News

Pub fined £4,500 for poor hygiene

Published

10 years ago

February 5, 2015

THE LANDLADY of a Pembrokeshire pub has been ordered to pay over £8,000 in fines and costs after admitting food hygiene offences.
Angela Jarvis, who is also the food business operator of the Horse and Jockey in Steynton, Milford Haven, was fined £4,500 by magistrates in Haverfordwest on Tuesday (Jan 20) on seven charges relating to two separate dates in a prosecution brought by Pembrokeshire County Council.
She was also ordered to pay £3,500 costs and £360 victim surcharge.

The court heard how an Environmental Health officer from the Council’s Public Protection Division visited the premises on August 7th, 2013, to carry out a routine food hygiene inspection.

The officer found the premises, fixtures and fittings to be in a dirty condition and greasy to touch; hand washing facilities inaccessible; and, accumulations of food waste which were attracting flies.

Hand contact surfaces in the kitchen, including the handles of equipment and various switches, were visibly dirty, presenting a risk of contamination.
The premises were given a Food Hygiene Rating of zero, and food production was voluntarily placed on hold pending thorough cleaning of the kitchen.
Following that inspection, a number of revisits were carried out to ensure that a significant improvement in standards had been secured.

However officers were disappointed to discover, on a visit to the premises in January last year, further evidence of dirty conditions and a lack of hot water to the premises.

This resulted in a Food Hygiene Rating of 1, with ‘major improvements’ needed, and required the further involvement of officers to secure compliance.
After the hearing, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, Councillor Huw George said he was pleased with the outcome of the hearing.

He said: “It should reinforce the importance of food businesses ensuring satisfactory levels of food hygiene in the interest of safeguarding public health.
“However, I share the disappointment of officers that the business failed to respond effectively to the initial intervention and advice. This may have avoided the need for court action.

“On a more positive note the case does highlight the value of the Food Hygiene Rating information to the public and I would strongly encourage consumers to take note of these scores when exercising their choices over where to eat out.”
During the case, defending solicitor James Hartson read from a letter Jarvis had sent to the Council, saying she was “gutted” by the state in which officers had found her kitchen.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

11 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

19 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

19 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.