News

Cut-down Remembrance Sunday services in wake of coronavirus pandemic

Published

4 months ago

November 8, 2020

LIKE so many other activities this year, national and local events to mark Remembrance Sunday have been drastically affected, but even if large-scale events have been cut back, each of us can mark the occasion in our own way.

And there is much to remember this year.

It was the 80th anniversaries of Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, and 75 years since World War Two ended. It is also 60 years since the Malayan Emergency ended, and within my lifetime, now an incredible 30 years since HM Armed Forces were deployed to the Gulf following the invasion of Kuwait, and 25 years since the first phase of UK operations in support of peacekeeping missions in the former Yugoslavia ended.

A small service was held at the cenotaph on Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven. A small delegation of representatives from the town and county council, and other community organisations were there to represent the larger numbers usually attending.

The wreath laying was done as usual, with Stephen Crabb MP leading the ceremony.

However, without the marching band, cadets and usual pageantry the atmosphere was considerably more sombre.

Other cut-down services were held all over Pembrokeshire, with everyone doing the best they could considering the circumstances of the last day of the ‘fire-break’ lockdown.

Paul Davies: Things are very different this year

Paul Davies AM, Welsh leader of the Conservatives said: “Many people here in Wales will have their own memories, either of relatives who went away to take part, or perhaps even of their own experiences in these and other conflicts, and while our collective Remembrance parades and services will not take place as before, it offers us the chance for quiet, individual reflection.

“Other ways in which we can show our respect include watching the RBL’s Festival of Remembrance this evening, watching the service from The Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday, or the National Service of Remembrance for Wales broadcast, and observing The Silence at 11am that day.

“However, you intend to mark the day in this a year when we have all made sacrifices, we must not forget that many of our Armed Forces personnel have made even greater sacrifices for our country. Many have died, many have suffered grievous physical wounds, and many suffer invisible emotional and psychological scars.

“We will remember them.”

Adam Price MS, Leader of Plaid Cymru also reflected on this important day: “The pandemic has reminded all too many of us of the fragility of life. This year’s Remembrance Sunday will be a particularly poignant one.

“As we came together on our doorsteps at the start of the pandemic to thank those who fought to keep us safe from harm from the virus, many of us will join together on Remembrance Sunday to remember and show support for those who have fought in conflict.

“Standing at our doorsteps of our homes is a fitting way to show respect and stay safe in 2020, and perhaps the challenging circumstances will make it all the more poignant. In solidarity, we will pay tribute to veterans of war, those currently serving in the armed forces, and to remember all victims of conflict.

“This year’s commemorations should provide an opportunity for sombre reflection for all who suffered and died in wars throughout our history, as we strive towards a future of peace and prosperity.”

In his daily coronavirus update, the Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr David Simpson said: “Sadly, Remembrance Sunday is so different from previous years

“There will be no church services or parades although the regulations state that a person has a reasonable excuse to leave where they are living to attend a Remembrance event although such gatherings cannot exceed 30 individuals.

“Of course we can all take part in the commemorations by observing the two minutes silence in our own homes at 11 o’clock.”

News

Launch of Haverfordwest Castle Conservation Management Plan

Published

17 hours ago

March 3, 2021

Carli Newell

MEMBERS of the public are being asked to help shape the future of Haverfordwest Castle as a draft Conservation Management Plan (CMP) is launched.

One of Pembrokeshire’s most important historical assets, the Castle is owned by Pembrokeshire County Council, which has produced the CMP.

The plan:

▪ sets out the significance of the castle and describes how the building will be protected with any new use, alteration, repair or management;

▪ will help with the planning of maintenance, conservation and repair work and adaptation of the site to meet new or changing uses;

▪ will help promote understanding of the site and look at improving public access and activities for local people and visitors;

▪ will support proposals to conserve the castle and adaptations of the site in response to climate change;

▪ and underpin funding applications to support improvements

An engagement exercise has been launched alongside the Plan, giving members of the public with an interest in the historic and/or environmental significance of the castle an opportunity to comment on the document and share their views.

To take part in the engagement exercise, please click on the following link:

https://haveyoursay.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/regeneration-communities

The deadline for responses is Sunday, March 28, 2021.

Business

Natural Resources Wales approves Ireland-UK interconnector licence

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2021

Thomas Sinclair

GREENLINK INTERCONNECTOR LIMITED says it welcomes the decision by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to approve its application for a Marine Licence for the Greenlink electricity interconnector project, which will link the power markets of Great Britain and Ireland.

An important project for Pembrokeshire, and the UK as a whole, NRW’s go-ahead is one of several consents required for the construction of the project and covers installation of the marine cable in UK waters.

The approval is a major milestone for Greenlink and joins the onshore planning consents granted unanimously in July last year by Pembrokeshire County Council and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Greenlink’s proposed 190km subsea and underground electricity cable will run beneath the Irish Sea to connect National Grid’s Pembroke Power Station in Wales and EirGrid’s Great Island substation in County Wexford, Ireland. It will have a nominal capacity of 500 MW.

The Wales-Ireland link is just one of four interconnectors being installed

Nigel Beresford, CEO for Greenlink Interconnector Limited, said: “We are delighted by Natural Resources Wales’s decision to grant this licence. This marks a significant milestone for Greenlink and another important step towards project construction, which we expect to commence later this year.

“The Greenlink team has worked constructively with Natural Resources Wales and Welsh marine stakeholders to find workable solutions to the many technical and environmental challenges facing a large infrastructure project like this, and this has been reflected in the quality of the final proposal.

“The thorough environmental and technical assessments we have undertaken, supported by the practical and value-adding feedback we have received from key marine stakeholders, have ensured that we move forward confident that we are delivering a well-designed project with the interests of the Welsh marine habitat at its core.”

The subsea section of the cable will be approximately 160km in length and uses high voltage direct current (HVDC) technology. The preferred route and installation methods were chosen following the conclusion of subsea surveys and consultation with key stakeholders.

In Ireland, a Foreshore Licence application was submitted to the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Foreshore Unit) in 2019 and the onshore planning application was submitted to An Bord Pleanála in December 2020.

Greenlink is one of Europe’s most important energy infrastructure projects and brings benefits on both sides of the Irish Sea for energy security, regional investment, jobs and the cost-effective integration of low carbon energy. The project will offer important local supply chain opportunities and plans are being drawn up for ‘meet-the-buyer’ events in the local area prior to construction.

Once fully consented, Greenlink is expected to have a three-year construction programme, with commissioning planned by the end of 2023.

News

Appeal from Fire and Rescue Service to install working smoke alarms

Published

1 day ago

March 2, 2021

Carli Newell

AT 01:17am this morning, Tuesday, March 2, 2021, crews from Milford Haven were called to a property fire in the Hakin area of Milford Haven.

The fire was confined to a pan on a stove in the kitchen area and extinguished by firefighters using two breathing apparatus, a hose reel jet and a thermal imaging camera.

Crews also ventilated the property and fitted smoke alarms within the property.

The Fire Service left the incident at 02:00am.

Watch Manager Alun Griffiths, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said “This fire was the result of cooking left unattended. It is so important to remove all pots and pans from a heat source when you are called away from the cooker.

“Thankfully, the occupiers of the property managed to exit the property before our firefighters arrived, but it could have ended very differently as there were no smoke alarms fitted in the property.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of installing working smoke alarms in your homes and testing them regularly. In the dreadful event of a fire, they can alert you to the danger sooner and could mean the difference between life and death.

“As a Fire and Rescue Service, we provide Home Fire Safety advice which is free of charge. We also offer Safe and Well Visits which you can arrange by phoning us on 0800 169 1234 or by visiting the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service website.”

For further Home Fire Safety advice or to talk about the possibility of a Safe and Well Visit by Fire and Rescue Service personnel, please phone us on 0800 169 1234. Alternatively please complete an online Request a Safe and Well Visit form on the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service website: https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/eng/your-safety/in-your-home/