News
A Fun-Filled Family Festival
The Welsh Dragonboat Championship is almost upon us as the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend nears.
The event, set to take place at Pembrokeshire’s Llys y Fran Country Park & Reservoir, is organised by the Narberth and Whitland Rotary and sponsored by Pembrokeshire’s Princes Gate Spring Water. The organisers have worked hard to ensure that this is a fun-filled family day out, in addition to the important fundraising element that the Dragonboat championship itself contributes: Teams of 17 members, including one drummer at the helm, will vie for the coveted title of Welsh Dragonboat Champions. All funds raised will be donated to a number of beneficiaries including the Noah’s Ark Appeal and Pembrokeshire’s Paul Sartori charity.
Rotary organiser Mary Adams is hopeful that people from all around Pembrokeshire will embrace this event and that it will be the first of many more to come; ‘We have tirelessly and unashamedly promoted this event at every opportunity! The line up of entertainment and family-oriented activities will ensure that this will appeal to all members of the community. Of course there is the serious matter of raising funds for our worthy beneficiaries, but even this is approached in a fun way; the Dragonboat teams are comprised of novices and dragonboat race veterans, which I’m sure will only add to the hwyl of the day!’
In addition to entertainment attractions (including bouncy castles, Sumo Wrestling & Bucking Bronco to mention but a few), there will be a fully licensed beer tent in operation, and guests will enjoy the very best of Pembrokeshire produce from the BBQ’s which will be in operation throughout the day. Entertainment in the afternoon will also be provided in the form of live music performed by bands ‘Audio Soup Kitchen’, ‘Sad Cafe Jammers’ and Jack Castle Sound, before a DJ takes over and entertains the remaining crowds well into the evening. During the day when the boats launched from the shoreline and when they return sea shanties will be performed by a Pembrokeshire group called “The Vagrant Crew”
In a bid to promote the even as a family attraction, for car parking and pedestrians there is a one-off £1.00 entry per Adult and children are free of charge. Llys y Fran management are also generously inviting event spectators to pitch tents overnight – at no extra charge – thereby also promoting responsible drinking. There are still stand spaces available for exhibitors to market their produce at a modest price of £20, and charities are welcome to take a stand space free of charge.
The Welsh Dragonboat Championship takes place on Sunday 25th May at Llys y Fran Country Park & Reservoir. For more general event information or on how to reserve a stand, please contact Ken Morgan 01834 860 873 or 07972 378 301 or by email [email protected]
Crime
Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property
A PEMBROKE DOCK resident is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 25) for multiple alleged breaches of a community protection notice.
Sheena Deacon, of 13 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, faces charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.
The charges stem from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions. According to court documents, the breaches occurred on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.
The charges indicate that Deacon, despite being issued with a community protection notice, did not comply with the requirements to clear and appropriately dispose of refuse and household waste from her address.
The Herald will bring updates on the case as it progresses.
News
Welsh Conservatives urge Labour to scrap ‘family farm tax’
THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced plans to bring forward a Senedd debate next week (Nov 27) calling on the UK Labour Government to abandon its proposed “family farm tax.”
The tax, introduced by the UK Labour Government, is being criticised as a move that will harm Welsh farming, threaten food security, and increase food prices. Alongside the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme and perceived “anti-farming agenda,” critics argue this new tax amounts to a coordinated effort to undermine the future of agriculture in Wales.
Shadow Minister warns of consequences
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, James Evans MS, condemned the proposal, stating:
“Labour’s family farm tax will put family farms out of business, threaten our food security, and lead to food prices rising. Only the Welsh Conservatives will stand up for our farmers, and that’s why we’re bringing forward a Senedd motion calling on Labour to reverse this decision. No farmers, no food.”
NFU Cymru expresses alarm
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones, echoed these concerns, highlighting the widespread opposition from the farming community. Speaking about the impact of the tax on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, Jones said:
“Earlier this week, hundreds of farmers from across Wales journeyed to London to meet with their MPs and register their deeply held concerns about these misguided and ill-thought-out reforms.
“The proposals unveiled by the Treasury last month to introduce a tax on the passing on of our family farms to the next generation are a massive added burden. They will leave many farmers without the means, confidence, or incentive to invest in the future of their business.
“NFU Cymru reiterates its call for the UK Government to halt these changes.”
The motion to be debated
The motion, set to be debated in the Senedd, reads:
“To propose that the Senedd:
Calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses.”
This debate is expected to attract significant attention, with Welsh farmers and rural communities keenly watching for the outcome.
Community
Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed
RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.
The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.
Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.
Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.
The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.
With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.
“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”
-
Business3 days ago
Specsavers relocates to landmark new store following £1.2 million investment
-
Crime5 days ago
Pembroke man faces rape and sexual assault charges
-
Community5 days ago
Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest is now officially open!
-
Top News7 days ago
Pembrokeshire’s ‘coal king’ lifts one of world’s oldest 127 kg lifting stones
-
News5 days ago
A tribute to Honey Arteya Foxx French, written by her family
-
News7 days ago
Police appeal after Nerf gun bullet hit baby
-
News6 days ago
Inquest hears social media bullying was factor in teen’s tragic death
-
Business4 hours ago
Plans unveiled for new fitness hub in Charles Street