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

Ice rink campaign launched for Pembrokeshire

Published

12 hours ago

February 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Survey underway as resident explores sites and funding for year-round skating facility

PLANS to bring a permanent ice skating rink to Pembrokeshire are gathering momentum after a local resident began talks with council officers and launched a public survey to test demand.

Jemma Davies, from Newgale, says the county is missing out on a major leisure attraction that could benefit families, schools and visitors while creating new jobs.

At present, the nearest full-time rink for Pembrokeshire residents is in Cardiff — a round trip of several hours — making regular skating sessions difficult for many families.

She believes a local facility could change that.

“I think it would give people something completely different to do here,” she said. “It’s exercise, it’s social, and it’s something children could take up after school instead of having to travel out of the county.”

Early talks with council

Jemma has already met officers from Pembrokeshire County Council’s sport and recreation department to discuss whether the idea could be viable.

She is also hoping to approach Sport Wales to explore possible funding streams and support.

To measure interest, she has set up an online questionnaire asking residents whether they would use an ice rink and how far they would be willing to travel.

She said early responses have been positive, with families, young people and skating enthusiasts backing the idea.

Reusing empty buildings

Rather than constructing a new arena, Jemma is investigating whether vacant premises could be converted, reducing costs.

Potential options include a former retail unit in Haverfordwest or a large hangar-style building near existing leisure attractions.

She said: “If we can reuse a building that’s already there, it keeps the costs down and brings life back into empty spaces at the same time.”

As part of her research, she plans to visit Vindico Arena to better understand the practicalities of running a rink.

More than just skating

Beyond public sessions, she believes a rink could host school trips, birthday parties, events and competitions, while encouraging young people to take up winter sports.

“Pembrokeshire has produced plenty of sporting talent over the years,” she said. “There’s no reason we couldn’t develop figure skaters or ice hockey players here too.”

Residents who want to share their views can complete the online survey.

Cover image:

Jemma Davies: Hopes to bring a permanent ice rink to Pembrokeshire (Pic: Supplied).

Community

Loch Ness cruise boat Jacobite Queen makes stop in Milford Haven

Published

14 hours ago

February 8, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A BOAT best known for carrying tourists on Scotland’s famous Loch Ness has been spotted alongside the docks in Milford Haven, drawing interest from locals and harbour users.

The Jacobite Queen, a traditional passenger excursion vessel built in nineteen forty-nine, was photographed tied up at Milford Dock earlier this week.

Originally launched as the Tyne Queen, the craft operated as a ferry and pleasure boat in the north east of England before later being renamed and used for sightseeing cruises on Loch Ness, where thousands of visitors boarded her for trips across the iconic Highland waters.

According to comments shared locally, the vessel is currently “on passage heading down on the south coast”, suggesting Milford Haven is a temporary stop rather than a permanent base.

The boat’s windows and lower sections appear boarded up, a common practice when older passenger vessels are laid up or travelling between seasons, helping protect interiors from weather and damage. There are no signs of incident or emergency repairs.

Her arrival has provided an unusual sight against the working backdrop of the docks, with the vintage white-and-purple hull standing out among commercial traffic.

For many, it is a small but welcome reminder of Britain’s surviving historic passenger fleet quietly passing through Pembrokeshire waters.

Cover Photo: Jacobite Queen alongside Milford docks this week (Pic: Berty Barrett).

Community

Milford Haven community invited to honour fishermen lost at sea

Published

16 hours ago

February 8, 2026

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

Annual memorial service at Milford Haven Cemetery to remember those who never returned home

A MEMORIAL service will be held at Milford Haven Cemetery to honour local fishermen who lost their lives at sea on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Organised by Milford Haven Town Council, the annual gathering gives families, friends and residents the opportunity to come together in quiet reflection and remembrance of those who made their living on the water but never returned home.

The service will start at 11am and will be officiated by Rev Dr Adrian Furse SSC.

Milford Haven has long been shaped by its fishing and maritime industries, with generations of local families connected to the sea. While the harbour has provided work and prosperity, it has also brought tragedy, with storms and accidents claiming lives over the years.

The service will include prayers, readings and the laying of wreaths, creating a moment for the community to pause and acknowledge the sacrifices made by fishermen past and present.

Town councillors say the event is always a moving occasion and are encouraging anyone with links to the fishing community, as well as members of the wider public, to attend and show their support.

The aim, they say, is to ensure those who were lost are never forgotten and that their contribution to the town’s heritage continues to be recognised.

Residents wishing to attend or find out more can contact Milford Haven Town Council on 01646 692505 or visit www.milfordhaven-tc.gov.wales.