News

Olympic champion to compete in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals

Published

2 years ago

October 13, 2022

TWICE Olympic champion Helen Glover has a new rowing focus – ready for action at a Wales World Championships that may well mark the start of an exciting journey for the sport, and she believes coastal rowing will only continue to grow around the UK and beyond.
This weekend Glover will compete in the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals hosted at Saundersfoot Harbour. Following an exciting recent announcement that coastal rowing is to be included in the 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games, Beach Sprints are also eyeing a potential Olympic nomination for 2028.
As the sport grows fast, a home World Championships will continue to inspire more at a grassroots level to try the sport for the first time, whether they are transitioning from flat water rowing or coming into the sport with no experience. Reflecting on her journey into the sport as a relative newcomer herself, Helen praised the newer disciplines as fantastic additions to rowing’s proud tradition:
“In terms of a transition, it’s been easy because of people being welcoming and open minded. Everyone’s trying to learn about this sport because it’s just so fast growing, people want to make it work and make big things happen.

“It’s been really welcoming, training here in Wales. And it’s all kind of based around enjoying it, and everyone just having a great time and helping people learn about this new sport as quickly as they can.
When I first tried it, I wasn’t kind of deciding to make a transition or switch over. It was just a WhatsApp message that went round saying “who wants to try this out? It sounds fun.’
“I ended up going along to the occasional session, just to try a new fun type of rowing. I ended up getting selected for the world’s team! I never necessarily had it in my sights or thought this would be my new sport or anything like that. I just really enjoyed it, and every time I turned up there were more opportunities to try it again.
Anyone hoping to enter the sport at a grassroots level could well have a lot to aspire for in the near future, with many hoping to see it on an even bigger stage and an opportunity for rowing to attract wider and more diverse audiences. Helen said:
“I wouldn’t at all be surprised if it did end up at the Olympic Games. I think events like this weekend will be really important because it’ll showcase what the sport can do.
“Even I haven’t seen what it can do at this scale yet – I haven’t been to an event like this, an international event in all its glory. I think it will be really important to showcase to the world and rest of the UK what Beach Sprints can bring on that big scale.
“I think the accessibility thing is something that’s always an important aspect of Olympics sports, and Beach Sprints does have this in a really strong way. If you haven’t tried it before, it’s such a welcoming community. I’ve really experienced a lot of this feeling of appreciation of where you are, feeling lucky to be out on the waves. I’ve always felt that with rowing but never more so than in coastal rowing.
It’s just an amazing sport to take up. It takes a lot of the skills, a lot of the fitness that you will already have, but it’ll just challenge you in different ways. Something about rowers like that challenge, they look for that challenge. Everything’s happening at once, at crazy speed. It’s manic – but it’s all good fun.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

19 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.