A FIRE broke out in the cab of an articulated lorry at Pembroke Fair in the early hours of Sunday (Mar 16), prompting a call-out for Pembroke Dock firefighters.

Showmen sleeping in their caravans at the Commons had a lucky escape when their generator truck caught fire in the middle of the night. By the time the alarm was raised, the vehicle was already well alight.

Thanks to the swift actions of those at the scene, the blaze did not spread to nearby caravans—a potentially deadly situation due to the presence of sleeping occupants and Calor Gas bottles used for heating and cooking.

The incident occurred near Commons Road, Pembroke, with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) receiving the call at 2:42am.

A MAWWFRS spokesperson said: “The crew responded to a vehicle fire involving the cab of an articulated lorry.

“The main fire was out on the crew’s arrival, and firefighters used one hose reel jet to dampen down the area. A thermal imaging camera was deployed to check for remaining hot spots.

“Safety information and guidance were given to the vehicle’s driver.

“The crew left the scene at 3:18am.”

No injuries were reported.

(Pic: File image)

AFTER more than a year of careful rearing, thousands of juvenile native oysters have now been returned to the Milford Haven Waterway, marking a major milestone in an ambitious restoration project involving the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

Since the project began in late 2023, Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences has been nurturing native oyster broodstock collected from Angle Bay and Burton Ferry. These oysters spawned multiple times in controlled conditions, producing hundreds of thousands of larvae. The tiny larvae were then reared until they were ready to settle on to shells, where they mostly remain fixed as they grow. Some scallop shells held as many as 160 individual oyster spat, ranging from 4mm to 10mm in size.

In February, an estimated 200,000 baby oysters were released into the Waterway by students from Paddle West. Braving a strong easterly wind, the team (assisted by Sky the dog, and with rescue cover support from Rudders Boatyard) successfully deposited the oysters onto the seabed. While not all will survive, many are expected to take hold and contribute to the recovery of the native oyster population.

Once abundant in UK waters, native oyster populations have dramatically declined due to habitat loss, pollution, over-harvesting and disease

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Biodiversity Officer, Sarah Mellor, said “This collaborative project is a major step forward for native oyster restoration in Wales. Achieving complex native oyster reefs once again in the Daugleddau may seem a distant dream, but this project has accelerated our learning and made the dream tangible. These oysters will play a vital role in improving water quality, storing carbon and creating habitat for marine life.”

To further support the restoration effort, some of the oyster-covered scallop shells have been placed into oyster hotels at Rudders Boatyard, where they will be closely monitored. Atlantic Edge Oysters will also oversee a selection of the young oysters to assess their growth rates.

The oysters will be tracked as part of the Natur am Byth! Mòr restoration project, delivered by the Marine Conservation Society with assistance from Sue Burton, the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer.

Sue said,“Native oyster restoration needs oyster suppliers and growers, and this project has proved that we can deliver this in Wales with our home-grown native oysters and expertise.”

The project is being delivered in partnership with Bangor University, the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer and Tethys Oysters in Angle Bay. It forms part of the Blue Carbon Strand of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s Wild Coast! Sustainable Landscapes, Sustainable Places Programme, funded by the Welsh Government and co-ordinated by Tirweddau Cymru Landscapes Wales.

The restored oysters will now be closely monitored to assess their survival and growth, helping to inform future restoration efforts and strengthen the long-term recovery of the species in the Milford Haven Waterway.

ORGANISATIONS across Wales have signed a landmark charter committing to greater openness, transparency, and accountability in their response to public tragedies.

The Charter for Families Bereaved by Public Tragedy calls for a cultural shift in how public bodies engage with bereaved families, ensuring lessons from the 1989 Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath prevent similar experiences for those affected by future tragedies.

Welsh Government, local authorities, police forces, the Welsh Ambulance Service, and fire and rescue services have all pledged to support bereaved families and communities following major incidents. The commitment aims to ensure services are responsive to the needs of those affected before, during, and after such events.

A launch event will take place in Merthyr Tydfil on Tuesday (March 18), attended by Bishop James Jones KBE, who authored the charter as part of his report on lessons from Hillsborough. Survivors and bereaved families from Hillsborough, Grenfell Tower, Manchester Arena, and Aberfan—just miles from the launch site—will also be present.

Bishop Jones said: “Today, the nation of Wales is leading the way, with over 50 public bodies signing this charter. In doing so, the culture of these organisations is beginning to change, with a renewed commitment to public service and respect for the humanity of those we serve.

“The charter is a promise that, after any future tragedy, no one will be left to navigate their grief alone, nor endure the ‘patronising disposition of unaccountable power.’

“This is a pivotal moment for the nation as we embrace the principles of the charter and pledge to place respect for humanity at the heart of all public service.”

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer Dawn Docx, chair of the Joint Emergency Services Group in Wales, emphasised the importance of cooperation in supporting families: “By working together, we can use our collective expertise and resources to provide meaningful support to those in need during times of crisis and beyond.”

South Wales Police Deputy Chief Constable Mark Travis highlighted the long-term commitment required: “By signing the charter, each organisation is making a public statement to learn from past tragedies and ensure bereaved families are treated with care and compassion—not just in the immediate aftermath, but in the weeks, months, and years that follow.

“While today is a landmark moment, the real challenge is embedding the charter into our training and culture so that it becomes an integral part of our response to any public tragedy.

“The involvement of the bereaved and survivors has been instrumental in bringing about this significant step forward.”