News

Pembrokeshire County Council Chief pledges a crackdown on plastic

Published

5 years ago

July 5, 2019

SINGLE-USE plastic and disposable containers are set to become a thing of the past at County Hall.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Chief Executive Ian Westley has pledged his commitment towards creating a more eco-friendly environment in the canteen and other key locations around the building.

Ian Westley said the Council was fully committed to change with regard to the Council’s policy on single use plastics:

“This year we are asking the people of Pembrokeshire to make changes in how they recycle,” he said.

“While we fully believe that these changes are for the good of Pembrokeshire and the wider environment, it is vital that we display the values and actions that we are encouraging from our residents.

“We want PCC to be a standard bearer.”

Staff are being encouraged to bring in their own containers if they want to take their food off-site, while eco-friendly alternatives are being sourced instead of providing disposable containers.

Plastic knives and forks are being scrapped and single-use plastic cups will no longer stored next to water coolers.

And as part of the Council’s commitment to going greener, a plastic-free canteen day will be held in August.

The change is already being embraced enthusiastically by many members of staff, says Ian.

“As a large organisation, we can’t simply change overnight but looking at the national media and from listening to the public and our own employees’ wishes, this change is fully in keeping with the mood across the nation and critically, it is what one should expect from a responsible Local Authority,” he said.

“Recent conversations and surveys have shown that vast majority of our staff would support our movement towards a more plastic-free organisation.”

And it’s not just County Hall which is picking up the eco-friendly baton.

Plastic cutlery has been removed from the majority of schools across the County and many pupils are encouraged to have refillable water bottles.

Cllr Cris Tomos, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said the focus on eliminating single-use plastics was a natural development from the Authority’s move towards becoming paper-free.

“Last year’s World Paper-Free Day in which the Council participated, together with a move towards Agile Working, has supported staff to change their practices with an emphasis on printing where only necessary,” he said.

“Part of our agenda for recycling change was to sign up to the Courtauld Agreement, which not only affirms our commitment to reduce our paper and single-use plastic rates, it encourages us to act in the interests of our County, working with businesses and larger organisations to inspire them to reduce their packaging and waste footprint.

“This is something we will increasingly look to do in the coming months.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.