News

Angle Community Council stands firm against proposed boundary changes

Published

4 months ago

August 19, 2024

AN EXTRAORDINARY meeting of the Angle Community Council was held last month, at the Village Hall, where councillors gathered to discuss the proposed boundary changes put forward by the Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales. The meeting saw the attendance of Councillors Williams, Ward, Stuckey, Lamport-Taylor, and Clerk M Newton, with Mrs J Lewis present as a member of the public. Apologies were received from Councillor Watkins.

The primary agenda item was the proposed merger of Angle and Hundleton councils, which would create a larger area to be named ‘Hundleton community.’ Under this proposal, Angle would become a ward of the new community, represented by only three councillors—a reduction from its current six. Hundleton, on the other hand, would see a reduction from eight to six councillors.

Councillors expressed significant concerns about the potential impact of these changes on the identity and representation of Angle. The proposed name change was seen as a threat to Angle’s historic identity, and the councillors voiced their unease about the distinct characteristics of the areas involved. Angle is a rural community, while Hundleton is more urban, which could lead to challenges in governance and representation.

The reduction in the number of councillors representing Angle was another major concern. With only three councillors proposed, there were fears that the community’s interests would not be adequately represented in the larger, more urbanised Hundleton community.

After thorough deliberation, the councillors unanimously agreed that the preferred option for Angle would be to maintain its current status as an independent council. However, recognising the possibility that this might not be feasible, they proposed an alternative course of action: a merger with Stackpole Castlemartin council, a suggestion initially made by Pembrokeshire County Council (PCC).

As a third option, the council considered a broader merger involving all councils on the peninsula—Angle, Hundleton, Stackpole, and Castlemartin—with a proposed new name for the area: ‘Penrhyn.’

The consensus was clear: the proposed merger with Hundleton was deemed unacceptable by all present. In preparation for the upcoming consultation deadline on 3rd September, the council resolved to take the following actions:

Arrange a meeting with representatives from Hundleton council and invite Stackpole Castlemartin to discuss the possibility of a jointly agreed merger.
Draft a response to the Boundary Commission, outlining Angle’s views and suggesting alternative proposals for the future of the community.

The meeting, held on July 24, concluded with a strong sense of unity among the councillors, all committed to preserving the identity and representation of Angle in the face of these proposed changes. Further updates are expected following the discussions with neighbouring councils and the formal submission to the Boundary Commission.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

20 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

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.