News
Councillor urges public to create ‘holy hell’
RESIDENTS in the south-east of the county are being urged to attend a public meeting on Monday night over the future of the Tenby Library and Learning Centre.
Cllrs Michael Williams (Tenby North) Jonathan Preston (Penally) and Jacob Williams (East Williamston) say it’s vital that users of the building speak out and let the council know just how important this facility is for Tenby and the surrounding area.
The three, photographed outside County Hall, are due to attend a presentation to members by council officers at the authority’s Haverfordwest headquarters this afternoon (Friday) ahead of Monday night’s public meeting in Tenby.
Two separate public consultation meetings were held earlier in the summer over the future of the library and adult education classes, which, along with the youth club are services delivered at the town’s former Greenhill Grammar School.
The public consultation process followed a highly controversial decision taken by the county council’s cabinet earlier this year to close Tenby learning centre from August 2016, without having undertaken any consultation whatsoever.
In February Cllr Jacob Williams set about halting the cabinet’s decision and referred it to a council committee for further scrutiny. Cllr Preston co-signed Cllr. Williams’ demand along with Cllrs Viv Stoddart (Milford Hubberston) Tessa Hodgson (Lamphey) and Peter Stock (Haverfordwest Portfield.)
Following further scrutiny of the cabinet’s decision it was agreed that Fishguard and Pembroke Dock learning centres – which were due to be closed down last month – would be given at least a year’s reprieve, and that further consultation would take place with the public in the interim over all planned closures, including that of the Haverfordwest centre.
Speaking to the Herald, Cllr Jacob Williams said: “For many years the authorities have looked into relocating the Tenby library but nowhere suitable has yet been found. It’s clear to me that the cabinet tried to slip in a decision to close Tenby’s learning centre – which uses the bulk of the building – hoping nobody would notice. If the learning centre closes it’s obvious the library will be in jeopardy, so it’s vital that users express their feelings. The council has a ruthless streak and a lack of compassion, and I have no doubt that both the library and learning centre will be closed down and the listed building will be sold off to a hotel or housing developer if users don’t create holy hell.”
Cllr Preston told us: “I understand cuts are coming and the ways services are delivered are changing, but I’m adamant that the library needs to remain central. It is currently in a convenient location for its users. One proposal would see it relocated to the leisure centre site but I don’t think that’s appropriate. It would also remove yet another important service away from the town which wouldn’t be fair.”
The public meeting, arranged by PCC, will be held in the main hall at Tenby’s Library and Learning Centre, at 7.30pm on Monday September 14.
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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idris
September 23, 2015 at 2:29 pm
Jacob shouldn’t be a councillor, much too young he should be outside playing football and leave the important stuff to our IPiG betters
Ieuan
September 30, 2015 at 7:02 pm
You are very wrong Idris, we need MORE Councillor’s Like Jacob Williams and less of the IPPG