News
Survey for tourism-based businesses
THE VALUE of tourism in Carmarthen west and south Pembrokeshire is of vital importance for the prosperity of our counties. Angela Burns AM wants to hear your views on Welsh tourism and the challenges the industry faces: from attracting the best and brightest to pursue careers in tourism, to helping the Welsh Government and other bodies work better with businesses on the frontline. Business in west Wales are being asked how they would turn the area, and Wales as a whole, into a “first choice destination” in an online survey aimed at gaining feedback from tourist businesses in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.
Ms Burns said: “I would like to hear the views of local-based tourism businesses. How would they attract more visitors to the area? Are they satisfied with the level of support they get from the Welsh Government? “We live in a beautiful part of Wales, offering stunning beaches, beautiful countryside and some of the best restaurants and pubs in the region.
Sometimes, though, businesses feel let down by the lack of support they receive from the Welsh government.” Ms Burns said: “Industry participants can help identify, and solve, the key challenges facing Welsh tourism. We want them to be free to express their views and present evidence in an unfettered way. “From attracting the best and brightest to pursue careers in tourism, to ideas about how best to bring the expert voice of the industry into the heart of decision making, we want to hear the views of all those working within the industry.
“We want to know if Wales has a unique ‘brand’ and if so how do we better define it? What are the key challenges facing Welsh tourism in the coming years, and how do we meet them? “It is these opinions that will help us develop policies, shape the promotion and support of Welsh tourism and find out how the industry can take more responsibility for its future. “Your views will help us to develop policies which can shape the promotion of Welsh tourism and improve the way the industry is managed. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and your feedback is extremely important to us.” The survey is online and can be found at http:// yourvoiceintheassembly.co.uk/ welshtourismsurvey/
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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