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Pembroke: Henry VII statue arrives in town

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Statue: Erected ahead of its official unveiling (pic. Mike Hillen)

WORK to erect a statue of Henry VII in Pembroke has started this afternoon (Jun 8), prior to its official unveiling on Saturday ​(Jun 10​).

The much–anticipated ceremony will take place at 2pm on Mill Bridge, where the statue will stand against the picturesque background of Pembroke Castle, Henry’s birthplace.

Mill Bridge has also been enhanced to make the area an attractive public space with improved seating and flowers.

Project Leader Linda Asman said: “It is marvellous that this project has generated huge public interest, but we could not have got to the place we are now without the combined support of town and county councils.

“It was Pembrokeshire County Council’s Town Centre Support Programme which started it all. This programme offered grants to help fund schemes to enhance our towns, as a result of which Pembroke Town Council formed a Regeneration Committee, chaired by Cllr Dennis Evans, to develop projects.

“The statue was one of the projects put forward for consideration and we were successful in our bid for funding; we were promised £20k provided we could match fund it; £40​k being the total amount needed for an 8 foot high bronze statue.”

Pembroke Town Council commissioned local sculptor Harriet Addyman to make the statue. A director of the model making company, Autodromo Ltd of Narberth, Harriet is a model maker and sculptor, having trained in sculpture restoration at CCTA in Carmarthen, followed by a degree in sculpting in Bristol.

Ready for reveal: Workman surround the statue (pic. Mike Hillen)

A short distance away in Clunderwen, the statue was cast in bronze by Martin Bellwood of MB Fine Arts.

In January last year, at a meeting organised by Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society, Harriet’s maquette (miniature) of the statue was displayed for public inspection and the fund raising campaign was launched.

It was greeted with great enthusiasm and generosity from both individuals and local organisations, although the task of raising so much was greatly facilitated by donations from Valero and Mr Richard Evans.

The unveiling will be followed by a community party on the South Quay. The event will feature a marquee, as well as a programme of entertainment, music and games to run through the afternoon and evening.

This will include a performance by Pembroke Male Voice Choir at 2.30pm; Welsh Dancing on the Quay with Dawnsyr Tawerin at 3pm; ‘The Mummer’s Play’ by the East End Flyover Company at 3.30pm; Medieval Music by La Volta at 4pm; and a series of bands performing in the marquee from 5pm–10.30pm.

There will also be an exhibition entitled ‘The Making of Henry’ by the History Society close by in St Mary’s Church. Henry was baptised in St Mary’s, which is also the home of a Thomas Kempe stained glass window of the prestigious, Pembrokeshire-born monarch.

The event is open to everyone. For more information, contact Pembroke Town Hall by calling 01646 683092, or email [email protected].com.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

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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)

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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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)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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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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