News

Cwm-yr-Eglwys: Pembrokeshire’s lost village

Published

4 years ago

June 3, 2021

CWM-YR-EGLWYS is a beautiful little coastal village between Fishguard and Newport, it doesn’t have a shop or a pub but it does have a little bit of a problem.

50 properties make up the small hamlet, which, aside from being picturesque, also boasts it’s own micro-climate that makes it a little bit warmer and drier than other areas along the Pembrokeshire coast, but 48 of those properties are second homes, holiday-lets or caravans.

Only 2 properties in Cwm-yr-Eglwys are lived in permanently, a third property is currently on the market but, with an asking price of over £1m, locals feel they are being priced out of their own village.

Residents say urgent action is needed to protect small coastal communities, like Cwm-yr-Eglwys, from a rise in second-home ownership.

Both of the properties in Cwm-yr-Eglwys that are occupied all year round are owned by people aged over 80 years old, one of those homeowners, Norman Thomas said:

“All those houses through the valley have been sold to English people,”.

“I’m not against them – they bring work here. I get on with them all. But it’s sad that the Welsh can’t afford these houses.

The ruins of the Church of St. Brynach at Cwm-yr-Eglwys

“That house over there is on the market for £1.3m. It’s ridiculous. The government should have stepped in and stopped these high prices.

“We’ve got to accept this is what it’s coming to – there are lots of little places like Cwm-yr-Eglwys – nothing left – there isn’t even a pub here.”

Norman is also the last remaining Welsh speaker in Cwm-yr-Eglwys, he’s concerned that the Welsh language might disappear entirely from the community soon as well.

Keith Battrick, a councillor with Dinas Cross community council, lives nearby and has witnessed the community slowly change in the 50 or so years he’s lived in Pembrokeshire since moving from Bridgend.

“It’s a summer village – winter time it’s completely dead. No-one here, just the odd walker – that’s it,” he told the BBC.

“So it’s a sad village really and probably will never change. It makes me sad that the local indigenous community can’t afford to live here.

“Local children – my son included – who want to move back here, find it hard. Within 10 years there probably won’t be anyone local living here – the future of Cwm-yr-Eglwys is as a holiday place.”

In 1859 a great storm destroyed the Church of St. Brynach in Cwm-yr-Eglwys, it tore up the ground, destroyed the graveyard and all that’s left standing now is the western entrance wall of the church.

Now, 162 years later, another storm is brewing that threatens to erode what’s left of the community of Cwm-yr-Eglwys and, just like the church, leave a hollow ruin in its wake.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

5 hours 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

12 hours 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

13 hours 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.