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News

HMS Pembroke: A tribute to naval excellence with a local connection

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HUNDREDS of people lined the streets of Pembroke, to honour iconic vessel, HMS Pembroke, as she returned the Freedom of the town of Pembroke in a moving display of maritime history. With the 26-year-old Sandown Class mine hunter now approaching her decommissioning, the poignant ceremony marked the return of the cherished freedom bestowed upon her namesake town since 2006.

As the majestic warship sailed gracefully into Pembroke Dock, onlookers watched in awe as she berthed with a sense of dignity that only comes from decades of devoted service. The crew of HMS Pembroke, accompanied by sea cadets from Tenby, Milford Haven, and Fishguard, whose units share a profound affiliation with the warship, paraded through the town’s historic streets, led by the rhythmic beats of marching drums.

Enthusiastic cheers erupted from the crowd of locals and visitors alike, who had gathered to witness this unique spectacle. The sense of pride was palpable as the crew of HMS Pembroke, comprising around 40 highly skilled men and women, including mine warfare specialists, mine clearance divers, engineers, officers, and chefs, marched with unwavering unity.

The culmination of the parade took place at the historic Pembroke Castle, where the Freedom of the Town of Pembroke was tenderly returned, and a poignant decommissioning service was held. Emotions ran high as the crew and their cherished vessel embraced the town’s recognition and bid farewell to a chapter that will forever remain etched in the hearts of the community.

With the Freedom of the Town ceremony completed, the crew of HMS Pembroke took the time to connect with locals, dignitaries, and the aspiring young sea cadets, forging lasting memories and bonds in the spirit of unity that defines the Royal Navy.

HMS Pembroke, a 52.5 metre mine counter-measures vessel (MCMV), stationed at HMNB Clyde, has been a stalwart guardian of the global sea lines of communication, ensuring smooth trade operations for over two and a half decades. With a weight of 485 tonnes, this gallant warship has traversed more than 2,500 nautical miles since her maiden launch in 1997.

Not only has HMS Pembroke carried out vital mine clearance missions, but she has also been an embodiment of cultural diversity aboard her decks. Within her tight-knit crew, languages such as English, German, French, Welsh, and Spanish intermingle, fostering a truly international environment.

The warship’s illustrious history has been punctuated by remarkable achievements, including a memorable mission off the coast of Lithuania. During this operation, HMS Pembroke utilized a remote underwater vehicle to positively identify a historic Russian mine from the First World War. With precision and expertise, Royal Navy mine clearance divers then safely disposed of the 100-year-old ordnance, underscoring the vessel’s unwavering commitment to global maritime safety.

Royal Navy Sandown Class Minehunter HMS Pembroke is pictured sailing from HMNB Clyde in Western Scotland. The Class was originally named as the Single Role Minehunter and was planned to complement the capabilities of the preceding HUnt class and to be cheaper to build. Sandown MCMVs are highly manoeuvrable vessels and are considered to be the best Minehunters active in the world.

Steeped in history, the name “HMS Pembroke” holds a legacy that spans centuries. The original vessel, launched in 1665, faced a series of fates, including a collision leading to its loss just 12 years later. Subsequent iterations met various destinies, from capture by the French in 1709 to shipwreck off the West Indies in 1749 and eventual sale in 1905.

As the sun sets on the current HMS Pembroke’s illustrious journey, the Royal Navy prepares to bid adieu to the venerable Sandown Class mine hunters.

All mine countermeasures vessels in the fleet are set to retire during this decade, making way for automated systems.

The Sandown Class ships, including the beloved HMS Pembroke, will be replaced with state-of-the-art autonomous minehunting systems, with specialized “motherships” deployed by the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA).

READ THIS WEEK’S PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD HERE:

Business

Beggars Reach Hotel sold to local business family for £950,000

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A WELL KNOWN countryside hotel and event venue has been sold to local operators in a deal brokered by specialist business property adviser Christie & Co.

Beggars Reach Hotel, located in the village of Burton and set within seven acres of landscaped gardens, has been acquired by a local business family with a strong track record in hospitality and retail. The family also owns an established fish and chip restaurant in the seaside town of Tenby, as well as other commercial property interests in the region.

The popular hotel features 30 en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant, bistro-style breakfast room, and several function and event spaces – including a light-filled Orangery. With its sweeping views of the surrounding South West Wales countryside, Beggars Reach has become a sought-after venue for weddings, leisure breaks, and corporate events.

The property also holds planning permission for twenty additional guest rooms and a spa facility, offering the new owners scope for further development.

The transaction was supported by Christie Finance, who secured funding for the buyers within weeks of the sale being agreed.

Sam Roberts, Senior Broker at Christie & Co, said: “After the previous owner acquired the business through us early last year, unforeseen personal circumstances led to the need for a resale. We launched a full marketing campaign, which attracted strong interest, and we were able to secure a suitable buyer quickly. It has been a pleasure to assist with the sale of Beggars Reach for a second time, and we wish the new owners every success in taking the hotel forward.”

Tamara Ryan, Finance Consultant at Christie Finance, added: “It was an absolute pleasure to support our client with this acquisition. As an experienced and ambitious local business partnership, they have exciting plans for the hotel. We secured highly competitive funding within a few weeks of the offer being accepted, reflecting the strong appetite in the market for hotel investment.”

The hotel was sold off an asking price of £950,000.

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Crime

Man avoids jail despite possessing child abuse images

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A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been spared immediate custody after police found almost 70 indecent images of children on his mobile phone — including one image of a child aged around three whose hands and ankles were bound.

Andrew Davies, aged 36, was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Apr 1), having earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent photographs of children.

The court heard that officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a search warrant at Davies’ home on Brewery Street in November 2022. Davies was present at the property and handed over a mobile phone along with the PIN code to unlock it.

Upon examination of the device, officers discovered 67 illegal images. These included nine category A images — the most serious classification — 14 category B images, and 44 category C images. The images had been downloaded and stored in a password-protected application.

Prosecuting, Sian Cutter said one of the images showed a child estimated to be three years old with their limbs restrained. She told the court that all of the material was accessible on the device and had been intentionally downloaded.

In mitigation, defence barrister Ryan Bowen said Davies was “under no illusion as to the seriousness of his offending”. He said the offences dated back to 2019, and that the matter had been hanging over Davies for several years.

Mr Bowen added: “He has no previous convictions and is of otherwise good character. He accepts responsibility for his actions and has shown insight and a willingness to address his behaviour. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”

Sentencing, Her Honour Judge Catherine Richards told Davies: “The possession and viewing of child sexual abuse images causes direct harm to real children. It is a very serious aggravating factor that some of the images involve children as young as three.”

Davies was handed three prison terms of eight, four and two months, to run concurrently, making a total of eight months. The sentence was suspended for two years.

He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work and attend 25 rehabilitation activity days. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for 10 years.

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Business

Valero refinery escapes Trump’s new tariffs

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Fuel imports spared as US tries to avoid price hikes

THE VALERO oil refinery in Pembroke has escaped the impact of Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on UK and EU goods, following confirmation from the White House that all oil, gas and refined fuel imports will be exempt from the new trade restrictions.

A White House official said energy imports would be excluded entirely from the tariff measures (Pic: ABC)

On Wednesday (Apr 2), Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports into the United States, with higher duties targeting key trading partners including Britain and the European Union. The move has sparked fears of a deepening global trade war, with UK manufacturers, farmers, and exporters among those facing fresh barriers to the American market.

However, a White House official told Reuters that energy imports would be excluded entirely from the tariff measures. The exemption, which applies to crude oil, natural gas, petrol, diesel and jet fuel, is designed to prevent supply disruptions and price spikes in the United States, particularly on the East Coast, where fuel imports from Europe play a vital role.

Relief for Pembrokeshire

The announcement is a major relief for Pembrokeshire, where the Valero refinery at Rhoscrowther remains one of the area’s largest employers. Hundreds of local jobs depend directly on the refinery, with many more supported through contractors, hauliers, suppliers and businesses tied to the energy sector.

A local business owner in Pembroke Dock said: “This is brilliant news for the area. Valero keeps a lot of people in work around here, and the last thing we needed was more uncertainty from across the Atlantic.”

While other Welsh exports—including lamb, steel and whisky—face an uphill battle under the new tariffs, Pembroke’s key fuel production facility has been spared thanks to a combination of its strategic importance and ownership.

American-owned, Atlantic-focused

Valero Energy Corporation, which owns the Pembroke site, is a US-based multinational headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. The company is one of the largest independent refiners in the world, and acquired the Pembroke refinery in 2011 from Chevron for $730 million.

The deal also included a vast logistics and retail network across the UK and Ireland, including four product pipelines, 11 fuel terminals, a 14,000-barrel-per-day aviation fuels business, and more than 1,000 Texaco-branded forecourts—making it the largest branded dealer network in the UK.

At the time of the acquisition, Valero’s Chairman and CEO Bill Klesse said the move would allow the company to supply the US East Coast market more competitively, particularly after exiting US East Coast refining operations in 2010. “The Pembroke refinery remained profitable even during the depths of the economic downturn,” Klesse said. “We expect that it will be immediately accretive to earnings per share.”

Fuel to flow when economics align

The Pembroke refinery has a processing capacity of 270,000 barrels per day, making it one of the most complex and flexible in Europe. It produces around 3.6 million gallons of petrol and 2.2 million gallons of diesel daily and can process more than 60 different types of crude oil.

While exact export volumes to the United States are not publicly disclosed, the site is considered a key part of Valero’s Atlantic Basin margin optimisation strategy—designed to move fuel between Europe and the US when market conditions are favourable. Europe remains a major supplier of refined fuel to the US East Coast, where refining capacity has declined.

An energy analyst told The Herald: “Even if Pembroke isn’t exporting to the US every day, it’s a crucial part of Valero’s strategy. When the economics make sense, diesel or jet fuel from Wales can and does flow to the US. That’s why the White House exemption matters—it keeps those channels open.”

Wider Welsh economy still exposed

While Valero and the Pembroke refinery are protected under the exemption, other Welsh sectors are now facing harsh realities. Exports such as Welsh lamb, whisky, steel and car components are now subject to tariffs that could reduce competitiveness in one of Wales’ most important markets.

Welsh Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick said: “Donald Trump has launched a destructive trade war that threatens the jobs and living standards of people right across Wales. This needs to be brought to an end quickly, and the Prime Minister should be forming a coalition of allies—Canada, Australia, the EU—to stand against this. If the Government gives in to Trump’s threats, it will only encourage more bullying tactics in future.”

Looking ahead: volatile politics, stable demand

Although energy has been exempted for now, industry insiders warn that volatility remains high.

“The US exemption is about fuel supply and domestic prices,” the analyst added. “If demand or political calculations shift, exemptions could change too. Wales can’t afford to be complacent.”

One refinery worker put it more bluntly: “We’ve dodged this bullet, but with Trump, the safety’s always off.”

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