News
Hairy supporters go through pain barrier
BRAVE charity supporters in Milford Haven have set themselves a series of hairy challenges by undertaking leg waxing, head shaving and beard growing fundraisers.
The courageous group of five, led from the front by organiser Robert Hoggins, grinned and bearded at it to raise funds for Meningitis Now – the UK’s leading meningitis charity. They hope to raise £200 towards its work fighting the disease on all fronts.
The leg waxing and head shaving took place at Beautylicious Beauty Salon in Milford Marina on Wednesday, November 20. But to compensate for the hair that some will be losing others in the group, based around local parent group Milford Adventure, have been going in for beard growing during the month of November.
Robert, 47, from Milford Haven, is a staunch supporter of the charity and rose over £300 for it by having his head shaved last year.
He said: “My cousin Hannah sadly passed away from meningitis last year. As a parent I feel it is vital to raise awareness and money so that we can protect people in the future.”
Krysia Jarzebek-Darma, Meningitis Now’s community fundraiser for Wales, said: “We’re really grateful to Robert and the rest of the group for all their efforts on our behalf and we wish them well with their challenges.
“We rely entirely on the generosity of individuals to continue our vital work – searching for vaccines, supporting anyone affected by meningitis with free professional services and raising lifesaving awareness of the disease and its symptoms.
“For the many people who have been, and continue to be, affected by meningitis, and for those who will sadly be affected in the future, Meningitis Now is a lifeline. Support like this ensures that this lifeline can continue.”
Each year around 3,400 cases of meningitis are reported in the UK, 10% of these are fatal and 15% of survivors are left with devastating after-effects. Meningitis can strike anyone, at any time and the winter months are the peak season for the disease.
If you would like to support Robert’s efforts please visit Hannah’s tribute fund page at http://meningitisnowforeverfunds.tributefunds.com/fund/Hannah+Gwilliam/showFund/ to contribute.
Robert Hoggins can be contacted directly on 07866 853972.
Robert and the group are not done yet, and they will be having another session next week in the centre near St Katharine’s Church.
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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