News

Cabinet to vote on Lower Priory flood prevention scheme

Published

1 year ago

January 9, 2025

ON MONDAY, January 13, the County Council’s Cabinet will decide whether to make an application to the Welsh Government to fund works to reduce the risk of flooding at Lower Priory and Havens Head.

The proposed scheme focuses on the Havens Head culvert.

It is recommended that the Cabinet approve the application after spending time and money investigating the project’s viability.

If the Council’s application succeeds, it must part-fund the project from its capital budget.

***Emotional moment: Ian Bannister from Lower Priory clearly upset by the damage caused in a flood a few years back. He is speaking to the then MP Stephen Crabb (Pic: Herald)***

Lower Priory and Havens Head have suffered from extensive flooding in recent years. In 2018, a row erupted after heavy rainfall caused water levels to rise rapidly, threatening residential properties and businesses along the low-lying area of the partially reclaimed salt marsh and river valley. Milford Haven Port Authority, which had built over the former marshy area at Havens Head, was accused of being responsible for the damage after building over and tarmacking a substantial area of formerly tidal soakaway.

The Council and residents blamed the Port Authority. The Port Authority denied liability.

However, after the Port Authority invested in improved flood prevention and water attenuation measures, similar inundations have been avoided, despite several instances of even heavier rainfall than that which caused extensive flooding in 2018.

***The Priory Inn pub has flooded time and time again. (Pic Herald)***

Now, the Council proposes to step in with further measures to reduce the risk of flooding even further.

The estimated total cost of construction is £1,657,861. The total amount requested from the Welsh Government is £1,409,182, which amounts to 85% of the cost of construction.

Within its formal expression of interest, the Authority has requested £845,510 for the financial year 25/26 and £563,672 for the year 26/27.

If its application is successful, the Authority will be invited to apply for funding for the construction phase of the scheme through the Welsh government’s Flooding and Coastal Erosion Management grant stream.

The Welsh Government has supported the scheme to date, including fully funding the preparation of a Full Business Case and design stages. However, grant funding is not guaranteed, as the scheme will compete with other demands for funding from the same pot from other areas of Wales affected by flooding. Given that many of those other areas are more populous (and form part of Labour’s electoral core vote), the Welsh Government may choose to allocate resources to them instead of Milford Haven.

A sticking point for the current administration could be councillors’ preparedness to invest in capital projects. The Council’s Cabinet has received much criticism over its approach to capital projects, including some ill-informed and disingenuous posturing that suggests grant funds for building things can be used to fund services.

Whether councillors believe that putting the brakes on this potential capital project is justified depends on whether a majority of them think reducing the risk of flooding is worth the hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money that the Council must contribute to it if it proceeds.

News

Fatal crash appeal after driver dies on A44 near Aberystwyth

Published

41 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a driver died in a crash on the A44.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the collision happened at around 6:10pm on Tuesday (May 5) on the A44 between Capel Bangor and Goginan, near Aberystwyth

The crash involved a single vehicle, a white Volkswagen Golf, which was travelling eastbound towards Goginan when it left the carriageway.

Sadly, the driver died at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

Police confirmed there were no other passengers in the vehicle.

Officers are now asking anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have dashcam footage from the area at the time, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Charity

Milford Haven Beer Fest set for Bank Holiday return

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Festival promises live music, Welsh ales and community spirit at the waterfront

MILFORD HAVEN Beer Fest is set to return later this month, with organisers promising another packed day of live music, craft drinks and festival atmosphere.

The popular annual event will take place at Milford Waterfront on Saturday, May 23, inside the Ascona Group Marquee, with doors opening at 12:00pm.

Organisers say no advance tickets will be available, with entry operating on a first come, first served basis. Another sell-out is expected and early arrival is strongly advised.

A wide range of Welsh breweries and drinks producers will be represented, including Tenby Harbwr Brewery, Bluestone Brewing Company, Gethin’s Cider, Mantle Brewery, Gower Brewery and Core of the Poodle.

Tiny Rebel Brewery will also be serving lagers, IPAs and its new stout, Coal Drop, while Barti Rum will showcase its latest canned drinks. Prosecco and Pimm’s will also be available.

Entertainment throughout the day will be hosted by Pure West Radio, with headliners 4th Street returning to the waterfront.

The line-up also includes a DJ set from former Welsh rugby international and British and Irish Lion Josh Navidi, alongside performances from Steve Bartram, Big Chicken, Jake Taylor, Function 22 and Natalie O’Brien.

Festivalgoers will also be able to enjoy a street food zone featuring Grub Tacos, Junkyard Dogs and Reeves BBQ.

Community support

Nathan Rees, chairman of Milford Haven Round Table said: “The Beer Festival is a huge highlight for us – not just for the atmosphere, but for the impact it has.

“Every penny raised goes back into the community, funding events like our Carnival and Fireworks and supporting local causes.

“We’re also incredibly grateful to The Ascona Group for their continued sponsorship and to the Port of Milford Haven for their ongoing support as our Major Events Partner, as well as all the Beer Festival sponsors for 2026.”

Ticket information

Entry costs £25 and includes four drink tokens, a festival cup and live entertainment throughout the day.

Additional drink tokens will cost £2.50 each, with cash and card accepted.

The event is strictly over-18s only.

Organisers say there will be a 100 per cent bag search policy, with visitors strongly advised not to bring bags. Free water will be available, and dogs will not be allowed.

Charity

Pembroke Dock charity shop expands to support hospice care

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SHOP NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AFTER EXPANSION INTO ADJOINING UNIT

A CHARITY shop in Pembroke Dock has expanded into a neighbouring unit to help raise more money for local hospice care.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home has completed a knock-through at its shop in Bierspool, London Road, creating a larger retail space and allowing the charity to offer a wider range of items, including furniture.

The expanded shop was officially opened on Friday (May 1) by the outgoing Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Cllr Michelle Wiggins.

The shop team, led by Kelly Elliot and supported by volunteers, worked for several weeks to prepare the new-look store for customers.

Head of Retail Julia Brady welcomed guests at the opening, while the charity also thanked staff, volunteers and supporters who helped decorate and prepare the premises.

Special thanks were given to Gill at Pembroke Dock Tesco for donating treats for customers and staff on the day.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home operates nine retail shops and an eBay department. Income from donations and sales helps fund the charity’s clinical teams, who provide free specialist palliative care to patients and families across Pembrokeshire.

The charity says it costs £3,600 every day to deliver its free clinical services. Around 30% of that cost is funded through Hywel Dda Health Board, with the remainder raised through retail income, fundraising and community support.

The Pembroke Dock shop is now open seven days a week, giving people more opportunities to shop, donate and support local hospice care.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home was established in memory of Father Paul Sartori, a much-loved local priest who recognised the need for hospice care before his death from cancer at the age of 39.

The charity provides care for people with any life-limiting condition, not only cancer, and supports patients of all faiths and none. It operates an open referral system, with referrals accepted from patients, families, friends and healthcare professionals.

Paul Sartori Foundation Ltd operates under the name Paul Sartori Hospice at Home. The charity was registered in 1982 and will celebrate its 45th anniversary during 2027/2028.