PLANS to convert outbuildings at a Pembrokeshire farmstead, once the home of an Elizabethan historian, to houses have been given the go-ahead by the national park.

In an application recommended for approval by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park planners, Daniel Start, through agent Kinver Kreations Ltd, sought permission for the conversion of traditional stone barns at Henllys, near Felindre Farchog, to eight open-market dwellings.

An officer report said: “This application for the conversion of a vernacular group of outbuildings of historical significance to residential units is recommended for approval. The scheme represents a sensitive proposal that respects the historical character and setting of the farm range.”

The application includes both a £70,950 contribution to affordable housing and an £8,000 contribution towards the upgrading of local public rights of way, with no local objections to the proposals received.

“Historically, Henllys Farm was the site of a post-medieval farmstead and in recent times the farm was open to the public as a visitor attraction offering farm tours, guided walks, Sunday dinners and afternoon tea,” the report says.

It adds that historical research by Heneb, The Trust for Welsh Archaeology, shows the buildings are recorded as forming part of a postmedieval farmstead once home of the Elizabethan historian George Owen.

“Recorded as originally two properties and thought to be of medieval origin, Henllys was sold to the Owen family in 1543. The upstanding structure of the Elizabethan mansion itself was demolished during the 19th century; however it was situated a little further to the S-E of the current farmstead.

“In addition to the main dwelling, Owen’s description of the manor complex in 1594 indicates an extensive range of buildings, structures and features, including a stable block, a substantial 13 bay barn, gardens and orchards.

“Subsequently there is a strong possibility that both buried features/deposits along with traces of earlier structures, still exist on site. Either as below ground deposits or as surviving structural evidence fossilised within the existing farm building range. The Authority also believe that the remainder of the site has significant archaeological potential.”

It went on to say: “The buildings are of high cultural value due to their important historical associations with the Owen family and their significance to Pembrokeshire’s history. Additionally, they represent a farmstead whose development reflects the trajectory of the family’s fortunes over time.”

It finished: “The proposed scheme is considered acceptable in how its responds to landscape setting, visual, aesthetic, historical, cultural and also physical characteristics of the site.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S all-female rowing crew Merched y Mor have completed one of the hardest endurance challenges on the planet after crossing the Atlantic Ocean in just over fifty days.

Denise Leonard, Helen Heaton, Liz Collyer and Heledd Williams arrived at Nelson’s Dockyard in Antigua on Monday (Feb 2) after rowing roughly 3,000 miles from La Gomera in the Canary Islands as part of the World’s Toughest Row.

Their official crossing time was 50 days, 14 hours and 43 minutes.

The team becomes the first all-Wales female crew ever to finish the transatlantic race, joining a small global community of ocean rowers who have successfully crossed the Atlantic under human power alone. Organisers frequently note that fewer people have completed the crossing than have travelled into space.

Life at sea

For seven weeks, the four women lived aboard their boat Cariad, rowing in pairs around the clock in two-hour shifts, day and night.

They battled steep Atlantic swells, equipment issues and relentless fatigue, with waves reported at up to twenty feet. Temperatures swung from chilly nights to intense daytime heat, while flying fish, salt sores and sleep deprivation became part of daily life.

There were no days off. Christmas, New Year and birthdays were marked mid-ocean.

Communication with home was limited to satellite messages and brief calls, making morale and teamwork critical.

The crew said their strategy was simple: break the challenge into small pieces.

“We just took one day at a time and looked after each other,” they said after stepping ashore. “Kindness and teamwork got us through.”

Months of preparation

The race, widely described as the world’s toughest endurance row, demands far more than fitness.

Teams must be fully self-sufficient, carrying their own food, water makers, safety gear and navigation equipment. Crews train for months in open water, learning survival skills, first aid, and how to repair equipment at sea.

For Merched y Mor, much of that preparation happened along the Pembrokeshire coast, building strength and sea confidence in conditions not unlike the Atlantic’s winter swells.

Each member came with a different personal motivation, from setting an example to their children and grandchildren to proving that age and background are no barriers to big ambitions.

Before departure, Denise Leonard said she wanted to show “that if you take a chance and are brave enough to try, extraordinary things are possible.”

Warm welcome in Antigua

Their final approach into Antigua was emotional, with families waiting on the quayside.

After weeks without physical contact, the first hugs brought tears from both crew and supporters.

“It didn’t feel real until we saw them,” the team said. “Those first hugs were just the best.”

Rowing for good causes

The challenge was not just personal.

The crew are raising funds for several charities close to their hearts, including the RNLI, Sea Trust Wales, Action for Children and Popham Kidney Support. Proceeds from sponsorship and the planned sale of their boat will be shared between the causes.

A proud moment for Pembrokeshire

Back home, messages of congratulations poured in from across the county, with supporters tracking the boat’s progress online throughout the crossing.

Their achievement places Pembrokeshire firmly on the international endurance-sport map and offers an inspiring story of resilience, teamwork and determination.

After fifty days alone with the ocean, Merched y Mor have returned not just as finishers, but as record-makers — proof that a small Welsh crew can take on the Atlantic and win.

Volunteers diverted mid-exercise to help casualty at slipway

CREW from Angle RNLI were called into action yesterday afternoon after being diverted from a training exercise to assist with a medical emergency at Neyland Slipway.

The all-weather lifeboat was afloat on an extended navigation exercise when the request for assistance came in at 2:44pm. At the time, the crew were operating off Milford Shelf and immediately made best speed towards Neyland.

On arrival, the lifeboat’s inflatable Y-boat was launched, allowing casualty care-trained volunteers to reach the shore quickly. Crew members assessed the casualty and provided immediate assistance while coordinating with emergency services.

Working alongside Dale Coastguard Rescue Team and the Welsh Ambulance Service, the volunteers helped safely extract the casualty from the slipway and transfer them for further treatment.

Once the incident was concluded, the lifeboat was stood down and returned to station, where it was cleaned, refuelled and readied for service again by 4:30pm.

A spokesperson said the call-out highlighted how quickly routine training can turn into a real-life rescue, with crews ready to respond at a moment’s notice.