News
Peter Morgan was Pembrokeshire’s rugby hero and dedicated councillor
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PEMBROKESHIRE is mourning the loss of one of its most distinguished sons, Peter Morgan, who passed away at 65 after a courageous battle with a brain tumour. Morgan, celebrated both for his prowess on the rugby field and his steadfast service to the local community, leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered for generations.
Peter John Morgan was born on January 1, 1959, at The County Hospital in Haverfordwest. From his early years, he exhibited a natural athleticism that set him apart. His talent shone brightly at the local County Secondary School, where he excelled under the guidance of sports master Peter Herbert. Herbert, himself a future fitness coach for Llanelli and Wales, recognised Morgan’s potential early on.
Morgan’s rugby career began with a bang, breaking into the Wales squad as a teenager. His versatility on the field was unmatched, playing in every three-quarter position for both Wales and the British Lions. His first Welsh youth cap came in 1977 at St Helen’s, Swansea, against a formidable France side featuring Serge Blanco. Despite a broken ankle curtailing his progress the following season, Morgan’s resilience saw him bounce back stronger.
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Peter Morgan’s rise in rugby was meteoric. He was part of the 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa, an experience that marked him as a player of significant promise. The tour was marred by controversy due to the apartheid regime, but Morgan’s performances were a testament to his skill and dedication. Carwyn James, the legendary Lions coach, praised Morgan’s talent, lamenting that he was underutilised during the tour.
Morgan’s club career with Llanelli was equally illustrious. He famously captained the team to victory over Australia in 1984, a remarkable feat given the absence of several internationals preparing for a Wales test match. His partnership with Ray Gravell was lauded as world-class, and the victory over the Grand Slam-winning Wallabies remains a highlight in Llanelli’s storied history.
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Despite his rugby success, Morgan was not one to rest on his laurels. He transitioned smoothly into local politics, becoming The Havens’ independent councillor for 16 years. His commitment to his constituents was unwavering. Known for his compassionate and pragmatic approach, Morgan served as both chair and vice-chair of Pembrokeshire County Council and was a key member of various committees, including planning and corporate governance.
Peter Morgan’s dedication to Pembrokeshire extended beyond politics. He was instrumental in modernising the sea defences at Little Haven, a project that safeguarded the village against increasingly severe storms. His involvement in the local community was comprehensive, from running the family shop and post office in Little Haven to serving as an auxiliary coastguard and lifeboat crew member.
In his personal life, Morgan was a devoted family man. He met his wife, Helen, through his rugby career, and they built a life together in Little Haven, raising two daughters, Nia and Lowri. Despite his health challenges, including a stroke in 2012 and his battle with cancer, Morgan remained a pillar of strength for his family. His recent attendance at Lowri’s wedding, despite his illness, was a poignant testament to his enduring spirit.
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Morgan’s contributions to rugby were recognised with the Sport Pembrokeshire Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. His impact on the sport was profound, not just for his on-field achievements but for the inspiration he provided to countless young athletes in Pembrokeshire and beyond.
Peter Morgan’s life was one of remarkable achievements, from his early days on the rugby fields of Pembrokeshire to his later years as a dedicated public servant. His passing is a significant loss to the community he served so diligently, but his legacy will continue to inspire and guide those who follow in his footsteps.
Peter Morgan is survived by his wife Helen, daughters Nia and Lowri, and grandchildren Seren and Dewi. The community extends its deepest condolences to his family, honouring the memory of a true Pembrokeshire hero.
Business
Ultrafast upgrades strengthening Pembrokeshire’s digital connectivity
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Openreach’s latest plans to upgrade current broadband to ultrafast connectivity for eligible homes and businesses around Broadhaven, Carew, Dale, Dinas Cross, Lamphey and Monorbier could soon get underway with the support of the UK Government’s Gigabit Voucher scheme.
Openreach has plans for six areas in the county that are in scope for full fibre broadband and eligible residents have already started to pledge Gigabit Vouchers to bring the ultrafast broadband to these communities by applying for and pooling together their free UK Government Gigabit Vouchers to help fund the build.
The broadband upgrades are integral to kickstarting economic growth for local businesses, as well as ensuring that people can access vital services they may need now and in the future. Such as patients improved access to healthcare through virtual appointments and remote health monitoring, to better connectivity that allows people to stay in touch with family and friends to combat isolation.
Ultrafast broadband delivers faster speeds, and it won’t slow down at peak times, meaning no more battling for bandwidth, with the whole family being able to seamlessly surf, stream and download at the same time.
For the work to go ahead, Openreach need the approximate number of properties in scope to sign up, which is 4,900. In the short space of time where the pledge system has been open, the response has been incredibly positive with the current number of pledges towards the funding goal standing at:
- Broadhaven 64%
- Carew 38%
- Dale 49%
- Dinas Cross 84%
- Lamphey 96%
- Manorbier 32%
Residents can check if they qualify and pledge their voucher on the Connect My Community website.
The decision on the fibre infrastructure build, the scope of premises covered, and the timeline are all subject to technical surveys, as well as the number of vouches pledged by the community.
The validated vouchers do not bear any cost to residents and sufficient take up will enable Openreach to work with a local community to build a customised, co-funded network. The vouchers can be combined to extend the ultrafast, ultra-reliable network to premises in outlying rural areas which won’t be covered by private investment.
Martin Williams, Director of Partnerships for Openreach in Wales, said: “We understand the crucial role that reliable broadband plays in enabling homeworking and supporting businesses in Pembrokeshire. These community partnership schemes offer a fantastic opportunity for communities to access government funding. Combined with Openreach’s investment, this funding can transform broadband infrastructure into ultra-fast, ultra-reliable fibre to the premises”.
Once the pledge target for the scheme is reached, residents need to ensure they then validate their vouchers with the Government so that Openreach can confirm that building work can get underway.
As part of the funding conditions residents are asked to commit to ordering a full fibre service from a provider of their choice for at least 12-months once the new network is available and confirm that they are connected.
Cllr Paul Miller: Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said:”Thanks to this scheme, we’re thrilled to see the six areas in Pembrokeshire receive even greater broadband coverage.
“This will help to bridge the digital divide and ensure those residents have access to the critical tools they need to succeed in today’s economy. Pembrokeshire County Council is committed to supporting this voucher scheme – and I look forward to seeing further communities across Pembrokeshire reach even greater levels of connectivity.”
Full fibre networks provide more reliable, resilient, and future-proof connectivity; meaning fewer faults; more predictable, consistent speeds and enough capacity to easily meet growing data demands. It is also future proof, which means it will serve generations to come and will not need to be upgraded for decades.
If you live in Pembrokeshire and have any questions about the voucher scheme Visit Openreach’s website for more information on Openreach fibre broadband.
News
Haverfordwest County AFC Women and Girls celebrate a successful open day
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HAVERFORDWEST COUNTY AFC Women and Girls marked a milestone last Saturday (Aug 31), with the launch of their Girls Development Centre at a highly successful open day event. The sun shone brightly on a day packed with excitement, camaraderie, and, most importantly, brilliant football.
Girls’ teams from across age groups took to the pitch in friendly matches, delivering standout performances that thrilled spectators throughout the day. Local boys’ teams also participated, adding to the spirit of community and competition. The club expressed their gratitude to the boys’ teams for their sportsmanship and the entertaining football displayed.
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A special mention was given to the following clubs for their contribution to the day’s matches:
- Camrose Football Club and Prendergast Villa AFC for the Under-10 girls’ games
- Clarbeston Road AFC and Narberth AFC for the Under-12 girls’ matches
- Johnston FC for the Under-13 fixture
- Goodwick United FC for the Under-14/16 matches
Spectators were treated to a fantastic display of football from all the teams involved, with the club praising the impeccable behaviour and sportsmanship of everyone who took part. The atmosphere was electric, and the games were a joy to watch, with supporters commenting on the high standard of play across the board.
The success of the event extended beyond the pitch, thanks to the contributions of local businesses. Pembrokeshire & West Wales Bouncy Castles provided inflatables, keeping the younger attendees entertained, while Pure West Radio’s Darren was on hand to provide music throughout the day. In addition, Princes Gate Water generously donated refreshments to keep all the players hydrated, and face painting, ice cream, and hot food added to the festivities, creating a carnival-like atmosphere.
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The club also gave heartfelt thanks to their fundraising team for their hard work in organising the event, collecting raffle prizes, and ensuring the day ran smoothly. A separate post will acknowledge the local businesses that contributed raffle prizes, demonstrating the strong community spirit that underpinned the day.
First-team players Alaric Jones and Zac Jones were in attendance, showing their support for the girls in the morning, while several U13 boys academy players, including Zach, Owain, Bobby, and Iestyn, assisted throughout the day.
Coaches Arron Thomas, Rhys Mansell, Imi Scourfield, Leanne Jones, Martyn Lewis, and Gareth Owens were recognised for their dedication and commitment to developing the girls, with the club commenting on the remarkable progress made in such a short time.
Haverfordwest County AFC Women and Girls are looking forward to an exciting future, with this event marking just the beginning of their journey. A special thanks was extended to all involved, with the club noting that the future looks bright for the development of girls’ football in Pembrokeshire.
News
Vandalism strikes Solva AFC, damaging junior football goals
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SOLVA AFC has been left reeling after vandals targeted the club’s junior football pitches, causing significant damage to all of the goals. The incident, which occurred overnight, has prompted the club to issue a public appeal for information and left the local community outraged.
The damage was discovered on the pitches near the road, where the goals for the junior teams had been vandalised. The club quickly took to social media to alert the public and to encourage anyone with information to come forward, using police reference DP-20240907-163.
Shaun Barcoe, a local resident, expressed his frustration on the club’s post, highlighting that similar incidents have happened at other local football clubs, including Milford Athletic FC. He noted that although catching the culprit may not undo the damage, he hoped the club could resolve the situation swiftly.
Many other community members shared their disappointment and anger. Heidi Holland, a dedicated volunteer, expressed her sadness, noting how much effort volunteers put into creating a welcoming environment for children and young people. She urged the responsible party to come forward and offer to cover the costs of the damage, so the junior teams wouldn’t suffer due to “a random act of silliness.”
Further concern was raised by local resident Nicola Schoenenberger, who reported seeing police near the football club around 2am with searchlights and a drone. This information was passed on to the authorities, who are actively investigating the incident.
Susan Williams, another local, called the act “spiteful,” expressing her sadness that the children who enjoy playing football are being affected by such mindless vandalism. Others, like Luke Phillips, were hopeful that the shop’s CCTV footage would help identify the individuals responsible.
The police are currently reviewing the evidence, and Solva A.F.C. is urging anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the area to come forward. The community remains hopeful that those responsible will be caught and held accountable for their actions.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the police or reach out to club officials directly.
For further details or to report any information related to this incident, please contact the police using reference number DP-20240907-163
![](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/dam2-819x1024.jpg)
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