RAF heavy transport aircraft JDW828 carried out training sortie over Pembrokeshire and the south-west

Residents in Haverfordwest reported a large military aircraft flying low over the town at around 11:00am on Monday (Jan 19).

Flight tracking information identified the aircraft as JDW828, a Royal Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III, operating from RAF Brize Norton.

The recorded track showed the aircraft conducting a wide training circuit across the south-west, including repeated manoeuvres over parts of Pembrokeshire and Cornwall, before routing back east.

The C-17 is a heavy-lift transport used by the RAF to move troops, equipment and humanitarian aid, and is regularly seen on training flights across the UK.

One resident said: “It was a awesome sight, so low it was almost at the chimney tops – the house was shaking!”

“Brilliant!”

A request for comment has been sent to the Ministry of Defence.

(Images: Gavin Young/Herald)

AN ENGINEERING firm has launched an internal investigation after a video circulated online over the weekend which is said to show a senior member of staff at the Pembroke Dock firm making comments described as racist.

The video was uploaded to YouTube and TikTok by DJ Clips UK. In the footage, a member of staff is heard saying he was concerned about a drone being flown in the area because of travellers nearby.

He is quoted as saying: “There are gypsies down the corner, and we just don’t want stuff going missing.”

In response, members of the traveller community have erected a banner outside the company’s gates accusing the firm of “racial abuse”.

Jenkins & Davies Engineering has since issued a public statement acknowledging the video and apologising to those affected.

The company said it was “aware of a video circulating online involving comments made by a senior member of our team” and added: “The message stated was inappropriate and does not reflect our values or the views of the company.”

It continued: “We recognise the hurt and offence this has caused to members of the community, and we would like to sincerely apologise to anyone affected by these unwarranted comments.”

The firm said it takes discrimination “extremely seriously” and confirmed the employee involved had been removed from all duties while a full investigation is carried out.

Charlie Price, described as a prominent voice within the local traveller community, said he believed the remarks were racist and that the response so far had not gone far enough.

He said: “What was said was not acceptable in 2026. We are not happy at all and we see they put an apology on Facebook with the help of their fancy £300 an hour solicitors in Cardiff, but we wants them to come out and give us an apology in person.”

The company statement was signed by managing director R Barnard.

HAVERFORDWEST councillors have called for a shake-up of the approach to parking in Pembrokeshire’s county town, with free short-term parking to boost business.

At the January 15 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s policy and pre-decision overview and scrutiny committee, Haverfordwest Castle Ward county councillor Tom Tudor requested a public submission of a ‘Strategic Parking Plan to Boost Haverfordwest Town Centre Economy’ be added to the committee agenda.

Cllr Tudor brought forward a proposal made by town councillor Scott Thorley “aiming to increase footfall while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” which includes two hours free parking in Haverfordwest town centre across all car parks to encourage short visits for shopping, dining, and services, Monday-Saturday, 9-5.

It also includes extending the parking duration at the Perrots Road Car Park to a four-hour maximum stay, with the first two hours free, with free parking from 5pm Saturday to 8am Monday to support evening and weekend activities.

He also proposes free parking all day on Sundays “to attract visitors to hospitality businesses, such as cafes, restaurants, and pubs, fostering a vibrant weekend economy”.

His strategy also includes leveraging “increased footfall from free parking to boost local business revenue, offsetting potential losses in parking fees through keeping businesses open and attracting more investment into the town,” adding: “Evidence from similar UK schemes suggests a potential five–15 per cent increase in retail spending with free parking initiatives,” with a call for social media and local press marketing of the proposed changes.

He also proposes staff working in the town centre “adopt alternative transport methods to free up parking spaces for customers,” through such things as the promotion of car-sharing, encouraging the use of public transport, and supporting cycling and walking through investments in secure bike storage and incentives for staff.

He says there would be an economic boost to the town’s businesses through his proposed changes through increased footfall; free Sunday parking also helping the hospitality industry, and encouraging staff to shift to alternative transport reducing congestion and giving environmental benefits.

Members agreed to note the submission by Cllr Tudor on behalf of Cllr Thorley.