News
Prince of Wales application deferred
THE MANAGEMENT of the Prince of Wales night club in Tenby will find out this week if its application for extended hours has been granted.
It was heard at a meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Licensing Sub Committee on Friday, July 1.
The committee were asked to determine the application but could not reach a decision.
The club currently opens to 3am but the owner, Mr Mark Thomson, wants to extend opening hours for some nights to 4am in order to compete with The Sands night club in Saundersfoot.
Mark Thomson said: “The Prince of Wales is a small night club with a wide ranging customer base. The Prince of Wales is open to 3am and The Sands in Saundersfoot is open to 4am.
“Most of them don’t stay to the end and are attracted to the presence of an extra hour.
“The decision is assisted by taxi drivers as this will provide extra business for them and the additional hour will enable us to offer the same.
“We have applied for this additional hour but the manager will make a decision to open past 3am if it is viable.
“The proposed variation is to increase the flexibility of the premises whilst reducing crime and disorder, by allowing customers to gradually disperse by extending licensable hours.”
However, there have been a number of complaints regarding noise, drunken behaviour and violence.
Tenby Town Clerk, Mr Andrew Davies said: “Upper Frog Street is a narrow street with a number of business premises.
“Issues regarding The Prince of Wales has been raised on several occasions by residents and we always encourage them to address the licensing authority.
“People were not fully aware of this application so the Town Council informed residents that this was coming before the council.
“It is evident that there are problems and with the volume of complaints received there is a situation that is not amenable to residents in the area.
“There are problems on the streets outside and when people have been to a night club, when they go outside their perception of noise levels is not the same.
“There is a distinct correlation between the hours of the premise and anti-social behaviour and this will only be extended if the application is granted.”
Objecting to the plans, Mr Richard Williams said Upper Frog Street was ‘like the wild west’ and that he and his wife had been woken at 2.30am by the sound of a woman screaming adding that they could not get back to sleep as they were worried for the life of somebody.
Mrs Lyn Field-Thomas said that she once spotted a woman urinating on her front door whilst police were watching.
She said: “If they stay open until 4, it is not fair to the people who live there. It is a nightmare in Upper Frog Street and I dread the summer coming.”
Mr Thomson added that there were no objections from the police and said they were responsible operators that would not do anything to jeopardise themselves or others.
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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