Community

Lottery boost for HMS Erebus exhibition in Pembroke Dock

Published

3 months ago

February 2, 2026

Heritage Centre secures £57,015 to mark 200 years since famous polar exploration ship was built in the town

THE PEMBROKE DOCK HERITAGE CENTRE has secured £57,015 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to create a major new exhibition celebrating the extraordinary story of HMS Erebus, one of the most famous exploration vessels ever built in Wales.

The exhibition, titled HMS Erebus: From Dockyard to Discovery, will open to the public on Monday 8 June 2026, marking exactly 200 years since the ship was launched at Pembroke Dock’s Royal Dockyard.

Constructed in 1826 by local shipwrights, Erebus stands as a powerful symbol of the town’s maritime heritage and the exceptional craftsmanship that once made Pembroke Dock a centre of naval excellence. From its origins in a small Welsh dockyard, the vessel went on to play a central role in some of the most significant expeditions of the nineteenth century.

She later served on the pioneering Ross Antarctic expedition before joining Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated Arctic voyage, where both ships and crew were lost. The dramatic rediscovery of the wreck beneath Arctic waters in 2014 reignited global interest in one of exploration’s greatest mysteries.

For the first time, rare artefacts recovered from the wreck — on loan from the Royal Navy Museum — will be displayed to the British public, offering visitors a direct and tangible connection to life on board and the harsh realities of polar exploration.

The new exhibition will also place Erebus within the wider story of the Georgian dockyard community that built her, highlighting Pembroke Dock’s role in Britain’s naval expansion and the skilled workforce that shaped its history.

Visitors can expect bilingual interpretation, digital interactives, an immersive Arctic diorama with a scale model of the ship, and dramatic underwater footage of the wreck site provided by Parks Canada. The displays will also link historic exploration with modern conversations about climate change and the fragility of polar environments.

Community engagement is central to the project. Local schools will help co-produce elements of the exhibition, while oral histories and shared memories will ensure the story reflects both the past and the present community.

Andrew White, Director of The National Lottery Heritage Fund – Wales, said: “This project will help people better understand Pembroke Dock’s vital role in maritime history while creating new opportunities for communities to engage with their heritage in meaningful and inspiring ways. Thanks to National Lottery players, this exhibition will bring an internationally significant story back to the place where it began, ensuring it is shared with future generations.”

John Evans, Patron of Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, said: “We are thrilled to receive this support. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can preserve and celebrate a story of national and international importance, while re-establishing Pembroke Dock as a place of discovery, craftsmanship and exploration. By reconnecting HMS Erebus with the community that built her, we hope to inspire pride, learning and long-term cultural and economic benefit for the town.”

HMS Erebus: From Dockyard to Discovery opens on Monday 8 June 2026.

Community

Fire service sets out new flood response plan for Mid and West Wales

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AROUND 31,000 properties across Mid and West Wales are at risk of flooding, according to figures released as part of a new fire service response strategy.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has completed a major engagement process to shape how it deals with future flooding incidents.

The work brought together operational crews, partner agencies and community representatives through a series of “Flooding Balanced Room” workshops.

The service said the aim was to make sure all voices were heard equally while developing practical options for prevention, response and recovery.

Nearly 24,000 properties in the service area are at risk from river flooding, while more than 7,000 are at risk from tidal flooding.

The service attends around 300 water rescue and weather-related flooding incidents each year.

Officials say flooding is becoming more frequent and more serious because of climate change, including heavier rainfall and prolonged weather events.

Recent data also shows a clear seasonal pattern, with the highest number of flooding incidents taking place between October and February.

The third quarter of 2025/26 was the busiest for flooding incidents since 2017/18, while February 2020 and November 2025 recorded the highest monthly levels of flooding activity.

The workshops produced four key priorities: prevention first, collaboration and partnership, enhanced specialist capability, and learning and continuous improvement.

Eleven initial options were narrowed down to five main areas.

These include better public education, community flood groups, improved flood messaging with partner agencies, more staff training, improved welfare and PPE for firefighters, better vehicles and technology, and stronger post-incident support for communities.

Proposals include using flood awareness in home fire safety checks, improving training scenarios, increasing the number of qualified water incident managers, expanding drone use, and using climate data to plan future fleet and equipment needs.

The options have now been assessed, with recommendations presented to the service’s Executive Leadership Team.

The plans will feed into the service’s future flooding strategy and its Community Risk Management Plan 2040.

Iwan Cray, Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Flooding Balanced Room process has highlighted the importance of collaboration.

“By listening to our staff, partners, and communities, we’ve created practical, forward-thinking solutions that will strengthen our ability to prevent and manage flooding in Mid and West Wales.

“Together, we can build a safer, more resilient Wales.”

Community

Vintage tractor tour sets off from Pembroke Dock for Ireland

Published

4 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FIFTY-three vintage tractors left Pembroke Dock Ferry Port on Saturday (May 2) as part of a long-running tractor tour to Ireland.

The group boarded the ferry for the latest stage of an exchange which has been running since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

Organiser Alun Mason said: “The Tour of Ireland has been ongoing since 2011, when the National Vintage Tractor Run was held in Pembrokeshire.

“A large contingent travelled from Ireland and continue to do so every other year, with our visit this weekend and the Irish tractors due to visit in 2027.”

Some of the tractors taking part travelled from as far as Burry Port, Bridgend, Llandrindod Wells, Llandovery and Ceredigion before gathering at the ferry port.

The event brought together vintage tractor enthusiasts from across Wales ahead of the crossing to Ireland.

Pictured are organisers Jo Richards and Alun Mason, and the group waiting to embark at Pembroke Dock Ferry Port.

Vintage tour: Jo Richards and Alun Mason with tractors at Pembroke Dock Ferry Port (Pic: Martin Cavaney).

Community

Volunteers praised as Rath paddling pool gets summer makeover

Published

4 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Questions raised over new netting as community pitches in to prepare popular spot

VOLUNTEERS have been praised for their efforts to get Milford Haven’s Rath paddling pool ready for summer – but a new addition has sparked debate among locals.

A group of residents, including Caroline Jones, Derek Abbott, Jordy, Tina Hawkins and Isla, were pictured this week installing colourful netting along the fence surrounding the pool.

The work forms part of ongoing efforts by the community to clean, maintain and improve the popular splash area ahead of the warmer months.

Caroline explained the netting had a practical purpose as well as an aesthetic one.

She said: “It’s partly to try and prevent some of the grass cuttings getting into the pool but also to brighten the area up.”

Others suggested it could also help reduce the amount of litter blowing into the water – an issue that has been raised in previous summers.

The efforts were widely welcomed online, with many residents thanking those involved for giving up their time.

One commenter wrote: “A bit of praise for these volunteers who give our little ones a bit of enjoyment at the paddling pool. Well done all.”

Another added: “Well done and thank you everyone.”

Some questioned the need for the netting, with one resident saying: “I don’t understand the netting around the pool. It looked lovely as it was.”

The Rath paddling pool is a well-used facility during the summer months, particularly by families with young children, and relies heavily on volunteer support to keep it clean and operational.

Local groups, including TipTop Wheelies, are understood to be involved in helping prepare the site for the season.

Despite mixed views on the netting, the overwhelming response has been one of appreciation for those working behind the scenes to keep the facility open.