News
Unfair fair move

“Whilst I am NOT in favour of the Fair Coming to The Rifleman Field or Castle Lake Car Park on the feed back I have had from the residents of both areas, please read the below information and respond to the consultation exercise before the end of the day, Friday 18th of July 2014. “Pembrokeshire County Council is currently working with the Showman’s Guild to look at potential alternative locations for the Haverfordwest Fair (currently held at Scotchwell Car Park). The potential alternative locations being considered are:
- Castle Lake Car Park
- Rifleman’s Field
News
Simon Hart’s memoir reveals inside story of Westminster chaos

SIMON HART, the former MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, is set to lift the lid on the political turmoil of recent years with his new book, Ungovernable: The Political Diaries of a Chief Whip, due for release on February 27, 2025.
The memoir promises a rare, behind-the-scenes account of life inside the Conservative government during one of its most chaotic periods. Hart, who served as Chief Whip under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, provides an unfiltered look at the party’s internal struggles, resignations, and public controversies that rocked Westminster between 2019 and 2024.

From power to crisis
Having first been elected in 2010, Hart represented South Pembrokeshire and parts of Carmarthenshire for over a decade before boundary changes saw him lose his seat in 2024. His political career saw him rise to the role of Secretary of State for Wales under Boris Johnson before taking on the crucial but often misunderstood position of Chief Whip in Sunak’s government.
In Ungovernable, Hart describes how he witnessed the Conservative Party unravel from a position of strength to electoral vulnerability. He provides firsthand insight into the party’s inner workings, dealing with rebellious MPs, scandal-ridden colleagues, and the battle to maintain discipline within the government.
Westminster’s scandals and secrets
Among the most revealing aspects of the book are Hart’s accounts of the defection of Conservative MPs to Labour, the fallout from Liz Truss’s 49-day premiership, and the struggles to manage a party fractured by Brexit, infighting, and scandal. He details the dramatic moments that saw fifteen Tory MPs leave their seats under his tenure, including high-profile figures such as Nadine Dorries, whose controversial resignation caused months of political tension, and Matt Hancock, suspended after his infamous appearance on I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.
Hart also delves into Lee Anderson’s suspension over inflammatory remarks about the London Mayor, and the internal battles over government policies, leadership, and media spin.

Praise for an insider’s account
The book has already attracted attention from senior political figures. Rory Stewart, former MP and political commentator, described it as “a remarkable insight into a critical moment”, while Michael Dobbs, author of House of Cards, praised Hart’s blunt honesty, calling it a “balls-up-to-break-down account of how the Tories managed to fall flat on their faces”.
For Pembrokeshire readers, Ungovernable provides a unique perspective from a local politician who operated at the very heart of Westminster’s power struggles. Whether a supporter or critic of his time in office, Simon Hart’s memoir promises to be a fascinating and controversial account of one of the most dramatic chapters in modern British politics.
Community
Port issue warning over damage to Milford Beach access route

THE PORT of Milford Haven has issued a warning regarding a wall collapse on the hot water slip access to Milford Beach.
Residents and visitors are urged to stay clear of the affected area and avoid using this access route while investigations and repairs are carried out.
Please share this message to help ensure public safety.
Thank you.
News
The Sea Empress Disaster: Remembering the catastrophe 29 years on

IT WAS exactly 29 years ago. On the evening of February 15, 1996, at approximately 8:07pm, the oil tanker Sea Empress ran aground on rocks near St. Ann’s Head at the entrance to the Milford Haven Waterway in Pembrokeshire. The vessel, en route to the Texaco oil refinery in Milford Haven, was carrying over 130,000 tonnes of Forties blend crude oil. The incident led to one of Britain’s worst environmental disasters.
A catastrophic collision
As the Sea Empress navigated the narrow channel against an outgoing tide, strong currents pushed the vessel off course, causing it to collide with mid-channel rocks. The initial impact released approximately 2,500 tonnes of crude oil into the sea. Over the next six days, severe weather conditions and missteps in salvage operations hindered efforts to refloat and stabilize the tanker. The vessel grounded and refloated multiple times, ultimately spilling around 72,000 tonnes of crude oil and 370 tonnes of heavy fuel oil into the surrounding waters.

Environmental devastation
The spill had catastrophic consequences, particularly for the ecologically sensitive Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. More than 200 kilometers of coastline were contaminated, impacting numerous habitats and species.




Wildlife impact
Though the spill occurred in late winter before many migratory species had returned, resident wildlife suffered extensively. Thousands of seabirds, including guillemots, razorbills, and the common scoter duck, were found dead or severely oiled. Estimates suggest that approximately 5,000 of the 15,000 common scoters in the area perished.
Marine life was also heavily affected. Intertidal species such as seaweeds, invertebrates, and rock pool fish experienced significant mortality. Grey seals inhabit the region, but their population suffered minimal direct impact due to the timing of the spill.


Economic and social repercussions
The disaster had profound economic consequences for local communities. A fishing ban was promptly imposed along the affected coastlines, suspending operations for fisheries targeting species like shellfish and lobsters. The ban lasted several months, resulting in substantial financial losses. While compensation schemes were introduced, many affected individuals felt the payouts were insufficient.
Tourism, a vital part of Pembrokeshire’s economy, also suffered. The spill occurred just before the Easter holiday season, leading to mass cancellations and a decline in visitor numbers. Popular beaches were covered in oil deposits, deterring tourists and impacting businesses reliant on seasonal trade.
Mobilization of cleanup efforts

In response to the crisis, a massive cleanup operation was launched, involving over a thousand individuals, including local volunteers, environmental organizations, and government agencies. The immediate priority was rescuing and rehabilitating oiled wildlife. Specialized facilities were established to clean affected birds, though survival rates post-release remained low.
Shoreline cleanup efforts presented significant challenges. Teams employed various methods, including manual oil removal and chemical dispersants designed to break down the crude. While dispersants proved effective in some cases, concerns arose about their long-term environmental impact. Most visible oil was removed from beaches within six weeks, but cleanup efforts in remote areas continued for over a year.
Investigations and accountability
Subsequent investigations identified pilot error as a primary cause, with misjudgments regarding tidal streams and currents leading to the initial grounding. The report also highlighted deficiencies in the port’s navigational aids and emergency response protocols. As a result, the Milford Haven Port Authority faced scrutiny and was fined £4 million for its role in the disaster.
Long-term environmental recovery
Monitoring of the affected areas revealed that natural recovery was underway, aided by the region’s dynamic tidal systems. By 2001, studies indicated significant habitat restoration. However, certain species, particularly those with longer lifespans and slower reproductive rates, continued to show reduced population numbers, underscoring the prolonged effects of oil spills on biodiversity.
Lessons learned
The Sea Empress disaster prompted significant reforms in maritime safety and environmental protection within the UK, including:
- Enhanced Navigational Protocols: Improved pilot training and navigational aids to prevent future groundings.
- Regulatory Changes: Introduction of the Port Marine Safety Code, establishing national port safety standards.
- Environmental Safeguards: Strengthened oil spill contingency plans and increased investment in spill response technologies.
The Sea Empress disaster remains a stark reminder of the fragile balance between industrial activities and environmental preservation. It underscores the need for stringent safety measures, rigorous regulatory oversight, and proactive environmental protection to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.
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Peter Warrender
July 9, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Are these people for real? Independent traders are struggling to make ends meet in our poor economy the lack of car parking spaces in Haverfordwest town centre does not help their problems. The fair should notbe allowed to take up car parking spaces, plus what about the poor residents backing on to the car park. I am sure they do not wantthe noise of a fair in their back yard. Castle Lake car park should definately be a NO.
Andrew Lye
July 9, 2014 at 2:55 pm
What’s wrong with County Hall car park?
Naomi Wade-Jones
July 9, 2014 at 3:55 pm
Will reply very shortly, ridiculous to put the fair in either location. County hall does car park does not back onto houses, therefore.,??
Jonathan Nutting
July 9, 2014 at 4:26 pm
Fine idea Andrew. I totally agree the fair should be held on the County Hall car park. It will prove to all that the council is just as prepared to have some inconvenience as they ask others to put up with.
Amanda Sharp
July 9, 2014 at 7:19 pm
It should never have been moved away from St.Thomas’s Green in the first place, but seeing as it has and is not likely to be put back, I’d think that the best place seems to be Castle Lake.
By the way, the fair community always stayed in Rifleman Field.
Tomos
July 11, 2014 at 9:12 am
I wonder if Bryn knows where these streets are, the car parks are or ever heard of these fairs?Doubt it :((
Amanda Sharp
July 12, 2014 at 11:12 am
Tomos, unfortunately a lot of people involved in making important decisions for Haverfordwest are not interested in the historical, social and cultural heritage. It’s very sad that Portfield Fair is seen as an inconvenience.
Please see link for the history –
http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-192000-213000/page/14