News
Injured seal rescued at Whitesands
A WOUNDED seal has been taken into RSPCA care after she was found at a remote cove near Whitesands, St Davids.
The young pup had wounds to her face, neck and eye and was obviously in distress. She was found on the beach by a passer-by who contacted the RSPCA.
The rescue was carried out by RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Ellie West along with Terry Leadbetter from Welsh Marine Life Rescue.
ACO West said: “Thanks to Terry’s quad we were able to get to the seal quickly as otherwise it would have been a long walk to the cove where the seal was spotted.
“The seal was transferred to my van and I took her to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre.
“We cleaned up her wounds, which were heavily infected, and she was started on antibiotics and pain relief straight away. The wounds are most likely to have been caused from another seal.
“Once we had finished cleaning the wounds and medicating her, we left her in the pen and filled up a water bath to which she went straight over to and had a drink – bless her.
“She then ate a fish on her own within five minutes. This seal is a real sweetie with a lot of fight for life.”
The seal will remain at the wildlife centre for rehabilitation until she is fit and ready to be released back into the wild.
ACO West added: “I’d once again like to thank Terry for his help and assistance in rescuing another injured seal. It is very much appreciated and highlights partnership working.”
If you find a seal pup that looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress monitor it first from a safe distance for 24 hours. Too many seal pups are taken into captivity because people mistakenly think they have been abandoned.
However, some pups can be separated from their mothers by storms and others may not feed properly for some reason and need help. A healthy pup looks like a big, stuffed maggot without a neck. A thin pup looks thin (but not bony) and has a visible neck, like a dog.
If the mother does not return within 24 hours, or you think that the pup is sick or injured – please keep a safe distance and call our 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999
Seals can have a nasty bite which will become infected by the bacteria that live in a seal’s mouth so never try to handle them. Do not allow dogs or other animals to harass a seal – it could be scared back into the water and washed out to sea by strong currents. Never put a seal pup back in the sea as it may get into difficulty.
If you would like to help the RSPCA, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 (text costs £3 + one standard network rate message). We are a charity and rely on public donations to exist.
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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