News
Cafe wins the treasure from Welsh Dragons Den
Two white roses are symbols of success for Wales only Transition Cafe.
The cafe on the corner of High Street and the Co-op car-park in Fishguard is nationally unique, it turns surplus food from gardens and supermarkets into delicious healthy fare at reasonable prices, and helps alleviate hunger. Last week it won the 2014 Sustainable Communities award of £10,000 at Hay Literary Festival. The little team from Fishguard won the prize against stiff competition from across Wales in a Dragons Den style contest. They survived the judge dragons’ probing questions and the audience vote gave them 22 out of 25, an overwhelming victory. They were presented with celebrity long white roses to carry round as well as £10,000 for the project. The idea of a community cafe was born in 2012 at a meeting in Fishguard to vote on ways to reduce waste food. Eighteen months later the cafe opened its doors in a building provided by the Co-op supermarket next door, it has recently extended its opening hours. It welcomes new volunteers who receive valuable experience, training and food. One new recruit said ‘I am duty manager today, you get promoted fast in this place’. The community cafe will celebrate its first birthday next week, all are welcome to the party on 6th June. The award money will pay for mapping the need for food in the area. There is anecdotal evidence of young people who cannot afford to eat enough as they only get low paid part time work. They are thin as rakes, live on low quality food, some have no cooker. The hidden need for adequate food needs to be properly investigated, and met. Shops, growers, some supermarkets and distributors are generously donating their surplus ingredients for food boxes distributed by the cafe, and for nourishing meals to eat in. About half the prize money will pay young people working in the cafe, such as trainee manager Rosi Jones, pictured. This will free up the voluntary committee so they can help other communities who would like to set up something similar. www.transitionbrogwaun.org.uk Cafe phone: 01348 872019
Transition community café High Street Fishguard (close to Co-op) Open Tues – Fri 10.30 – 4.00 Vegetarian specialities All welcome
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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