Community

Park plans for starry, starry nights

Published

11 years ago

May 21, 2015

IN 2012 starysky /13, the Brecon Beacons achieved International Dark Sky Reserve status for the whole National Park. On a clear night in the Brecon Beacons, you can see the Milky Way, major constellations, bright nebulas and even meteor showers. It’s enough to make anyone starry eyed.

Now Pembrokeshire’s own National Park Authority has decided to try to create a number of Dark Sky Discovery Sites across the county.

The UK has some of the largest areas of dark sky in Europe. You can find dark skies near where you live, if you can get away from bright lights such as street lighting. That could be in your back garden, a local park, or getting out of town altogether. From a city centre location we might see about 100 stars with our naked eyes, and the further away from the streetlights you go, the better the view becomes. Under a really dark sky we can see over 1,000 stars. We can even see our own galaxy, The Milky Way, stretching across the sky.

Pembrokeshire Cost National Park does not particularly lend itself to being a Dark Sky Reserve or Dark Sky Park because it is relatively small, ribbon-like, and is affected by significant light sources on the Milford Haven. These factors would make Dark Sky Reserve and Dark Sky Park requirements very difficult to meet, and the associated improvement commitments onerous to maintain.

Instead, officers have sought to identify a series of potential Dark Sky Discovery Sites across the National Park. Dark Sky Discovery Sites are small, accessible observation sites with good night sky quality. Proposals for Dark Sky Discovery sites are submitted to and decided by the UK Dark Sky Discovery partnership, which is made up of national and local astronomy and environmental organisations.

There is currently only one Dark Sky Discovery site in the National Park: the National Trust’s car park at Broad Haven South. A spread of Dark Sky Discovery Sites across the National Park could help raise the profile of the Park, not only for stargazers and photographers but as part of more general “Park-at-night” type experiences (wildlife observation, John Muir/Duke of Edinburgh tasks, navigation, bushcraft and so on), potentially out of the main visit or season.

In order to qualify for Dark Sky Discovery (DSD) Site status, the proposed locations need to meet a number of criteria that make them safe and accessible as well as having suitably dark skies, in order to fully suppor t the above aims.

Dark Sky Discovery Sites are places that:

are away from the worst of any local light pollution

provide good sightlines of the sky

have good public access, including firm ground for wheelchairs.

The sites are generally freely accessible at all times The website sets out two clear categories of Dark Sky Discovery sites. The two darkness ratings are:

‘Orion’ sites. At these sites, the seven main stars in the winter constellation Orion are visible to the naked eye. Typically, this means away from, or shielded from, bright lights such as street lights, security lights or approaching car lights.

“Milky Way” sites. At these sites the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. They are much darker sites found only in more rural areas.

The ten selected sites are: Poppit Sands Beach; Bedd Morris National Park car park; Bwlch Gwynt; Garn Fawr National Trust car park; Rhosfach Common; Abereiddi Bay car park; Martin’s Haven National Trust car park; Kete National Trust car park; Stack Rocks National Park car park; and Skrinkle Haven National Park car park.

Community

Ex-commercial hens need homes in Boncath or face slaughter

Published

3 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Spring appeal launched to rehome 180 birds by Friday deadline

AN URGENT appeal has been launched to find homes for 180 ex-commercial laying hens in Boncath before next weekend, with campaigners warning the birds may otherwise face slaughter.

The British Hen Welfare Trust is holding a rehoming event in Boncath on Saturday (Apr 11), but says kind-hearted adopters must register by 2:00pm on Friday (Apr 10) if the hens are to be given a second chance.

The charity says the birds, all around 18 months old, have reached the end of their commercial laying lives, despite still having plenty to offer as pets.

Supporters say hens are friendly, curious and easy to care for, and can continue to provide eggs while enjoying retirement in a garden or smallholding setting.

Andy Hill, of the British Hen Welfare Trust said: “People are often surprised by how much joy hens bring. They’re funny, curious little characters, they love routine, and they’re genuinely a delight to care for. Plus, they’re still more than happy to pop out the occasional egg.

“With spring finally here, this is the ideal time to start. These girls are more than ready for a fresh beginning, and they really do make wonderful pets.”

The trust says anyone willing to adopt must be able to provide food, water, shelter, security and a little care and attention.

The charity, founded in 2005, says it has now found retirement homes for more than one million ex-commercial hens across the UK, all of which would otherwise have been destined for slaughter.

People interested in adopting can visit the British Hen Welfare Trust website and select the Boncath rehoming event, or call the rehoming team on 01884 860084.

Community

Johnny Morris remembered as Fishguard photography legend

Published

5 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TRIBUTES have been paid to Johnny Morris, a much-loved Fishguard photographer who has died at the age of 91.

For decades, Johnny was a familiar figure across north Pembrokeshire, capturing community life through his camera lens for the local press, as well as for countless local groups, charities and organisations.

He was widely regarded as the go-to photographer for Fishguard and the surrounding area, with an extensive archive of images documenting local people, events and history over many years.

As well as his photography, Johnny was known for his love of gardening, his knowledge of local history and his gift for telling stories. Friends said he was often happiest in his garden, where he won several local trophies for his growing skills.

Johnny died peacefully on Sunday, March 22, at Park House Court in Tenby. He was predeceased by his wife Irene. He is survived by his daughter Joy, son-in-law Dilwyn, and his brother Derek.

Former Western Telegraph reporter Anwen Baldwin paid tribute, describing him as a lovely man and a great photographer.

She said: “He knew so much about the local area, its people, events and history.

“He had a great sense of humour and I loved hearing his stories about Fishguard past and present, although not all of them were for publication.

“He had a huge archive of pictures documenting the area over the years, and if I ever needed an image for a story, he would have it, no matter how obscure the request.

“He took me under his wing when I first started as the Western Telegraph’s north Pembrokeshire reporter and became a good friend who I always looked forward to catching up with.

“He will be greatly missed by the local community and the many reporters and editors who were always pleased to see a picture from Johnny Morris on their pages.”

Fishguard RNLI said Johnny had played an important role in recording the life of the station over many years. In a mark of respect, the flag at the lifeboat station has been lowered to half-mast.

A spokesperson said: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of local photographer and supporter of Fishguard RNLI, Johnny Morris.

“As the station’s photographer Johnny documented a vast array of station life, from crew photos and station fundraising events, to the arrival of our current D-Class inshore lifeboat, as well as countless other community events.

“As a mark of respect, the flag over the station will continue to be flown at half-mast.”

Fishguard and District Round Table also paid tribute, describing Johnny as a local photography legend and a strong supporter of community events and charities.

The group said he had always been on hand to record important milestones in the town.

Long-standing member Gwil Evans added: “He had a brilliant knack of being able to make even the worst of us look like a million bucks.”

Johnny’s funeral will take place on Friday, April 10, at 11:30am at the Chapel of Rest, Feidr Castell, Fishguard, followed by interment at Hermon Cemetery.

Family flowers only are requested. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made payable to Fishguard Lifeboat, care of Paul Jenkins & Sons Funeral Directors, Feidr Castell, Fishguard.

Community

Cosheston gypsy traveller 60 foot shed plans refused

Published

13 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for a 60-foot-long shed and stables at the proposed home of a gypsy traveller family near a Pembrokeshire village has been refused by planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Ryan Surname Boswell & Family, through agent Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, sought provision for an access road and replacement of temporary stables and storage containers with a multi-purpose shed and stables at Greenwells, Cosheston Bridge, Cosheston.

The application initially sought a 24.3 by 9.1 metre building, which has now been reduced to 18.3m by nine.

A supporting statement said that land to the north “is subject to a current planning application for the provision of two traveller family pitches with improvements to access and ecological enhancements with other land in our client’s ownership being un-affected”.

It added: “Mr Boswell and his family are of traveller origin and intend to make this site their family home. They own various domestic equipment, children / family articles, mowers / tools and farming equipment that require secure storage. The shed will also be used to house horses/ponies that are currently stabled in the temporary wooden stable block currently on skids on the land in question.”

It concluded: “The scale, design and use of materials (and colours) of the proposed shed is comparable to many new such sheds throughout Pembrokeshire. There will be no significant negative impacts on the level of amenity enjoyed by any neighbours or those travelling along the minor county road to Cosheston from any aspects of the proposed development.”

Local community council Cosheston had raised concerns including the “excessive” size of the proposed building, feeling “this is on the large side of what is required for a couple of ponies”.

It added: “Our concern is that the applicant intends to run his building/property maintenance business from the property. If the council grants the application, restrictions should made on the property’s use. i.e. restricted to agricultural use only.

“We have no objection to the construction of a small stable block, similar in size to the existing one on site.”

Objections were also received from two members of the public, raising concerns including the scale, environmental concerns, and a potential conflict with the ongoing application.

An officer report recommending refusal said the scheme was part-retrospective due to the prior formation of an access track within the field.

It added: “Despite amendments to the application as originally submitted by the reduction in building footprint and scale, the proposal remains a substantial and visually intrusive structure in the open countryside. An essential countryside need has not been justified nor evidence provided of an agricultural or equine enterprise warranting a building of this size or permanence.”

The application was refused on the grounds it “is not typical of a structure intended solely for the storage of paraphernalia associated with grazing land or for equine use and no information has been provided within the application to demonstrate the functional need for a building of this scale”.

It added: “The nature, siting and scale of the building would not be compatible with the capacity and rural character of the site, and together with the access track results in an unjustified and visually intrusive form of development in the open countryside, which does not represent sustainable development.”