News
Centenary celebrations for Hilda John
GREAT-GRANDMOTHER Mrs Hilda John celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday (Apr 13) with a host of her friends, family and staff at Torestin Home where she lives.
Mrs John was born in Dale and married Billy John of Haverfordwest, although they spent the early years of their marriage apart as Mr John was detained for three-and-a-half years in a WW2 Japanese POW camp.
After his return from the war, Mr and Mrs John brought up their family in Haverfordwest, living first in Dew Street and then Priory Avenue with their children David and the late Pamela and Davina.
Mr John, who worked for Pembrokeshire County Council and Preseli District Council, died in 1977. Following that, Mrs John moved to Pembroke Dock and then Milford Haven, where she lived with her son David and her daughter-in-law Joan.
One of her main interests was the local bingo. David said: “They used to call her the bingo queen at one time. Wherever there was bingo, she’d be there!”
Hilda John has numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren – a number of whom live in Canada and England. Tragically, her grandson Steven John died five years ago.
She was joined on her birthday by David and Joan, granddaughter Julie, granddaughter-in-law Noy, great-granddaughters Georgina, Jasmine, and Natasha, and her grandson Stephen Evans and his wife Mel who provided musical entertainment.
Staff at Torestin said she was”‘thoroughly chirpy” and looking forward to her big day, which included a visit from the Councillor Wynne Evans, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, who presented her with a bouquet.
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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