Community
St Davids public toilets saved from closure as city steps in
A CALL for St Davids to take over the responsibility of a public toilet in the city has been given the go-ahead by senior councillors.
St Davids City Council had called for a freehold transfer of the public convenience at Bryn Road, a toilet listed to be closed following a 2023 Cabinet decision, unless a community asset transfer was agreed or a funding stream identified.
A report for members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet meeting of April 28, said discussions had been ongoing between the council and St Davids City Council (SDCC) since then, St Davids not wanting the facility to close.
“The option of either funding PCC to continue with the facility or undergoing a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) to run the facility themselves were explored, with SDCC agreeing to a transfer but on the proviso that it was on the basis of an unrestricted freehold transfer rather than a long term lease which should be the usual offering for CATs although a transfer of the freehold can also be agreed in exceptional cases,” the report said.
It added: “This request has been made as the land was originally transferred (at no cost) to Haverfordwest Rural District Council (now PCC) by St Davids Parish Council on April 6, 1972. SDCC have rejected a CAT and to date rejected a transfer of the freehold subject to a restriction to continue use of the property as a public convenience on the basis that the land was transferred to Haverfordwest District Council at nil consideration without restriction.”
It went on to say: “SDCC are happy to continue providing a toilet from this site, however the City Council have requested an unrestricted freehold transfer of this property which will allow them to close the facility and use the building for alternative purposes if they wish. As this disposal would be at an ‘undervalue’ to the council, somewhere in the region of £30,000 to £60,000 Cabinet approval is required.”
It concluded: “The risk to PCC is that we gift the property back to SDCC without restriction and they then close the WC facility and sell the property on for a profit. However, SDCC say they have no intention of doing this, certainly in the short / medium term and are therefore happy to add in a covenant which does not allow any sale of the property without the consent of PCC for the next 10 years which is considered reasonable to enable both parties to achieve their well-being goals.”
Cabinet members backed a recommendation to dispose of the facilities at an undervalue with the restriction that SDCC would not be able to dispose of the asset within the next 10 years without the consent of the county council.
Community
Second Milford Haven webcam launched after 1.3m views and US TV feature
Twin live feeds from Herald roof now showcase both marina and Milford Haven Waterway
A SECOND live webcam overlooking Milford Haven has gone live from the roof of 11 Hamilton Terrace — home of The Pembrokeshire Herald — expanding the town’s growing global digital footprint.
The original harbour-facing camera, streamed worldwide via EarthCam, has already clocked up more than 1,300,000 views. It even featured on ABC News in the United States, where the Milford Haven view was broadcast live ahead of a national weather forecast.
That first stream — listed on EarthCam as “Wales Waterway” — looks across Milford Marina and the busy lower reaches of the Haven, capturing ferry departures, commercial shipping, leisure craft and the changing light across the Pembrokeshire skyline.
Now, a second camera has been added, offering a complementary perspective further up the Milford Haven Waterway towards the Cleddau.
A global window on Wales’ largest port
The new feed captures daily activity along the largest port in Wales — from the twice-daily Wales–Ireland ferry sailings to petroleum, oil and gas tankers moving more than 60 million tonnes of cargo each year. Thousands of smaller vessels, from yachts to powerboats, also pass through the Waterway annually.
Together, the two cameras provide twin live perspectives of one of the UK’s most strategically significant maritime corridors.

As dawn broke over Milford Haven this morning, the Waterway lay still beneath a clear sky, the first light spilling across rooftops and masts before stretching out over the wide expanse of the Haven.
From the vantage point of Hamilton Terrace, the scene felt both intimate and expansive — a quiet town waking gently while a major working port prepared for another day of movement and industry.
It is moments like these that help explain the worldwide appeal of the EarthCam streams. Viewers tuning in from across the UK, Europe and North America are not simply watching ships pass; they are witnessing the rhythm of tide and trade, the sweep of weather systems, and the subtle beauty of West Wales unfolding in real time.
From dramatic winter steam plumes rising from power station chimneys to calm summer sunsets over the marina, Milford Haven’s live feeds have become a constantly changing digital canvas.
Watch live
Original harbour view (1.3 million+ views):
https://www.earthcam.com/world/uk/wales/?cam=waleswaterway
New up-the-Waterway view:
https://www.earthcam.com/world/uk/wales/?cam=waleswaterway2
The Herald hopes the second camera will prove just as popular — continuing to put Milford Haven on the global map, one sunrise at a time.

Community
Young people shine at Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards
YOUNG people from across the county were recognised for their courage, talent and community spirit at this year’s Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards.
The fourth annual celebration, organised by Pembrokeshire Youth, the Children and Young People’s Rights Office and Pembrokeshire County Council Children’s Services, honours children and young people who achieve exceptional things and make a real difference in their communities.
Originally planned for November, the event was postponed due to severe weather but successfully went ahead on Thursday (Feb 6) at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, thanks to support from sponsors BAM Nuttall, Milford Haven Port Authority, Pure West Radio and Ascona Group.
Councillor Marc Tierney, Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Wellbeing of Future Generations, praised those taking part.
He said: “It was a privilege to hear how our young people have triumphed within their own lives and within their communities. Huge thanks go to the organisers and sponsors who made this celebration possible.”
Chair of council Cllr Maureen Bowen added: “The evening was a joy to attend. It highlighted the incredible talent of Pembrokeshire’s young people and gave real hope for the future of the county.”
The ceremony opened with a video message from First Minister Eluned Morgan, who offered her congratulations despite being unable to attend in person.
Award winners
Among those recognised on the night were:
- Welsh Language – Emma Nicholas
- Fundraising – Ben Stanton (winner); Jack Gray and Milford Haven Youth Council (runners up)
- EcoChampion – Tomos Roberts
- Achieving Positive Change – Alfie Harper (winner); Amber Allerton and Thomas John
- Arts – Dawn Clark (winner); LillieMai Radcliffe and Kali Flux
- Education – Yuliia Bedyk and Andrii Volkov (joint winners); Courtney Waugh and Leo Credland
- Making a Difference in the Community – Off The Streets Youth Forum (winner); Megan Mathias, Kyra Mottram, Lexi Jenkins and Pembrokeshire Youth Assembly
- Most Inspiring Story – Kai Williams (winner); Carly Sharif, Caitlin Griffith and Berat Sahin
- Music – Dylan Harwood (winner); Toby Draper and the cast of Bugsy Malone 2025 – Ysgol Harri Tudur
- Sports – Samantha Barton (winner); Mary Falconer, Alannah Field and Destiny John
- Voice – Young Voices for Choices Youth Forum
- Young Leader/Peer Mentor – Caiden Meacham (winner); Amélie Houghton and Brooke Jenkins-McNamara
Overall Spotlight Award
The top honour went to the We Know Our Journey Youth Project, a collaboration between the You Should Know Girls Project and His Path His Journey Boys Project.
The group was recognised for promoting inclusion, challenging harmful attitudes and encouraging open conversations around violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and men’s mental health.
Members organised the countywide “Men Make It Safe” event and raised £1,600 for local mental health and domestic abuse charities through a sea swim and a 10k run involving 24 young participants.
Judges said the project demonstrated the powerful role young people can play in creating positive change.
Thanks and support
Organisers thanked presenters, nominators, performers and supporters, along with staff at Pembrokeshire College and event leads Nadine Farmer, Bethany Roberts, Nicky Edwards and Angie Moore. Businesses including National Grid, Princes Gate, Tan y Castell, Greggs and The Vine also backed the evening.
More information is available via the Children and Young People’s Rights Office social media pages.
Community
Museum acquires rare Tudor gold ring for collection
Valero donation helps secure historic ‘Memento Mori’ treasure found near Uzmaston
A RARE Tudor gold ring dating back more than four centuries has been added to the collection at Haverfordwest Town Museum, thanks to a donation from Valero Pembroke Refinery.
The 6.38-gram gold ring was discovered by a metal detectorist at Uzmaston and Boulston in 2021 and has since been formally declared treasure.

Stylistically dated to between 1550 and 1650, the ring bears the inscription ‘Memento Mori’ – the Latin phrase meaning ‘Remember you must die’ – alongside a small skull motif filled with cross-hatched detailing. Such rings were commonly worn during the Tudor and early Stuart periods as a symbolic reminder of the brevity of life.
Museum curator Dr Simon Hancock said the piece offers a rare and personal glimpse into the beliefs of the period.
He explained: “Such rings, worn by a merchant or member of the gentry, reminded the wearer of the shortness of life. This was a very popular theme during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
“The ring was declared treasure and we are very grateful to Valero for providing a grant towards the treasure valuation, allowing us to secure it for the museum and the people of Pembrokeshire.”
The acquisition ensures the artefact will remain in the county where it was found and will go on public display as part of the museum’s growing local history collection.
Pictured are Ted Sangster, chair of Haverfordwest Castle CIO; Lesley Turner, museum treasurer; Tim Evans, chair of trustees; Stephen Thornton of Valero; Dr Simon Hancock, curator; and Bethany Hope, museum volunteer and social media manager.
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