News

New home secured for ‘spiky pair’ in Pembrokeshire countryside

Published

1 year ago

October 4, 2023

TWO HEDGEHOGS have been given a new lease of life in the Pembrokeshire countryside thanks to Bluestone National Resort and Pembrokeshire Hogspital.

The resort came to the rescue by releasing the hedgehogs at Black Pool Farm, near to its Black Pool Mill dining venue.

The pair had been rescued by the ‘hogspital’ when they were very young and were rehabilitated before being released.

Marten Lewis, Director of Sustainability at Bluestone and the resort’s Ranger Rob Mackeen, collected the them before releasing them.

“The two hedgehogs had been rescued when they were very young and once they reached one year old they needed to be reintroduced to the wild,” said Marten.

“Unfortunately, their original habitat was not suitable so we offered to release them into the countryside at Black Pool Farm which is close to the mill. It’s a natural environment for them and a perfect place to start their new lives.”

Marten and Rob collected the pair for Pembrokeshire Hogspital before taking them to the location for release.

“It was heart warming to see them wander off into the countryside. Hedgehogs are a vital part of our eco-diversity and we’re pleased we were able to help the hogspital with their vital work,” Rob said.

“We are committed to providing a safe environment for the hedgehogs and have dedicated areas where they will be nurtured and monitored on release to their natural habitat.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of this heart warming journey of rehabilitation and release.”

Ginny Batt of Pembrokeshire Hogspital, said: “In my lifetime hedgehog numbers have declined dramatically, from an estimated 35 million to less than 500,000 now. They will become extinct if we don’t do something to help them.

“It’s important to make our gardens accessible and hedgehog friendly, covering drains and holes in the ground, reducing the use of garden chemicals, and making sure ponds have exit slopes. Hedgehogs are also being affected by climate change, triggering them to hibernate later.

“This means baby hoglets may not survive the winter. Putting out food all year around saves lives. If you see them out in the daytime, if they are lethargic, being harmed by birds, dogs or people, please pick up the hedgehog with gloves or a towel, put it in a high sided box with a towel, and water, then contact your local rescue centre.”

Ginny added: “At Pembrokeshire Hogspital we take in over 200 hogs a year, with a small but dedicated team of volunteers. Funding and support from Bluestone has been invaluable, helping us with our Hogspital and to set up our South Pembs emergency centre, ‘Pennys Pit Stop’; purchasing equipment, medication and essential supplies. Bluestone also provides an ideal release site for homeless Hedgehogs. We are grateful for Bluestone’s support and hope the Hedgehogs released are behaving themselves, we look forward to news of hoglets in the spring.”

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

1 day ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.