Fire crews, police, local businesses and community leaders praised as residents enjoy fun-filled day in Haverfordwest

GARTH in the Park proved a huge success on Saturday (June 14), as residents from across Haverfordwest gathered in their hundreds for a vibrant afternoon of community spirit, entertainment and outreach.

Held at the Play Park on Trafalgar Road, the event was organised by LifePoint PEMBS and supported by a wide range of sponsors and local groups, with activities running from midday to 2:00pm. A packed programme of music, games, raffles and service showcases helped bring the park to life despite overcast skies.

A strong presence from emergency services was on display, with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and officers from Haverfordwest, Fishguard and St Davids police stations arriving in uniform to engage with families and exhibit their vehicles and equipment.

The day was also supported by groups including DDAS (Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service), Choices Cymru, The VC Gallery, HaverShed and the Army Cadets, who played a vital role in supervising road crossings, litter picking and assisting residents with activities.

Local councillors Chris Black and Kishoore Manikonda, who represent the Garth ward, provided snacks and drinks for the lucky dip. Meanwhile, Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner, one of the event organisers, described the turnout as “incredible,” adding: “Events like this showcase the community spirit in Haverfordwest, making us the best in the west.”

Ruth Busisa and Alex Lox Busisa of LifePoint Church were also praised for their leadership in organising the event and championing the church’s role in supporting local residents.

A large number of local businesses donated raffle prizes, including Waldo Lounge, Turkish Kitchen, New Style, Friars Vaults, The Box at HaverHub, and Black Label Studios. Reform UK Pembrokeshire’s Scott Thorley and community photographer Levi Fox were also recognised for their support.

Sponsors included Tesco, Specsavers, Haverfordwest County AFC, Haverfordwest Town Council, Pure West Radio and many others.

Photos from the day show smiling emergency workers, community leaders and residents coming together in a show of unity and celebration.

Photo captions:
Emergency services: Firefighters and police officers at Garth in the Park (Pic: Levi Fox)
Community spirit: Councillors and residents at Saturday’s event in Haverfordwest (Pic: Levi Fox)
Cover image – Event banner: Garth in the Park took place at Trafalgar Road Play Park (Pic: Levi Fox)

No reports of Pembrokeshire detentions as international participants face violence and deportation

ACTIVISTS from Pembrokeshire taking part in the Global March to Gaza remain on course to reach the Rafah border crossing on Sunday (June 15), despite a sweeping crackdown by Egyptian authorities on demonstrators from across the world.

The Herald understands that no members of the West Wales delegation, including Jim Scott and Tasmin Nash, have been detained, and Scott remained active on social media as recently as Friday morning.

However, disturbing scenes have emerged from Cairo and beyond, where activists from countries including France, Spain, Turkey, Canada, and the UK have had their passports confiscated, been forcibly removed from checkpoints, and in some cases physically assaulted by men in plain clothes. Footage circulating online shows demonstrators being kicked and dragged away, while some tried to defend themselves by throwing water bottles.

According to organisers, at least 40 protesters had their passports seized and were held in the heat without being allowed to move. Others—around 15 activists—are being held in hotels under restriction.

Among those confirmed detained are:

• Paul Murphy, Irish MP
• Faruk Dincer, Turkish MP (reportedly injured during arrest)
• Hala Rharrit, former US diplomat who resigned in protest over Washington’s handling of the war

Murphy posted: “We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained. It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza. We are refusing to board the deportation bus.”

The Global March to Gaza involves over 4,000 people from 80 countries, including a delegation of West Walians who set off from Al Arish on Friday morning for a 30-mile, three-day trek across the Sinai desert, aiming to reach Rafah on Sunday.

A separate 2,000-strong convoy travelling from Tunisia was also stopped by security forces in eastern Libya on Friday.

Despite the chaos, Jim Scott, a tree surgeon from Mathry, and CND Cymru delegate, has not reported any arrest or obstruction, telling supporters on Thursday night: “I’m OK. Safe for tonight. But an insane day. Completely insane.”

Tasmin Nash, an art curator and mother of four from Pembrokeshire, also remains unconfirmed among any detained. Speaking earlier this week, she said: “I cannot rest. I cannot stay silent. Now is the time to mobilise our passion and humanity. We are united for justice and solidarity for Palestine.”

The crackdown reflects Egypt’s tense balancing act. As the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel and a major recipient of US military aid, Egypt has attempted to publicly call for peace while suppressing grassroots pro-Palestinian actions within its borders.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that he expected Egypt to “halt demonstrators at the Egypt-Israel border”, adding that their arrival would “endanger the security of IDF soldiers” and would not be tolerated.

Meanwhile, Israel has allowed limited aid into Gaza since last month, but international aid groups and UN agencies warn that the volume is nowhere near sufficient to meet the needs of the population. The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic.

Organisers of the march have called on embassies to intervene to secure the release of detained protesters, stressing: “We are a peaceful movement, and we are complying with Egyptian law.”

The Herald will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the West Wales delegation nears Rafah.

‘It’s stinking of fish one minute, and full glam the next’

A ZOOKEEPER from Pembrokeshire who spends her days feeding fish to penguins has been crowned Miss Earth Wales 2025.

Abigail Wood, aged 25, works at Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo where she helps care for a colony of 42 penguins, including endangered Humboldt and macaroni species.

The Swansea-born conservationist, who now lives in Pembrokeshire, said the contrast between her day job and evening glamour is something she has embraced.

“It’s very much stinking of fish one minute, and then I’m glammed up the next,” she said.

Miss Wood recently won the national beauty title at the Miss Earth Wales pageant held at the Memo Arts Centre in Barry. She will now go on to represent Wales at the international Miss Earth final later this year, an environmentally-focused global event.

Her background in conservation runs deep. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Biology from Swansea University and is the founder of the ‘Wild About Nature’ initiative, which encourages children to engage with the natural world. She has also written a nature-themed activity book for young readers and is planning to run summer workshops at Folly Farm.

Speaking to The Herald, she said: “When I was young, we used to spend weeks near Fishguard at my grandparents’ caravan. With no phone signal or screens, we were out in nature every day – flying kites, catching butterflies, exploring. That’s what started it all for me.”

Her job at Folly Farm involves feeding the penguins three times a day and caring for other bird species including flamingos and ducks.

“There’s very little cleaning, but a lot of feeding,” she said. “Working here has been a dream, and the team have been so supportive of everything I’ve done.”

Miss Wood said the Miss Earth competition appealed to her because it combined her love of nature with the opportunity to advocate for environmental education.

“When you compete in Miss Earth, you choose an advocacy. Mine is conservation education. I want to show that you can be passionate about the planet and still enjoy the glamour too. Glamour doesn’t have to come at the cost of your values.”

She added: “It’s about making the outdoors exciting again for young people—and showing that penguin poo and sequins really can go hand in hand.”