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Charity walk for WWII veteran raises both tensions and funds

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ON SATURDAY (Sept 23) Pembrokeshire witnessed a charity walk that has since become a focal point of conversation, drawing both admiration and critique.

Organised by Darren Edmundson and promoted through the Twitter handle @98YearOldHomeless, the event began at the Pembroke Train Station at 10am and made its way to Tenby. Its objective was to raise funds for a 98-year-old WWII D-Day hero veteran, Alfi Guenigault, who had recently been served a no-fault eviction notice.

The campaign backing Guenigault has garnered significant support. Separately to the walk, A GoFundMe page titled “98Year homeless world war 2 veteran” was set up with an initial goal of £10,000. As of now, the fundraiser has reached a commendable £8,891, with contributions from 367 donors.

Dolly Drayson, the chief organiser of that fundraiser, outlined the pressing needs of the veteran.

Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald after the charity walk, organiser Darren Edmundson said: “It went really well; everyone completed the ten miles.

“It was so disheartening to witness the far-left’s Stand Up to Racism counter-protesting against a WW2 D-Day veteran who is 98-years-old.

“They were fully aware that this was a non-political event.

“Alfred Guenigault is among the mere six surviving British D-Day veterans – he unquestionably deserves our support.”

Yet, the event was not without contention. Allegations emerged suggesting a participant, who it was claimed bears resemblance to Adolf Hitler and named as Alex Yerbury, arrived in military attire.

This attracted the attention and concern of anti-racism campaigners, Stand Up To Racism Swansea, who staged a counter-protest in Pembroke. Their claims that some of the marchers appeared intoxicated added to the unfolding drama. A claim which was denied.

Stand Up to Racism West Wales, underscoring their prompt intervention, relayed their primary mission was to emphasise that right wing ideologies had no place in their community, resulting in the marchers being shown the exit.

This episode, a blend of genuine charity intentions and impassioned debate, serves as a poignant reminder of the deeply entrenched sentiments in west Wales.

As the fundraiser continues to gain momentum, the event’s aftermath is likely to be a subject of local conversation for a while.

A poster by Stand Up To Racism attempting to gather support against the charity walk (Facebook)

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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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. Despite these measures, the terminal remains overwhelmed by the volume of traffic.

From our position at the terminal, we have captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion. The atmosphere is one of both frustration and resilience as passengers await their departures.

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)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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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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Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

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THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

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