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Council challenges standards

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Councils lack ambition and intent on language: Bethan Williams

Councils lack ambition and intent on language: Bethan Williams

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has responded to proposed standards for use of the Welsh Language and has told the Welsh Language Commissioner that it seeks more time to comply with some standards and wants to be excepted from compliance with others.

On the key standard of providing a translation service from Welsh to English and English to Welsh, the Council has challenged the proposed standard on the basis that translation service providers are unable / unprepared to provide a translation service from English to Welsh. The Council has requested that the requirement for a translation service from English to Welsh be deleted from the standard.

In addition, the Council has claimed that it should be excepted from equal use of Welsh on social media on the basis that “the timescale for translation are prohibitive taking into consideration the “real time” nature of social media”.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Cymraeg have responded to the Council’s responses with disbelief to the Council’s wish to excuse itself from following twelve of the standards or to have an extension of time from compliance with them.

Bethan Williams, area officer for Cymdeithas yr Iaith in Dyfed said: “There will be a new Welshmedium primary school in Tenby, and Welsh-medium secondary school in Haverfordwest over the next few years, but the Council itself has asked not to have to fulfil some basic Welsh Language Standards.

“What impression does that give? That Welsh is the language of education, but everything in the ‘real’ world takes place in English.”

Bethan continued: “The Council’s reason for not wanting to ensure that their Council twitter stream and press releases are in Welsh is that there are no Welsh speakers in the relevant departments; they also claim that simultaneous translation from English into Welsh cannot be provided in meetings.

“Where is the ambition? The Council has an opportunity here to change the language of the Council, gradually. Instead of tackling that challenge, the Council is opposing Standards.

“Cymdeithas have a similar message for Ceredigion Council, which intends to challenge the two Standards relating to public meetings and public announcements.

Bethan Williams added: “We have been calling on Ceredigion County Council, like Carmarthenshire County Council, to move towards working in Welsh for more than twenty years, and all the councils have known for long enough that they will have to comply with the Standards. Why wait until regulations are in place?

“At a recent meeting of the full Council in Ceredigion, one Councillor asked why one document was in English with only a summary in Welsh. The responsible officer and leader of the Council apologised that they had not been translated. The Council should not be translating into Welsh but working in Welsh.”

A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire County Council told The Herald: “We support the principles enshrined in the Welsh Language Standards and we are working hard to meet those standards within the required timescale.”

They continued: “We do envisage some practical difficulties in complying with some of the standards, hence the challenges we have raised.

“However, our priority remains to be able to provide a Welsh Language service to any individual who requests it.”

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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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)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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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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Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

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THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”

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