News

Sustainable farming initiatives cultivate hope for Wales’ biodiversity

Published

1 year ago

August 18, 2023

AS WALES grapples with the significant ecological impact of farming practices on its diverse landscapes, a glimmer of hope shines through in the determined efforts of farms like Jordanston near Milford Haven.

Ninety-per-cent of the land area in Wales is used for farming and agriculture. According to the National Trust, to maintain viability, farming has become more intensive and much less diverse, and this unfortunately has a negative impact on wildlife and nature.

Jordanston Farm near Milford Haven has been changing their farming practices for 25 years in an attempt to protect the local wildlife.

The family-run farm grows all their own fodder for the cattle, such as haylage, wheat and barley. They also rent out 20 acres for potato production.

Margaret Richards from Jordanston Farm said: “We joined an environmental scheme around 25 years ago. They offered the opportunity for a member of the scheme to visit the farm and form a bond with the farmers.”

Margaret’s daughter, Jayne, worked for the Tir Gofal team. She believed that environment schemes were of vital importance. However, food production and the existing farming business has to work alongside the schemes.

The Tir Gofal scheme aims to build a rapport with the farm and create a unique plan for each farm to follow to help improve their farm and the environment.

The scheme members stay in touch with the farm and share good practice. What’s working and what’s needed.

The farm is surrounded by 50 acres of woodland which creates a large wildlife corridor that greatly benefits wildlife on the farm.

Margaret continued: “We would lay hedges around the fields and during the winter we would leave the soil unsprayed for birds.

“There is now a one metre margin around each field for wildlife.”

Jordanston Farm then joined the Glastir scheme, which was set up by the Welsh Government.

The Glastir scheme is a farm land management scheme where the members commit to a management plan for a period of five years.

This year, Jordanston Farm is hoping to construct a new green corridor. This will provide a place for animals to be kept during the winter.

“It’s quite exciting. It is good for the animals and it’s environmentally friendly to build because there’s no carbon.”

Jayne or Margaret said that she has seen the positive changes over the years and her family have enjoyed seeing the benefits from their work.”

“It makes economic sense to make the changes to protect the wildlife.”

Margaret believes that a lot of local farms are doing what they can to help protect the environment.

“Most farms in the area are doing what they can. They’re ploughing less to reduce carbon, they’re testing the soil. As long as they try, that’s all that matters.”

The National Trust has been working to restore habitats and create nature-friendly farming practices across the region.

The National Trust has been working alongside Trehill Farm in Pembrokeshire after they experienced a limited yield in 2003 on their clifftop fields.

The poor productivity of this coastal strip provided impetus for the farm to manage the land differently.

By working with the natural carrying capacity of the land, the farm reduced input costs whilst also maximising its agri-environment income.

A series of earth banks now run throughout the farm, providing a network of habitat for wildlife, particularly farmland birds.

Coastal heath, grassland, hedge banks and nature-friendly cereals have been re-established across 70 hectares of coastal belt. This has helped better protect the adjoining Marloes Mere wetland and waters surrounding the Skomer Marine Nature Reserve against fertiliser and pesticide run-off, said the National Trust.

Earlier this year, Pembrokeshire Agricultural society were searching for Pembrokeshire farmers who could demonstrate their farm’s use of latest technological methods.

They offered the prestigious Baron de Rutzen Award for a farmer who could demonstrate their methods to promote progressive, sustainable agriculture while also needing to show consideration for the environment and habitat sensitivity on their farm.

News

2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards Finalists announced

Published

5 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE finalists for the 2024 Sport Pembrokeshire Awards have been announced.

In total, 252 nominations were received and, following a selection meeting, the judging panel has named 39 finalists.

Matt Freeman, Manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, said: “I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to provide nominations.

“Every year it gets harder to narrow the nominations down to three finalists and once again the quality of the nominees was enormously high.

“The number and quality of nominees just shows the strength of the sporting scene here in Pembrokeshire.

All the finalists will be invited to a grand presentation ceremony at Folly Farm on Friday, November 29th, where the winners will be announced.

The ceremony will also reveal the winners of two further categories – the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Chairman’s Special Achievement Award.

The awards are organised by Sport Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire County Council’s sport development team.

They are sponsored by Sport Pembrokeshire, Valero, Folly Farm and Pure West Radio.

The awards aim to recognise those people who have excelled in sport over the last 12 months, or who have given their time to coaching and organising grass roots sport.

Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2024 – Finalists

(In alphabetical order)

Coach of the Year

Francesca Morgan (Swimming)

Philippa Gale (Netball)

Tom Richards (Tennis)

Female Sporting Achievement

Gracie Griffiths (Race Walking)

Helen Carrington (Powerlifting)

Seren Thorne (Shooting)

Male Sporting Achievement

Jeremy Cross (Tennis)

Rhys Llewellyn (Athletics)

Sam Coleman (Powerboat Racing)

Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement

Carter Heywood (Football)

Hugo Boyce (Cycling)

Ned Rees-Wigmore (Hockey)

Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement

Cerys Griffiths (Swimming)

Chloe John-Driscoll (Shooting)

Ffion Bowen (Football)

Disability Sport Award

Evelyn Thomas (Powerlifting)

Jules King (Crossfit)

Marc Evans (Cricket)

Junior (U16) Disability Sport Award

Finnley Walters (Boxing)

Jac Johnson (Gymnastics)

Lewis Crawford (Boccia)

Unsung Hero

John Laugharne (Rugby)

Owen Shanklin (Pool)

Sue Christopher (Surf Lifesaving)

Team Achievement of the Year

Alan Evans, Andrew Evans & Michael John (Short Mat Bowls)

Fishguard & Goodwick Ladies Hockey Club

Pembrokeshire County Bowls Team

Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year

Chaos Thunder U12’s Netball Team

Hakin United AFC u16’s

Neyland Yacht Club Junior Sailing Team

Young Volunteer of the Year

Anna May (Tennis & Surfing)

Caitlin Chapman (Netball)

George Richards (Cricket)

Club Organiser

Nadine Tyrrell (Gymnastics)

Nick Shelmerdine (Cricket)

Paul Hudson (Short Mat Bowls)

Club of the Year

Camrose AFC Women & Girls Football

Haverfordwest Gymnastics Club

Strength Academy Wales Cymru

Pictured above: The 2023 Club of the Year winner – Pembroke Cricket Club.

Crime

Man jailed for Pembroke Dock cannabis farm involvement

Published

8 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Madeline Knox

AN ALBANIAN man, Armando Beti, 37, was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison at Swansea Crown Court on Friday (Nov 15) for his role in producing class B drugs.

Beti, who has prior convictions in 2022 and 2023, was arrested on October 3, 2024, at 10:00am after police found him hiding in a neighbouring building’s attic. The arrest followed a raid on the former Woolworths building on Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, where officers discovered three rooms containing 594 cannabis plants. The crop was described as part of a wholesale operation, with an estimated street value of between £64,000 and £196,000, depending on yield.

Using an aerial drone, police tracked Beti as he attempted to escape by crossing two rooftops. He pleaded guilty immediately after his capture, claiming the cannabis farm was already operational when he arrived 10 days earlier. Beti described himself as merely the gardener, tasked with watering the plants, and alleged he was coerced into the role by individuals he met at an immigration detention centre to repay a debt.

Beti’s defence counsel stated: “He is under no illusion regarding the seriousness of his offending. He is eager to start his prison sentence so he can ultimately reunite with his wife in Albania.”

However, Judge Geraint Walters rejected Beti’s claims, citing a pattern of similar excuses in previous cases. The judge noted that Beti had been convicted in Cardiff in 2022 for cultivating over 600 cannabis plants, during which he also claimed to be a coerced gardener with little knowledge of the operation.

In delivering the sentence, Judge Walters said: “People like you need to understand that judges are not completely naive. We know what is going on. We are well aware of the activities of criminal Albanian gangs in this country, as are you.”

Police believe the operation uncovered in Pembroke Dock is linked to a wider network of organised crime targeting rural locations for cannabis cultivation.

Community

Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

Published

11 hours ago

November 15, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware. Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.