surroundings, but could also stand up to harsh coastal weather and help us achieve our EPC A ratings. Cambrian Slate ticked every box.”

Maes-Y-Felin is a tranquil development built to uncompromisingly high standards. The houses are traditionally built using the very best materials, giving them solidity and longevity. Time honoured touches such as native Pennant stone, Cambrian Slate roof tiles, and oak flooring combine with forward thinking additions such as charging points for electrical vehicles.
Manufactured with over 60% recycled natural Welsh slate, Cambrian provides a natural slate appearance to satisfy demands for heritage requirements. While its mechanically fixed, clipped and nailed installation provides resistance to wind uplift, which was critical for St Davids’ exposed peninsula location. BMI Redland supplied a full roofing system, including Cambrian Ambi-Dry Verge and ridge kits, to deliver consistent detailing across the scheme’s mix of single-storey and complex dormer roof designs.
The project was also supported through BMI SpecMaster, the company’s free-of-charge roof specification service which guarantees system performance for 15 years. For GRD Homes, this provided added reassurance that the roofing solution would deliver both performance and aesthetics over the long term.
To keep the build on track and amid industry-wide supply pressures, GRD Homes worked with local merchant LBS to pre-stock Cambrian products, ensuring continuity from the first roofs in phase one to the final plots still in development.
The development delivers 18 affordable homes for local residents alongside 40 executive and private properties, all built with locally sourced materials and trades wherever possible.
“This project is a milestone for St Davids,” said Damien Pooley, Portfolio Manager for pitched roofing at BMI UK & Ireland. “It’s proof that even in the most sensitive and exposed locations, the right roofing system can help create new housing that blends with its surroundings.”
Community
Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.
The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.
A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.
The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community
3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire
Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event
THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.
Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.












The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.
Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.
The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.
Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.
Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office
Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush
A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.
The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.
Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.
He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.
Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”
Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.
The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.
Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.
Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).
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