News

Sea freight makes welcome return

Published

11 years ago

October 28, 2013

WEST Wales used to benefit from busy sea freight ports. Cardigan was one of the main cargo shipping ports in the UK, with memories still fresh of the economic ripples locally.
However, it has been hard to find anything we can import or export by sea for a sustainable local economy untiL now.
Pembrokeshire Bioenergy has started shipping wood pellets for heating from Scotland. The first shipment of 2,500 tons docked in Avonmouth and the company will deliver pellets to the south west of England and Wales. Only last week they also got a new contract to supply the NHS with their central heating pellet fuel.
Pellets are made of sawdust, compacted through heat, they are a wood fuel that can flow along pipes and be controlled electronically and remotely. They are incredibly energy dense, with quality tightly regulated.
PBE (Pembrokeshire Bioenergy) has attained a high environmental standard which enables it to guarantee the standard and consistency of its fuel, which is important as it is the sole central heating fuel for many Pembrokeshire businesses and households.
From its start as the fuel supplier for Bluestone holiday resort in 2003, it has grown into three linked businesses. One produces crops to become fuel, another retails the product and a third sells heat, it is an energy supply company or ESco.
Dai Rogers of PBE explains why the company has started shipping its materials: “Winning contracts into south Wales and the west of England presented a problem. Transporting bio fuel by road is not green, it undermines the carbon savings, and it is expensive”.
PBE chose not to import from the continent but to buy from Wales and neighbouring producers in Scotland and Ireland.
葬With supplies stored in Pembrokeshire and arriving in Avonmouth, our four specialised delivery vehicles can deliver on both laps of the journey south. Each ship load saves us and the planet 92,000 road miles.” said Dai.
PBE works with the Pembrokeshire Machinery Ring to share administration. It is through co-operation and the use of the resources on our doorstep, like the sea, that the company is keeping ahead of the better financed but less resourceful competition.

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.