News
Community project awarded grants from second home council tax revenue
TWENTY-TWO community projects in Pembrokeshire are to share in more than £346,000 in grants from second homes council tax revenue.
The 100 per cent council tax premium on second homes in Pembrokeshire will generate circa £5m for 2022- 23, with 25 per cent allocated to the Enhancing Pembrokeshire Grant Scheme.
Since its inception, 17 grant panels have recommended, and Cabinet has awarded a total of £3,077,837.71 to 178 successful Pembrokeshire projects.
The Grant Panel considered 26 applications in its February 2023 meeting, with four not recommended for approval.
The recommendations for approval, covering a diverse range of groups and communities, total £346,602.78.
The applications considered were forwarded to Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, meeting on Monday, March 13, which approved all those recommended.
Applications getting the thumbs-up include £25,920 for Pembroke Dock-based Pembrokeshire Pride to recruit a community engagement officer.
The role will involve organising events designed by Pembrokeshire Pride in consultation with the LGBTQ+ community and providing signposting/support to LGBTQ+ individuals.
Saundersfoot Community Council will receive £20,991.20 for solar powered electronic driver feedback signs on several of the roads leading into the centre of the village.
Saundersfoot Sports and Social Club will receive £28,248.80 to improve changing room infrastructure to support the development of field sports in Saundersfoot, Amroth, New Hedges, and Kilgetty/Begelly.
Tenby Museum and Arts Gallery gets £7,802.50 to employ a part-time events and education officer, Windswept CIC has been awarded £12,750 to run weekly water sports sessions for 30 pupils of Coastlands Primary School, and St Davids’ Festival of Ideas, a three-day bilingual festival, with national speakers, food, sport and music events will receive £13,404.
Other grants include £5,600 for a play are in Amroth, £17,459 for play equipment in Burton, £1,674 for a project to provide a bench to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the erection of the Clunderwen’s war memorial, £31,040.44 for Caerhys Organic Community Agriculture, £900 for East Williamston Community and Hall Association, £13,520 for the second phase of Llanrhian Connected Community, and £25,389 for renovations at Llanrhian’s Trefin Playpark.
Further grants were: Llanteg Village Hall Association (£16,760) to reduce energy usage and carbon footprint at the hall, play equipment for Marloes Recreation Area (£2,466.40), £27,980 for staffing at Milford Youth Matters’ pop-up shop, £19,248 for Neyland Community Hubs, and £10,100 for a community link officer at Pencaer.
Funding of £17,086.24 will support the reopening of Simpsons Cross Community Centre, and Solva Community Council was awarded £21,328 to upgrade the ‘Gamlin’ play area, while St Nicholas Village Hall Committee receives £10,136, and the Victoria Hall Association £16,799.20 to repair its play area.
At the March 13 Cabinet meeting, Councillor Jon Harvey said: “This is all about community; this scheme again just shows how communities can get involved.”
Councillor Rhys Sinnett added: “They are projects that are important to their communities, it’s been an extremely successful scheme throughout its lifespan.”
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
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
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
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.
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