COMMUNITIES gathered in Milford Haven on Saturday (Jun 6) to mark the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.

The service, held at The Rath, brought together veterans, standard bearers, councillors, local church representatives, members of the Royal British Legion Milford Haven Branch, and residents for a solemn act of remembrance overlooking the waterway.

Wreaths were laid at the town’s war memorials, including the Cenotaph on Hamilton Terrace, as tribute was paid to the thousands of Allied servicemen who crossed the Channel on June 6, 1944.

D-Day marked the beginning of the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi occupation and remains one of the most significant military operations in history.

Milford Haven’s own wartime role gave the commemoration added meaning. During the Second World War, the Haven was home to a major US Navy Advanced Amphibious Base, where landing craft were prepared, maintained and repaired ahead of Allied operations.

The town’s harbour and maritime workforce formed part of the huge logistical effort that made the Normandy landings possible.

One of the most striking moments of Saturday’s commemoration came from the waterway itself, where Port of Milford Haven tugs staged a moving water salute.

As the service took place, the tugs sent great arcs of water into the air, creating a powerful visual tribute linking the town’s seafaring identity with its wartime service.

Those attending stood in quiet reflection as the community remembered not only those who landed on the beaches of Normandy, but also the men and women at home whose work supported the invasion.

With the number of surviving D-Day veterans now sadly dwindling, events such as Milford Haven’s commemoration carry growing importance.

They ensure that younger generations understand the courage, sacrifice and shared effort behind the events of June 1944.

In Milford Haven, the service at The Rath, the laying of wreaths, and the dramatic tug salute combined to create a fitting tribute from a town with a proud place in the story of D-Day.

The message of the day was simple and enduring: lest we forget.

£600 RAISED FOR MEGAN’S STARR FOUNDATION AS COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES THROUGH

A CHARITY football match at the Ogi Bridge Meadow brought together players, businesses, volunteers and supporters from across Pembrokeshire on Friday night, raising more than £600 for a local charity supporting young people and families.

The match saw a Pembrokeshire Select XI take on a Valero Pembroke Refinery XI under the lights at Haverfordwest County AFC’s home ground, with the Select side comfortably winning on the pitch — but organisers said the real victory was the community effort behind the event.

By the end of the evening, an impressive £605.28 had been raised for Megan’s Starr Foundation, a Pembrokeshire charity which supports young people and families facing difficult circumstances.

For Nicola Harteveld and the Megan’s Starr team, the evening was about far more than football.

Speaking after the match, Nicola said: “As the final whistle blew, the score almost became irrelevant.

“Last night was about community, kindness, generosity and what can happen when people come together to support local young people and families.”

She added: “Last night showed the very best of our county. We are incredibly grateful, incredibly proud and above all proud to be Pembrokeshire.”

The charity thanked Valero Pembroke Refinery for nominating Megan’s Starr as the supported cause and fielding a team led by Steve Parks, while also recognising the refinery’s volunteers who helped behind the scenes.

Credit was also paid to Chris “Sully” O’Sullivan and everyone involved with the Pembrokeshire Select XI for organising the county side, along with players from clubs across Pembrokeshire who gave up their time during the close season to take part.

Haverfordwest County AFC opened the Ogi Bridge Meadow for the match, while Pure West Radio helped create the atmosphere and promote the event across the county.

Darth Marty Media captured the evening’s action, while officials from the Pembrokeshire Referees Association volunteered their time to ensure the match was played in the right spirit.

On the field, spectators were treated to an entertaining encounter featuring quality football from both sides despite the summer break.

Jimmy Wilkes proved the star of the show, scoring a hat-trick to earn Man of the Match honours for the Pembrokeshire Select XI.

However, organisers stressed that the event highlighted something far bigger than football — the willingness of Pembrokeshire people to rally together when it matters.

Megan’s Starr Foundation said it receives no core funding and relies heavily on the generosity of local people, businesses and volunteers to continue its work.

Photos: Darth Marty Media / Megan’s Starr Foundation

A COMMUNITY appeal has been issued in Pendine after a serious emergency incident prompted a large response from the emergency services.

The incident happened in the Carmarthenshire coastal village on Saturday, with witnesses reporting that a casualty was transferred from an ambulance to a helicopter in view of the beachfront.

Pendine Community Council has now urged residents and visitors not to share photographs, videos or unverified information online.

Council chair Andrew Shaw said: “Following the emergency incident within the village today, I would like to respectfully ask members of our community to refrain from sharing photographs, videos, or unverified information on social media.

“Our thoughts are with all those affected, along with their families, friends, and everyone involved in responding to the incident.

“At a time like this, privacy, compassion, and respect are especially important.”

Mr Shaw added that people should consider the impact online posts may have on those directly affected, and allow the relevant authorities to provide information where appropriate.

The appeal was echoed by local business owner Julia Rea, of Bistro on the Bay, who said she had witnessed the emergency response from the beachfront.

She said: “Whilst we appreciate people are concerned and interested, what I can’t understand is filming, photos etc.

“I witnessed a large public interest where the injured person was transferred from the ambulance to the helicopter.

“The amount of people filming and photographing what was so sensitive, life-altering and hopefully not final moments of an individual, someone’s family, was awful.

“I hope and pray that sensibility and privacy prevails and nothing is shared online.”

No official details about the nature of the incident, or the condition of the person involved, have yet been released.

The council’s appeal has been widely shared locally, with many residents supporting the call for restraint.

Pendine Sands is a popular visitor destination, and emergency service responses in the area can quickly draw public attention because of the open beachfront and busy public spaces.

The Herald understands the appeal is not intended to restrict legitimate concern, but to remind people that those involved in emergency incidents are entitled to dignity and privacy at one of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Residents are being asked to avoid speculation and wait for any updates from official sources.

Our thoughts are with the person involved, their family, and all emergency personnel who responded.