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Local fisherman’s body recovered, says family

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THE FAMILY of a Pembrokeshire fisherman, who went missing after the vessel he was on sank on November 21 last year, have confirmed his body has been found.

Robert Morley was among three crew members aboard the vessel when the emergency call went out, two of the crew were recovered shortly after, but the search for Mr Morley was later terminated.

The 45-foot scalloping vessel, Joanna C, sent an emergency signal to the Coastguard on Saturday, November 21 at 6am.

The vessel is said to have sunk three miles off the coast of Seaford.

The initial search involved coastguard rescue teams, RNLI all weather lifeboats, two coastguard helicopters, the coastguard fixed wing aircraft and fishing vessels in the area.

Thirty-eight-year-old Morley lived with his Fiance and children in Llangolman. But worked away for long stretches at a time on fishing boats.

The search was called off at 11pm on Saturday, November 21 and continued on first light Sunday Morning, but later terminated at 2.30pm with nothing further found.

Dave Bickerstaff, skipper of the vessel, was found Saturday morning clinging to a lifebuoy.

The body of a second crew member, Adam Harper, 26 was recovered by divers a couple of days later.

Robert’s Step-father confirmed that the body that was recovered from the sea in December of last year has been identified as the thirty-eight-year-old.

45-Foot scalloping vessel, Joanna C, sank on November 21 last year

In a heartfelt Facebook post, Barry Woolford confirmed the tragic news. 

He said: “To all the beautiful people of Brixham, it is with much sadness that I have to inform you that our son Robert Morley has been identified as the body that was brought from the sea at Bexhill in December.

“Thank you all for your fantastic support and love these past 12 weeks.

“No further information is available at this moment regarding funeral arrangements but on behalf of all Rob’s family thanks Brixham.”

The local Maenclochog community pulled together to support the families when news first broke that Robert was missing.

A gofundme page was set up to provide for the families of the Joanna C fishermen.

When the news broke, Councillor Huw George for Maenclochog paid his sympathies to the family, he said: “My thoughts are with her and the family at this difficult time.

“The Maenclochog community will stand by her one hundred percent. They are remarkable. It’s a shock for the whole community.

“She is well-respected in the Maenclochog community. She will be well-supported in work and in the wider community around Maenclochog.”

A weekly curry night was also organised by the village’s Caffi sgwar in the run up to Christmas to raise money for the family.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

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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)

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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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