News

HMS Pembroke supports Founder’s Day Celebrations

Published

10 years ago

May 23, 2014

BERTHING at Pembroke Dock on May 13, the 52.5 metre ship will remain in port until Saturday May 17 – and she has two rather proud Pembrokeshire locals on board.

“It is an honour to have been invited to make this journey to support the 200th anniversary of the founding of Pembroke Dock and mark that important date in both the town’s history and Royal Navy heritage”, said

Lieutenant Commander Mark Hammon RN.

It is a chance for local people to chat to members of the crew not only about HMS Pembroke and her role in the Royal Navy, but also about their experiences in the Senior Service.

At 6pm, access to the ship will be halted for Beating Retreat, which will be performed by the Royal Marines Band – members of the public can also watch this ceremonial spectacle.

On Thursday and Friday, almost 250 local youngsters – both school students and Sea Cadets – have the opportunity to visit the ship as part of a rolling schedule of pre-arranged tours. Schools involved include Greenhill School, Pembroke College, Milford Haven School and Thomas Picton School, and Sea Cadets are from Milford Haven, Pembroke Dock and Tenby.

And the ship’s company will be honoured to attend a reception organised by Pembroke County Council on Friday evening, before the ship departs at approximately 8am on Saturday.

“We are thoroughly looking forward to this affiliation visit,” said HMS Pembroke’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Mark Hammon.

“I know that my ship’s company and I are very proud to be part of the formal parade and we are then delighted to be able to open our ship up to visitors immediately afterwards – we hope to welcome many on board during the three hours.”

There are no members of the crew more proud than Pembroke locals Petty Officer Darren Lacy, 43, and Able Rate Andrew Macleod, 36.

Darren, who lives in Neyland with his partner and two children, is the coxswain on board. He is also one of the ship’s divers and is responsible for a wide range of tasks including medical, executive and administrative aspects.

“It’s really quite an honour for me to be part of these bicentenary celebrations,” he said. “Living in the Pembroke Dock area for the last eight years, I am aware of the town’s significant naval history – to be able to come home as a member of the Royal Navy on a ship called HMS Pembroke for such a significant milestone is rather special.”

Andrew is one of the mine warfare sailors on board and assists with all aspects of mine hunting, including in the operations room and the launching and recovery of Sea Fox, the mine identification and disposal system on board.

He spent his first 10 years in Pembroke Dock and attended primary school in the town’s Argyle Street and he has a big group of family coming to visit the ship.

“I joined the Royal Navy in 2011 and this is the first time I’ve been able to sail into my hometown on one of my ships,” said Andrew. “It’s a very proud moment and I’m really looking forward to showing my family round the ship.”

Crime

Large drug haul discovered near West Wales police station

Published

44 mins ago

November 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A SUBSTANTIAL quantity of drugs was uncovered in a building just a few doors away from a police station in Newcastle Emlyn.

Dyfed-Powys Police seized 435 cannabis plants from the former Co-op shop on Wednesday, November 6, after securing a search warrant. The building is located only four doors down from the town’s police station.

A local worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told BBC Wales, “I’m not surprised drugs were found there—the smell has been around for at least a month.”

Officials confirmed that no arrests have been made so far, and investigations are ongoing. Police stated that officers will maintain a presence in the area as the inquiry continues.

News

Van crashes into chalet at Pembrokeshire holiday park

Published

1 hour ago

November 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A VAN collided with a chalet at Freshwater Holiday Park in Pembroke last month.

The incident occurred on October 29 at approximately 5:45pm. A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of a single-vehicle collision at Freshwater Holiday Park at around 5:45pm on October 29. No injuries were reported, and there are no further police enquiries.”

According to a local resident, the crash left a dent on the front of the chalet, marking the fourth time such an incident has occurred. The resident expressed frustration, saying: “This is an accident waiting to happen, and it doesn’t seem that anybody on the management team is doing anything about it.”

Community

Connecting the Coast project celebrates significant achievements in nature recovery

Published

2 hours ago

November 7, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CONNETING THE COAST, an ambitious three-year Nature Recovery project backed by Welsh Government funding, is drawing to a close, having taken impressive strides in protecting and enhancing the fragile ecosystems of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The project, designed to safeguard coastal habitats and enhance biodiversity in farmland adjacent to the iconic coastline, works in close collaboration with local farmers and landowners, to restore habitats, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and promote sustainable land management.

Connecting the Coast has yielded impressive results, with land management changes creating flourishing habitats for wildlife. This is evident in the reappearance of coastal wildflowers like centaury and sheep’s bit where conservation grazing has been implemented and the appearance of scarce arable plants, such as weasel’s snout and bugloss, in crop margins that have been left unsprayed.

New hay meadows are also thriving, offering sanctuary to pollinators and birds, while species-rich pastures are helping to secure soil health and protect carbon stocks. These biodiversity-rich areas form vital buffers in the coastal ecosystem, offering increased resilience against the impacts of climate change.

Connecting the Coast Project Officer Clare Flynn said: “At the heart of Connecting the Coast is a strong partnership with the local farming community and landowners, ranging from large dairy farms to smallholders with just a few fields – and we’ve been met with overwhelming support and a warm welcome from everyone.”

Throughout its duration, Connecting the Coast has achieved several significant milestones in its mission to restore and protect habitats. These include installing almost 19,000 meters of fencing to improve conservation grazing and safeguarding over 80 hectares of coastal slopes to protect iconic coastal species. In addition, over 50 hectares of hay meadows and 50 hectares of species-rich permanent pasture have been created, enhancing biodiversity and supporting soil health.

As the project enters its final months, the team will continue to provide tailored support and advice to landowners, while closely monitoring the ecological outcomes of habitat restoration efforts. The project is committed to deepening conversations with both farmers and the Welsh Government to secure sustainable farming support and ensure that nature recovery remains a top priority in Pembrokeshire and beyond.

Connecting the Coast has received financial support from the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places fund.