News

Working together to transform longstanding eyesore on historic quayside

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2023

HAVERHUB is a community project in our county town, bringing together a wide range of people in the town centre through repurposing an old derelict former post office site.
“The biggest reward for all the hard work our small team has volunteered since 2017, is hearing our community café full of happy chatting people of all ages as I drop in to do my shifts!” says Gitti Coats the project founder.
“Already we have our hands full fitting in all the booking requests for meeting rooms, class spaces,
events and private gatherings. We have had grants to save the old post office, and next on the huge
to-do-list is to get the rear of the site improved to offer better facilities while retaining the warehouse vibe much loved by many, most recently our Wednesday night Open Mic community”.
Backing onto Haverhub’s DEPOT event space is this derelict old warehouse which could be providing useful entrance and storage spaces. Negotiations have gone on for almost 4 years as Haverhub’s determined team tries to find away to include it in the site for the community.
“Apart from discussions with the Carmarthenshire owner, we have asked for financial help from organisations who are keen to see improvements to the town center and I am delighted to say we have scraped together the funds to purchase this next challenge! Our major support came from the PCC
Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund, and smaller equally essential contributions to get us over the line
have come from the Perrot’s Trust, who already helped towards the new glasswork over the sorting
office space; and the Haverfordwest Town Council who have also helped support other purchases
such as paint.” Explained Gitti who project manages Haverhub with a team of volunteers and small
paid team in the office.
Summarising this update for everyone watching out for Town Centre improvements, Gitti explains
“ We had hoped to have completed on this purchase by now, but legal details are still being finalised.
Step one however, is having the money! So a big thank you to our local funders standing
next to Jerry and I . Everyone is dying to see this eyesore turned into something wonderful at long
last, as part of creating a sociable and attractive quayside. I hope it will also boost Quay street to
become the social heart of Haverfordwest bringing together people of all ages and interests! Well…
you’ve got to dream, or nothing happens!”
L-R Jerry Evans & Gitti Coats (Haverhub directors), Alan Buckfield – Mayor representing HTC, Peter
Stock for the Perrot’s trust and Dr Steven Jones representing the PCC Enhancing Pembrokeshire
Fund.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

15 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

22 hours 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

23 hours 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.