News

Superfast broadband to take ‘another 18 months’

Published

10 years ago

May 3, 2016

IT’S GOING to take another 18 months to complete the delivery of superfast broadband in Pembrokeshire; the head of Superfast Cymru told a special meeting set up by Simon Hart MP.

About 80 people attended the meeting in Whitland Memorial Hall, which was addressed by Ed Hunt, director of Superfast Cyrmu and Alwen Williams, Director of BT Wales.

“Broadband, or the lack of it, is the number one consumer issue that residents ask me about,” said Mr Hart. “This was an invitation-only event for people who have contacted me in the past about the problem and for community representatives. I think that the numbers speak for themselves.”

Mr Hunt explained that 500KM’s of fibre optic cabling has been laid in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire as part of BTs scheme to bring superfast (24 mbps and above) to 96% of homes.

“There will be a second sweep around Wales after the initial delivery to get to those properties we fail to reach on the first round,” he explained.

However he added that the take up of superfast has been patchy, especially in Carmarthenshire. “Seventy per cent of the constituency has been enabled but the take up is poor, especially in Carmarthenshire,” he said. “Only 12 % are choosing to connect to it in Carmarthenshire and in Pembrokeshire the take up figure is 25%.”

He explained that residents need to check on www.superfast-cymru.com to find out when their nearest cabinet is going to be enabled. If your cabinet has been enabled and your speed is still slow or if the website says your area is ‘in scope’ then you may want to explore other methods of getting broadband such as satellite or wireless, with help from a Welsh Assembly grant, he added.

Concerned residents from communities including Llansteffan, Summerhill, Llandowror, Lampeter Velfrey and East Williamston attended the meeting alongside county councillors, business owners and community council clerks.

Lizzie Lesnianski, clerk to Martletwy Community Council, said: “The website originally told us that we would have superfast in January 2016, that slipped to June, then December and now there is no date, you just keep moving the goalposts on us.”

Other residents, particularly from Meidrim and Lawrenny, criticized the state of the copper wire infrastructure of existing BT lines.

“We would like to have landlines that work reliably and just 0.5mbps of broadband, but there are constant problems with them, it’s galling that you are concentrating on getting superfast to others when we don’t have a basic service” said one Meidrim resident.

Mr Hart told the meeting: “We are all here not just because we don’t get superfast but also because of confusion about whether we will ever get it and if so, when.”

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

8 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

9 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

9 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.