News
£400,000 to help with storm damage
PEMBROKESHIRE is to receive £400,000 from the Welsh government to ensure that the county’s tourism industry can be open for business by Easter after the recent storms and flooding. It is part of a £1.6 million fund being allocated for projects in Ceredigion, Gwynedd, Anglesey, Swansea and Monmouth County Council areas.
Economy Minister Edwina Hart announced the new fund on Thursday as she and Finance Minister Jane Hutt visited Aberystwyth. This funding follows the additional £2million announced last week by Minister for Natural Resources Alun Davies to fund emergency repairs to flood defences that were damaged in the recent storms.
Announcing the fund, Mrs Hart said: “The Welsh Government is supporting the tourism industry in Wales to be strong and resilient and a crucial part of our economy. Tourism is already worth an estimated £5billion a year to Wales and we are determined to do everything we can to ensure the sector continues to grow.
“Latest figures revealed 2013 was a very successful year for tourism in Wales, with increases in visitor numbers and visitor spend well ahead of those for Britain as a whole. And this week Wales was voted by Rough Guide readers as one of the five top countries to visit in 2014 – this is all great news for the Welsh tourism industry as we head towards Easter and the traditional start of the main tourist season.
“Our new Visit Wales advertising campaign will be launched in March with a view to attracting even more visitors to Wales for the summer of 2014.
“This funding will help speed up repairs to damaged infrastructure that could have had a negative impact at the start of the tourism season in Wales. We want to ensure areas affected by the winter storms are fully open for business by Easter at the latest, and preferably by half term and that potential visitors are aware of this.”
Finance Minister Jane Hutt said: “We want to support communities who were hit by the recent bad weather in whatever way we can. We are already investing significantly in improving flood defences across Wales but we know there is more immediate work that needs urgent attention. By providing this extra funding now we can help the tourism industry get back on its feet ready for the peak seasons.”
Funding will be allocated to the following local authorities: Ceredigion £560,000; Gwynedd £400,000; Pembrokeshire £400,000; Anglesey £80,000; Swansea £80,000; and Monmouth £80,000.
The funding is anticipated to support tourism related infrastructure projects within local authorities and to promote the message that Wales is “open for business”.
News
County mourns loss of revered priest and community pillar, Father McGreal

THE CATHOLIC community in Pembrokeshire is in mourning this week after the passing of one of its most well-known priests, Father Owen McGreal, aged 88, former parish priest of St Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby and former governor of Mary Immaculate RC School in Haverfordwest.
It is understood that Father Owen passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning (Nov 28).
Although he had retired from his role as parish priest in 2014, he remained active in the community, serving as a cover priest. He attended a Paul Sartori event in Haverfordwest just a few weeks ago.
In 2009, family, friends, civic guests, clergy, religious, and parishioners gathered together at St. Teilo’s Catholic Church, Tenby, to attend a Concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving for the Golden Jubilee of Father Owen’s ordination to the priesthood.
His brothers, Lt. Col. Patrick McGreal and Mrs. McGreal, Fr. Michael McGreal (who passed away last year, aged 92), and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces came from Ireland to celebrate this great event. Among the guests were Rt. Rev. Bishop Thomas Burns SM, then the recently appointed Bishop of Menevia; Bishop Emeritus Rt. Rev. Daniel Mullins, former Bishop of Menevia; and fellow clergy.
In 2014, on his retirement, there was a concert at St Teilo’s bidding farewell to Father Owen after a total of almost 25 years of dedicated service.
Father Owen had dedicated a large part of his life in the church to the service of young people, so it seemed fitting, many said, that the concert included young talented musicians from not only Tenby but also from as far away as Norway and the USA.
On the news of Father McGreal’s passing yesterday, Leanne Prevel, Acting Headteacher of Mary Immaculate RC School, said in a letter to parents and guardians: ‘It is with heavy hearts that we share with you the death of Father McGreal, former parish priest, school governor, and long-term supporter and champion of Mary Immaculate School.
‘We understand that this news will have come as a shock to members of our school community.
‘Should you or your family need any support at this time, please do not hesitate to contact the school, or the Parish…’
‘Our Mass planned for December 8 will now be for the repose of the soul of Father McGreal. We also intend to hold a gathering at the school to remember and celebrate his life in the next couple of weeks. Further details will be shared with our school community in the coming days.
‘We remember in our prayers, Father Owen McGreal, and those impacted by his death.'”
News
Update on search for Angharad, reported missing in Carmarthenshire

DYFED-POWYS POLICE have today confirmed that the search for Angharad, who was reported missing from her home in the Nantgaredig area, is continuing today.
Angharad is described as a white female, about 5ft 1inches tall, of medium build with brown hair. She is believed to be wearing blue jeans, a blue jumper and pink wellingtons.
Her family and police are extremely concerned for her whereabouts and she is being treated as a high risk missing person.
Superintendent Ross Evans told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “A search in and along the rivers in the Nantgaredig, Pontargothi and Llanfynydd areas is continuing today.
“I am extremely grateful for the support the local community has offered and provided to the family and the police.
“Officers from the local Neighbourhood Policing Team will be in the local area today and will also be in the vestry of the chapel on Nantgaredig Square to provide reassurance to the community and speak to anyone who wishes to share information.
“We are also supporting Angharad’s family with specially trained officers during this very difficult time.”

Anyone who has seen Angharad, or anyone who has information that could help the search, is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at
💬 | Direct message us on social media
🖥️ | https://bit.ly/DPPmissingperson
📞 | 101
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
Quote reference: DPP-20231126-212
News
Police investigating after van and bike collide in Dale

DYFED-POWYS POLICE is investigating a collision which occurred at approximately 10am on Monday, October 23 2023.
A bike and a white Ford Transit van were involved in a collision on the B2327 just outside Dale, Pembrokeshire.
Anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone with information that could help officers with their investigation is asked to report it to Dyfed-Powys Police, either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.
Quote reference: 23001045726
-
Business5 days ago
World champion chef Giovanni Recchia opens Pembroke pizza restaurant
-
Business5 days ago
Darren Briggs of Ascona wins ‘Scale-up Entrepreneur of The Year’
-
News7 days ago
Trial opens for man accused of £600k investment fraud
-
Sport3 days ago
Hakin United manager Justin Harding praises Vikings’ character
-
Community5 days ago
A night to remember at the PAVS Pembrokeshire Volunteering Awards 2023
-
News1 day ago
Officers investigating a serious assault have made an arrest
-
News3 days ago
Police appeal following serious nighttime assault in Tenby
-
News5 days ago
Police launch appeal following alleged assault on Mount Estate