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50,000 native oysters restored to Welsh waters

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A MAJOR environmental milestone has been reached in Pembrokeshire as 50,000 native oysters were deployed into the Daugleddau Estuary, forming the foundations of new living reefs that will filter coastal waters, store carbon, and provide shelter for marine life.

The work, carried out this month by the Marine Conservation Society, is part of Natur Am Byth! — Wales’s largest natural heritage and outreach programme. The initiative is led by a coalition of nine environmental charities with Natural Resources Wales, and supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government.

The oysters came from Câr-y-Môr, the community-run seaweed and shellfish farm near St Davids, and were carefully placed within the protected estuary. The aim is to rebuild once-abundant native oyster reefs that were wiped out by overfishing and pollution in the last century.

Bridget Orchard, Wales Programme Manager at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “This is a major milestone in our efforts to restore native oysters to Welsh waters. These adult oysters are more than just a species reintroduction — they’re foundational to marine ecosystem health, and their return signals the beginning of a wider recovery.”

Alongside the deployment, another 50,000 baby oysters have been moved from Bangor University — where they were reared with help from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority — to Tethys Oysters in Angle Bay. There they will continue to grow until 2027, when they too will be restored to the seabed.

This next phase is funded by clothing company FatFace and the FatFace Foundation, who are supporting the ongoing care of the juvenile oysters.

Carly Jones, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at FatFace, said: “Supporting the restoration of native oyster reefs in Wales reflects our commitment to protect and restore the environments that sustain us. We’re proud to help enable this vital work with the Marine Conservation Society.”

The project is part of the Marine Conservation Society’s new Atlantic Coast Programme, which will build on restoration work already underway in Wales. The scheme aims to expand restoration of oysters, seagrass and kelp along the UK’s western coastline — helping to tackle climate change, improve water quality, and rebuild lost marine habitats.

The work has also involved Sue Burton, SAC Officer for the Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and Bangor University’s School of Ocean Sciences.

Photo caption:

Restoring reefs: 50,000 native oysters have been deployed in the Daugleddau Estuary as part of the Marine Conservation Society’s restoration project (Pic: MCS).

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

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MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

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Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

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Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

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Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).

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