News
Short-stay parking charges set to double

SHORT-STAY parking charges to use the majority of Pembrokeshire’s paid-for car parks are set to double following a decision by senior councillors.
A report for members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, meeting on February 13, recommended most all-year car parks in the county would see the rise for one hour parking go up from 50p to £1, with smaller proportionate increases – and even reductions in some cases – for longer stays.
It also recommended increases in permit charges at many car parks and smaller increases at seasonal charging car parks.
Another proposed development is the introduction of a pay and display car park at County Hall, Haverfordwest.
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Councillor Rhys Sinnett said the rises were “not a simple let’s raise everything to deal with the financial situation”.
“We’ve tried to minimise this as much as possible, car parking is an asset that needs to be maintained. We have in the county 95 car parks but only 36 of these have charges levied on them but yet we have to maintain the other 59.”
Between 7am and 5pm it will be restricted to County Hall permit holders only, a report for members said, adding that outside this period, and at weekends and bank holidays it would be used as a Pay and Display.
Members supported recommendations that the changes are introduced from April 3, and that a pay and display is introduced at County Hall, Haverfordwest.
Key points
- Increasing current 50p per hour for town centre car parks. Town centre car parks still have lower tariffs than coastal car parks to assist in town centre footfall
- Current seasonal charging car parks will remain free parking from November 1 to February 28
- Permits will be available for regular users of car parks
- Pop and Shop free parking bays will remain
- Town centre car parks charges for all day duration will be lower in proportion to short-stay charges
- Coastal car parks charges have been increased to support turnover and to assist with peak demand
- Current free car parks will not be impacted
Education
Time for more home grown tea cultivation?

ROWS of tea plants could become a more familiar sight on the hills of Wales and other parts of the UK in the future.
Scientists at Aberystwyth University have been using machine-learning to analyse the chemical make-up of tea grown in non-traditional areas, including Powys in mid Wales and Dartmoor in south west England.
They hope their findings will help emerging tea growers in the UK to develop breeding strategies, cultivation practices and processing methods which suit climate conditions in this part of the world.
The research team are currently working with Dartmoor Estate Tea in Devon which is known for its unique microclimate and soil diversity.
The study is focusing on six varieties of tea which have been selected by the estate for their adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and their potential for chemical diversity.
Speaking on International Tea Day 2025, Dr Amanda J Lloyd, a senior researcher in food, diet and health at Aberystwyth University’s Department of Life Sciences, said:
“This study is contributing to the growing field of metabolomics by providing a comprehensive chemical profile of tea grown in a non-traditional region. Our findings offer new insights into the adaptability of tea plants and their potential for cultivation in emerging regions, contributing to global food security and agricultural diversification. Further research will now need to be carried out and should include multi-seasonal sampling, comparisons with traditional tea-growing regions, and analysis of processed tea to provide a more comprehensive understanding of tea chemistry.”
The study’s findings have been shared in an academic paper published in Metabolites, an international, peer-reviewed open access journal.
Dr Lloyd and her team have also been working with Buckhall Farm near Knighton in Powys which is pioneering tea cultivation in high-altitude Welsh conditions. The project was part of the first phase of the SBRI Agri-Food Technology Challenge, funded by the Welsh Government.
The work builds on an innovative portfolio of research at Aberystwyth University focused on tea’s health benefits, sustainable cultivation and consumer behaviour.
Among other ongoing studies is the Better Brain project, which is funded by Innovate UK and which is currently recruiting for a trial investigating the effects of a supplement containing green tea extract, ginseng and omega-3s on cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults.
The study is led by the Well-being and Health Assessment Research Unit (WARU) at the University, working with colleagues from the Department of Psychology and using advanced electroencephalogram (EEG) technology to assess cognition and wellbeing.
Professor Nigel Holt from the Department of Psychology and the University’s Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor, International, said:
“Tea is not only comforting but increasingly reveals itself to be a cognitive ally. Our research is helping us understand the deep biochemical relationships between tea’s compounds and mental function. Better Brain is particularly exciting because it bridges nutrition, psychology and neurophysiology.”
For more information on our tea research or to participate in current studies, take a look at the WARU website.
News
Milford Haven Buffaloes thank Waterloo Club for support

THE ROYAL ANTEDILUVIAN ORDER OF BUFFALOES, Harbour Lodge 10704, has extended heartfelt thanks to the Waterloo Club in Hakin for their support and generosity over the past 14 months.
The lodge, which is currently in the process of moving to a new venue, has been based at the club since early 2023. During that time, members have successfully raised funds for local charities and supported community initiatives.
A spokesperson said: “We are extremely grateful to the Waterloo Club for their hospitality. Their kindness has helped us continue our charitable work in Milford Haven and beyond. We look forward to continuing our efforts to support the community at our new location.”
Anyone interested in learning more about the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes is encouraged to get in touch via email at: [email protected]
Education
Council shifts stance after backlash over Welsh education survey

New pledge to gather school choice data from all parents — not just those choosing Welsh-medium education
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has revised its position following mounting criticism over its handling of Welsh-medium education policy, agreeing to broaden the scope of its planned parental survey.
The move comes after a political and public backlash to comments made during the Council Cabinet’s April meeting, where Deputy Leader Paul Miller suggested that some parents were choosing Welsh-medium schools not for the language but for newer facilities. His remarks, and the nature of the Cabinet debate, drew sharp criticism from opposition leader Cllr Huw Murphy, the Welsh Language Commissioner, and Cabinet Secretary for the Welsh Language and Culture, Mark Drakeford.
Critics accused the Cabinet of taking an “anti-Welsh” tone and of singling out parents who chose Welsh-medium education. The row escalated after Mr Drakeford told BBC Cymru: “I can’t see why we would ask parents why they choose Welsh or why they choose English… Local authorities should be making the case for choosing Welsh-medium education, not questioning those who do.”
Now, in an apparent attempt to address those concerns and reset the debate, the Council has issued a fresh statement following its Cabinet meeting on Wednesday (May 21). It confirms that data collection will be considered for all parents, not just those opting for Welsh-medium education.
A Council spokesperson said: “Cabinet has today agreed to explore the collection of information from all parents, regardless of language preference, in order to better understand school choice across the county.”
The updated resolution now asks the Director of Education to explore methods for capturing data on the relative importance of different factors influencing school choice. These include language preference, learning outcomes, quality of facilities, transport provision, and support for pupils with Additional Learning Needs (ALN).
The Council says the data will help inform future decisions on modernising the school estate, ensuring they reflect the priorities of a broad and representative sample of parents.
Despite the softened stance, the issue remains politically sensitive. Cllr Huw Murphy, whose formal “call-in” prompted the Council to revisit its earlier decision, has argued that any perception of bias against Welsh-medium provision risks undermining public trust and the Council’s obligations under the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).
The Welsh Language Commissioner had also expressed concern over the original approach, stating that questioning only parents choosing Welsh-medium schools was “not compatible” with the Council’s statutory duties.
The revised position may go some way toward cooling tensions, but the debate has already highlighted deeper divisions over language policy, school choice, and how local authorities should approach data collection in the context of bilingual education.
The Herald will continue to follow developments closely as the Council works through the next phase of its data-gathering plans.
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