News
OGI extends its partnership with Haverfordwest County AFC
OGI has extended its partnership with Haverfordwest County AFC ahead of the 2024-25 football season.
The new deal sees the original stadium naming rights agreement announced in 2021 extended, with the Welsh telco also becoming the club’s official connectivity partner.
Known as the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium for three years by now, the name changed as engineering work began on Ogi’s new full fibre network in Pembrokeshire. Now able to service around a third of the county, Ogi’s invested millions in its regional rollout, employing locally and supporting community groups with grants and volunteering days during that time too.
Extending the partnership, Ogi will also offer the county team a new dedicated gigabit-capable full fibre line, helping the club improve connectivity at the stadium, including a more stable connection for broadcasters such as S4C.
Commenting on the news, Brand Marketing Director, Sarah Vining, said: “We’re delighted to be extending our links with Haverfordwest County AFC through our stadium sponsorship.
“It’s been an exciting few years for the club who narrowly missed out in the qualifying stages of the UEFA Europa Conference League back in 2023, and for Ogi too, as we’ve worked to upgrade communities from Haverfordwest to Milford Haven with our full fibre rollout.
“We believe in putting communities at the heart of what we do, a value I know is shared by the team at Haverfordwest County – and one of the main reasons we want to continue our support for the club into the new season. C’mon the Bluebirds!”
The men’s first team finished seventh in the Cymru Premier Leage last season [2023-24], with new leadership at the club now looking to expand its squads, including new women and girl’s teams with the ambition to create ladies first team in the future.
Speaking about the partnership, club Chief Executive Officer, Beccy Nuttall, said: “Partnerships like the one we have with Ogi are so important to football in this region and to enabling our future growth. We, just like Ogi, put a real emphasis on our local community – working in partnership where we can.
“The Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium is a home away from home for supporters and visitors and I’m thrilled to see the Ogi continuing their partnership with us, through not only the stadium name, but their commitment to community as well – a commitment we at Haverfordwest County share too!”
As part of the extended partnership, Ogi will receive branding rights across the stadium site, along with space for hospitality, and accreditation as an ‘Official Partner’.
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
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
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
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.
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