News
Solva Care secures further funding
THE COMMUNITY initiative Solva Care has secured a further two years of funding, equating to over £20k.
Solva Care started out nearly two years ago and consists of a co–ordinator and 30 local volunteers who provide assistance to Solva residents with pop–in visits and respite care, dog walking, transport help (such as shopping and picking up prescriptions), and other forms of assistance.
The new funding, amounting to £21,421, was provided by the Sustainable Development Fund operated by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.
The grant will enable the voluntary service to continue and expand into new areas of activity.
Solva Care Project Leader, Mollie Roach said: “This is very good news – we know that Solva Care works and is making a real difference to people’s lives.
“This is very much a community based project and we have had huge support from local people.
“This funding recognises and acknowledges the strength of our community spirit and our thanks go to everyone who has helped.
“We will continue to provide support for our elderly residents: a friendly chat, shopping, transport, dog walking, form filling or other requests that come our way – all small things that make all the difference, and that are so much appreciated.
“Furthermore, this new funding will enable us to coordinate our support with that of care providers to maximise the quality of care for those in receipt of care and their families.
“It will also enable us to expand our programme of activities into prevention – activities to achieve a long, independent and healthy life right here in Solva.”
Volunteers of Solva Care are trained to carry out their voluntary work safely and confidentially, have been DBS checked and are insured.
Since the launch of the initiative, volunteers have given up 150 hours of their time every month to help fellow residents.
Solva Care also organises regular events in Solva Memorial Hall.
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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