News
Public meeting to save centre
MEMBERS of the public concerned about the future of Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre attended a meeting on Wednesday (Jan 27) to discuss if a new community investment programme could be a solution to the centre’s funding problems.
Cllr Viv Stoddart and Cllr Mike Stoddart released a statement following the meeting saying: “We were delighted that so many people attended the meeting hosted by the charity Building Communities Trust (BCT) and Invest Local. Representatives from all the area’s organisations came along to hear what the charity had to say.
“We thank all those who attended, and the volunteers who distributed leaflets to ensure this key event for our community was so well publicised.
“The meeting heard that Invest Local has lottery funding of £1 million available to the community over ten years.
“Invest Local’s development officer Rachel Harding stressed that it was for the community to decide how the money is used to help shape the future of our area.
“This has huge potential for the areas we represent and the big turnout for this initial meeting gives us confidence that it is an opportunity that the community will grasp with both hands.
“Rachel Harding will be consulting widely over the next few weeks and a second meeting is scheduled for mid- March.”
Earlier this month the scheduled closure of Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre was put on hold until July.
At the request of Cllr Viv Stoddart, the centre’s owners Pembrokehsire County Council, agreed to continue to fund and manage the centre until the end of the summer term.
The centre’s doors were planned to be shut in April.
Speaking at the time Viv Stoddart told the Herald: “Mike and I are grateful that the council have agreed to give the community more time to explore funding opportunities which will enable the much-loved centre to stay open, both in the short and long term.
“We thank all those people who attended December’s successful drop in sessions, and the volunteers who hand delivered the invitations to the consultation, kindly facilitated by the county council.
“The positive response from the community is evidence of the enthusiasm to keep the iconic building open for everyone to use.”
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.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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