News

First Celtic chariot unearthed in Pembrokeshire

Published

6 years ago

November 23, 2018

THE FIRST example of a Celtic chariot burial in Wales is thought to have been found in south Pembrokeshire by a metal detectorist.

The site, which is believed to be part of a greater Iron Age settlement, is being kept secret by National Museum Wales until a more comprehensive dig can be carried out. Mike Smith, of Milford Haven, is a member of the Pembrokeshire Prospectors, and first found the pieces of metalwork in February, after his preferred detecting site was flooded, forcing him to look elsewhere.

He originally believed the first piece to be a medieval brooch, but upon further research, an expert informed him that it was in fact part of a bronze Celtic horse harness from roughly 600BC.

The bronze was green from corrosion, yet the red enamelling had not faded with time, and when Mr Smith returned the next day, he found further bridle fittings, a brooch and tools.

In June, Dyfed Archaeological Trust and National Museum Wales carried out surveys and excavations, and radar revealed ditches and walls that suggest a large Celtic settlement, potentially larger than Castell Henllys.

The excavation also revealed the rims of two rusted iron chariot wheels, whilst a pony’s tooth found next to the bridle revealed the site to be a Celtic chariot burial, the first of its kind to be found in Wales.

Chariot burial was an Iron Age Celtic custom, reserved for those of high status, and often included grave goods symbolising the wealth of those buried. The wooden chariot would soon decay, but the bronze horse harness and iron wheel covers remain to this day.

The Celts as an ethnolinguistic group were once found across Europe, their influence stretching from Ireland to Anatolia, and chariot burials have been documented across the continent.

Around 20 Iron Age chariot burials have been excavated in Britain, roughly dating from between 500 BC and 100 BC, with the vast majority found in north-east England.

It is thought that ploughing would have gradually brought the burial closer to the surface, and a full excavation has been planned for next year, as work stopped after a week due to funding running out.

The research is by no means complete, as scans revealed a three-metre metal anomaly beneath the chariot, but the site now has legal protection, and the dig shall wait until the soil is damp and less compacted.

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property

Published

8 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK resident is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 25) for multiple alleged breaches of a community protection notice.

Sheena Deacon, of 13 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, faces charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.

The charges stem from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions. According to court documents, the breaches occurred on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.

The charges indicate that Deacon, despite being issued with a community protection notice, did not comply with the requirements to clear and appropriately dispose of refuse and household waste from her address.

The Herald will bring updates on the case as it progresses.

News

Welsh Conservatives urge Labour to scrap ‘family farm tax’

Published

8 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced plans to bring forward a Senedd debate next week (Nov 27) calling on the UK Labour Government to abandon its proposed “family farm tax.”

The tax, introduced by the UK Labour Government, is being criticised as a move that will harm Welsh farming, threaten food security, and increase food prices. Alongside the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme and perceived “anti-farming agenda,” critics argue this new tax amounts to a coordinated effort to undermine the future of agriculture in Wales.

Shadow Minister warns of consequences
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, James Evans MS, condemned the proposal, stating:
“Labour’s family farm tax will put family farms out of business, threaten our food security, and lead to food prices rising. Only the Welsh Conservatives will stand up for our farmers, and that’s why we’re bringing forward a Senedd motion calling on Labour to reverse this decision. No farmers, no food.”

NFU Cymru expresses alarm
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones, echoed these concerns, highlighting the widespread opposition from the farming community. Speaking about the impact of the tax on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, Jones said:
“Earlier this week, hundreds of farmers from across Wales journeyed to London to meet with their MPs and register their deeply held concerns about these misguided and ill-thought-out reforms.

“The proposals unveiled by the Treasury last month to introduce a tax on the passing on of our family farms to the next generation are a massive added burden. They will leave many farmers without the means, confidence, or incentive to invest in the future of their business.

“NFU Cymru reiterates its call for the UK Government to halt these changes.”

The motion to be debated
The motion, set to be debated in the Senedd, reads:
“To propose that the Senedd:
Calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses.”

This debate is expected to attract significant attention, with Welsh farmers and rural communities keenly watching for the outcome.

Community

Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed

Published

10 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.”