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Haverfordwest Riverside project including new footbridge to proceed

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AN EXTRAORDINARY meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved the tender of improvements to Haverfordwest’s Riverside.

The plans include the controversial new footbridge to connect the town centre to Haverfordwest Castle.
Last week, the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee called in the proposals at the behest of the Conservative Group and the IPG.

The Committee asked the Cabinet to provide further details about the cost of proceeding with the scheme and its potential financial impact on the Council’s revenue budget.

Deputy Leader Paul Miller chaired the meeting in Cllr David Simpson’s absence on annual leave. He immediately deferred to Darren Thomas, the Council’s Director of Transport and the Environment, to update the Cabinet with the information the Committee requested.

Mr Thomas confirmed the completion of the tender process and that the Walters Group would undertake the project on a fixed-price contract worth approximately £5.2m.

That sum includes considerable other works apart from the so-called “Instagrammable bridge”.
The contract’s scheduled completion date is March 31, 2025.

In 2021, Pembrokeshire County Council was awarded £17,700,266 from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) to complete the Heart of Pembrokeshire project.

The Heart of Pembrokeshire Project is an extremely complex, multi-package project that will take place in and around Haverfordwest Castle, an ancient scheduled monument.

The grant awarded for the Signature Bridge element of the Heart of Pembrokeshire project is £5,119,383, and the Council must contribute 10% through match funding towards the project cost.

Based on the full grant awarded for the bridge element, the Council must contribute £568,820.

Mr Thomas explained to the Cabinet that there were structural issues with the existing footbridge crossing the Cleddau River as it flowed through Haverfordwest Town Centre.

Those issues were chronic, and the cost of maintaining the existing crossing – or even wholly replacing it without funding – was a drain on scarce resources that exceeded the Council’s contribution to the new bridge’s construction.

Darren Thomas reported the existing bridge’s limited lifespan made ongoing repairs uneconomic, while a like-for-like replacement would cost more than the contribution towards the new bridge’s construction. Repairing and protecting the existing bridge would mean its closure for an extended period for maintenance.

Cllr Alec Cormack, the Cabinet Member for Finance, said that if the investment did not represent value for money, he would not support it. He continued saying that as he supported the project, it followed that he thought it was good value for money.

Cllr Jon Harvey said that the regeneration of the County’s town centres should’ve taken place years ago. He commended the current administration’s commitment to ensuring that jobs left undone for too long were completed.

Cllr Rhys Sinnett echoed Cllr Harvey’s remarks, observing that town centres had declined and that regenerating them, encouraging increased footfall, and building fresh infrastructure was essential to help maintain them.

Paul Miller said that if the choices and projects were easy, the private sector would have undertaken the projects and completed them. In the absence of private investment, Cllr Miller said the Council had a choice between stepping back and doing nothing or acting decisively to arrest long-standing underinvestment in public spaces.

The Cabinet, he continued, had a clear strategic vision for Haverfordwest and was undertaking several projects to regenerate its town centre and others.

The Council won funding for regenerating Haverfordwest in competition and secured 90% funding from the UK Government to enable it to do so.

The Cabinet approved the tender unanimously, and Walters Group is expected to start work on the improvements soon.

Rusty condition of existing footbridge (Pic PCC)

 

Community

Kurtz welcomes £4.3m National Lottery boost for local communities

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SAMUEL Kurtz MS has welcomed more than £4.3 million in National Lottery funding awarded to community projects across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2021.

Figures released by The National Lottery Community Fund show that £4,318,484 has been distributed through 122 grants in the constituency since the 2021/22 financial year, the same year Mr Kurtz was elected.

The funding has supported a wide range of grassroots charities, voluntary organisations and community groups through programmes including National Lottery Awards for All, offering grants of up to £20,000, and People and Places, which provides larger awards of up to £500,000.

Projects backed locally include mental health support for young people, environmental and sustainability initiatives, community workshops, outdoor wellbeing activities, support for vulnerable adults, and programmes aimed at building skills and confidence.

Among the organisations to benefit is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which received £343,584 for its Routes to Discovery project, helping improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible outdoor activities.

St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility was awarded £398,078 to deliver its Plant Dewi: Strengthening our Communities initiative, supporting families and local groups.

Other recipients include The VC Gallery, Redberth Croft CIC, The Tenby Project CIC and Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners, with funding supporting projects ranging from food initiatives and nature-based wellbeing to volunteering and environmental action.

Mr Kurtz said: “Community groups and charities across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire do incredible work supporting people and strengthening local communities.

“It is fantastic to see more than £4.3 million of National Lottery funding invested in projects that are improving wellbeing, tackling isolation and creating opportunities for people of all ages during my time in office.

“The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our area, and this funding is helping organisations deliver projects that bring people together and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in Wales, supporting initiatives that bring communities together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and improve health and wellbeing.

Organisations across Wales can apply for funding through the Awards for All and People and Places programmes to support projects that matter most to their communities.

Further information is available on The National Lottery Community Fund website.

 

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Cymraeg

National Eisteddfod unveils legacy framework to boost Welsh language and communities

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A NEW national framework aimed at securing a lasting legacy from the National Eisteddfod has been published jointly by the festival’s organisers and the Welsh Government.

The plan sets out how the Eisteddfod’s impact will be strengthened before, during and after each annual event, bringing together partners from across education, community development, culture, the economy and the Welsh language sector.

While each Eisteddfod reflects the identity of its host community, the framework aims to ensure long-term benefits are consistently delivered nationwide, rather than limited to the festival period.

The legacy programme will cover a wide range of areas including education, inclusion, digital innovation, volunteering and economic development, with new national and local structures designed to coordinate delivery more effectively.

A national project board will oversee the strategy, setting direction and sharing best practice year-on-year. At a local level, a steering group will drive community-based work, helping turn the Eisteddfod into a catalyst for lasting change.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford said the festival’s impact goes far beyond a single week.

“The Eisteddfod is far more than a week-long festival. It is a multi-year project that leaves a lasting legacy for the Welsh language and culture in the area,” he said.

“By bringing together partners from across key sectors, this framework will help deliver real and lasting change for our communities and support our ambition of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

Nic Parry, President of the Eisteddfod Court and Chair of its Management Board, said the framework strengthens collaboration at both local and national level.

“It allows us to deliver on a long-held ambition to drive language planning through the lens of the National Eisteddfod,” he said.

“It also positions the Eisteddfod as a powerful tool for boosting local economies and supporting sustainable communities for future generations.”

Further details are expected later this year, with membership of the national project board due to be confirmed by mid-June.

A dedicated session at this year’s Eisteddfod will also gather evidence from the 2026 host area to help shape future plans for 2027 and 2028.

More information is available via the Eisteddfod’s legacy framework online.

 

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Community

Former Neyland police officer Louis Knight dies aged 83

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Tributes pour in for former Neyland officer remembered as a “true gentleman” and “local legend”

A FORMER Neyland police officer remembered as a “true gentleman” and “local legend” has died at the age of 83, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across Pembrokeshire.

Louis Knight, of Neyland Hill, Neyland, passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest on Thursday (Mar 5).

Mr Knight, who served as a police officer in the area for many years, was a familiar and respected figure in Neyland and beyond. In the hours following the announcement of his death, hundreds of messages flooded social media, painting a picture of a man whose impact stretched far beyond his time in uniform.

Many described him simply as “one of the best,” while others called him “a proper local legend” and “a tremendous police officer.”

One resident wrote: “A face and name I will never forget from my youth.”

Another said: “He was a tremendous police officer… a kick up the backside and a word was enough. It stayed with you.”

Others remembered his warmth and humour away from policing.

“He always had a story to tell on the way home in the taxi,” one tribute read, while another added: “Every time you asked him how he was, the answer was always ‘bloody marvellous.’”

Many spoke of his kindness and the time he gave to people.

“Louis was one of the most kindest gentlemen around. Always made time to chat,” one message said.

Another added: “Neyland won’t be the same again.”

While some reflected fondly on a different era of policing, what came through most strongly was the respect Mr Knight earned within his community — something repeatedly highlighted in tributes from those who knew him as children, neighbours, and later as adults.

Mr Knight was the beloved husband of the late Angela, devoted father of Andrew and Alison, and adored father-in-law of Frank. He was also a loving grandfather to Michelle and Laura, and a cherished brother of Jennifer, Charles and Richard.

His family said he was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The funeral service will take place on Wednesday (Apr 1) at 11:30am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Louis, if desired, are for Ward 8 at Withybush Hospital and may be sent directly to the ward at SA61 2PZ.

All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd, Funeral Directors, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven (01646 693180).

Photo caption:

PC Louis Knight pictured during a Royal Visit, engaging with local children — a familiar sight in Neyland for many years (Pic: Supplied).

 

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