Police escort guides huge component to Dragon LNG site as renewable upgrade continues

PEMBROKESHIRE residents were treated to an unusual sight on Monday (Jan 19) as a massive wind turbine blade was transported through Pembroke Dock under police escort.

The blade — stretching the length of a passenger aircraft wing — was carried on a specialist extendable trailer and moved slowly through the town before continuing towards the Dragon LNG site.

Footage shared online by Hidden Pembrokeshire – Gareth Davies Photography showed officers stopping traffic at junctions and roundabouts to allow the abnormal load to pass safely, with spotters walking alongside to guide the driver through tight bends and narrow sections of road.

Onlookers said the scale of the blade was striking up close, and many stopped to film the carefully managed convoy as it made its way along the route.

The delivery is part of ongoing works linked to new wind turbines being installed next to the Dragon LNG terminal, aimed at generating cleaner electricity for the site and helping to cut emissions in Pembrokeshire.

Further movements of turbine components are expected as the project continues.

Video: Gareth Davies/Hidden Pembrokeshire

Cover Photo: Martin Cavaney/Herald

UK-WIDE hospitality company Loungers plc is planning to open a new beachfront venue in Tenby, with the promise of 30 jobs created, in just over two months’ time.

The West Country-based café/bar group gearing up to open Lansio Lounge at Tenby’s South Beach on Wednesday March 25.

Loungers, founded in 2002, runs family-friendly Lounge café bars across the UK – including the Cofio Lounge at the Guildhall, Carmarthen, and the Waldo Lounge at Haverfordwest’s Riverside.

The Loungers build and design team will transform the former Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant on Water’s Edge, South Beach in their unmistakable and unique style, Loungers has said.

Loungers added: “A real home from home, Lansio Lounge will cater for all tastes throughout the day with a varied and innovative all-day menu.  Particular attention will be paid to families with a selection of games, books, colouring pencils, and pads on offer.  A full menu, high chairs and baby-changing facilities are also available for Little Loungers.

“With community and neighbourhood at its heart, Lansio Lounge will welcome locals looking for a space for regular catch ups, meetings and events – everything from business networking, book or knitting clubs to parent and baby meets and life drawing classes.”

Ellie Gould, regional community manager, The Lounges, says: “We can’t wait to open the doors of Lansio Lounge in March.  We hope our family friendly environment and top-notch food and drink offering will prove popular with local residents and visitors.

“We’re passionate about integrating genuinely into the communities we serve so we’re looking forward to meeting everyone and to playing our part at the heart of Tenby’s food and drink scene.  Anyone looking for a space to host events or groups should pop in once we are open, we’d love to hear from them and see what we can do to help.”

Late last week, the Loungers plans for the former Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant were revealled following an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for Loungers signage at Salty’s, which recently closed.

Tenby Town Council is recommending approval for the signage, but the park’s buildings conservation officer Rob Scourfield is recommending refusal for the proposals, in the town’s conservation area, mainly on the grounds illuminated signage is not generally allowed there.

The signage application will be considered at a later date.

Family-run venue Salty’s Beach Bar and Restaurant announced its closure on social media, confirming that Sunday, January 4 was its final day of trading.

One-to-one salon experience promised after full renovation of former Bloom premises

A TEENAGE hairdressing entrepreneur is set to open a new-look salon at Milford Marina next week, after transforming the former Bloom Hair space into what she describes as a more personal, one-to-one studio experience.

Amelia Elise Nicholas, 19, will reopen the premises as Brushed Hair Studio on Monday, January 19, after weeks of renovation work at Temeraire House on Nelson Quay.

Originally from Swansea, Amelia moved to Pembrokeshire three years ago in search of a quieter pace of life and a fresh start. Since then, she has trained locally and built up a growing client base in Milford Haven.

She completed her training at HB Training in Haverfordwest before working from Bloom Hair as a self-employed stylist, renting a chair from salon owner Tegan Banner.

Now three years into her hairdressing career, Amelia is taking the next step by launching her own studio in the same location, saying she wanted to create a calmer, more tailored service for clients.

Bloom closed at the end of December and Amelia has spent the weeks since gutting and refitting the space.

“We have gutted the building and put in new lighting, flooring and furniture,” she said. “It looks completely different.”

With support from her dad, Amelia has redecorated throughout, opting for a neutral, calming palette with natural textures and finishes, alongside pops of colour.

Brushed Hair Studio will offer cuts, colours, extensions and curly blow dries, which Amelia said have become increasingly popular locally.

“They are really popular here,” she said. “There is only me and one other girl doing them.”

The salon will use products from Australian brand Original Minerals for colouring and styling, which Amelia described as “clean and kind”.

In a change of roles, former Bloom owner Tegan Banner will now rent a chair from Amelia at the new Brushed Hair Studio.

“I want to thank Tegan,” Amelia said. “She offered me to take over the building and has trained me and helped build my clientele up.”

A private, invitation-only opening event will be held on Saturday, with the salon opening to the public on Monday, January 19. Amelia said customers who visit on the first day will be offered a 10 per cent discount off their next appointment.

“It’s not much different to renting a chair and being self-employed,” she said. “You still have to do your tax and things. There’s not much difference apart from paying the rent.

“I’m proud to be launching a business that brings something fresh and exciting to the local hairdressing industry.

“As a young business owner, my goal is not only to build a successful salon but also to contribute to bringing more footfall, business, and investment into Milford Haven.”