News
Annual report shows strong investment from Port


A marine navigation simulation suite: Recently installed at the Port of Milford Haven
THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has published its 2016 annual report, showing strong investment in the marine, leisure, tourism and marine renewable energy sectors.
The Port recorded a profit before tax of £5.6m and a turnover of £25.3m. Cargo throughout was slightly lower than the previous year at 34.9m tonnes.
In 2016, the Milford Waterfront brand was officially launched. Milford Waterfront is a flagship development for the Port and has the potential to accommodate approximately 380,000 sq ft of commercial, leisure and premium residential space. It is expected to create in the region of 600 new jobs and provide a significant uplift to the local economy.
Milford Marina celebrated its 25th anniversary during the year. Visitors enjoyed a busy calendar of events, as well as new heritage boat tours that are now operating from the marina.
Significant investment was made on the marine side of the business. A state-of-the-art marine navigation simulation suite was installed, providing the Port’s own marine professionals with training software as well as being able to offer it to external bodies and eventually market it to a global audience.
Investment was also made in a fleet of new pilot vessels – St Brides and St Davids, with St Govans expected to arrive in 2017.
Volumes at Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal continued to show annual growth on both the freight and passenger side, as did volumes of imports and exports at Pembroke Port.
There is great optimism for the marine renewables sector in Pembrokeshire which was cemented by the creation of a Marine Hub at Pembroke Port. Following the approval of the £1.3bn Swansea Bay City Deal in March 2017 by the UK’s Prime Minister, our Pembroke Dock Marine project can now move forward and activity within the renewables industry as a whole is expected to increase with earnest over the coming months and years.
A significant amount of time was dedicated to engaging with stakeholders throughout 2016 and the results of the annual survey revealed a heightened awareness of the work carried out in the community. As a Trust Port, the Port is committed to helping create a prosperous society and aims to create opportunities for young people through the wide range of projects that it is involved in.
Alec Don, Chief Executive at the Port, said: “Our staff are at the heart of all we do at the Port and they continuously go the extra mile to ensure that we provide a safe and efficient service 24 hours a day, 7 seven days a week, 365 days of the year. It is this dedication and collaboration that has assisted the Port in producing a pleasing set of results in a range of sectors in what can sometimes be turbulent markets.
“2017 is set to be considerably more challenging, with significantly reduced volumes of LNG currently affecting the business. In line with the rest of the market we also experienced a substantial increase in our pension liabilities. It is for these aspects of volatility we have ensured as a business that we have a strong balance sheet and are pursuing growth and development in the infrastructure and property parts of our business.”
The 2016 Annual Report and Financial Statements can be viewed online at www.mhpa.co.uk/annual-report
Crime
Tenby man charged after robbery incident

A MAN is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court next month after being charged in connection with a late-night incident in Tenby town centre.
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that no one was injured during the disturbance, which took place at a restaurant in Tudor Square on the evening of Sunday, March 30.
Mohammed Miah, aged 44, has been charged with robbery, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and criminal damage.
He appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, where he was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Swansea Crown Court on Friday, May 2.
Farming
Pembrokeshire Show elects first joint presidents

DAIRY FARMERS TIM AND MARGARET JOHNS HONOURED BY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
HAVERFORDWEST dairy farmers Tim and Margaret Johns have been unanimously elected as the first joint Presidents of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.
The couple, who farm at Pencnwc in partnership with their son Graham, represent the third generation of their family to work the land. Their 550-acre holding in Castlemorris includes dairy cattle and the cultivation of both winter and spring cereals.
Margaret and Tim have a long-standing association with the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society and the County Show. Margaret, in particular, has achieved considerable success in equestrian showing at events including Royal Windsor, the Great Yorkshire Show, and the Royal Cornwall Show. She also founded and continues to run Castlemorris Equestrian and Pet Supplies from the farm.
Speaking following their appointment, Tim said: “Margaret and I work as a partnership. The County Show is a major part of Pembrokeshire and is an integral part of farming in the county. We are looking forward to the year ahead. We have chosen RABI and the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society as our charities to support over the next 12 months.”
During the Society’s Annual General Meeting, held recently at the Pembrokeshire Showground, Mr and Mrs James Evans were voted in as Presidents Elect.
Other appointments for 2025 include Miss Alys Owens, who was named as the Society’s Ambassador. Alys, who lives in Haverfordwest and works for Castell Howell, is an active member of Llysyfran YFC. She served as Club Secretary last year, a role for which she was named Club Secretary of the Year at County level. A talented musician, Alys plays the cornet with Goodwick Brass Band.
Outgoing President Adam Thorne used the occasion to thank all those who had supported him during his term in office.
Alys Owens, the 2025 Ambassador, is pictured between Margaret and Tim Johns, the 2025/26 Joint Presidents.
News
Casualty airlifted after fall on rocks at Manorbier

A PERSON was flown to hospital with a suspected broken ankle after falling on rocks at Manorbier on Sunday afternoon (April 13).
Emergency services were called shortly after 1:30pm, with Tenby RNLI, the Wales Air Ambulance, land paramedics, and coastguard teams from Tenby and St Govans attending.
Tenby’s inshore lifeboat launched first, with two crew members going ashore just as the air ambulance arrived to land nearby. They were soon joined by a land ambulance and coastguard rescue officers.
A stretcher was brought ashore from the all-weather lifeboat, and RNLI crew assisted in stabilising the casualty and carrying them up the beach for transfer into the waiting helicopter.
Once the airlift was complete, both lifeboats were stood down and returned to station.
It was the third call-out of the weekend for Tenby RNLI volunteers.
The first incident took place at 2:20pm on Friday (April 11), when the all-weather lifeboat was diverted from a training exercise following a report of paddleboarders possibly in difficulty near Manorbier. As the lifeboat arrived, the paddleboarders were confirmed safe ashore and the crew resumed their exercise.
Later that evening, at 9:15pm, the lifeboat launched again to assist the operator of a seven-metre rigid inflatable boat that had broken down around a mile south of Old Castle Head. The boat was towed safely back to Freshwater East, from where it had launched earlier in the day.
(Photo: File image)
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