News

‘Last chance’ to save Withybush Hosptial with November protest

Published

6 years ago

October 3, 2018

RESIDENTS of Pembrokeshire are being urged to join forces and attend a protest at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest on Saturday, November 3, in response to news of the hospital being downgraded.

The protest, which will start at midday, hopes to be the biggest the county has ever seen.

Organisers on the Save Withybush page are urging every family to join in, saying that thousands must attend to make a difference.

The event page says: “The time has finally come for YOU ALL to pull out all the stops and get yourself, family, friends, whoever, to this rally. Forget about those who say ‘There’s nothing you can do’ or ‘The decision has been made’. There are always doomers and gloomers, not forgetting, of course, the keyboard warriors! However this time YOU need to stand up and unite for your hospital.

“We cannot stress how very important it is at this point in our fight that we demonstrate this huge show of support for our hospital before we move on to the next step in our battle plans.

“We know the reasons why many, many of you have not turned up physically in the past. We know many of you have jobs and/or look after your family and/or loved ones. We know you have your children to look after, or you are helping others. We know you may not be well. We really do understand and know all the reasons, because many others, including ourselves, are in the exact same boat!”

Organisers say that there may be a march as part of the protest, and those attending are encouraged to create signs and banners.

Children will also be welcome at the protest.

The Save Withybush group has over 22,000 members on Facebook, and organisers are hoping that at least a quarter of those in the group will be able to attend.

Commenting on the plans, one member of the group said it was the ‘last chance’ for the county to make their voices heard to the Health Board.

Earlier this year, hundreds of people marched through Haverfordwest to protest the proposals put forward by the Health Board.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

22 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.