News

County Court holds first remote hearing

Published

4 years ago

July 20, 2020

by Tess Delaney

THE FIRST hearing to be held under Coronavirus distancing rules at Haverfordwest County Court last Friday upheld the right of access needed by Chrystia and Keith Hertogs to run their sustainable holding in Llanycefn.
The court considered whether the holding’s use of the historic stone road from Rhydwilym towards Maenclochog and Llanycefn, was limited by the public bridleway rights that also make use of the same road.
The hearing ended with all parties agreeing that the Hertogs’s holding has ‘the right of road or way’ along the stone road, ‘at all times and for all purposes’, with an injunction in place to protect their use.
Chrystia Hertogs explains: ‘Local roads like this one have many uses, added over centuries of local history. Farms and houses often have private rights of access, which are in no way reduced or limited, by the road’s also later being designated as a public bridleway.’
Groundwork contractor John Llewellyn from Crymych, who was a remote witness in the hearing, commented: ‘I was born in Glan Rhydwilym. I know that whole area like the back of my hand. Those upper fields of Dolfelfed farm were always run, using that stone road.
“I went to school, and to friends’ houses, along it. My sister’s best friend went to school at Nant-y-Cwm, and lived at Cefn Mwynant.
“Aged 17, I drove out hay myself, from the fields of Keith’s holding, over the same stone road.’
Mr Mark Dyson, a retired planning lawyer, acted as McKenzie friend (legal supporter) to Dr Hertogs.
“My own view,” said Mr Dyson, “is that, since we are at the tipping point into massive climate catastrophe, access to land should urgently be made easier for the increasing number of people who want to do the work of sustainably improving soil carbon, and planting trees. These are now mainstream aims of Wales and UK policy, and I’m pleased with today’s decision.”
Keith and Chrystia Hertogs find, after ten years of regenerative agriculture, tree-planting and use of local biomass to improve the depleted pasture soil, that salad, fruit, and vegetable crops now produce well.
“The United Nations’ Farming and Agriculture Organisation estimates that 30% of the world’s soils are degraded, so Wales is not alone in needing regenerative action.” Keith said.
He continued: “European farm soils were formed during millennia of tree-cover, and have now been used for a couple of centuries without replenishment. Regeneration re-creates soil from planted trees, nitrogen-fixing perennials, green manure, sustainable, brief, grazing rotation, and silvipasture.”
The Welsh Government’s target is to plant 1000 km2 of new trees, an area about the size of Pembrokeshire, by 2030, spread throughout Wales.
Dr Hertogs said: “The Welsh Government’s sustainability policy, ‘One Wales, One Planet’ is uniquely forward-looking. It’s strongly based on environment and economic evidence, not the wishful dream of limitless consuming, exceeding global resource limits, which is – right now – destroying our planet.
“The policy’s One Planet Development thinking, deserves to change the norm, to provide low-impact work, housing, and new food-growing by ordinary people across Wales.’
“One Planet Development fits perfectly with the work I did in the NHS, encouraging physical work and healthy food, to help people avoid diabetes and heart disease.”
During their delivery round of greens and salads, Keith and Christyia havre found many local people, including young people, have started growing their own during the coronavirus lockdown.
Keith concluded: “This is exactly the time for all of us as new, successful gardeners, to plan and plant trees and nitrogenous bushes, so we can feed our soil, keeping it healthy and productive for future generations.”

Community

Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

Published

15 mins ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.

News

Campaigners urge Welsh Government to adopt proportional representation for Local Elections

Published

55 mins ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CAMPAIGNERS are calling on the Welsh Government to introduce the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system for local elections, following moves by two councils to shift away from the First Past the Post (FPTP) system being blocked on technical grounds.

Yesterday (Nov 14), Ceredigion Council voted narrowly, with an 18 to 17 majority, in favor of adopting STV. This follows Gwynedd Council’s decision last month, where 65% of councillors backed the move. However, both councils have been prevented from implementing STV due to a requirement for a two-thirds majority under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

In recent consultations, public support for STV has been overwhelming, with over 70% in Gwynedd and 67% in Ceredigion favoring the change. Only Powys Council rejected the proposal, despite 60.5% of its respondents supporting STV. Campaigners argue that the current system deprives voters of representation, citing that over 100,000 people were denied a vote in the 2022 elections due to uncontested seats.

The Electoral Reform Society Cymru (ERS Cymru) highlights the contrast with Scotland, where the introduction of STV for local elections in 2007 has significantly reduced uncontested seats. According to ERS Cymru, Scotland has had fewer uncontested seats in the last four elections combined than Gwynedd Council recorded alone in 2022.

Jess Blair, Director of ERS Cymru, said:

“Decisions made in council chambers affect everyone in those areas, so every vote should count. It’s absurd that councils choosing STV are blocked by a technicality, leaving them stuck with an outdated system that denies representation to thousands. The Welsh Government must act to avoid repeating the undemocratic outcomes of the last elections.”

Campaigners are now calling on the Welsh Government to introduce STV across all councils in Wales, ensuring representation that reflects the electorate’s wishes.

Business

Upgrades completed at Port of Milford Haven’s simulator suite

Published

2 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

UPGRADES have been completed to state-of-the-art equipment within the Port of Milford Haven’s navigation simulator suite at Milford Waterfront enabling marine professionals to receive bespoke specialist training. The virtual reality simulation system can safely replicate a range of scenarios that seafarers may experience in real world situations such as extreme weather conditions, emergency situations and escort tug work.

The upgrades provided by Netherlands-based company MARIN contain the latest hardware in terms of processing power and graphics, as well as upgrades to MARIN’s ‘Dolphin’ software, increasing the capability to create scenarios. These are complemented with new 4k visuals on 75” screens which increase the depth and field of vision, adding to the realism.

Recently, a training day was led by Training Pilot Captain Mark Johnson, assisted by ex-Pilot Andy Hillier, involving members of the Svitzer team as well as Pilots Matt Roberts and Ian Coombes. As part of the scenario, they were faced with a loss of engine power and steering along with worsening weather and sea conditions. The Pilots had to communicate with Svitzer in order to successfully instruct them on how to tow and direct a drifting tanker. While scenarios like these are uncommon within port operations, it is important to rehearse procedures that would be implemented if they are required and enhances participants’ skill sets.

Marine Pilot and Simulator Instructor, Captain Ewan McNicoll, said “This simulator suite has future proofed our training capabilities, both internally for Pilots and marine staff, but also externally for clients wishing to use the facility, be it for training purposes or research and development. We can create any type of scenario with any type of ship, ranging from practicing ship handling manoeuvres to emergency situations, it really is game changing! Working with our partners at MARIN has been a complete success and I am very proud of our new facility.”

For more information about training at the navigation simulation suite please contact the Port of Milford Haven at [email protected] or 01646 696100.