News

Council finds £1.2m to design schools

Published

10 years ago

May 28, 2015

6th form in school SAVE OUR SIXTH FORMS, the campaign group seeking to secure sixth form education in Haverford¬west’s proposed new secondary school, have written to The Herald and revealed just how much the council has spent on designing the schools about which it is presently consulting.
Here is what they told us:
“A week on and we are still no wiser as to how the web based learning pro¬posed by Back the Plan would work in practise or how much it would cost. If the ‘research from America’ was openly available then perhaps we would have a greater idea and a more reasoned debate? Until then it appears that the people of the peninsula are taking a massive leap of faith with their children’s future.
This week it has come to light from a Freedom of information request that PCC have already spent £1,200,000 on the ‘design phase’ of the new schools. It would appear that PCC’s Officers (individuals paid by the council tax payers to implement the elected councillors wishes) are so cocksure that our elected councillors (individuals elect¬ed by the citizens to represent them and subject to removal if they do not meet with approval) will do what they are told, that they have already spent this huge sum of scarce public money.
How else could £1.2m have been spent? Better care for our elderly and vulnerable? Improving education by providing more teachers? Maintain¬ing schools? Bigger cars for officers? On the last of those, it is worth noting Carmarthenshire have just advertised for a head of Planning on £88,000 pa with no car in the package. We should pity them for the blight that is about to descend upon their county by having to put up with a second rate officer, for as we know in Pembrokeshire they won’t attract the best talent without a top of the range BMW.
It is time for our councillors to stand up for the future generations of this great county, to prove to their electorate that they are more than a mere inconvenience for the officers and that they are worthy trustees of our children’s education.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

18 hours 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.