Community
Students show their metal
STUDENTS at Pembrokeshire College’s MITEC Centre have been busy over the last few weeks competing to secure their places in upcoming UK skills competitions.
February saw six students competing in the passive heats for UK SkillWeld. With four hours to carry out three process (MMA, TIG and MIG), the students were keen to impress the judges, especially as the semi-finals are set to be held at MITEC during May.
Judged by College lecturer Mike Tennick and Martin Farthin, from The Welding Institute, the judges took over an hour to reach their final decision in a very close competition. Martin commented: “It was a gallant effort from all competitors. There were some tough welds and judging wasn’t easy. Good luck to those who have made it through to the semi-final.”
First place went to Ross Lascelles, an apprentice with Mainport 1990, second place went to Luke Lawrence, an apprentice with Ledwoods, and third place went to Gavin Campbell, an apprentice with Port Engineering. These students are now preparing for the semi-finals in May. With the competition season well and truly underway, last week then saw another two MITEC students travel to Coleg Sir Gar to take part in the Welsh Construction Metalworking Competition (Plating).
As part of the competition the students were given a fabrication exercise to complete in five hours. The exercise included many processes to test the candidates” ability including marking out, bending, cutting, drilling and welding steel to a tolerance of 2mm.
Following a tough day Jake Griffiths, an apprentice with Mainport 1990, finished second while Amy Phillips picked up fourth place but scored enough points to see her competing alongside Jake in the semi-finals to be held at Coleg Sir Gar in June.
Opened in 2007, the centre is rapidly earning itself a reputation as the place for aspiring welders/platers and pipefitters to learn their trade. To find out more about the courses available at MITEC, call Admissions on 0800 9 776 788.MITEC would like to take this opportunity to thank all the local employers for their continual support in releasing students to compete in local and regional competitions.
Community
Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed
RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.
The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.
Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.
The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.
With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.
“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”
Community
Kick off the festive season in style at the Riverside Winter Fair
GET ready to immerse yourself in a winter wonderland as Haverfordwest hosts its inaugural Riverside Winter Fair on Saturday, November 30th.
This free, family-friendly event promises a day of festive cheer with food, arts, crafts, games, music, and a big dose of community spirit.
The festivities will kick off at 11am with the opening of Haverhub’s Winter Market. Visitors can browse a variety of stalls 11am to 5pm, offering unique gifts, crafts, and delicious food.
Alongside the market, Haverfordwest’s Business Circle are hosting a “Taste of Pembrokeshire” food and drink market on Castle Square 11am to 5pm, offering a delicious selection of local produce.
For families with younger children, Fair Play will be hosting a Board Game Sketch Fest at the Edge Youth Centre / Picton Centre from 11am to 5pm. This event will feature a variety of games, activities, and art projects, providing a fun and engaging experience for children of all ages.
At 12noon children from Haverfordwest’s primary schools will be showing off banners they’ve been making as part of a community arts project, telling the story of the history of their school’s ward area.
They will take part in a vibrant parade led by the South Wales Police Band, marching through the town centre from Swan Square to the Old Quay. Join us at 11:45am on Swan Square to join the parade!
Once the parade reaches the Old Quay, the real fun begins. The main stage will host a variety of performances throughout the day from 12-5pm and Bristol Trader will be hosting an outdoor BBQ and bar for revellers.
Entertainment on the main stage will include a brand-new cantata performed by Fenton School’s children’s choir, the Cantabile Singers of Pembrokeshire, the County Orchestra and the South Wales Police Brass Band.
This captivating performance will tell the story of Haverfordwest’s rich history, drawing inspiration from recent archaeological discoveries.
Following the cantata, local band Sorted will take to the stage, delivering a high-energy performance of Ska and Two-Tone classics. Their energetic and breakneck live sets are guaranteed to get you up on your feet and skanking.
And for the grand finale Pure West Radio Riverside Shopping Haverfordwest will be hosting its annual Christmas Lights Switch On event. The celebrations begin at 12noon, leading up to the grand moment when the town’s Christmas lights illuminate at 6pm. As the town illuminates with festive lights, a spectacular fireworks display will light up the night sky.
For those seeking thrills, there will be fairground rides to enjoy. Thrill-seekers of all ages can experience the excitement of the various rides.
To add to the magic, Santa Claus will be making a special appearance, along with Sparkle the Elf and Friends a Giant Snow Globe and Bouncy Castle!
Artists Neil Musson and Jono Retallick will also be launching their model hot air balloon, a floating gallery and homage to the people of Haverfordwest. Find them floating through the town throughout the day.
The Riverside Winter Fair is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of community spirit. Local businesses and volunteers coming together to create a memorable experience for everyone.
Visit the website and sign up to the mailing list for full information delivered to your inbox ahead of the big day: www.riversidewinterfair.co.uk
Programme of events
11am-5pm Winter Market @ Haverhub
11am-5pm Taste of Pembrokeshire food and drink market @ Castle Square
11am-5pm Board Game Sketch Fest @ Picton Centre
11:45am Banner Parade assembles with South Wales Police Brass Band @ Swan Square
12noon Children’s Banner Parade from Swan Square to Old Quay
12:10pm Entertainment on Main Stage @ Old Quay
12-5pm BBQ and outdoor bar @ The Bristol Trader
12-6pm Family fun & Entertainment, Pure West Radio @ Riverside shopping Centre
6pm Switch on of the lights and fireworks display.
Community
Rent in Pembrokeshire rises 7% over past year
NEW figures reveal that private rental costs in Pembrokeshire have climbed by 7% in the past year, with the average monthly rent reaching £625 in October. This is a significant increase from £582 a year earlier and represents a 22% rise over the past five years, where the average rent was estimated at £511.
The data, collected by Rent Officers Wales as part of the Housing and Regeneration Division, highlights growing pressure on tenants amidst rising costs. The collection aims to cover approximately 15% of the rental market by gathering data from landlords and letting agents.
Across Wales, the average monthly rent has risen 8% year-on-year to £766. Cardiff recorded the highest rental cost in the country at £1,062 per month, while Powys had the lowest at £556.
Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, commented on the challenges faced by renters in a press statement sent to The Pembrokeshire Herald. She said: “Getting good news about your rent is about as common as discovering your housemates have washed up for you, or your landlord suggesting you get a dog. For many, the only way out of the endless cycle of rising costs is to buy, but that’s far easier said than done when rents absorb so much of your income.”
The situation is compounded by a lack of available rental properties. Nathan Emerson, chief executive at Propertymark, explained: “As we continue to see further increases in rental prices across the UK, our members emphasize the lack of rental stock versus an ever-growing number of tenants. Selling up or turning to the short-term letting market has become a more attractive option for landlords due to challenging legislative changes and increased financial liabilities.”
Breakdown of Rental Costs in Pembrokeshire
The figures show a range of costs depending on property type and size in Pembrokeshire:
– A one-bedroom property: £462 per month
– A two-bedroom property: £576 per month
– A three-bedroom property: £732 per month
– Homes with four or more bedrooms: £934 per month
By property type:
– Detached houses: £768 per month
– Semi-detached houses: £653 per month
– Terraced houses: £629 per month
– Flats or maisonettes: £521 per month
In October, the average rent for private properties across Great Britain stood at £1,307 per month—up 9% compared to the same period last year. This equates to an increase of £105 per month.
As landlords adapt to changing regulations and financial pressures, the shortage of rental properties continues to push prices higher, creating further challenges for tenants across Pembrokeshire and beyond.
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