News
Future of Ocean Lab decided


Sea Trust’s Cliff Benson announces future plans: A collaboration between Pembrokeshire County Council and Conygar Stena Line has been signed off
SEA TRUST have announced that the future of Fishguard and Goodwick’s Ocean Lab has been secured for at least two years as part of a collaborate partnership.
A two-year lease was recently signed between Pembrokeshire County Council and Conygar Stena Line, for whom Sea Trust manages the Ocean Lab.
It was three years ago when the authority decided to close the Ocean Lab as a part of their ongoing cost cuttings.
With the support of Conygar Stena Line, Sea Trust took it upon themselves to take over the management of the Ocean Lab back in April 2013.
Thanks to Conygar’s involvement, the life of the Lab has been extended under the control of Sea Trust, who have also managed to increase the contributions that the Ocean Lab makes to the surrounding community.
On top of this collaboration announcement, Sea Trust have also been assured that when the development of the marina goes ahead, the Ocean Lab will be involved in the refurbishments to be eventually highlighted as one of the significant features of the marina development.
Sea Trust’s Cliff Benson said: “I was lucky enough to meet with Dafydd Jones, Director of Conygar Stena Line, some years ago when he sponsored a groundbreaking live internet link with Sea Trust and a group of pupils from Ysgol Bro Gwaun and some Marine Educators working on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
“I never thought that 12 years later, I would still be asking for and getting Dafydd’s support.
“Had he and Conygar not backed us, the seafront here at Goodwick would have, by now, been derelict. The windows of the Ocean Lab would probably have been broken and boarded up.
“I should point out that Conygar could easily not have helped us but they gave their word that they would and, as the old saying goes, the proof is in the pudding!”
Mr Benson continued, stating that he has read of Goodwick residents who think that the regeneration of the marina will be an eyesore, and are suspicious of the changes that are appearing in the plans. He said: “Anyone who buys a house overlooking a commercial port must realise that change is inevitable and will probably add value to property.”
In the three years that Sea Trust have been working with Conygar keeping the Ocean Lab open as a community asset, it has been used by thousands of residents and visitors each year.
Hundreds of local school children have attended the lab to take part in activities that have been arranged for them.
“There can hardly be a parent or grandparent locally whose children have not been crabbing with us or making sand sculptures or used the soft play area,” Mr Benson added.
The lab is also a meeting place where societies, such as the University of the Third Age (U3A) hold events, and a host of small business meetings happen. Social workers also use the lab to meet clients and researchers sit with a cup of coffee using the lab’s free Wi-Fi.
“I happen to think that the marina is really going to open up opportunities for other businesses to grow in the area. In turn, that will mean jobs and visitors.
“I know Dafydd and the Conygar team are working hard and spending a lot of money to try and move the project on. It is a complex project and inevitably there will be tweaks to the plans.
“So far, in the 12 years I have known Dafydd Jones, he has been completely open and we have been kept informed of developments by Conygar as they have happened.
“In all that time, they have been true to their word. My trust in Dafydd and Conygar is not just blind faith, but built on over 12 years of experience!”
Community
Milford Haven Town Council seeks nominations for 2025 Citizens’ Awards

MILFORD HAVEN TOWN COUNCIL is inviting residents to put forward their local heroes for recognition in this year’s Citizens’ Awards.
The annual awards celebrate the efforts of individuals and groups who go above and beyond to make Milford Haven a better place—voluntarily and without any form of payment.
Nominations are now open, and members of the public are encouraged to take a moment to think about those who deserve a special thank you. Whether it’s someone who supports vulnerable neighbours, leads a youth group, organises community events, or simply goes out of their way to help others, the Town Council wants to hear about them.
A spokesperson for the council said: “These awards are a fantastic way to recognise the unsung heroes of our town—the people whose efforts too often go unnoticed. If you know someone who gives their time freely to benefit the local community, we urge you to nominate them.”
Nominations must be submitted by 12:00pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
To obtain a nomination form:
- Email: admin@milfordhaven-tc.gov.wales
- Contact the Town Council via its Facebook page
- Telephone: 01646 692505 to request a postal form
Please note: Awards can only be granted to those working in a voluntary capacity, and previous award recipients are not eligible for nomination.
For inspiration, you can view highlights from last year’s ceremony via Milford Haven Town Council’s Facebook page:
facebook.com/milfordhaventowncouncil/posts/pfbid02f7WhKXhjtDxEqV68ujznDvFX89yhBYe8dQgXtqqY19Yb7bC7SeNYW6Ua42E4Ehevl
The council encourages everyone to get involved and help shine a light on the incredible community spirit that defines Milford Haven.
Entertainment
The authentic sound of The Rolling Stones… with the world’s premier Jagger lookalike

CAPTURING the authentic sound and spirit of The Greatest Rock n’ Roll Band In The World, NOT THE ROLLING STONES have played festivals, theatres and private gigs throughout Europe, the middle east and the UK. This May, they will appear here on the Torch Stage in Pembrokeshire!
Featuring the best Mick Jagger lookalike you will ever see, truly international tribute act in demand all over Europe as well as the UK, will take you back to the Golden Age of The Stones- from Satisfaction to Sympathy for the Devil… You won’t believe it’s not Jagger!
Based on the Rolling Stones, an English rock band formed in London in 1962 and active for over six decades, they were one of the most popular, influential, and enduring bands of the rock era and pioneered the gritty, rhythmically driven sound that came to define hard rock, and Not The Rolling Stones carry on that legacy today.
They have the unique asset of a ‘Mick and Keith’ who stagger audiences with their authenticity, also attested by the many TV and film credits they have between them.
Backed by a superb group of professional musicians that love the music they are playing; they convey their enthusiasm for the work of the world’s greatest rock and roll band.
Not the Rolling Stones will be on the Torch Theatre stage on Friday 16 May at 7.30pm. Tickets are £25. Visit the website for further details www.torchtheatre.co.uk or phone the Box Office on (01646) 695267.
Business
Wales leads Britain in export growth for financial and professional services

Financial exports soar by 63.5% to £4.3bn
WALES has outpaced every other part of Great Britain in export growth for financial and related professional services, according to a new report by TheCityUK.
The report, Exporting from across Britain: Financial and related professional services 2025, reveals that exports from Wales surged by 63.5% in 2022, reaching £4.3bn—significantly ahead of the national average.
Across Great Britain, total financial and related professional services exports rose by 18.4% to £158bn, with nearly half (47%) generated outside London. Wales contributed 2.9% of the UK’s total financial services exports and 2% of the related professional services total.
The report provides a breakdown of 2022 data by region and nation, highlighting the growing contribution of areas outside London in strengthening the UK’s role as a global financial centre.
In terms of export destinations, 27% of Wales’s financial services exports went to the European Union, with the remaining 73% reaching markets across the rest of the world.
Tom Bray, TheCityUK Chair for Wales and Senior Office Partner (Cardiff) at Eversheds Sutherland, said: “It’s great to see such strong growth in Wales for financial and related professional services exports. Our skill and ability to provide high-quality financial and professional services plays an important role in driving growth in Wales, creating jobs and opportunities for communities across the nation.”
Anjalika Bardalai, Chief Economist and Head of Research at TheCityUK, added: “In 2022, Wales had an extremely strong year of export growth, albeit from a lower base than most regions. Nearly half of all UK exports in financial and related services now come from outside London, reinforcing the UK’s strength as an international financial hub and the importance of regional contributions.”
Policy recommendations
TheCityUK report also outlines a series of recommendations for industry, government, and regulators to support export growth in Wales and beyond. These fall under three key areas:
1. Improving access to trade opportunities
- Better coordination between UK government, devolved administrations, and investment bodies.
- Align local growth strategies with national trade goals.
- Launch a pilot national brokerage scheme to connect capital with investable projects.
2. Expanding global market access
- Finalise FTAs with Switzerland and India, ensuring better market access and digital trade provisions.
- Use talks with the Gulf Cooperation Council to promote regulatory cooperation.
- Strengthen regulatory dialogues with major markets like the US, EU, Japan, and Singapore.
- Replicate successful models like the UK-Switzerland MRA with other global financial centres.
- Encourage domestic and international investment into UK scale-up businesses.
3. Positioning the UK for future demand
- Make the UK a global hub for data, tech, and innovation.
- Establish the UK as the gateway for international investment.
- Focus development work on high-potential markets to maximise value.
The report underlines that Wales’s performance demonstrates the growing importance of the UK’s nations and regions in maintaining the country’s competitive edge on the global stage.
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