Business
Open invitation to Welsh Golfers
FERRY company Stena Line is swapping the gangway for the fairway in 2016 with its sponsorship of three prestigious open golf events in Ireland. The company has joined forces with golf holiday specialists Club Choice Ireland to present a Seniors Open, a Ladies Classic and a Mixed Pairs event at some of Ireland’s leading golf resorts.
Club Choice Ireland are experts in creating tailor-made golf breaks to the east and south east of Ireland and with Stena Line operating daily trips from Holyhead to Dublin Port, Fishguard to Rosslare and Cairnryan to Belfast, the short journey across the Irish Sea provides just enough time to work out the best course strategy for each location. Ian Baillie, Stena Line’s Key Account and Product Sales Manager, UK & Ireland, said: “Joining with Club Choice Ireland provides Stena Line with access to some of Ireland’s leading golf resorts and being able to sponsor and support a series of events, particularly those for women and older players sits well with our customer base.
“Not only that but players have the added benefit of being able to fill the car with their own golf clubs and equipment with no additional baggage charges, an important consideration especially for travelling groups.” Tiernan Byrne, Managing Director of Club Choice Ireland, said: “We have been developing our relationship with Stena Line over a number of years and I’m delighted they are increasing their support of golf tourism. They have played a crucial role in helping us grow the number of golfers travelling from the UK to Ireland and I’m delighted that we can build on our great partnership and that they have ‘come on board’, pardon the pun, as sponsors for our new program of 2016 golf events!
“These new events are focused on showcasing different regions and venues of the east and south east of Ireland as truly great golfing destinations, which they are. The ultimate aim is to have our participants travelling home having enjoyed some great fun, great golf and looking forward to coming back again and again.“ The first event in the series is the Stena Line Senior Mixed Pairs, April 10 – 13, hosted by Knightsbrook Hotel Spa and Golf Resort and play will take place on the Royal Tara, Rathcore and Knightsbrook courses. The package includes three nights B&B accommodation, three rounds of golf, presentation dinner and Stena Line ferry travel – £300pps, based on two sharing.
Next is the Stena Line Seniors Open, May 22 – 26, staying at the 4 star, Hotel Kilkenny, playing Castlecomer, Gowran and Kilkenny courses. Package includes four night’s accommodation, three rounds of golf, horse racing evening at Gowran Park with coach transfers, and Stena Line ferry travel – £285pps, based on four travelling per car. Finally it’s the Stena Line Ladies Classic taking place from June 5 – 9, staying at the 4 star Mount Wolseley Hotel Spa and Golf Resort and play will take place at Mount Wolseley and Bunclody courses. Package includes four night’s accommodation, three rounds of golf, presentation dinner at Mount Wolseley and Stena Line ferry travel – £325pps, based on four travelling per car.
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)
Business
52 homes to be built in Roch as scheme gets final sign-off
THE FINAL stage of approval for a near-£10m Pembrokeshire residential development of 52 homes has been given the go-ahead.
Back in April, members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee backed an application by Wakefield Pembrokeshire Ltd for the development, which includes four one-bed affordable housing units, on land near Pilgrims Way, Roch.
18 objections to the scheme were received, raising concerns including an “inadequate” affordable housing level, it being a high density development for a rural area, a loss of green space, the size of some of the homes, and pressures on existing services and facilities, and fears it may lead to an increase in second homes.
Nolton & Roch Community Land Trust (N&RCLT) has raised its concerns about a lack of affordable homes at the development, calling for a 20 per cent affordable homes element, as recommended by policy.
An officer report for members, recommending conditional approval, said: “It is apparent that the proposed development is not fully policy compliant, insofar as it cannot deliver the indicative 20 per cent affordable housing sought [by policy].
“However, a substantial positive social impact will arise through the provision of housing, including four one-bed affordable housing units, in meeting identified needs for both market and affordable housing.
“Financial obligations identified to mitigate adverse impacts arising from the proposed development cannot be met in full. However, [policy] acknowledges that in such circumstances contributions may be prioritised on the basis of the individual circumstances of each case.”
Speaking at the meeting, agent Gethin Beynon said the project had a “significant economic value” of around £10m, and the local applicant had “a sense of stewardship to the local community,” offering affordable housing and community infrastructure towards highways and education.
Approval was delegated to the council’s head of planning to approve the application, subject to the completion of a Section 106 planning obligation, making community financial contributions.
The Section 106 agreement was recently agreed, with the application now formally approved.
Business
World of engineering and welding SPARCs interest in Ysgol Harri Tudur’s female learners
AN EVENT hosted by Ledwood Engineering gave girls from Year 8 and 9 at Ysgol Harri Tudur first-hand experience of the world of engineering recently.
Engineering is a booming sector in Pembrokeshire with a high demand for skilled workers in exciting career pathways associated with the development of low carbon and renewable energy industry and the Celtic Freeport.
The young women heard from industry experts on the importance of engineering in Pembrokeshire, and had hands on experience using a welding simulator, at the company’s Pembroke Dock site.
The learners are part of the County’s SPARC (Sustainable Power and Renewable Construction) initiative aimed as inspiring and empowering young females to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) pathways where females are under-represented in the workforce.
SPARC is funded through an alliance comprising Blue Gem Wind, Ledwood Engineering, Port of Milford Haven, RWE Renewables, Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College and the Swansea Bay City Deal.
Mrs Laura Buckingham, SPARC practitioner at Ysgol Harri Tudur said: “Our learners had a fantastic experience at Ledwood Engineering. They were given lots of advice by industry experts on the different career options and pathways within the engineering sector.
“They appreciated the opportunity to ask their questions and found the session very informative. Having the chance to trial their welding skills on the simulator was an experience they continue to talk about and has definitely piqued their interest.”
Poppy Sawyer, Year 8 SPARC learner added: ‘It was a really good trip. Talking to the different people there has helped me know more about the jobs we could get which will be very useful when making choices for my future.”
“They helped us a lot by giving us lots of information. We were able to look around and try welding. It was really fun,” added Tianna Marshall, Year 8 SPARC learner.
The Regional Learning and Skills Partnership also launched its Explore Engineering interactive website at the event.
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