News
People in Wales name the Pembrokeshire Coast their favourite UK National Park
THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK has topped a YouGov poll which asked people in Wales to name their favourite out of the 15 UK National Parks.
The results, which were released to celebrate National Parks Week in July, revealed that the Pembrokeshire Coast received 26% of the vote in Wales compared to the 24% received by both Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons.
The poll also revealed that more than eight out of ten people have been to a UK National Park at some point, increasing to 94% among retirees.
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Chief Executive, Tegryn Jones said: “We are delighted that people who responded to the poll in Wales chose the Pembrokeshire Coast as their favourite National Park, however we welcome many visitors from all over the world each year.
“Although the Pembrokeshire Coast is one of the smallest UK National Parks, it has one of the most diverse landscapes, including award-winning beaches, miles of stunning Coast Path, wonderful wildlife in addition to a rich culture and history.
“With Wales celebrating the Year of the Sea in 2018, there’s no better time to visit, but you don’t need to take our word for it; the Pembrokeshire Coast was recently voted Holiday Destination of the Year in the 2018 BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards.”
The Lake District dominated the Britain-wide poll with 27% of the vote with the New Forest and Loch Lomand and the Trossachs joint second on 9%, with the Lakes also coming top in four out of the five regions in England.
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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