News
Turn down the lights and discover the benefits dark skies bring
OFFICERS from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, Pembrokeshire County Council and Natural Resources Wales are encouraging members of the public, businesses and organisations to join a county-wide effort to reduce light pollution.
As well as giving people a clearer view of the dark skies above, reducing light pollution can also benefit wildlife and improve your health.
There are eight designated Dark Sky Discovery Sites in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. These are some of the best places to experience the night sky, away from areas where the stars are obscured by light pollution, but are easy to access.
Park Authority Health and Tourism Policy Officer, Hannah Buck said: “It is difficult to capture in words the experience that people gain from looking up at the sky on a clear night in a place that is free from light pollution, where the stars and the magnificence of the Milky Way can be appreciated.
“Light pollution not only obscures our ability to see the stars, it also wastes energy which in turn can lead to increased levels of greenhouse gas emissions. This has been proven to have a negative impact on human health and can have significant impacts on wildlife.”
Park Authority Biodiversity Officer, Sarah Mellor added: A number of our bat species such as horseshoe bats are very sensitive to artificial lighting and will actively avoid lit areas. Light pollution can completely change their environment and can lead to them abandoning roosts or delaying their emergence from roosts reducing their foraging time. In some cases lighting can even cut them off entirely from the best insect-rich feeding areas.
“Birds can also be affected. The Pembrokeshire islands of Skomer and Skokholm are home to 350,000 pairs of Manx shearwaters. Each year the young emerge from their nest burrows in September to begin their migration to South America. These inexperienced birds are easily put off course by artificial lighting on the mainland and on ships. Each year volunteers help to rescue grounded Manx shearwaters and release them back at sea to continue their journey.”
One of the simplest ways to show your support for the effort to reduce light pollution is to take part in Earth Hour, which will see lights across the globe turned off from 8.30pm-9.30pm on 30 March.
Businesses and landmarks around the world also take part in the initiative, switching off their lights to help make a noise for the Earth Hour movement. For more information on Earth Hour visit www.earthhour.org.
Any local residents, community councils or businesses that would like to know about dark skies or light pollution should contact Hannah Buck by emailing [email protected].
To find out more about the Dark Sky Discovery sites in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park visit www.discoveryinthedark.wales/pembrokeshire.
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.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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