News
Loud music case shows ‘commitment to tackle anti-social behaviour’
THE PROSECUTION of a woman who ignored an order to stop playing loud music shows Pembrokeshire County Council’s determination to clamp down on anti-social behaviour, a Cabinet Member has said.
Cllr Michelle Bateman, the Cabinet Member for Housing Operations and Regulatory Services, welcomed the successful prosecution of Gemma Hughes of Howarth Close, Milford Haven.
Hughes had been served a noise abatement notice by the Council for repeatedly playing music loudly, often late at night, disturbing other residents in the block of flats.
Due before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Wednesday August 30th for trial, charged with two counts of contravening and failing to comply with an abatement notice, Hughes did not appear.
Magistrates agreed to proceed in her absence and heard evidence from Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police officers.
Magistrates were told that numerous complaints were made about the volume of music at Hughes’ property, including after the noise abatement notice had been issued.
Magistrates found Hughes, aged 27, guilty of the charges under s.80(4) of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Hughes was fined £660 for each offence and ordered to pay a surcharge of £132.
Costs of £2,527.75 were awarded to Pembrokeshire County Council.
Cllr Bateman said: “This successful prosecution and the level of fines and costs awarded show that we and the courts take the matter of noise very seriously.
“Playing music loudly and late at night can have a major impact on the quality of neighbours’ lives. The Council has engaged with the defendant and issued a noise abatement notice.
“It should be a warning to others that ignoring a notice and continuing to cause a noise nuisance will result in prosecution.
“I would like to highlight and commend the effective partnership working that achieved this result.
“We are working closely with Dyfed-Powys Police and the Neighbourhood Policing Teams to allow for the exchange of information and evidence around nuisance issues, like noise, and also community tensions.
“This partnership working is allowing us to tackle community concerns and improve people’s lives.”
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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