News
Pembroke Dock: Cleddau Bridge Hotel to shut its doors
STAFF at the Cleddau Bridge Hotel have been told that their last day of work will be on January 2, as management have decided to shut the doors on the well known Pembrokeshire hotel and venue.
The news was broken in a hurriedly arranged staff meeting which took place on Wednesday (Dec 27).
Since 2004 the hotel has been run by a limited company, Cleddau Bridge Hotel Limited.
There has been no confirmation as to numbers of redundancies from management, but one source has told The Herald that around 40 full time and part time positions were to go as a result of the closure.
An employee who wished to remain anonymous has told the Herald that all wedding bookings have been refunded – and staff have been promised wages tomorrow (Dec 29).
Our source said: “As far as I’m aware weddings have been refunded in full. We should be getting paid tomorrow but time will tell.”
General Manager, Natalie John, said on Hotels.com: “It is with great regret, I am writing to inform you that the Cleddau Bridge Hotel will cease trading as of January 2 2018.
“With numerous staff having worked here for over 10 years it is a sad time for us all.”
According to Companies House documents submitted in 2016, the company was controlled by Mr Raj and Mrs Manjit Kullar, who are the parents of the directors.
However, Jasjit Singh Kullar resigned in July 2016, and Mrs Majit Kullar took over as director of Cleddau Bridge Hotel Limited from Sukhjit Singh Kullar on April 26, 2017.
Pembroke Dock Councillor Paul Dowson told The Herald: “This news has come as a shock and will deeply affect the people who are employed there and those people who have weddings booked in advance, and other types of functions.
“I only hope that somebody takes on the business as soon as possible and honours any bookings that have already been made.
Cllr Joshua Beynon, the local ward member, said: “I think its a huge loss to the area, mainly due to the jobs that will be lost. This is also bad news for users of the hotel, Pembroke Dock and Pembrokeshire in general.
“I am also concerned for people who have booked functions such as weddings at the premises.”
Eluned Morgan AM said: “This news comes at the worst time of the year for the thirty staff and their families. I will be working with the local councillor to seek support for those affected by this decision.”
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
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
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
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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