News

Committee’s concerns over library

Published

9 years ago

May 28, 2015

Riverside Market: Issues need to be addressed.

MEMBERS of the Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee have recommended that the Cabinet address a number of issues before making a decision on a new County Library.

It is proposed to turn the Haverfordwest Market into a county library but this has come under opposition from current traders.

The committee met on Tuesday (May 12), to hear the views of two of the traders in the market as well as those of a representative of the Pembrokeshire Business Initiative and the Chamber of Commerce.

Proposals were approved at a recent Cabinet meeting in April but they also recommended that the Economy committee should take a further look at the proposals.

Director of Development Stephen Jones again stressed that they were ‘not in the business of putting businesses out of business’ and added: “It has been three and a half years since the county library shut. It has been a lengthy period and that has had a damaging effect on the performance of the library service.”

Cllr Mike John said: “To get it in the town the centre will be very valuable.”

Cllr David Lloyd said: “I am very happy to hear what is going to be put in place and I am convinced that this is necessary. The best protection should be put in place. The centre of town is an obvious place for us to start, the location is outstanding and it is a lovely building. It should be used to the best glory of this town. It’s on a shopping street which needs regeneration and this will help enormously. This is an amazing town with a fabulous history and I would like to think that the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) would enhance that and it is going to be a force. I love this project but do look after the people who are going to be relocated.”

One of the traders, Tonia Williams, the owner of the café in the Riverside Market, told the committee: “The market has been open since 1982. Five businesses have been trading since the opening of the building and are to date, viable businesses providing livelihoods for the majority of people employed. At a meeting in January 2014, we were told that the Riverside Market was not financially viable. Library speculation started in 2015 and that has had a negative impact on the trading of the Riverside Market. Little or no consideration has been given to the market or its traders. I would like to emphasise there has been no guarantees, no support of relocation to market traders up to date.”

Tonia also stated that the building had been the subject of gross neglect of maintenance and that it should be considered.

Another trader, Adrian Williams, who runs the flower shop, said: “I am not against the idea of a library in the centre of town. I am sure as a cultural centre that it may well help the town, my feeling is that it is completely the wrong building to put it in. This seems to be the only element in a masterplan. Kicking off your masterplan by putting the future of 16 businesses in severe threat doesn’t seem to be a great way to go around economic regeneration for the town.”

The Director of Development then highlighted that the council would provide support for the traders but Tonia questioned him saying: “I don’t know what qualifies you to know what is best for our individual businesses. I don’t know where the guarantees are from.”

Cabinet Member Cllr Elywn Morse said: “There are a number of issues and I would like to see these explored and an agreement sought as soon as possible. A direct package has to be in place with the agreement of the traders for us to be comfortable for this to move forward.”

The council’s head of property Barry Cooke said that he would be meeting with the traders to discuss their concerns.

Cllr John Allen-Mirehouse said that the issue should be returned to Cabinet and that they take into account the views expressed by the committee and added: “We really must get on with it.”

Those views included the comments of the traders with regards to relocation, the costs of the plan and the masterplan for Haverfordwest.

Cllr Jonathan Nutting said: “I am not confident that the costs are accurate and I think this is biased towards the preferred option. What appears to be the cheapest option could turn out to be by far the most expensive option. We haven’t factored in the costs of having to relocate the traders. We are asking the traders to take a leap of faith and relocate in a highly uncertain future. We’re offering a two-year safety net to the traders but this is highly inadequate and we are prioritising the scheme that could take the longest to come to fruition.”

After a lengthy debate the recommendation was put to a vote with all councillors except Cllr Nutting against the proposal.

News

Milford Haven RFC celebrates Mini’s Section Presentation

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Herald Sport

MILFORD HAVEN RFC once again showcased its commitment to nurturing young talent as it celebrated its Mini’s Section Presentation on Sunday (May 5). The event, held with much enthusiasm, marked a significant moment for the club, reinforcing its dedication to the development of rugby at all levels.

The Mini’s section, a cornerstone of the club’s community engagement, witnessed a remarkable turnout, a testament to its growing popularity year by year. The event not only recognised the efforts of the young players but also extended gratitude to the invaluable contributions of coaches, parents, and supporters, whose unwavering support is instrumental in shaping the future of rugby in Milford Haven.

A special acknowledgment was reserved for Abbo, Paula, and Leanne, whose steadfast support has been pivotal in nurturing the Mini’s section, ensuring its success and growth. Their dedication and tireless efforts have played a significant role in fostering a nurturing environment for the young athletes to thrive.

The presence of the 1st Team Club Captain, Zac, and Vice Captain, Jimmy, added a touch of prestige to the occasion. Their attendance and active participation in presenting trophies to the Mini Mariners underscored the club’s ethos of unity and inclusivity across all age groups. Such gestures not only inspire the budding players but also instil a sense of belonging and pride in the larger Milford Haven RFC community.

In his remarks, Zac emphasised the importance of fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity within the club, where every member, regardless of age or experience, feels valued and supported. Such values lie at the heart of Milford Haven RFC, reinforcing its status as not just a rugby club but a tight-knit community.

As the event concluded, echoes of “Up the Mighty Mariners” reverberated through the grounds, encapsulating the spirit of determination and unity that defines Milford Haven RFC. With the Mini’s section flourishing and the club’s unwavering commitment to its development, the future of rugby in Milford Haven looks brighter than ever.

With each passing year, Milford Haven RFC continues to uphold its legacy as a nurturing ground for young talent, a beacon of sporting excellence, and a source of pride for the entire community.

As the red and white colours of the Mighty Mariners continue to soar high, so too does the spirit of camaraderie and passion that binds the club together, ensuring its continued success on and off the field.

News

Milford Haven clinches thrilling victory in KO Cup Plate Final

Published

10 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Tom Sinclair

IN a gripping showdown at Heywood Lane, Tenby on Wednesday (May 1), Milford Haven emerged victorious in the 2024 KO Cup Plate Final, edging past a resilient Whitland side by a narrow margin of 24-21.

The clash, witnessed by a fervent crowd, showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, culminating in a nail-biting finish that saw Milford Haven secure their first-ever Plate trophy in the club’s history.

The Mariners took an early lead through a penalty courtesy of winger James Trueman, swiftly countered by Whitland’s full back Geraint Jones. However, Milford surged ahead with the first try of the match, as No 8 Dewi Williams powered over the line from close range, with Trueman adding the extras.

Despite Whitland’s efforts to claw back into contention with two penalties, reducing the halftime deficit to a single point, Milford Haven remained composed. The second half witnessed a relentless display from the Mariners, capitalizing on their dominant pack to create scoring opportunities.

James Trueman showcased his prowess with a spectacular try, expertly set up by swift passing from James Williams and Dan Jenkins. Trueman’s accurate kicking extended Milford’s lead further, before Scott Buirds crashed over for their third try, sealing a commanding advantage.

Yet, Whitland refused to concede defeat, launching a spirited comeback with tries from Owyn Griffiths and Dom Davies. Despite their valiant efforts, Whitland fell short in their pursuit of victory, with a crucial penalty attempt rebounding off the post in the dying moments.

Milford Haven’s Ollie Rothero was rightfully awarded the ‘man of the match’ accolade for his composed performance, epitomizing the team’s resilience throughout the contest. Rothero’s versatility and steadiness in the No 15 shirt proved instrumental in Milford’s triumph, despite stiff competition from Trueman’s impressive place-kicking and memorable try.

In the end, Milford Haven emerged as worthy victors, their victory a testament to their tenacity and unity on the field. As the final whistle blew, the Mariners celebrated a hard-fought triumph, etching their names in the annals of KO Cup Plate history.

The club said after the match on their Facebook page: “All the players, coaching team and committee would like to thank everyone that came over to Tenby to support the boys tonight. It really meant a lot to us as a club and no doubt the town!”

Line-ups:

Milford Haven: Ollie Rothero, Robbie Jones, James Williams, Dan Jenkins, Jamie Trueman, Efan Morgan, Dan McClelland, Aaron Mayne, Luke Ryan, Jimmy Buirds, Jay Goodall, Zac Davies (Capt), Ryan Mansell, Ieuan Davies, Dewi Williams. Replacements: Dai. Sweeny, Ben Jenkins, Ben Groves, Scott Buirds, Ethan Aldred, Lee Riley, Dean McSparron.

Whitland: Geraint Jones, Morgan Lewis, Jamie Goldsworthy, Dom Davies, Owyn Griffiths, Jonathan Thomas, Trystan Rees, Dafydd Walters, Marc Jones, Trystan Bowen, Benjamin Kirk, Dan Bennett, Lewis Tingay, Cian Evans, Zac France-Miller. Replacements: Ceiron Evans, Charlie Watson, Jack Worthing, Thomas Iraia, Geraint McCoan.

News

Goodwick 2nds clinch Division 3 Cup after dramatic penalty shootout

Published

11 hours ago

May 6, 2024

Herald Sport

IN a gripping showdown at Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday (May 3), Goodwick United 2nds emerged victorious in a nail-biting encounter against Solva in the 2024 Division 3 Cup Final. The match, which ended 1-1 after normal time, saw Goodwick triumph 7-6 on penalties, securing the coveted cup in a marathon of tension and drama.

The game began at a frantic pace, with both sides showcasing their determination from the outset. Solva’s Robbie Jenkins proved to be a constant threat, testing Goodwick keeper Joe Docker early on. However, neither team could break the deadlock in the first half, with chances at both ends going begging.

As the match progressed, the intensity only heightened, with tackles flying in as both teams fought for supremacy. It was Solva who struck first blood, with Dan Bryce converting a penalty to put his team ahead with just 19 minutes remaining. But Goodwick refused to be beaten, and Kieran Price leveled the scores late on with a well-taken volley, sending the game into extra time.

Extra time saw no let-up in the action, with both sides pushing for a winner. However, it was Solva who found themselves reduced to ten men after Morgan Elliott was sent off. With neither team able to find a breakthrough, the match was ultimately decided by a nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

In a tense shootout that went to sudden death, it was Goodwick who held their nerve, with Haydn Smith scoring the decisive spot-kick to clinch victory for his team. The celebrations that followed were a testament to the resilience and determination of Chris Morris’s side, who battled through injuries and adversity to claim the title.

Reflecting on his team’s triumph, Morris expressed his pride in his players, praising their character and resilience in the face of adversity. For Solva, it was a bitter disappointment, but they can take pride in their valiant effort throughout the match.

As the final whistle blew, it was Goodwick United 2nds who emerged as the worthy winners, etching their names into the annals of the Manderwood Pembrokeshire Football League’s Division 3 Cup history.

Line-ups:

Solva: Luke Phillips, Luke Mason, Harry Elliott, Morgan Elliott, Kieran Price, Ryan Thomas, Finn Isles, Sam Price, Robert Jenkins, Josh Bland (Captain), Lucas Price. Substitutes: Craig Challonder, Billy Clift, Albie Burden, Daniel Rees, Francis John-Duarte.

Goodwick United 2nds: Joe Docker, Tyler Morris, Iwan James, Haydn Smith, Kyle Smith (Captain), Joshua Wellan, Seamus Drake, Niall Kinsella, Keegan Summers, Gary Reynolds, Ethan Priestley. Substitutes: Goncalo Rocha, Alex O’Sullivan, Daniel Bryce, Kieran O’Brien, Frankie Pearce.

Match Officials:

Referee: Alan Boswell.

Assistants: Chris Stapleton & Barry Evans.

Fourth Official: Richard Gwyther.

Photo: Ben Rendell/Facebook