News

Boardwalk receives funding boost

Published

10 years ago

December 17, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Boardwalk: Some of the hard working volunteers.

A CAMPAIGN to save the Slash Pond Boardwalk in Broad Haven has been rewarded with £58,422 funding from SITA Trust. In May 2014, residents, business and holiday home owners of Broad Haven united to save the Slash Pond Boardwalk from demolition. The Boardwalk was created by volunteers in 2003 with funding from Cydcoed. But in October 2013, the Havens Community Council, experiencing difficulty in continuing to fund and maintain the boardwalk, had the area closed to the public for over eight months and then agreed they had no choice but to remove the boardwalk.

A former culm pit which filled with water the Slash Pond and surrounding habitat is one of Pembrokeshires’ most delightful walks to school. The pondside boardwalk is popular with dog walkers, naturalists and birdwatchers and connects the residential north end of Broad haven village with the southwest. A social networking campaign was initially successful in reaching those interested in keeping the boardwalk open.

The volunteer group Support The Boardwalk formed and through fundraising events and donations has raised over £8400 to preserve and enhance the walk and the habitat. The volunteers undertook repairs and maintenance of the timber walk, hedgerows and trees and the Boardwalk was re-opened to the public on June 10 2014. The groups Treasurer, Karen Riggs said: “ I think the group is so successful because we involved all the relevant people, the membership consists of local business people, residents and holiday home owners as well as the landowners, representatives from the Baptist Church, National Parks, Keep Wales Tidy, Havens Community Council & local community development organisation PLANED.

Other agencies such as PAVS were especially useful in helping the group to become Insured.” Vice Chairman, Ben Dare, explained: “In July, a grant application was submitted to SITA Trusts Enhancing Communities Programme. SITA Trust support community and environmental improvement projects to make lasting improvements to the natural environment and community life through the Landfill Communities Fund. Support The Boardwalk project will refurbish a large section of the boardwalk with a sustainable galvanized steel base and replace the timber with specialist non-slip decking boards.

Thanks to the generous support of SITA Trust, the project will be undertaken by a local contractor and is set to begin early 2015.” The group of volunteers continue to fund raise with various events and the donations will be used as grant match funding for other opportunities to widen the appeal of the boardwalk and the way in which it can continue to ‘connect the community’; its uses for education, people with disabilities & local groups. Other ideas include a community orchard and pontoons for children to learn to fish & pond dip.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

2 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

9 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

10 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.