News
Faster shipping turnarounds shuts Seafarers’ Centre
LAST WEEK The Herald reported that the Milford Haven International Seafarers’ Centre have made the heart-breaking to close its doors.
At a meeting, this newspaper reported, the trustees decided to enter into a consultation period of around six to nine months. The closure of the centre will result in the loss of eight jobs.
The Seafarers’ centre provides a chapel and rest and recreation facilities for visiting seamen who might have been away from home for a considerable period of time. The centre also provides basic amenities for seafarers’ use.
The Herald has now received details of the reason behind the closure.
By way of an official statement the Apostleship of the Sea told The Herald: “Following consultation between trustee charities, Apostleship of the Sea, The Mission to Seafarers and Sailors’ Society, the difficult decision has been reached to close the Milford Haven International Seafarers’ Centre. The trustee charities are grateful to the staff and volunteers of the centre for the many years service they have given to the centre.”
The shock statement also explained that in recent years have seen turnaround times rapidly increase, with seafarers often spending only 6-24 hours in port rather than several days. As a result, said the charity, it was found that “an increasing amount of support is being given in Port, with declining numbers of visiting seafarers accessing the Centre.”
This new approach will also ensure that the organisations’ charitable aims are being met and that the right support is being offered to seafarers with a focus on where the need is greatest.
The Apostleship of the Sea said that over the coming months, the charities will work with local committee members and partners to identify alternative service provision in the Milford Haven port areas to ensure effective provision of seafarer welfare services. The Seafarers’ Centre will not close until alternative provision and appropriate facilities have been identified.
The statement concluded that the Apostleship of the Sea, The Mission to Seafarers and Sailors’ Society are committed to supporting seafarers in the UK and overseas. The Apostleship of the Sea and The Mission to Seafarers’ chaplaincy services will continue to serve seafarers visiting the port of Milford Haven.
Pembrokeshire-based Captain Glyn Garland, National Director of AoS, said: “The Apostleship of the Sea remains committed to the provision of welfare services to seafarers visiting Milford Haven through our port chaplain Fr. Paul Osunyikanmi and his team of welfare officers. Fr. Paul and I will work with local supporters and partners to ensure that seafarers continue to receive all the support they need.”
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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