Business

Theme park inspires young scientists

Published

12 years ago

June 4, 2014

oakwood

OAKWOOD THEME PARK became an unlikely outdoor classroom as part of a pioneering new science and engineering project.

On Friday, May 23 pupils from Maenclochog Community School took part in special experiments and workshops at the Pembrokeshire attraction which have been organised by the Darwin Centre charity. In 2013 the Centre became the West Wales branch of the British Science Association and it is committed to increasing its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths (STEM) engagement efforts in Pembrokeshire. The Dragon LNG Darwin Experience education programme has been delivering hundreds of activities with thousands of young people and communities across the county since 2005. Manager of the Darwin Centre, Marten Lewis, said: “Oakwood Theme Park is the latest and among the most exciting partners to come on board – using the exhilarating world of theme parks to ignite the interest of young people in the exciting world do engineering that supports the breathtaking rides and attractions.” The DLNG Darwin Experience has brought over 200 local school pupils to Oakwood over the last academic year to pilot fun and exciting ways to learn about engineering and create relevant data for numeracy work back in school. The visits see the pupils wired up to heart monitors and accelerometers to allow the results to make graphs for the children to see for themselves if it’s the highest heights, the fastest drops or twists and turns that get the heart racing. Whilst at Oakwood the pupils meet engineers and get a behind the scenes look at how the rides work and the technology used to make them fast and keep them safe. A follow up workshop in school using Hot Wheels racing tracks in loop d loops allows the pupils to experiment with friction, gravity, and wind resistance, timing cars around the race track with different spoilers and different weights to measure their effects. The Darwin Centre for Biology and Medicine is a charity that was established by Professor Anthony Campbell in Cardiff in 1993. It moved to Pembrokeshire in 1999. The Centre’s aims are to excite young people about science, particularly at the cutting edge, and provide a vehicle for professional scientists and naturalists to engage with the public.

Business

Pembrokeshire Herald website stats show it is now a regional player

Published

16 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD’s website reached more than one million users last year, according to new figures from Google Analytics, which highlight the title’s growing influence across West Wales and beyond.

Data from the Herald’s web analytics shows the site recorded 1.1 million active users in 2025, with 4.8 million page views over the year.

The figures represent a significant year-on-year increase on 2024, when the Herald recorded 937,000 active users and 3.9 million page views.

Average engagement time per user in 2025 was recorded at one minute and 24 seconds, suggesting readers are spending meaningful time consuming stories rather than clicking away after a single glance.

The data also sheds light on how readers are finding the Herald’s reporting, with the largest source of traffic coming from organic social media, followed by organic search and direct visits from returning readers.

The Herald’s Editor, Tom Sinclair said: “The figures confirm what we have been seeing on the ground for some time – The Pembrokeshire Herald is no longer just a local news outlet, it is a regional platform with the reach to match.

“That matters because it means Pembrokeshire stories are being read well beyond the county, and it also means local businesses have a serious, cost-effective way to advertise to large audiences across West Wales.”

He added that the growth reflects a combination of breaking news coverage, public interest reporting, and an increasing number of readers using the site as a daily news source.

The Herald will now use the data to support advertising partnerships with local firms, offering campaign reporting that focuses on UK delivery for businesses looking to reach customers in Pembrokeshire and neighbouring counties.

The publication said it would continue investing in digital reporting while maintaining its long-standing commitment to covering local issues, crime, courts, councils and community stories.

Business

Welsh businesses invited to shine as awards open for 2026

Published

16 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Chambers Wales invites businesses of all sizes to enter flagship awards celebrating innovation, growth and impact

Entries have today (Jan 12) opened for the Wales Business Awards 2026, which celebrate innovation, ambition and achievement among businesses across Wales.

Organised by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, the awards are firmly established as a flagship event in the Welsh business calendar and aim to recognise organisations driving growth, creating opportunity and contributing to the Welsh economy.

The 2026 awards include categories covering areas such as innovation, manufacturing, customer excellence, creativity and inclusion. New awards introduced this year include Inclusive Employer of the Year, Start Up Business of the Year and the Wales Creative Impact Award, reflecting the evolving priorities of Welsh businesses.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony hosted by broadcaster Andrea Byrne on May 14 at Holland House Hotel. One overall winner will also be named Wales Business of the Year.

The 2025 title was awarded to Concrete Canvas Ltd, a Pontyclun-based manufacturer recognised for its growth ambitions and innovative engineering solutions.

Gus Williams, chief executive of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said the awards highlight the role businesses play in shaping Wales’ economic future. He said: “Every year we are inspired by the quality, ambition and determination shown by businesses across Wales.

“The awards provide an opportunity to showcase success, share best practice and celebrate the positive impact Welsh businesses are making locally, nationally and internationally.”

The awards are open to businesses of all sizes and sectors, with entry open to both Chamber members and non-members. The closing date for entries is February 27.

Further information and entry details are available via the Chambers Wales website.

Business

Businesses invited to Milford Haven Business Circle meeting

Published

18 hours ago

January 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE MILFORD HAVEN Business Circle is holding its next meeting on Monday (Jan 19) at Moon Goddess Emporium in Charles Street.

The meeting is due to start at 6:00pm at the shop’s premises at 53 Charles Street, Milford Haven, and is open to local businesses and members.

An agenda circulated ahead of the meeting includes items on plans for the year’s events, a “Founders Day”, and how the group communicates with Milford Haven Town Council — including a proposed question to be put to the council.

Members are also expected to discuss the idea of a soup or community kitchen, advertising member businesses on the group’s social media page, and whether people should be able to attend meetings remotely via Zoom.

The agenda includes confirmation of the minutes from the previous meeting, any updates on meeting etiquette, and an “any other business” item before dates are set for the next meeting.

Anyone interested in attending is advised to check the Milford Haven Business Circle page for the latest details.