News
Royal Aeronautical Society Award for Pembroke Dock Trust
A PRESTIGIOUS aviation heritage award has been presented for the first time to a Welsh recipient – the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust which runs the town’s Heritage Centre.
The Royal Aeronautical Society’s Heritage Award recognises significant contributions to aeronautics and achievements of original and unique world importance.
Only 26 other awards have been made by the Society in the past 14 years and Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust joins an illustrious group of award winners.
At a special ceremony on Wednesday July 20 th the Award, in the form of a plaque, was jointly unveiled by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Colonel Martin Green, and Group Captain Mike Hawkins of the RAeS.
The Society’s Head of Community Engagement, Scott Phillips, gave a history of the award and in accepting it Trust Patron John Evans spoke of Pembroke Dock’s unique place in aviation history, becoming the largest flying boat station in the world during the Second World War.
Guests were welcomed by a guard of honour by Air Cadets from 948.
(Haverfordwest) and 2420 (Whitland) Squadrons, and Royal British Legion Standard Bearer, Reg Thomas. Air Cadet Wing Chaplain, the Rev Grayham Passmore, gave the blessing of the plaque.
The guests included the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Pat Davies; the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Councillor Pam George; the RAF’s Air Officer Wales, Air Commodore Adrian Williams, Wing Commander Paul Lindsay, President of Cardiff Branch RAeS, and several members of the Coastal Command and Maritime Air Association, long supporters of the Heritage Trust.
There was also a special welcome for local resident and D-Day veteran Ted Owens. Pembroke Borough Silver Band and Neyland Ladies Choir were warmly applauded for their special contributions and a memorable afternoon concluded with presentations by John Evans, on RAF Pembroke Dock and its flying boats, and by Trustee Rik Saldanha who gave a fascinating diver’s perspective on Sunderland flying boat T9044 which sank in the Haven in 1940.
Many parts of T9044 are displayed in the Heritage Centre, which for many years was the RAF Station Church.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
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
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.
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