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Local faces appear on BBC Countryfile marking Sea Empress anniversary

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Programme revisits Milford Haven 30 years after oil spill disaster

TWO well-known Pembrokeshire figures appeared on BBC television on Sunday (Feb 15) as Countryfile marked the 30th anniversary of the Sea Empress oil spill.

Phil Thompson, former public relations manager at the Texaco refinery, and Martin Cavaney, a freelance photographer who regularly works with The Herald, were among those featured during the programme, which looked back at the disaster and its lasting impact on the county.

Presenters Datshiane Navanayagam and Hamza Yassin visited Milford Haven to explore how the area has recovered three decades after the tanker ran aground at the entrance to the waterway while carrying crude oil to the refinery.

The grounding of the Sea Empress on February 15, 1996 resulted in tens of thousands of tonnes of oil being spilled into the sea, contaminating large sections of the Pembrokeshire coastline and becoming one of Britain’s worst environmental disasters.

The programme also featured Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven, who explained how the incident led to significant improvements in marine safety.

Ryan, who served for around 30 years in the Royal Navy before joining the port, said the disaster remains part of the waterway’s history and helped focus attention on the need for stronger procedures. This ultimately contributed to the development of modern safety systems, including the Port Marine Safety Code introduced in 2000.

Countryfile also examined the environmental recovery that has taken place since the spill, including work by scientists and conservationists to protect wildlife across Pembrokeshire’s coastline.

The Sea Empress disaster prompted one of the largest clean-up operations ever seen in Wales, involving salvage crews, emergency responders, volunteers and environmental organisations.

The anniversary remains a significant milestone for communities around Milford Haven, where memories of oil-covered beaches and wildlife continue to resonate 30 years on.

The programme is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

 

Community

New corporate member joins Narberth & Whitland Rotary

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NARBERTH & Whitland Rotary has welcomed its first Corporate Member.

On Wednesday (Feb 11), Stephen Vale, Insurance Broker Manager with Lloyd & Whyte in St Clears, was formally inducted at the club.

The induction ceremony was carried out by South Wales District Governor Ian Hughes, following an introduction by Narberth & Whitland Rotary President Robin Bradbury.

Corporate Membership recognises the increasing emphasis businesses place on corporate social responsibility, enabling companies to give back to their local communities through Rotary’s established structures and projects.

Rotary says corporate membership also offers opportunities for staff development, leadership experience, and involvement in fundraising and volunteering activities that deliver tangible benefits to the community.

Pictured (left to right): South Wales District Governor Ian Hughes, Corporate Member Stephen Vale, and Narberth & Whitland President Robin Bradbury.

 

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Community

Second Milford Haven webcam launched after 1.3m views and US TV feature

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Twin live feeds from Herald roof now showcase both marina and Milford Haven Waterway

A SECOND live webcam overlooking Milford Haven has gone live from the roof of 11 Hamilton Terrace — home of The Pembrokeshire Herald — expanding the town’s growing global digital footprint.

The original harbour-facing camera, streamed worldwide via EarthCam, has already clocked up more than 1,300,000 views. It even featured on ABC News in the United States, where the Milford Haven view was broadcast live ahead of a national weather forecast.

That first stream — listed on EarthCam as “Wales Waterway” — looks across Milford Marina and the busy lower reaches of the Haven, capturing ferry departures, commercial shipping, leisure craft and the changing light across the Pembrokeshire skyline.

Now, a second camera has been added, offering a complementary perspective further up the Milford Haven Waterway towards the Cleddau.

A global window on Wales’ largest port

The new feed captures daily activity along the largest port in Wales — from the twice-daily Wales–Ireland ferry sailings to petroleum, oil and gas tankers moving more than 60 million tonnes of cargo each year. Thousands of smaller vessels, from yachts to powerboats, also pass through the Waterway annually.

Together, the two cameras provide twin live perspectives of one of the UK’s most strategically significant maritime corridors.

As dawn broke over Milford Haven this morning, the Waterway lay still beneath a clear sky, the first light spilling across rooftops and masts before stretching out over the wide expanse of the Haven.

From the vantage point of Hamilton Terrace, the scene felt both intimate and expansive — a quiet town waking gently while a major working port prepared for another day of movement and industry.

It is moments like these that help explain the worldwide appeal of the EarthCam streams. Viewers tuning in from across the UK, Europe and North America are not simply watching ships pass; they are witnessing the rhythm of tide and trade, the sweep of weather systems, and the subtle beauty of West Wales unfolding in real time.

From dramatic winter steam plumes rising from power station chimneys to calm summer sunsets over the marina, Milford Haven’s live feeds have become a constantly changing digital canvas.

Watch live

Original harbour view (1.3 million+ views):
https://www.earthcam.com/world/uk/wales/?cam=waleswaterway

New up-the-Waterway view:
https://www.earthcam.com/world/uk/wales/?cam=waleswaterway2

The Herald hopes the second camera will prove just as popular — continuing to put Milford Haven on the global map, one sunrise at a time.

 

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Community

Young people shine at Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards

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YOUNG people from across the county were recognised for their courage, talent and community spirit at this year’s Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards.

The fourth annual celebration, organised by Pembrokeshire Youth, the Children and Young People’s Rights Office and Pembrokeshire County Council Children’s Services, honours children and young people who achieve exceptional things and make a real difference in their communities.

Originally planned for November, the event was postponed due to severe weather but successfully went ahead on Thursday (Feb 6) at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, thanks to support from sponsors BAM Nuttall, Milford Haven Port Authority, Pure West Radio and Ascona Group.

Councillor Marc Tierney, Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Wellbeing of Future Generations, praised those taking part.

He said: “It was a privilege to hear how our young people have triumphed within their own lives and within their communities. Huge thanks go to the organisers and sponsors who made this celebration possible.”

Chair of council Cllr Maureen Bowen added: “The evening was a joy to attend. It highlighted the incredible talent of Pembrokeshire’s young people and gave real hope for the future of the county.”

The ceremony opened with a video message from First Minister Eluned Morgan, who offered her congratulations despite being unable to attend in person.

Award winners

Among those recognised on the night were:

  • Welsh Language – Emma Nicholas
  • Fundraising – Ben Stanton (winner); Jack Gray and Milford Haven Youth Council (runners up)
  • EcoChampion – Tomos Roberts
  • Achieving Positive Change – Alfie Harper (winner); Amber Allerton and Thomas John
  • Arts – Dawn Clark (winner); LillieMai Radcliffe and Kali Flux
  • Education – Yuliia Bedyk and Andrii Volkov (joint winners); Courtney Waugh and Leo Credland
  • Making a Difference in the Community – Off The Streets Youth Forum (winner); Megan Mathias, Kyra Mottram, Lexi Jenkins and Pembrokeshire Youth Assembly
  • Most Inspiring Story – Kai Williams (winner); Carly Sharif, Caitlin Griffith and Berat Sahin
  • Music – Dylan Harwood (winner); Toby Draper and the cast of Bugsy Malone 2025 – Ysgol Harri Tudur
  • Sports – Samantha Barton (winner); Mary Falconer, Alannah Field and Destiny John
  • Voice – Young Voices for Choices Youth Forum
  • Young Leader/Peer Mentor – Caiden Meacham (winner); Amélie Houghton and Brooke Jenkins-McNamara

Overall Spotlight Award

The top honour went to the We Know Our Journey Youth Project, a collaboration between the You Should Know Girls Project and His Path His Journey Boys Project.

The group was recognised for promoting inclusion, challenging harmful attitudes and encouraging open conversations around violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and men’s mental health.

Members organised the countywide “Men Make It Safe” event and raised £1,600 for local mental health and domestic abuse charities through a sea swim and a 10k run involving 24 young participants.

Judges said the project demonstrated the powerful role young people can play in creating positive change.

Thanks and support

Organisers thanked presenters, nominators, performers and supporters, along with staff at Pembrokeshire College and event leads Nadine Farmer, Bethany Roberts, Nicky Edwards and Angie Moore. Businesses including National Grid, Princes Gate, Tan y Castell, Greggs and The Vine also backed the evening.

More information is available via the Children and Young People’s Rights Office social media pages.

 

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