Community
Library life hub begins
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Life hub: Pembroke Dock library
PEMBROKE DOCK LIBRARY is encouraging the community to try something new this month, as part of their Life hub programme. Throughout January local sports and leisure organisations will be present at the library to promote their activities. A member from each of the clubs will be on hand to give information about their activity and to hopefully encourage people to have a go at something different.
Some of the groups who have already held successful events at the library include Pembroke Dock Cricket Club, Pembrokeshire Paddlers (Canoeing and Kayaking), Pembrokeshire Harriers (Track and field, road running and Cross Country) and The Tall ships Trust.
Here’s what’s coming up over the next few weeks:
January 21 1-5pm – Cycling in Pembrokeshire – Dave Perry will offer advice on training, clubs, facilities, routes and equipment, to get you and your family peddling! All ages welcome.
January 23 1-5pm – Walking in Pembrokeshire – Pembrokeshire ‘walkability’ project coordinator Paul Casson will be on hand to provide information on Walking in Pembrokeshire. Routes, clubs, equipment and opportunities for all ages.
January 26 – Pennar Robins football club – grass root level training for seniors and juniors, boys and girls, within the local community.
January 27 1-5pm – Learning Pembrokeshire – Representatives from Pembroke Dock Community Learning Centre will be present for people to find out about their diverse programme of adult education courses.
January 28 – Family fitness and health advice with qualified fitness instructor Rosemary Manning.
January 29 – 10-12 – Llanion Warriors Rowing Club. Find out about joining the club and its activities. Adults only.
January 30 – Communities First – Find out about Street Games and other activities in the Pembroke Dock area.
Community
Milford Haven Youth Matters celebrates achievements
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MILFORD HAVEN Youth Matters hosted its ‘Celebrating Success’ event last week, honouring the remarkable achievements and milestones reached by its volunteers and participants.
The event highlighted the qualifications, dedication to volunteering, and ongoing commitment demonstrated by everyone involved in supporting the charity.
Parents, carers, and friends attended the evening, underscoring the vital role of community support in empowering local youth initiatives. Also present were key community partners, including representatives from the Port of Milford Haven and Pembrokeshire County Council, who shared in celebrating the collective successes.
Organisers praised Martha’s Vineyard for its outstanding hospitality and catering, which greatly contributed to the success of the evening.
A spokesperson from Milford Youth Matters said: “We are immensely proud of everyone involved and grateful for the continued support from our community. We eagerly anticipate another exciting year filled with projects, activities, and plenty of fun.”
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Community
Don’t let AI exploit Welsh journalism—its impact could be disastrous
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THE UK GOVERNMENT must urgently reconsider proposals allowing tech giants unrestricted use of online content without compensation to its creators.
Today, The Pembrokeshire Herald, alongside newspapers and news organisations across Wales, devotes our leading article to an issue with potentially catastrophic consequences—not only for regional journalism, but for the UK’s entire creative industry.
Under planned changes to copyright legislation, multinational AI companies would have the freedom to train their systems using text, photographs, music, and any online content without paying the creators behind that work. These companies could then summarise, reproduce, or even directly copy the content—profiting substantially while the original creators receive nothing.
This threatens the very foundation of Welsh journalism and undermines our ability to continue producing quality, locally-focused stories. Our journalists tirelessly cover vital issues for Pembrokeshire: from coastal erosion in Tenby and the challenges facing Milford Haven Port to the future of agriculture in rural communities and crucial debates over tourism and second homes.
Quality journalism holds authority to account, from Pembrokeshire County Council to the Hywel Dda Health Board and the Welsh Government. Our investigative journalism gives a voice to communities across Pembrokeshire, shining a light on stories and issues others may overlook.
Editor Tom Sinclair said: “These changes represent nothing less than an existential threat to journalism in Pembrokeshire and beyond. Allowing multinational corporations to exploit our hard-earned work without compensation would severely damage the quality and integrity of local journalism.”
He added: “Our journalists tirelessly cover issues that genuinely matter to our communities. If AI companies are permitted free access to our content, it will stifle our ability to deliver independent, investigative reporting that holds power to account and gives a voice to local people.”
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Tom Sinclair concluded: “We stand united with Wales’ journalists, photographers, musicians, writers, and creators. The Government must act decisively to protect our creative sectors, ensuring fair compensation for those whose efforts and ingenuity enrich Welsh life. Pembrokeshire—and Wales—cannot afford to lose its independent voice.”
The creative industry in the UK employs around 2.4 million people and contributes approximately £126 million to the economy. Allowing big tech unrestricted access to this creative output would severely damage the sector, reducing opportunities, stifling innovation, and harming local economies dependent on creative industries.
We stand united with Wales’ journalists, photographers, musicians, writers, and creators. The Government must protect our creative sectors, ensuring fair compensation for those whose efforts and ingenuity enrich Welsh life. Pembrokeshire—and Wales—cannot afford to lose its independent voice.
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Community
Non-compliance at Withyhedge Landfill Site just days after resuming operations
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WITHYHEDGE LANDFILL SITE has already recorded two new non-compliances just days after resuming operations, following an eight-month closure due to severe odour issues described by residents as a “stink bomb on steroids.”
An inspection carried out by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on January 30, shortly after the landfill reopened, identified two instances of non-compliance. Both related to inaccuracies in the description of waste being accepted at the site.
Documentation from NRW stated that the landfill operator, RML, initially used a waste description reading “MIXED WASTE – MISCELLANEOUS: MISCELLANEOUS WASTE”. However, NRW officers observed that the waste being deposited did not match this description. Upon further investigation, NRW officers discovered that the actual waste being accepted was “non-hazardous general waste”. After discussions with NRW, RML provided a corrected documentation form.
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A non-compliance score of C3, indicating a moderate breach, was issued against the site’s general management and operating techniques.
The fresh compliance issues follow significant controversy at Withyhedge throughout last year, when the landfill’s overpowering odour, described by residents as a “stink bomb on steroids,” severely affected the quality of life for those living nearby.
Residents had previously held demonstrations and public meetings to highlight their plight, urging NRW and Pembrokeshire County Council to intervene and improve conditions at the landfill.
Waste acceptance had halted for nearly eight months, during which RML invested in major infrastructure upgrades, notably enhancements to the gas management system. NRW had required comprehensive improvements before permitting the site to reopen.
Despite these improvements, local concern remains high. An Incident Management Team, comprising representatives from NRW and Pembrokeshire County Council, met recently to address residents’ continuing worries.
NRW confirmed they would maintain a strong presence at the landfill, conducting regular inspections to ensure future compliance with environmental regulations. Air quality monitoring at Spittal School, measuring hydrogen sulphide levels, will continue until at least March 2025.
Residents experiencing odour issues are encouraged to immediately report incidents to NRW via their dedicated form or call 0300 056 3000. Alternatively, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team can be reached on 01437 764551 or via complaints.withyhedgelandfill@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.
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