Community

Ginkgo tree planted in Pembroke Dock rekindles historic link with Japan

Published

1 year ago

April 22, 2025

A SMALL tree with a remarkable legacy has been planted at the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, strengthening a unique 138-year connection between the town and Japan.

The sapling, a descendant of the ancient Ginkgo tree that towers above the Royal Dockyard, now stands proudly in the grounds of the former Dockyard Chapel, which houses the Heritage Centre.

At a ceremony on Thursday (Apr 17), the sapling was planted by Mr Masaki Ikegami, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United Kingdom. He was joined by Captain Shuzo Homma, Naval Attaché at the Japanese Embassy, and welcomed by invited guests, trustees of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust, and centre volunteers.

The original Ginkgo tree grows in the garden of the historic Master Shipwright’s House nearby. It was presented to the town in 1877 to commemorate the launch of the Armoured Corvette Hiei—one of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s first modern warships, built at a private yard at Jacob’s Pill, Pennar, and modelled on British naval designs. Its launch was a major event, attended by the Japanese Ambassador to the UK at the time.

In recent years, saplings from the original tree have been propagated at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Some have been returned to Japan, where they now grow at naval bases and at a shrine honouring Admiral Heihachiro Togo. As a young lieutenant, Togo lived in Pembroke Dock during the construction of Hiei.

Guests were welcomed by Heritage Trust Patron John Evans and Chairman Rik Saldanha. Attendees included the Deputy Lieutenant of Dyfed, Professor Patricia Mawuli Porter; Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Steve Alderman; Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Councillor Maria Williams; Senedd Member Sam Kurtz; Ayshea Cunniffe-Thomas of the National Botanic Garden of Wales; and Simon Richards, who shared fascinating insights into the Ginkgo tree—one of the oldest species on Earth, dating back to the age of dinosaurs.

Also present was Mrs Margaret James, widow of the late maritime historian David James, whose extensive research documented the naval ties between Japan and Pembroke Dock. She was accompanied by her son, Adrian.

A poignant connection to Japan was represented by Mrs Yoriko Omae, originally from Hiroshima, who assisted David James in commemorating Japanese sailors buried in Pembrokeshire and recently retired from her role at Pembroke Dock Library.

Following the planting ceremony, guests were invited to the Master Shipwright’s House by owners Stewart and Angela Walton to view the original Ginkgo tree.

Mr Masaki Ikegami and Captain Shuzo Homma from the Japanese Embassy pictured by the Ginkgo tree in the grounds of the Master Shipwright’s House with the owner, Mr Stewart Walton (left), and Rik Saldanha and John Evans of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust. *(Picture: Martin Cavaney Photography)*

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

3 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

Published

8 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

13 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.