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Haverfordwest to witness major protest against UK support for Israel

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A SIGNIFICANT demonstration is scheduled to take place this Saturday in Haverfordwest, where protesters will gather to demand the UK government cease its support for what they describe as Israel’s “genocide on Gaza”. The protest, organized by Stop The War Pembrokeshire and Solidarity with Palestine Pembrokeshire, is part of a series of nationwide rallies.

The demonstration will commence at 2 pm on the Old Bridge, proceeding through Bridge Street and culminating at local MP Stephen Crabb’s Constituency office on Upper Market Street for speeches.

These rallies are a continuation of numerous demonstrations across the UK since the onset of the Gaza conflict, with national protests in London attracting up to one million participants.

Escalating Violence in Gaza: A Humanitarian Crisis

The organisers expressed urgency in joining voices against “Israel’s unfolding war crimes against Palestine,” highlighting the rising death toll and destruction in Gaza since October 7. Reports indicate over 18,000 Palestinians, including 20,000 children, have been killed, and 50,000 injured. The UN Relief and Workers Agency reports nearly 1.9 million Palestinians displaced, with over 7,729 children, 5,133 women, and 296 health workers among the dead. Additionally, 132 UN staff members have been killed in the conflict.

The situation in Gaza is described as dire, with widespread starvation, medical and sanitary supply shortages, and targeted attacks on journalists and their families. Recent weeks have also seen 272 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Protesters’ Demands and Global Response

The protest aims to pressure UK parliamentarians and the government to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urge Israel to lift the siege depriving Gaza’s people of essential resources.

Adam Johannes, a spokesperson for the Stop the War Coalition in Wales, emphasized the right of Palestinians to live freely, unburdened by military occupation and exile. According to a YouGov poll, while 76% of the public supports an immediate ceasefire, the majority of MPs oppose this call.

Afia Ahmed, a protester, condemned the global silence on the Gaza situation, demanding accountability and an end to the Israeli occupation.

Nine-year-old Aklimah Ahmed’s emotional plea highlighted the disproportionate impact on children, questioning the justification of such violence.

Regular vigils have been organized in Haverfordwest every Friday at 7.00 pm, with calls for a ceasefire remaining unheeded.

For further information on the upcoming demonstration, interested parties can refer to the event’s Facebook page or contact Patrick Connellan at 07973378394 for media inquiries.


Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

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THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

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Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

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A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

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Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

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Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.

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