News
Councillors excluded from clinic ceremony
Assura Group officially opened its £4.8 million state of the art health centre in Milford Haven today, amongst murmurings from local Councillors that some dignitaries had been snubbed from the launch. Chris Martin, The Chairman and Trevor Purt, Chief Executive of the Local Health Board were there with the Health Minister, Prof. Mark Drakeford and local AM’s Joyce Watson and Paul Davies.
There were also representatives from the Community Health Council and a couple of reporters but the lack of an appearance from the Mayor or County Councillors who represent the 20,000 patients at the new 22,000 sq ft centre was an obvious to anyone who has ever attended a grand opening ceremony.
Town Councillors Stan Hudson and Jon Cole had not been invited either but turned up outside the clinic to voice their concerns to Assembly Members and the LHB about the car parking problem at the new centre.
Speaking from the pavement, Cllr Stand Hudson said “Why weren’t the mayor and Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council invited, or any local Councillors. How many other big health centres have opened like this in the last ten years? None.”
“I’m not willing to make any comment to why I think we were not invited” he added.
Cllr John Cole said “Landowners Assura has promised Milford Haven Town Council, and their Managing Director of Property, Andrew Darke has indicated, that they have no intention to build homes on the fenced of area of the car park and they are willing to lease the spaces to the Local Health Authority. I have passed this information onto our local Assembly Members and to Chris Martin, Chairman of the Local Health Authority.
“The District Valuer has said that only 38 spaces are needed. Experience has shown us that this, plus only four disabled spaces, is wholly inadequate. Patients are having to park on double yellow lines” he added.
Ian Tuddenham from LSP Developments, who developed the centre in conjunction with Assura, said: “The fenced off area of the car park is private land and is therefore not insured for use by clinic patients. We want to avoid insurance claims and claims of ‘posessionary’ title against our land.”
Assembly Member Joyce Watson told The Herald yesterday: “I have had an email from Milford Haven Town Council about the possibility of acquiring additional spaces, but this would obviously come at a cost to the Local Health Board.”
When asked about the fence Joyce Watson said “The fence is dangerous. When you put children into the mix I think we need to start thinking about safety.”
Ian Tuddenham then told The Herald: “It’s difficult when the fence keeps getting vandalised. We had to pay for the fence to be re-erected this morning after it had been knocked down, and driven over by vehicles”
“We know what our land is worth, I’m not going to mention figures now, but if the Council or Health Board wants to approach us then we are open to offers. As a developer we don’t want to be in the situation where we have to keep maintaining fences, it would be easier if we sold the land” he added.
When pressed as to why local Councillors or the Mayor had not been invited to yesterdays official opening of the 22,000 sq ft facility, Beverley Gardener from the Local Health Board said: “As you can see this is a busy working practice. We have to think about patients at the end of the day.”
“Its not about upsetting anybody, but how man people we can fit, especially when showing everyone around” she added.
Milford Haven Central representative Cllr Stephen Joseph was asked by text message by The Herald if he had heard of or been invited to the opening, he quickly replied “Not a word about it.”
Speaking at the ceremony, Health Minister, Prof. Mark Drakeford said: “Firstly a whole series of different players in primary care are here together in this building, all under one roof. I know that physical proximity really matters to people. Everything is here, no more need for phone calls or travelling across the county. Secondly, we know the future of the health service is in primary care. As much as possible this needs to be close to where people live, and what people have in this building is a different world what they had before.”
“Here in Milford Haven people can access a wide range of services and see the future of the NHS. Thirdly and finally, we use our primary care facilities to tackle health inequalities. We at the Welsh Assembly want there to be local services for people who really need them. Tackling health inequality through primary care is one of our key priorities” he concluded.
News
Help protect Pembrokeshire’s coastal paths this Big Give Week
PEMBROKESHIRE COAST CHARITABLE TRUST is inviting the public to make a double impact this December by supporting vital efforts to combat coastal erosion and climate change across Pembrokeshire’s cherished coastal paths. For one week only, donations will have an even greater impact in protecting these scenic trails for future generations.
During Big Give Week, which takes place from 3–10 December, any donations made to the Trust’s Save Our Coastal Paths campaign will be matched – allowing each gift to go twice as far in safeguarding this precious coastline and its world-class walking trails.
Regarded by many as a national treasure, Pembrokeshire’s 186-mile Coast Path winds through a breathtaking landscape of cliffs, heaths, and dune grasslands, connected by a web of adjoining trails. This iconic pathway is enjoyed year-round by residents, wildlife, and visitors alike. Yet the increasing pressures of climate change – rising sea levels, frequent storms, and extreme weather – are eroding the coast at an alarming rate, threatening the accessibility of these paths, disrupting local ecosystems, and impacting the tourism that fuels the local economy.
In response, the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust has partnered with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and the National Trails team to launch a proactive approach through the Save Our Coastal Paths campaign. Funds raised during Big Give Week will go toward vital repair work, bridge restorations, debris removal, and re-routes where necessary, ensuring the Coast Path and its connecting pathways remain open and safe for generations to come.
Jamie Owen, Journalist, Broadcaster, and Patron of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, said: “The Pembrokeshire Coast Path is one of the county’s greatest treasures. I have walked it from beginning to end. It would be a tragedy if it became impassable or parts of it simply disappeared. It’s crucial we all do our bit to ensure it’s preserved.”
Katie Macro, Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, said: “The Big Give Week is the UK’s largest match-funding event, where supporters of UK charities can have their donations doubled. It’s a fantastic opportunity to rally support and raise funds to help protect Pembrokeshire’s much-loved coastal paths, ensuring they stay resilient against climate change and remain a joy for future generations.
“If you’d like to help, please consider donating during Big Give Week by visiting https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a056900002TPSPiAAP.”
Further information on the work of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust can be found at https://pembrokeshirecoasttrust.wales/.
News
A tribute to Honey Arteya Foxx French, written by her family
MILFORD HAVEN turned into a sea of yellow on Tuesday, 12th November, as the community gathered to bid farewell to Honey, who tragically passed away at her home on Saturday, 19th October, aged just 12 years old.
Honey was the cherished daughter of Alan and Jess, a beloved sister to Travis and Felix, and a deeply adored granddaughter, great-granddaughter, niece, and cousin. She was a bright, intelligent young girl who attended St. Davids School, leaving an unforgettable impression on all who knew her.
The funeral cortege left her home led by a convoy of bikes, passing her favourite play park, Gellyswick Beach—where she spent countless joyful hours—and her former primary school, where staff stood to pay their respects as the hearse passed.
Before arriving at St. Katharine & St. Peter’s Church, the cortege paused on the Rath for a moving tribute. Tugboats flew yellow flags and released a spectacular display of water, followed by 12 blasts of their horns to honour Honey’s age.
At the church, her yellow coffin, engraved with her name and adorned with honeybee carvings, was carried in to the song I Can’t Help Myself by The Four Tops, a nod to her name. The congregation sang All Things Bright and Beautiful, a favourite from Honey’s primary school days. As the service concluded, Little Bitty Pretty One by Thurston Harris, from her favourite film Matilda, played alongside a touching visual tribute.
At Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Honey’s personality shone through in the music choices, with Rock Superstar by Cypress Hill, her favourite song, and Sail Away by David Gray playing as the service ended.
Honey’s floral tributes were later placed at Milford Haven Cemetery on the graves of loved ones. Flowers from her coffin spray were sent out to sea from Gellyswick Bay that evening, a poignant final farewell.
Her heartbroken parents, Alan and Jess, wrote this loving tribute:
“Once upon a time, oh best beloved, there was a little girl called Honey-bee.
Honey-bee was the most loved of all little girls—before her and after her. She filled every inch of space around her with her presence. Her laugh was husky, cheeky, and contagious. Even if her jokes crossed a line, you couldn’t help but laugh—she was hilarious.
Honey loved to sing, much to her mama’s pride. Whether in the car, the garden, or pottering in the kitchen, she memorised songs with ease, belting out her favourites for all to hear. She danced too—many hours were spent grooving to James Brown or Biggie Smalls in the kitchen. Dramatic and bold, she was destined for the stage.
Honey was her Nana’s girl, and their bond was unbreakable. Sleepovers at Nana’s house meant scary movies, silly photos, and endless laughs. One unforgettable day at Scolton Manor spa, Honey, Mum, and Nana found themselves laughing like children in the rain, with Honey unknowingly pulling a rope that dumped a bucket of icy water over her. Chaos followed, but it was legendary.
Honey had a knack for mischief. She once tried to disprove the Tooth Fairy by hiding a tooth for three days, only to pen a threatening letter to the Easter Bunny demanding payment. When her dad tried to play along, she caught him red-handed, sitting upright with a grin and her hand out, saying, ‘I’ll take that.’
Her adventurous spirit extended to animals—she had a pet duck that followed her everywhere. One morning, her dad replaced the duck’s egg with a Cadbury’s Creme Egg. Honey’s delight at finding ‘chocolate-pooping ducks’ was unmatched.
On her third birthday, she was gifted a Shetland pony dressed as a unicorn, which she proudly rode to school. She even tried to save a live rat from the neighbour’s cat, much to her family’s horror.
In school, Honey shone on stage and in sports. She led a petition for a girls’ rugby team, represented Pembrokeshire in shot put, and played the Evil Queen in a school production, dazzling everyone with her confidence and talent. She was a natural leader and a cherished friend to many.
Honey’s love of life and her fearless, mischievous spirit will forever be remembered. She was, and always will be, the most loved little girl.”
Rest in peace, Honey-bee. Your light will never dim, and your memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved you.
Community
New art trail is afoot in Fishguard and Goodwick!
A NEW sculpture trail Art Afoot / Celf ar Droed linking Fishguard and Goodwick is due to be launched December 15th 2024.
Commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council with UK Government funding, the trail has been designed and delivered by local creative organisation Small World Theatre, based in nearby Cardigan.
Local artists from the region have designed and fabricated the artworks in their studios. The trail also includes augmented reality artworks that the viewer can see in the landscape using their phone.
The trails make use of existing and maintained pathways such as the boardwalk on Goodwick Moor, a wildlife reserve and the Marine Walk which is an accessible coastal path.
The new artworks will also be interspersed with existing artworks and heritage monuments and tell the twin towns heritage stories while celebrating the unique biodiversity and wildlife of the area.
A hand drawn and illustrated map will guide walkers along the various route options and website will give further details about the artworks, the artists and a digital version of the map.
Six new sculptures and eight augmented reality artworks have been commissioned as well as a series of decorated waymarkers. Sculptural archways created by Bill Hamblett will mark key route directions and celebrate local wildlife and heritage.
The launch event begins 2pm at Ocean Lab, Goodwick Sunday, December 15th and the artists will lead a guided walk along one of the trail routes.
Everyone is welcome, this is a free family friendly event and the route taken will be accessible to wheelchair users.
Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said: “This innovative project will bring the rich history of Fishguard and Goodwick to life through both physical and virtual art for us all to enjoy. It promises to be a really interesting experience, not just for those visiting the area but also those who already live in this beautiful part of Pembrokeshire.”
A stunning five metre stainless steel seahorse created by Pembrokeshire-based artist Gideon Peterson will sit at the entrance to the Marine Walk, overlooking Goodwick beach and Fishguard Harbour.
Many of the artworks are interactive or kinetic such as a wind-powered shoal of fish and a giant kaleidoscope showcasing local children’s drawings at Goodwick Parrog, made using reclaimed materials by artist duo Toby Downing and Ben Cramp.
A playful hand painted sculpture of Jemima Nicholas, created by Ann Shrosbree with painting by Sarah Hope, was originally inspired by a young person’s drawing and an augmented reality immersive experience awaits viewers with artworks by Seán Vicary and Steve Knight.
The area is known for its focus on arts and culture and these trails are the latest manifestation of this. For those who love culture as well as stunning coastal scenery and wildlife, this is an ideal combination.
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