CAREW TIDAL MILL will offer free admission after 3:00pm on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, to mark National Mills Weekend.

The special offer gives visitors the chance to step inside one of Pembrokeshire’s most distinctive historic buildings and discover more about Wales’ only intact tidal mill.

For anyone who has enjoyed a walk around the Millpond but never been inside, the weekend provides an ideal opportunity to explore a rare piece of industrial heritage.

National Mills Weekend is the UK’s annual celebration of milling heritage, coordinated by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. Each May, hundreds of windmills and watermills across the country open their doors to the public, helping to raise awareness of the importance of conserving these historic landmarks.

Grade II* listed Carew Tidal Mill is one of only five restored tidal mills in the UK and is regarded as a nationally significant survivor of early renewable industrial technology.

Although milling at the site ended in 1937, the original machinery remains in place, giving visitors a fascinating glimpse into the past.

Visitors can explore the Mill’s history through interactive displays, exhibitions and audio commentary, learning how water power was harnessed for centuries as a source of sustainable energy.

Daisy Hughes, manager of Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, said: “Carew Tidal Mill is a remarkable example of Wales’ industrial heritage and an important reminder of how natural resources were once used to power local communities.

“National Mills Weekend is a wonderful opportunity to welcome visitors inside and share the story of this unique building.”

Free entry to Carew Tidal Mill will be available from 3:00pm to 4:30pm on both days. Last admission is at 4:30pm and the Mill closes at 5:00pm.

Free admission applies to the Mill only and does not include entry to Carew Castle.

Visitors are advised that access to the Tidal Mill is via steps.

More information is available at www.carewcastle.com.

THE MOD has submitted a formal planning application for the controversial DARC space radar scheme at Cawdor Barracks near Brawdy.

The Ministry of Defence wants to install 27 radar antennas and associated infrastructure at the former RAF site as part of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability, known as DARC.

The project would form part of a global network of sensors across the UK, USA and Australia under the AUKUS defence partnership.

The system is designed to track satellites, space debris and other objects in orbit, providing 360-degree coverage of the sky in all weather conditions and at all times of day.

Cawdor Barracks was named as the preferred UK site in late 2023 by the then Defence Secretary Grant Shapps.

A supporting statement submitted with the application says the scheme would improve the UK’s ability to detect, identify and track objects in Earth orbit.

It states: “This capability is critical to protect and defend the services provided by satellites, ensuring continuity and resilience against collisions or debris-related incidents.”

The document also says the loss of GPS services alone could cost the UK an estimated £1.422 billion per day.

The application says the scheme would create around 90 full-time equivalent construction jobs and 60 full-time equivalent operational jobs, including maintenance and security roles.

The MoD says the project would help protect critical national infrastructure in orbit and provide data to UK Government departments, the Met Office and the UK Space Agency.

However, the plans remain controversial locally.

St Davids City Council recently voted unanimously to oppose the pre-application consultation proposals.

Objectors have raised concerns about the impact of the development, with protests taking place outside Cawdor Barracks and County Hall in Haverfordwest.

Labour Senedd candidate Eluned Morgan has also called for the scheme to be put on hold while Donald Trump is President of the United States.

Pembrokeshire County Council will now consider the application.

Val Coleman defies age with medals, records and a message: “Don’t stop moving”

A 97-YEAR-OLD Pembrokeshire woman who only took up rowing in her nineties is now a world record holder and shows no signs of slowing down.

Val Coleman, from Goodwick, began indoor rowing as part of her recovery after breaking her femur shortly after her 90th birthday.

Now, nearly eight years later, she has broken eight world records and won a string of medals, including 16 golds.

Her latest achievement came this month when she set a new five-kilometre world record in the 95 to 99 age category.

From recovery to records

Val first discovered rowing while watching boats launch at Lower Town Quay in Fishguard.

Her daughter, then captain of Jemima Rowing Club, encouraged her to try a rowing machine.

“She said, ‘I think you’ve got a record there,’ and it went from there really,” Val said.

Despite starting later in life, Val quickly took to the sport and has since built an impressive list of achievements, including World Rowing silver and bronze medals and multiple Welsh titles.

Keeping active key to success

Val credits her longevity and success to staying active.

“I think it’s very important as you get older. You need more exercise, not less,” she said.

In addition to rowing twice a week, she swims or walks daily and attends Pilates classes at her local leisure centre.

“The great thing about rowing is you’re sitting down,” she added. “It’s not as hard on your legs as running.”

A social lifeline

Beyond competition, rowing has brought a strong social element to her life.

“It’s important when you live on your own and you’re getting older,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of new friends.”

Training regularly with her club, Val says she is treated no differently to any other rower.

A lifetime of resilience

A mother of eight, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, Val has lived in Pembrokeshire for six decades and spent 20 years in Goodwick.

She retrained as a nurse in her late forties and worked at Withybush Hospital until retirement.

Now, she continues to challenge expectations of ageing, keeping physically active while also reading a daily newspaper and doing crosswords.

“Don’t give up”

Val has a clear message for others.

“Don’t give up when you get to 60 or 70,” she said. “Keep moving.”

And for those thinking of trying something new, her advice is simple.

“Give it a go. If rowing isn’t for you, there’s always something else.”