News

Christmas cheer in Pembroke town

Published

12 years ago

December 18, 2014

AS far as Christmas celebrations go Pembroke seemed to have it all last Friday (Dec 28) night with free cookies, an abseiling Santa and to crown it all a “live nativity” featuring the members of various local churches. The number of families supporting the annual carol singing event around the Christmas tree seemed to exceed most peoples’ expectations and it would be no exaggeration to say that at least 500 enthusiastic marchers followed Santa’s sleigh down Pembroke Main Street. Pastor Rob James told The Herald: “This is a super example of what can happen when the community pulls together.

The weather helped of course. It was a clear star lit night, but it was thrilling to see the way in which everyone showed their support for all those who had worked so hard to make the evening such a success”. The evening’s festivities began with Santa abseiling down the castle keep, and was followed by a procession to St Michael’s church where everyone gathered joined in the carol singing before the Vicar of Pembroke, Canon Roger Jones, offered a prayer of blessing for both the town and surrounding community.

“It is my hope that the good will and kindness that we see around us will continue up to the end of the month when we remember the coming of our Lord” he said. “My prayer for Pembroke would be that peace and understanding, reconciliation and forgiveness would begin in our own homes and then spread across the world”.

As members of the local Chamber of Trade offered free mince pies and spiced apple juice the newly formed Street Pastors team handed out hundreds of glow sticks. “These glow sticks are very appropriate because we want to operate as salt and light in our community” said local coordinator Lyn Edwards. “The church is here to show that it is good to have Santa and the lights going on but actually Christmas is all about Jesus, and we have come to show that He is the essential part of Christmas”

While encouraging everyone to remember that carol singing will take place in the Main Street every Saturday morning until Christmas, she added: “We also want as many children as possible to take part in the search for our lost donkeys. There is a rumour going around that after 3rd December, two donkeys will be seen wandering around Pembroke going into shop after shop. Is it just a rumour? Is the story true? Will the donkeys really be in the Post Office to see Father Christmas go past? Will they be seen in other shop windows trying to pretend they are toy donkeys? Where will they end up?”

“More newsflashes will be put up in shops, schools, churches and other places. Keep your eyes open. Strange things happen to donkeys leading up to Christmas. Rumour has it they move on Wednesdays” Those wanting to take part in the “Sight the donkeys competition” are asked to write their names and contact details on a piece of paper indicating where they have been seen, and to post it to the ‘Donkey Search and Rescue Box’ at Dragon Alley, Main Street Pembroke by December 19, The donkey’s story, together with the results of the competition will be unveiled at the Town Hall Pembroke at 5.30pm. that evening.

The day’s festivities will then draw to close with a ‘Silent Night Carol Service’ which begins at 6pm. The Pembroke event will be just one of many such ‘Silent Night Carols’ to be held throughout the UK offering communities an opportunity to remember the remarkable day during World War 1 when peace broke out in the trenches for 24 hours, with enemies exchanging gifts, singing this much loved carol and even playing football. The events have even attracted the backing of the Duke of Cambridge who has said “Even in the bleakest of times, Christmas offers peace and hope. This Christmas, the Silent Night carol services are a powerful way to remember the sacrifice made by so many in the Great War and to celebrate the peace we enjoy”.

Entertainment

From Sinatra to Bublé as The Story of Swing comes to Milford Haven

Published

32 minutes ago

July 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MUSIC lovers are invited to take a journey through the golden age of swing when SOS Big Band – The Story of Swing arrives at the Torch Theatre this August.

Presented by award-winning vocalist and world-class trumpet player Gareth John, alongside the acclaimed SOS Big Band, the show celebrates decades of iconic swing and big band music.

Audiences can expect much-loved classics made famous by Bobby Darin, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr, as well as more modern hits associated with Michael Bublé, Robbie Williams, Matt Goss, Paul Anka and Harry Connick Jr.

Renowned for his showmanship and passion for the genre, Gareth brings a natural warmth and energy to the stage, building an easy rapport with audiences wherever he performs.

During his career, he has shared the stage with a number of household names, including The Beautiful South and The Specials.

The production has already received enthusiastic reviews during its tour, with one audience member at the Core Theatre in Solihull describing it as “a brilliant show”.

SOS Big Band – The Story of Swing will be performed at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, on Saturday, August 1, at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £28.50 and can be booked through the Torch Theatre website or by calling the box office on 01646 695267.

News

Pembrokeshire ‘left behind’ as top-quality 5G reaches just one in 100 premises

Published

34 minutes ago

July 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Henry Tufnell has called for urgent government action, saying unreliable mobile coverage is damaging businesses, tourism and access to essential services

ONLY one per cent of premises in Mid and South Pembrokeshire can access the highest-quality form of 5G from at least one mobile network, according to figures highlighted by the constituency’s MP.

Henry Tufnell has written to the Minister for the Digital Economy calling for an urgent meeting over what he described as a serious lack of investment in mobile infrastructure across West Wales.

In his letter, the Labour MP said the constituency remained far behind the rest of the country in both the availability and reliability of mobile services.

According to Ofcom figures cited by Mr Tufnell, 12 per cent of premises in Mid and South Pembrokeshire cannot receive a usable high-quality 5G signal from any network. That is six times the national average of two per cent.

He also said that only one per cent of premises locally could access “5G Standalone”, the highest-quality version of the technology, from at least one operator. Nationally, the equivalent figure is said to be 86 per cent.

Mr Tufnell said surveys carried out among his constituents showed the effect poor coverage was having on everyday life.

Some 98 per cent of respondents said a lack of mobile signal negatively affected them, while more than three-quarters reported having a poor signal or no signal where they lived.

The MP said unreliable connectivity was affecting residents, businesses and visitors, as well as schools, transport services and healthcare workers such as community nurses.

Mobile coverage problems were not limited to isolated rural areas, he said, with unreliable service frequently reported in Haverfordwest and persistent “not-spots” affecting Tenby during the busy tourist season.

Poor coverage can also prevent people from using banking, payment and parking applications, creating particular difficulties for visitors and businesses during peak periods.

Mr Tufnell has separately contacted VodafoneThree UK and EE about infrastructure in the Tenby and Penally areas.

VodafoneThree has advised him that it plans to upgrade the mast at Slippery Back Lane in Tenby, although the work is not currently expected to be delivered until 2028.

He has also raised concerns about a proposed 20-metre 4G telecommunications mast at Strawberry Lane, Penally.

Planning permission has been granted for the replacement mast, but the previous structure has already been removed and work on the new installation has yet to begin.

Mr Tufnell said he had written to EE in April seeking clarification about when the mast would be installed, but had not received a response by the time of his latest correspondence.

He has now asked the Government to discuss what support can be provided to accelerate the delivery of reliable mobile infrastructure across the constituency.

Mr Tufnell said: “West Wales cannot continue to be left behind. We need high-quality, reliable digital infrastructure across the whole of Pembrokeshire.

“This is not simply an inconvenience. Poor mobile coverage is affecting residents, local businesses, public services and the tourism industry.”

Community

Family pays tribute to ‘loving father’ who died after A487 motorcycle crash

Published

2 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE FAMILY of a 30-year-old father who died following a motorcycle crash near Aberystwyth have described him as a much-loved partner, relative and friend who will be “sadly missed by so many people”.

Matthew Sims, known to his family and friends as Matt, was seriously injured in a single-vehicle collision on the A487 at Blaenplwyf on the morning of Saturday, July 11.

The crash, involving a blue Suzuki motorcycle, happened at around 7am as Mr Sims was travelling to work.

He was taken by air ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, where he died on Thursday, July 16.

No other vehicles were involved in the collision.

Mr Sims, who was from Lampeter, leaves behind his partner Katie and his daughters, Emma and Beca.

In a tribute released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said: “Matt passed away on Thursday 16th July 2026 at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, following a motorcycle accident on the Aberystwyth road on his way to work on the morning of Saturday 11th July 2026. No other vehicles were involved.

“He was a loving father to his daughters Emma and Beca and partner to Katie.

“He had a wide circle of family and friends and will be sadly missed by so many people.

“Rest in peace Matt.”

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.

Anyone who was travelling on the A487 near Blaenplwyf at around 7am on July 11, particularly anyone with dashcam footage, is urged to contact the force.

Information can be provided online through the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], sending the force a direct message on social media, or calling 101.

The reference to quote is 82 of July 11.