News

Haverfordwest: Properties damaged by mini tornado

Published

10 years ago

January 13, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Making safe: Fire crews in Haverfordwest on Tuesday evening

A MINI TORNADO damaged up to twenty properties in Scotchwell View and Coronation Avenue in Haverfordwest on Tuesday night (Jan 13).

Emergency services responded in the early evening to reports of damage to rooves. A garden shed had been ripped from its foundations, and landed in the middle of the street, neighbours said.

Local resident, Gwyl Booth, spoke to the Herald by telephone. He said: “There are about twenty fire fighters here, and there is an ambulance on standby. I don’t think that anyone has been hurt, but there has been a lot of damage to sheds, and roofs and that kind of thing. My son has been taking photos which we are going to try to download and send into the paper in a little while.”

He added: “The roads were blocked off for quite a while. I didn’t know the fire brigade had so many vehicles!”

Severe weather: Rooves were badly damaged

Mr Booth said: “There were two ambulances on standby, and other emergency vehicles. Fire men had to go up in their cherry picker lifts in the hail and rain to secure people’s rooves. One crew told me that it was a mini-tornado. My boy struggled to shut the front door with the wind but it was all over in minutes.”

Resident Emma Griffiths said: “My Mum and Dad’s house and also my sister’s house were hit by this mini-tornado, it was horrible. The roof of the shed at my Mum’s was completely ripped off and a lot of damage was caused to the roof [of the house].”

She added: “I would just like to say a massive thank you to all the fire crews that attended, they were fantastic and very reassuring. Also thank to the paramedic crew who saw to my dad and brought him to Withybush to get checked over as he had suffered severe shock. I’m just very thankful that nobody was hurt last night.”

The fire and rescue service tweeted: “Thank you so much Haverfordwest McDonalds for their kind generosity, providing us with free hot drinks. Much appreciated.”

Pembrokeshire is not the only region where there has also been a mini-tornado today. A suspected tornado damaged cars and homes when it struck London in “a scene from the Wizard of Oz”.

Firefighters said a garage collapsed and roof tiles were blown off houses as Britain was braced for another storm gathering pace across the Atlantic. The “severe” weather struck in Harrow, north west London, on Tuesday afternoon. Crews were called at just before 1.15pm when the garage, which was attached to a house, collapsed. London Fire Brigade said cars in nearby roads also suffered minor damage, but no one was hurt.

The video below of Scotchwell View was sent to The Herald by Baines Dazer.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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.