News
Patagonian student arrives at Llandovery College
LLANDOVERY COLLEGE recently welcomed Jeremias Knobel from Esquel in Patagonia who will be staying at the College until
Easter. He is the thirteenth student that the college has hosted since the inception of the Scholarship in 2003.
During his time here at Llandovery, Jeremias will be continuing his own studies and improving his Welsh language skills. At the same time, he will be participating in the work of the Welsh and Spanish Departments at the College and at Ysgol Gynradd Rhys Pritchard, raising awareness of his homeland, its history, geography and culture. In the 150th anniversary year of the landing of the first Welsh settlers in Patagonia, it is particularly fitting to be able to reinforce the links between the two nations.
A reception was held at the College Library on Friday February 6 when Mr Glyn Evans, a former Master at the college and a leading figure in arranging the Patagonian student visits since its inception, officially welcomed Jeremias and thanked both sponsors and supporters of the Scholarship. He also thanked Mr Wyn Morgan, Head of the Welsh Department at Llandovery College for his enthusiasm and hard work in facilitating these visits.
David Gravell, an old Llandoverian, said that he was proud to continue supporting the Scholarship that now carries his father’s name, Tom Gravell. The late Tom Gravell had himself established his own links with Patagonia and made many personal pilgrimages there after retiring from the family business.
Mr Dan Jones attended on behalf of Llandovery Rotary Club; both the Llandovery and Cefn Sidan branches continue to sponsor the students’ stay at Llandovery.
Jeremias said that he was very thankful to everyone involved in his selection, the organisation of his visit and the welcome he had received in Wales.
Mr Guy Ayling, Warden of Llandovery College said: “The Patagonian Student Scholarship is of mutual benefit to the visiting student and not only to the College but to the wider community of Llandovery. It gives the opportunity for an exchange of knowledge and experiences as well as strengthening the historic links between Wales and Patagonia.”
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
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
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
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.
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