News
Haverfordwest: Preferred site for new English Medium School not yet decided
THERE will be further discussions about the preferred site for the construction of a new English Medium School in Haverfordwest.
Further to an officer report which recommended the adoption of the Tasker Milward site as the preferred option, the Council’s Cabinet have resolved to commission further feasibility work on the Sir Thomas Picton School site prior to making a final recommendation to Council.
Addressing Cabinet, Cllr David Lloyd, Cabinet Member for Education said: “I fully understand the context for the report’s recommendation. Having reflected on the narrow criteria that the report was working within, however, I would like further work to be undertaken within a six-month period specifically to explore:
- The cost and time implications associated with the construction of a road link to the Sir Thomas Picton site from the Scotchwell roundabout.
- The cost and time implications of the road link crossing a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
- The cost and deliverability of a full decant of students from the STP site to the Taskers site during the construction of the new school in the event of the STP site being adopted.
“The proviso for such work to be undertaken, however, must be that it should not imperil the creation of a new school given the timeframes of Band B 21st Century Schools’ funding,” Cllr Lloyd added.
Supporting Cllr Lloyd’s proposal, Cllr Paul Miller, said: “In my view the case for the Tasker Milward site has not yet been made. We need to ensure that the right site is chosen through this process and while I accept the arguments about costs are valid I don’t think an additional £2m for a new access road, within the context of a £50m new school which will serve the town of Haverfordwest for the next 50 years or more, is a particularly material consideration.”
Cllr Miller added: “We want the best site, to deliver the best school and I look forward to receiving the further information my colleague has quite rightly requested.”
Cllr David Simpson, Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, also supported the call for a further investigation of the Sir Thomas Picton site in a unanimous decision by Cabinet Members.
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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