News
Haverfordwest: Funding will help new library stay open on Saturdays
HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL has agreed to help fund the new County Library, Gallery and Information Centre which is currently under construction in the town centre.
The deal with Pembrokeshire County Council will enable the Haverfordwest-based facility to open all day on Saturdays instead of closing at 1pm – the current library Saturday closing time.
The five-year agreement comes following a number of discussions between the parties which ultimately led to the formal decision at Haverfordwest Town Council’s full meeting on Wednesday (Nov 22).
During the discussions, Town Councillors heard that the new facility would be much more than a library
It would also include tourist information provision, a coffee shop, and a top quality exhibition gallery in partnership with the National Library of Wales who would display some of the nation’s treasures within it.
As such, the facility would attract increased numbers of local people and visitors to the town centre with consequential regeneration benefits to the town.
However, there were real concerns that such a facility would not deliver to its full potential if it were to be open only four and a half days days a week.
Following the decision, the County Council’s Head of Cultural, Leisure and Registration Services, Mike Cavanagh, said: “I am delighted that Haverfordwest Town Council is supporting the new facility to the tune of £9,000 a year.
“That investment will ensure the facility will be open all day on Saturdays throughout the year which will be a real boost to the town.”
The Mayor of Haverfordwest, Councillor Alan Buckfield said: “Haverfordwest Town Council is proud to support this flagship amenity for our town. The quality of the gallery will attract superb exhibitions that are sure to draw visitors.
“The return of the Tourist Information Centre to the town centre will be of great benefit to our visitors.”
News
Woman rescued from remote Pembrokeshire beach after serious injury
A WOMAN has been rescued from Cwm-yr-Eglwys beach in Pembrokeshire after suffering a serious open fracture to her femur.
Emergency services were called to the remote beach yesterday (Nov 25) following reports of the injury, which involved the bone puncturing through the skin.
Wales Air Ambulance, HM Coastguard, an ambulance, and a paramedic car were dispatched to assist the casualty.
Due to the severity of the injury, the air ambulance, carrying a doctor, landed in the caravan field behind the beach. The woman was treated at the scene before being stabilised.
She was subsequently transported to Withybush Hospital by land ambulance for further care.
Business
Roch Castle wins awards at the Historic Hotels of Europe ceremony in Prague
ROCH CASTLE near St Davids is proud to announce its recent wins at the Historic Hotels of
Europe Awards, held in the heart of Prague.
Adelle and Johanna, representing Roch Castle, accepted two distinguished accolades for the entire team: Historic Eco Hotel of the Year and the Silver Award for Historic Castle Hotel of the Year.
The Historic Eco Hotel of the Year award recognises Roch Castle’s dedication to sustainable
hospitality, a core value shared by staff and visitors.
This award celebrates the castle’s eco-friendly practices and commitment to preserving the environment while offering a luxury
experience steeped in history.
The Silver Award for Historic Castle Hotel of the Year also honours Roch Castle’s unique ability to provide guests with an unforgettable stay in an authentic and beautifully restored 12th-century castle.
The management gave a heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone who supported Roch Castle and voted in the awards.
Special recognition is due to our exceptional team, whose hard work and dedication
made these achievements possible.
For more details on Roch Castle or to experience this award-winning destination for yourself,
visit our website at www.rochcastle.com, email [email protected] or call 01437 725 566.
Crime
Forces in Wales to have more cash to fight crime
WALES’ four police forces will be ‘better supported by the UK Government’, it was announced this week
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens met the chief constables of the four Welsh police forces and the four Police and Crime Commissioners for the first time together last week, days after Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced more than half a billion pounds of additional UK Government funding for policing next year to support the government’s Safer Streets mission, including an increase in the core grant for police forces and extra resources for neighbourhood policing.
The reforms will restore community patrols with a Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, create an enhanced role for Police and Crime Commissioners to prevent crime and crack down on anti-social behaviour. The government has also pledged to recruit 13,000 more neighbourhood police and PCSOs, delivering additional resources for Welsh forces.
On Saturday (23 November) the Welsh Secretary joined South Wales Police officers on patrol in Cardiff following the Wales v South Africa Autumn Nations Series rugby international in the city.
She saw the force’s control room in Cardiff Bay Police Station before joining officers from South Wales Police’s Neighbourhood Policing Team on patrol in the city centre as well as meeting other organisations who operate there including Cardiff Street Pastors.
Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens said: “I joined the Neighbourhood Policing Team in Cardiff on Saturday to better understand the issues they see on the front line and I have spoken to all the Welsh chief constables and PCCs and heard about the challenges they face.
“We know the public wants to see neighbourhood policing restored and for it to be properly resourced to tackle crime.
“That’s what this government will deliver and we have already announced that we will recruit 13,000 neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs to do that.
“Officers and the Welsh public can be clear that the UK Government will deliver improvements across our policing and justice system that will make a real difference.”
Assistant Chief Constable Joanna Maal said: “We are pleased that the Secretary of State for Wales has taken up the opportunity to see first hand the scale and complexity of policing our capital city on a busy international match day.
“Cardiff plays host to major events throughout the year, including high-profile music and sporting events, and we are proud to play our part in keeping visitors safe.
“However, this has to be done in addition to the significant demands of policing the wider city and communities of South Wales.”
Detailed spending plans for police forces in Wales and England for the financial year 2025-26 will be confirmed at the upcoming police funding settlement in December.
North Wales Police is one of 11 UK forces involved in a pilot of a new training programme for neighbourhood policing officers to improve standards and consistency.
The Neighbourhood Policing Pathway will help officers build on the skills they need to tackle the issues communities face every day. When fully rolled out, the training programme will be available to police forces across the country to enrol any neighbourhood officer or PCSO on.
-
Business5 days ago
Specsavers relocates to landmark new store following £1.2 million investment
-
Crime7 days ago
Pembroke man faces rape and sexual assault charges
-
Community6 days ago
Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest is now officially open!
-
News6 days ago
A tribute to Honey Arteya Foxx French, written by her family
-
Business2 days ago
Plans unveiled for new fitness hub in Charles Street
-
Crime2 days ago
Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property
-
News7 days ago
Dog-free zones make outdoor spaces ‘anti-racist,’ Welsh government told
-
News5 days ago
Tribute paid to ‘kind and caring’ solicitor who died in crash