News
Favourite present inspires jewellery business
A FAVOURITE festive gift has inspired a Pembrokeshire teenager to realise her “big Idea” of running a bespoke jewellery business, becoming one of Wales’ latest young entrepreneurs.
Six years after finding a “make your own jewellery kit” under her Christmas tree, 17-year-old Jacqs Scourfield from Tenby has turned her love of crafts into a one-of-a-kind enterprise. Now a popular brand in and around Pembrokeshire, Jewellery by Jacqs has developed a reputation for its quirky designs, and has steadily grown to include a diverse range of products and unique commissioned pieces. Jacqs is now looking to expand her jewellery business, having recently purchased a £12,000 laser cutter to branch out into new products and designs. Spurred on by advice from the Welsh Government funded Spirit of Enterprise and Small Steps to Enterprise, two Pembrokeshire initiatives that support young entrepreneurs, Jacqs has steadily grown her business. She is a good example of what the Welsh Government’s Big Ideas Wales campaign is achieving by encouraging young people into entrepreneurship. Jacqs said: “I got a small do-ityourself jewellery kit when I was 11 for Christmas and things have taken off from there really. I really enjoyed it so asked for some beads and materials to make more items. My parents are both self-employed and encouraged me in the early days, helping me out with some of the funding which I’ve since paid back. “The more I made, the more interest I got from my friends and others at school, and soon after I took out a stand at a local craft fair. My items sold really well and I really enjoyed the experience, and the business just took off from there. “Since then I’ve just continually made new designs and sold at more craft fairs, markets and a pop-up shop in Haverfordwest.” Having taken the initiative to start up her own business, Jacqs has shown just the sort of entrepreneurial spirit Big Ideas Wales is looking for. Big Ideas Wales is a Welsh Government campaign designed to encourage young people to be more entrepreneurial and help those interested in starting a business take their ideas forward. The campaign is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Menter a Busnes on behalf of the Welsh Government to support delivery of the Youth Entrepreneurship Strategy (YES) for Wales. Having finished her GCSEs, Jacqs is now focusing her efforts on the business, and is busy developing new and exciting range of goods. Having made a significant investment in a laser cutter, which will allow her to create new and personalised products out of plastic, Jacqs has big plans to make 2014 her most successful year yet. “I’m looking to branch out with new items this year,” Jacqs said. “Using the laser cutter, I’m making clocks, gifts and customisable products and jewellery, which is something I get a lot of enquiries about. “I’ve also started to sell on the Internet – that’s my big goal for 2014, to develop the e-commerce side of the business. “I love working for myself – I have a chance to make a career out of something I love doing that is fun and creative, and there’s scope for me to do just about whatever I want.” Manon Llwyd, Big Ideas Wales Manager at Menter a Busnes, said that Jacqs’ creativity and determination would set her in good stead for the future. “It was really brave of Jacqs to set up her own business straight out of school, and we commend her ambition and commitment. Having worked hard to establish herself and taken some expert advice along the way, I’m confident her jewellery business will be a great success for years to come.” More details about Big Ideas Wales and how young people can start their own business can be found at www. bigideaswales.com or get involved at facebook.com/BigIdeasWales, tweet @BigIdeasWales.
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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