Community
Park plans for starry, starry nights

IN 2012/13, the Brecon Beacons achieved International Dark Sky Reserve status for the whole National Park. On a clear night in the Brecon Beacons, you can see the Milky Way, major constellations, bright nebulas and even meteor showers. It’s enough to make anyone starry eyed.
Now Pembrokeshire’s own National Park Authority has decided to try to create a number of Dark Sky Discovery Sites across the county.
The UK has some of the largest areas of dark sky in Europe. You can find dark skies near where you live, if you can get away from bright lights such as street lighting. That could be in your back garden, a local park, or getting out of town altogether. From a city centre location we might see about 100 stars with our naked eyes, and the further away from the streetlights you go, the better the view becomes. Under a really dark sky we can see over 1,000 stars. We can even see our own galaxy, The Milky Way, stretching across the sky.
Pembrokeshire Cost National Park does not particularly lend itself to being a Dark Sky Reserve or Dark Sky Park because it is relatively small, ribbon-like, and is affected by significant light sources on the Milford Haven. These factors would make Dark Sky Reserve and Dark Sky Park requirements very difficult to meet, and the associated improvement commitments onerous to maintain.
Instead, officers have sought to identify a series of potential Dark Sky Discovery Sites across the National Park. Dark Sky Discovery Sites are small, accessible observation sites with good night sky quality. Proposals for Dark Sky Discovery sites are submitted to and decided by the UK Dark Sky Discovery partnership, which is made up of national and local astronomy and environmental organisations.
There is currently only one Dark Sky Discovery site in the National Park: the National Trust’s car park at Broad Haven South. A spread of Dark Sky Discovery Sites across the National Park could help raise the profile of the Park, not only for stargazers and photographers but as part of more general “Park-at-night” type experiences (wildlife observation, John Muir/Duke of Edinburgh tasks, navigation, bushcraft and so on), potentially out of the main visit or season.
In order to qualify for Dark Sky Discovery (DSD) Site status, the proposed locations need to meet a number of criteria that make them safe and accessible as well as having suitably dark skies, in order to fully suppor t the above aims.
Dark Sky Discovery Sites are places that:
are away from the worst of any local light pollution
provide good sightlines of the sky
have good public access, including firm ground for wheelchairs.
The sites are generally freely accessible at all times The website sets out two clear categories of Dark Sky Discovery sites. The two darkness ratings are:
‘Orion’ sites. At these sites, the seven main stars in the winter constellation Orion are visible to the naked eye. Typically, this means away from, or shielded from, bright lights such as street lights, security lights or approaching car lights.
“Milky Way” sites. At these sites the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. They are much darker sites found only in more rural areas.
The ten selected sites are: Poppit Sands Beach; Bedd Morris National Park car park; Bwlch Gwynt; Garn Fawr National Trust car park; Rhosfach Common; Abereiddi Bay car park; Martin’s Haven National Trust car park; Kete National Trust car park; Stack Rocks National Park car park; and Skrinkle Haven National Park car park.
Community
Alert system set to be introduced for flood-hit Tenby road

A CALL for a road closure alert system at a regularly flood-hit road at the entrance to Tenby where the existing sign warnings “don’t like operating when it’s wet” has been backed by senior councillors.
Back at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Rhys Jordan had said: “The B4318 at Gumfreston is prone to persistent flooding during adverse weather conditions, leading to road closures that disrupt travel and pose safety risks for residents and motorists.
“Currently, closures are not effectively communicated to residents, causing inconvenience, delays, and potential hazards. An efficient alert system would provide timely information to residents, allowing them to plan alternative routes and ensuring safety.”
At the October meeting Cllr Jordan had revealed the existing flood warning system signs “don’t like operating when its wet”.
The February meeting of the council’s Cabinet received a notice of motion by Cllr Jordan calling for a flood alert system for residents warning of any road closures of the B4318, which was recommended for approval.
In his notice of motion, Cllr Jordan said the flood warning signs, “continue to malfunction, leaving residents uninformed and ill-prepared for closures,” despite him raising the issue at full council on two occasions.
His call said: “The technology required to address this issue already exists within Pembrokeshire County Council. For example, the Cleddau Bridge successfully uses an alert system to inform residents and motorists of closures. A similar system should be implemented for the B4318 at Gumfreston.”
A report for members said a 2011 feasibility report to realign or raise the road had estimated the costs would be £4.5m at the time, now raised to £6m, the budget at the time used to install the flood monitoring and warning system.
The report added: “Recently, the warning sign system was subject to a hostile cyber-attack and whilst this has now been resolved, the signs are not currently being operated automatically, but are being remotely controlled from the Cleddau Bridge office when required.
“However, the Highways teams are working with suppliers to improve reliability and to install new water depth sensors which will allow the system to be restored to automatic operation once more.”
Referencing the current Cleddau Bridge system, the report said it would be feasible to have a similar system for the B4318 road at Gumfreston, with a cost of some £2,000 for the works.
Speaking at the February 10 meeting, Cllr Jordan said there was a need for “a long-term infrastructure solution” to address the flooding issues, but said the recommendation was a “pragmatic” improvement given the council’s limited resources.
“But what I am not happy is with the length of time this has taken, it’s a step in the right direction but disappointing that it has taken a year of me asking and many years of people suffering to get to the situation today.
“It will not solve the problem but at least will provide some mitigation. The residents deserve better planning and better outcomes.”
Cabinet member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said the council “acknowledge a long-term sustainable solution would be the best outcome,” but was pleased there was “a sense of pragmatism” in the proposal.
The proposal was unanimously supported by Cabinet members.
Community
New parent, baby and child walking groups launch in Pembrokeshire

PARENTS in Pembrokeshire looking for a friendly and supportive way to get outdoors with their little ones can now join free weekly walking groups in Broad Haven and Pembroke.
Organised by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, these walks provide a relaxed and welcoming environment, offering a chance to connect with other parents while enjoying gentle exercise, spotting wildlife along the way, and taking in the beauty of the local area.
The Broad Haven walks take place every Monday at 10am, starting from the Park Authority’s car park outside the YHA in Broad Haven, while the Pembroke group meets every Friday at 10am at Pembroke Commons car park, opposite the Pembroke Carvery. Both walks begin at 10.15am and are free to attend. They are pram-friendly, making them ideal for new parents, parents-to-be, and those with toddlers.
Each walk lasts between 45 and 60 minutes, with nearby baby-changing facilities and local cafés available for refreshments before or after the stroll.
Along the way, parents can take part in fun, age-appropriate activities with their little ones while benefiting from fresh air, gentle movement, and the support of a like-minded community.
Get Outdoors Coordinator, Amber Manning, organiser of the walking groups, encourages parents to come along and experience the benefits of connecting with others in a natural setting, and says:“These walks are a fantastic way for parents to get outside, socialise and enjoy Pembrokeshire with your children. Whether you’re looking to meet new people, get some fresh air, or simply enjoy a relaxed walk, everyone is welcome.”
For more information, contact Amber Manning at 07483 377414 or via email at [email protected]
Community
Tragic hospital crash: Father speaks of the moment he lost baby daughter

A GREIVING father has spoken of the horrific moment he lost his eight-month-old daughter in a tragic crash outside Withybush Hospital. Rob Hall, originally from Fishguard and now living in Neath, was visiting his dying mother when a car ploughed into him, his brother, and his baby daughter, Mabli, as they stood outside the hospital in June 2023.
The devastating incident occurred while Rob was taking a short walk with Mabli in her pram, just minutes after they had said goodbye to his mother inside the hospital. A white BMW, driven by 71-year-old Bridget Curtis from Begelly, accelerated across a pavement and struck them. The impact threw Rob into a nearby parking bay and crushed Mabli’s pram beneath the vehicle. The baby girl was rushed to hospital with catastrophic injuries but tragically passed away four days later.

Speaking about the moment of the crash, Rob recalled: “I heard this horrible revving and screeching. The next thing I saw was this white car airborne. That was it. I was hit and thrown into a parking bay. The first thing I saw was the pram underneath the car. There was chaos, people running everywhere. Three nurses came over and picked me up because I couldn’t walk or stand. That didn’t matter. What mattered was where Mabli was.”
Mabli was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and later transferred to a children’s hospital in Bristol. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, doctors informed Rob and his wife Gwen that their daughter would not survive. She passed away in the early hours of June 25, just days after Rob’s mother had also succumbed to illness.

Curtis was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court last month after admitting to causing Mabli’s death by dangerous driving. The court heard that she had left the engine of her BMW running while looking for her handbag. The vehicle suddenly lurched forward, travelling 28 metres and reaching speeds of 30mph before the devastating collision. Judge Geraint Walters described the crash footage as “something that words cannot describe” and sentenced Curtis to four years in prison.
Rob and Gwen have expressed frustration over the drawn-out legal process and Curtis’s refusal to provide answers in the aftermath of the tragedy. “We waited so long for justice,” said Rob. “She answered ‘no comment’ to questions about what happened. To us, that is disgusting.”
Despite their grief, the couple have been overwhelmed by the support they have received from friends, family, and even strangers. A fundraising campaign in Mabli’s memory has already raised over £14,000 for the charity 2 Wish, which supports families affected by the sudden death of a child. The family plans to continue raising money in honour of their daughter.
“Mabli was the happiest baby I have ever known,” said her mother, Gwen. “She was so loved, and all she knew was love. She will always be a part of our lives, every single day.”
Original story by WalesOnline.
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ian campbell
May 21, 2015 at 1:48 pm
about time sixty years too late and now ridiculous typical pcnp dragged screaming into the present lying to cover up past bad decisions
too little too late