News
Ironman Wales organisers dismiss Surfers Against Sewage pollution claims
WITH Ironman set to go ahead this weekend, despite the death of Her Majesty the Queen, attention is now turning to reports earlier this week by Surfers Against Sewage that the event could be tainted by pollution.
Surfers Against Sewage said on their website that ‘raw sewage’ being pumped into the sea nearby, only days ahead of the sporting event.
However the organisers of Ironman Wales have hit back, saying that the council have tested the water and everything is fine for the swimming part of the event.
A spokesperson for the organisers stated: “Ironman Wales is aware that Surfers Against Sewage has reported recent discharges at a nearby beach in Pembrokeshire.
“We have received confirmation from Pembrokeshire County Council’s pollution team that there is currently no abnormal situation that would lead to the Council advising against swimming at Tenby North Beach.
“We are carrying out routine water tests to confirm the venue meets the high water quality standard set for our events and will continue to monitor water quality at North Beach in the lead-up to Ironman Wales on Sunday.
“The most recent testing carried out at North Beach has shown results well within the excellent standard,” they added.
A spokesperson for Welsh Water confirmed that heavy rainfall meant its combined storm overflows (CSOs) temporarily operated at Castle Beach at the beginning of the week.
“Heavy rain hit large parts of Wales over the weekend which would have meant some of our combined storm overflows (CSOs) temporarily operated,” said the spokesperson.
“This is what they are designed to do when the wastewater network in an area reaches capacity due to the volume of rainwater in it to prevent sewers from flooding customers’ homes and businesses.
“We have checked the CSOs which operated and found that they operated in compliance with our permit to operate them and as we always do with these CSOs we sent notifications to Surfers Against Sewage so that they were aware and could notify their members.
“We can confirm that our CSO at Castle Beach in Tenby operated due to the heavy rainfall experienced,” they added.
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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