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West Wales Thresher Shark: Remarkable sighting of a remarkable animal!

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IN A BREATHTAKING spectacle, a thresher shark soared above the waves at New Quay, Ceredigion, barely metres from an enthralled group on a boat trip. Thresher sharks, currently categorised as ‘vulnerable’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, are a rare sight in the wild.

For Joshua Pedley, a revered local wildlife guide and photographer often dubbed ‘The Wildlife Man’, this was a first. Despite having spent half a decade conducting wildlife tours off New Quay, he was struck by the shark’s majestic size and elegance.

Unveiling the snapshot on the Ceredigion Birds and Wildlife Facebook group, The Wildlife Man said: “Hold The Front Page! Today, (Aug 18) around 2:15 pm during our boat expedition, we were graced by the presence of a colossally impressive thresher shark. Such a creature stands as a testament to the marvel of aquatic engineering. Boasting a tail equal to its body length, it’s not just immense, but an absolute vision. Our estimates place it between five and six metres in length.” For riveting news delivered straight to your inbox, subscribe to our daily newsletter.

Joshua, who graciously allowed the use of his photograph for this piece, relayed to The Pembrokeshire Herald: “In all my years navigating these waters, I’ve never laid eyes on a Thresher Shark. It’s an extraordinarily rare sight. You truly have to be fortuitously positioned to witness it. Though rare, it’s not unprecedented!”

The 28-year-old naturalist guides for SeaMôr Dolphin Watching Boat Trips, which orchestrates frequent wildlife excursions off New Quay. On that fateful Friday, during the 1.35 pm dolphin-watching tour, Joshua and his passengers were treated to the thresher’s acrobatics, watching it breach the ocean surface thrice.

“A truly remarkable sighting of a truly remarkable animal! It breached three times in total, the initial breach caught my attention and then the photograph I managed was from one of the following two breaches,” he said. “Very lucky to find ourselves in the right place at the right time!”

Joshua added that thresher sharks are “completely harmless” to humans. “They feed on fish and squids and use their extremely long tail as a whip to stun, if not slice, their prey. We estimate that this specific individual that we saw was probably between five to six metres long with them on average maxing out at about six metres in length,” he said.

“I get asked multiple times a day on our boat trips, ‘do we get any sharks here?’ – well yes is the answer, but normally only some of the smaller shark species like Catsharks. Every now and then though you will get lucky and sight a larger shark as they are out there. Not a cause for panic or hysteria, but a wonderful sign to show how healthy and rich with wildlife our local waters actually are.”

You can keep up to date with The Wildlife Man’s wildlife sightings off New Quay on Facebook.

Crime

‘Sheer luck’ that out-of-control car did not hit mother and baby

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IN MILFORD HAVEN a woman and her baby were on the way to the local shop on Saturday (Sept 28) when what was described at the scene as a “drunk driver” veered off the road, mounted the pavement, and struck the telegraph pole just next to them.

The pole, in Milton Crescent was damaged, causing heavy duty trunking to break off and hit the pram, damaging it, but narrowly missing the baby.

It seems Deanna Potter and her baby, Danny, were only saved by the fortunate position of the pole – which took a heavy impact – preventing the large black Audi from ploughing into them.

After the collision, the woman said, the driver “attempted to flee”, but her car was too damaged. She then exited her vehicle and walked away, “seemingly indifferent to the near-fatal accident” she had caused.

Police soon arrested the driver, and are investigating the incident.

Mother and baby are said to be doing fine, but are obviously shaken-up by the ordeal.

The police have been asked to comment. (Images: Facebook)

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Milford Haven honours fishermen with annual memorial service

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MILFORD HAVEN held its annual Fishermen’s Tribute Service on Saturday (Sept 28) at The Rath, in a heartfelt event that drew members of the community to honour its maritime legacy.

The Milford Haven Town Band played, adding to the solemnity of the occasion, attended by Mayor Councillor William Elliot, who laid a wreath on behalf of the town.

This year’s service, led by Reverend Samuel Patterson, focused on commemorating those connected to the fishing industry, reflecting on their contributions to the town’s prosperity. The event underscores the challenging conditions faced by fishermen and the pivotal role the fishing industry plays in Milford Haven’s economy and culture.

As part of the ceremony, attendees paid their respects at the memorial, which bears the inscription, “A Tribute to Our Fishermen,” affirming the community’s gratitude and remembrance of their efforts.

(Photos Lloyd Jones / Fiona Galliford)

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Narberth Food Festival: A feast of flavours and fun for all ages

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NARBERTH’S annual Food Festival has returned this weekend, bringing together a delicious mix of food, music, and educational activities that highlight the best of Welsh culture and cuisine. Held in the picturesque town of Narberth, the festival promises an exciting lineup of chefs, musicians, and local artisans, showcasing the rich diversity and culinary talent of Wales.

The festivities began with an Education Day, an enlightening experience for local school children from Narberth School and St Oswald’s VA School. The day was packed with engaging workshops hosted in a large marquee, including sausage making by Andrew Rees Butchers, seaweed discoveries with Câr y Môr, cake decorating skills by Ysgol Greenhill School, essential food preparation with Corinne Cariad, and delightful chocolate making with Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Co.

This educational initiative, heavily supported by local businesses and volunteers, is designed to teach the young attendees about the origins and production of food, a foundational knowledge that the festival organisers are keen to impart to the next generation.

As the festival opens to the public, attendees are invited to a culinary journey through the Food Theatre events on Saturday. Highlights include chef demonstrations from noted chefs like Dougie Balish of The Grove and engaging taste sessions with local food innovators such as Owen Rosser from Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm.

The Music Stage offers a melodic backdrop to the delicious fare, with a lineup that spans folk, rock, and acoustic performances. Saturday’s performances will see the likes of Abbie Jebbers and the dynamic duo BoxSet, while Sunday welcomes talents like Rosey Cale and the unique sounds of Ella Guru.

The festival is not only a platform for food and music but also a spotlight on the innovative local traders. Among them is James from Still Wild, who returns to share his foraging insights and his latest creation, Oystershell Vodka, already lauded with two Great Taste stars.

For the youngsters, the festival is packed with additional fun. Entry is free for under 16s, encouraging families to enjoy the face painting, circus skills workshops, and the antics of beloved street performers. These elements ensure that the Narberth Food Festival is a weekend where learning, fun, and gastronomy delightfully intersect.

Whether you’re a foodie, music lover, or just in search of a vibrant community event, Narberth Food Festival offers a rich tapestry of experiences that cater to all tastes and ages. With its commitment to education, local entrepreneurship, and cultural celebration, the festival continues to be a standout event in Wales’s festival calendar.

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