News

New Roman fort discovery hints at full integration of Wales into Roman Britain

Published

5 months ago

August 2, 2024

A PREVIOUSLY unknown Roman fort has been discovered in an overgrown field in north Pembrokeshire, suggesting a more militant history for west Wales and indicating that the region was fully integrated into Roman Britain.

The discovery was made by Dr Mark Merrony, a leading Roman specialist and tutor at Wolfson College, Oxford, while he was out on a bike ride. The exact location of the fort is being kept secret to protect the site from potential looters.

Dr Merrony began examining the site for Roman material to confirm his initial suspicions. “I wanted to find a particular roofing slate type, which tends to be hexagonal, with a long point,” he said. “Sticking out of the ground was a triangular piece that looked like a Roman roofing slate. I pulled it up and lo and behold, it’s an archetypal Roman roofing slate, an absolute peach. Flip it upside down and you can see underneath a diagonal line where it was grooved to fit into the one that was underneath it. It’s a real beauty.”

Estimated to be two to three hectares in size, the site would have housed around 500 soldiers during its prime. This finding supports the notion that Wales was completely integrated into Roman Britain, contradicting previous beliefs that only two forts existed in west Wales.

“There are more villas than we think and there are more forts than we think here in west Wales,” Dr Merrony stated. “I wouldn’t be surprised if there were at least another two, three, or even more forts that we just haven’t found yet. West Wales has been neglected, partly because there aren’t the resources to cover it. So the more archaeologists start looking, the more we can start to find.”

Dr Merrony believes the fort dates back to between the first and third centuries, a period when the Celtic Demetae tribe inhabited south-west Wales. This new find challenges the perception that the Demetae peacefully coexisted with Roman invaders. “The tribe, who were thought to have peacefully coexisted with the Roman invaders, weren’t probably as peaceful as we think they were,” Dr Merrony explained.

The fort’s form and scale are similar to Pembrokeshire’s only other known Roman fort, which was excavated at Wiston near Haverfordwest in 2013. Both forts are now believed to be linked to a previously unknown Roman road network.

Despite some local criticism and fears that treasure hunters might be attracted to the site, Dr Merrony reassured the community by stating, “I haven’t said where it is. They’re assuming it’s somewhere that it’s not. They might find some rusty nails for the roofing slates. This is a pretty hardcore military site.”

The fort is being hailed as a site of national importance, but its location will not be disclosed to the public until a geophysical survey is carried out to validate the discovery. This will be followed by potential excavation to further explore the site.

This significant discovery not only enhances our understanding of Roman military presence in Wales but also underscores the importance of continued archaeological exploration in uncovering the rich history of the region.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

10 hours 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

17 hours 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

18 hours 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.