News
Bristol Clean Air Zone increases holiday costs

TRAVELLERS jetting off for holidays from Bristol Airport face an unexpected extra charge for getting there.
On November 28, Bristol Council will introduce a Clean Air Zone and charge drivers who enter the Zone.
The Council says, “the Zone will help improve air quality by reducing harmful levels of air pollution caused by traffic. It will also help ensure Bristol benefits from a healthy and natural environment.”
However, the extra charge will hit travellers heading to Bristol Airport from Wales.
The most popular route to Bristol Airport for travellers from Wales and north of Bristol takes drivers through Shirehampton and along the A4 (Portway) Road. A stretch of the road to the Airport is within the Clean Air Zone, meaning drivers heading there for their holiday flights will get charged £9 each way.
In 2019, the last year before the Covid pandemic, the Airport carried just under 9m passengers on 70,000 flights.
Bristol City Council confirmed: “The most direct routes from the M32 and the M5 Southbound to Bristol Airport will take vehicles through the Clean Air Zone. The Zone will have advanced signage on the highway network.
“We are working with Bristol Airport to help make people aware of the Zone to plan their journeys in advance and consider public transport options.”
WEST WALES TRAVELLERS FACE LONG TREK
That’s not much help to travellers from West Wales.
Suppose a family of two adults and children aged six and nine plan to travel on December 1, and their holiday flight leaves at 6:00am. They would have to leave Haverfordwest on an overnight train leaving at 7:30pm the previous evening. They would change at Cardiff, again at Bristol Temple Meads to catch the Airport shuttle, and arrive at the Airport at around half-past midnight.
The total cost of a return journey, assuming their return flight landed in the early afternoon on December 8, would be £329.40 with four changes on the return leg and a replacement bus service for part of the journey from Cardiff, arriving back in Haverfordwest at 10:20 at night.
Even the cheapest possible fare, restricting travel times to off-peak periods, is £207.
On top of that cost, you can add the hassle of corralling tired children in the middle of the night, shifting luggage while changing trains, and hanging around the Airport waiting for a flight out and transport back to Bristol Temple Meads after hopefully clearing customs in good time.
Travelling by bus is cheaper – £140 – but arriving at Bristol Airport in the early morning hours will take over nine hours and involve five changes, or a direct bus means you’d end up spending a night in an Airport hotel after a seven-hour journey.
The cheapest accommodation on November 30 for a family of four near Bristol Airport is £100.
AIRPORT KEEN TO TELL TRAVELLERS
Bristol Airport told us they were “keen” for the story to be covered, especially as it affects travellers from Wales.
A spokesperson for Bristol Airport told The Herald: “Bristol Airport urges passengers travelling by car to check on Bristol City Council’s website whether their vehicle will be charged and to plan their route in advance. Our own website will be updated shortly with new travel advice.
“As an alternative to driving, National Express runs a regular and direct service from Cardiff and Newport to the Airport.”
Crime
Haverfordwest resident denies assault on partner during birthday break

A HAVERFORDWEST man has gone on trial accused of attacking his partner while on holiday in Pembrokeshire.
John Roberts, aged 51, of Barn Street, appeared at Swansea Crown Court charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.
The incident is alleged to have taken place on August 24 last year at a shepherd’s hut in Rosemarket, where the couple were staying to celebrate the complainant’s birthday.
Roberts is accused of grabbing his partner by the hair and banging her head against a wall, before damaging a fireplace inside the property. He denies both charges.
Opening the case, prosecutor Emily Bennett told the jury that Roberts and the complainant had been in a relationship for twelve years and were enjoying a holiday following a family barbecue.
She said that shortly after midnight, Roberts’ “mood changed,” and he allegedly launched the attack.
The jury heard that the complainant managed to escape, locked herself in the bathroom and called the police. When she later emerged, Roberts had left the property — taking one of their dogs and the keys with him — and she noticed the fireplace had been damaged.
Roberts was arrested later that day. In police interview, he denied assaulting the woman or causing any damage, claiming she had “started on him” after accusing him of being unfaithful.
The trial, before Judge Wayne Beard, continues.
Entertainment
Join TV and radio presenter Hester Grainger live at the Torch

THIS June, the Torch Theatre welcomes ADHD coach, speaker and former Wright Stuff presenter Hester Grainger to the stage with her powerful and uplifting show, ADHD: Unmasked.
Expect an evening of open conversation, laughter, and refreshingly honest insights into life with ADHD. In a supportive and inclusive space, Hester invites everyone—whether living with ADHD, supporting someone who is, or simply curious—to share stories, connect, and feel seen.
A well-known voice in the neurodivergent community, Hester is a regular podcast guest and media contributor. Her appearance on ADHD Chatter with Alex Partridge went viral, with clips from the episode racking up over 22 million views.
ADHD: Unmasked is an interactive, dopamine-filled evening where Hester shares how to embrace a fast-paced mind, practise self-compassion, and tap into the strengths of neurodiversity. She’ll also speak candidly about family life—raising two autistic/ADHD teenagers and living with her autistic/ADHD husband—as well as navigating ADHD in the workplace, friendships, relationships, and late diagnosis.
Audience participation is welcome, with opportunities to ask questions throughout. Whether you’ve received a diagnosis or are just starting your journey, this event offers connection, laughter, and a sense of belonging. You’ll leave feeling empowered, informed—and most importantly—reminded that you are not alone.
Hester began her media career on Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff, going on to work with Loose Women and Today with Des and Mel. She has featured on BBC Radio 2, Radio 4, Radio 5 Live, and hosted her own show on BBC Radio Berkshire.
She has appeared on leading podcasts such as ADHD Chatter, The Hidden 20%, and ADHD Women’s Wellbeing Podcast, and her writing has been published by HuffPost, Evening Standard, Reader’s Digest, and Arabian Business.
Alongside her husband Kelly, Hester co-founded Perfectly Autistic, a neurodiversity consultancy providing training, talks, and coaching to support neurodivergent employees. Both were diagnosed with ADHD in their forties, after Kelly’s earlier autism diagnosis.
Hester says: “I’m so excited to tour the UK talking about ADHD—something I’m truly passionate about. Being diagnosed in my forties finally gave me the answers I’d been searching for my whole life. With growing awareness, so many people have questions and want to understand more. This evening will be fun, entertaining, and honest—and nothing’s off limits.”
ADHD: Unmasked comes to the Torch Theatre on Friday 6 June at 7:30pm.
Tickets: £26
Book online at www.torchtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

News
Pembroke Dock boy walks out with Spurs captain at Stamford Bridge

AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD boy from Pembroke Dock had the experience of a lifetime on Thursday night (Apr 4), when he was selected as the official mascot for Tottenham Hotspur in their Premier League clash against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Joey Williams, a pupil at Pembroke Dock Community School, walked out onto the pitch hand-in-hand with Spurs’ team captain, Son Heung-min, in front of a packed stadium and millions of viewers watching around the world.

The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was part of Tottenham Hotspur’s official mascot programme. Joey, who recently turned eight, travelled to London with his family to take part in the unforgettable event.
His proud mum, KatieJane Solomon, told The Herald: “My son lives in Pembroke Dock and was chosen to be mascot for the Chelsea vs Tottenham game tonight. He walked out with Son Heung-min!”
“He’s a very big Spurs fan so we signed him up to be a member on there website about a year ago and he was very lucky selected at random last month.”
The Premier League clash ended in high drama, but for Joey, the biggest highlight was walking out alongside his football heroes.


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