Community
Haverfordwest Airport staff get hands-on with Royal Navy Merlin helicopter

A ROYAL NAVY Merlin helicopter visited Haverfordwest Airport earlier this month to give staff a chance to learn more about these impressive aircraft.
The visit enabled staff to get up close and hands-on with the helicopter and consider all aspects of safety when it comes to refuelling.
The Royal Navy fleet occasionally use the Pembrokeshire County Council run airport for refuelling when training at the military zones of Pendine and Castlemartin ranges.
The airport staff received training on where the emergency shut down switches are located, fuel shut down, main battery shut off, where to locate engine fires within the aircraft and where to attack engines fires from, if required.
They also learned the location of the emergency hatches, what hazards are involved for aircraft evacuation, understanding where the fuel lines are situated and what materials are used in the helicopter’s construction.
In the unlikely event of an emergency the airport staff now have a better understanding off the Merlin MK4 Helicopter.
Airport Assistant Phil Davies said: “This was a great opportunity for the Royal Navy to understand what we have to offer at Haverfordwest Airport and for our staff to learn more about the Merlin MK 4 helicopter.
“We have received feedback that the Royal Navy are now hoping to use the Airport more frequently with different types of aircraft.”
Haverfordwest Airport has both pressurised and gravity feed mechanisms available for refuelling aircraft.
Gravity feed is used for the smaller aircraft and pressurised for larger aircraft that hold large quantities for fuel.
Pressurised is normally used for refuelling when the helicopters don’t shut down, while working in emergencies that are time critical for example.
Haverfordwest Airport is open from 8.30am hours until 4.30pm from Monday to Friday and also accept flights on weekends.
Online indemnity forms must be filled out prior to arrival and these can be found on the Council’s website.
The Airport works closely with Fly Wales who are located at the Airport on Fishguard Road, Haverfordwest.
Fly Wales offers charted flights across the UK and Europe. They also run Haverfordwest School of flying, offering flying lessons and pleasure flights.
Haverfordwest Airport is also home to Metal Seagulls, who offer engineering services for light aviation.
Metal Seagulls are also leading the UK developments in all metal next-generation light aviation solutions for surveillance, humanitarian, training and recreational missions, whilst working towards net-zero decarbonisation targets.

Photo avove: Pictured with a member of the Royal Navy crew are (from left) Airport Supervisor Tim Brickwood and Airport Assistants Terry Treiber Johnson, Bryn Etchells, and Phil Davies.
Community
Help shape flood prevention plans in Pembrokeshire

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is seeking public feedback on how it manages flood risk across the County.
The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requires Local Authorities to publish their local flood risk management strategy and flood risk management plans and request feedback from local residents.
A public consultation will help identify local knowledge about flood-prone areas, historical flooding events, and community-specific vulnerabilities.
Local residents and stakeholders can often possess unique insights about their areas that can contribute to the development of an effective flood strategy.
The consultation will allow the public to understand the rationale behind proposed measures, the potential impacts, and the overall strategy.
It will also provide information regarding flood protection measures, early warning systems, emergency response plans, and evacuation procedures.
By increasing public awareness, communities become better prepared and more resilient to floods.
More details of the consultation is available online.
You can give your views by completing the online response form.
If you would like a paper copy please call our Customer Contact Centre on 01437 764551 or email [email protected].
Please complete the survey by Monday 17th March.
Community
Harry to represent Wales in the Riso Gallo Young Risotto Chef Grand Final

A YOUNG Welsh chef has taken the first step towards winning a three day stage with Fabio Pisani, Alessandro Negrini and their team at the two Michelin starred Il Luogo in Milan.
Harry Howell, a first year Level 1 professional cookery student at Coleg Sir Gâr, Carmarthen, won the Welsh national heat of the Riso Gallo UK and Ireland Young Risotto Chef of the Year Competition.
The heat took place at the Welsh International Culinary Championships (WICC) held at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales), Newport.
Harry, who works at Ashburnham Hotel, Pembrey, cooked a wild mushroom risotto with crisp parmesan and truffle.
One of three gold medallists in the Wales heat, Harry will now go through to the UK and Ireland grand final at Tottenham Hotspur ‘H’ Club in London on June 2.
In addition to the three day stage, the overall winner will tour the Riso Gallo Rice Mill in Italy and experience a selection of excellent rice and oils from Riso Gallo and Filippo Berio and stocks and glacés from Essential Cuisine.
Second prize is a three day stage at The Italian Embassy in London with a selection of excellent rice and oils from Riso Gallo and Filippo Berio and stocks and glacés from Essential Cuisine.
The judging panel is chaired by renowned consultant chef Paul Gayler, MBE. Competitors must be aged between 17 and 23 and in full time education.
Coleg Sir Gâr lecturer Daniel Williams said: “Harry is a very keen, dedicated and driven young chef who was very calm and collected in his first competition. The sky’s the limit for him if he continues on this path and he’s happy to travel to gain experience.
“The Riso Gallo competition was an amazing opportunity for him to receive feedback from chefs from the Culinary Association of Wales. The Welsh International Culinary Championships opens the eyes of young chefs that the horizon is huge.”
The Welsh national heat was held over three days at the WICC and the high standard of dishes was praised by Domenico Maggi, from the Federation of Italian Cooks and a former Worldchefs continental director of South Europe.
He told Harry and two other gold medallists that their risotto had been cooked perfectly with flavour and balance. He encouraged all the Welsh young chefs to continue to cook with passion.
Arwyn Watkins, OBE, CAW president, said: “We are delighted that we have once again found an amazing young chef who has the potential to do Wales proud in the UK final later this year.
“I look forward to attending the final and, hopefully, Wales will for the first time bring home the title following on from winning the runner up spot in 2024.”
Wales representative Oliver Lacey from Lledrod, Ceredigion was runner up last year.
Picture caption:
Harry Howell receives his award from Colin Gray and Arwyn Watkins, OBE from the Culinary Association of Wales and Domenico Maggi.
Community
Milford Haven family appeals for help as eight-year-old battles cancer

A MILFORD HAVEN family is seeking community support after receiving devastating news that their eight-year-old daughter, Darcie, has been diagnosed with cancer. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by family friend Stacey Roberts to help parents Andrew and Laura Duncan cover travel expenses for Darcie’s treatment in Cardiff, ensuring they can stay by her side while managing responsibilities at home.
The fundraiser, which has already raised over £2,300 from 70 donations, aims to alleviate the financial burden of frequent hospital visits. One of the largest contributions so far, £1,000, came from Lincolnshire Competitions, while Stacey Roberts herself made the first donation of £20.
In her heartfelt appeal, Stacey said: “I am absolutely gutted to be writing this but it is with great sadness that I am about to inform you all that two very close friends to me have been given the heart-wrenching news that their eight-year-old daughter, the beautiful little Darcie, has been unfortunately diagnosed with cancer. Please guys, let’s raise enough money to help this loving family out.”
The GoFundMe page continues to accept donations, with community members rallying around the Duncan family during this difficult time.
To donate and support the family, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-raise-funds-to-help-this-family-with-travel-cost
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