Business

What is natural burial? Why not go and find out?

Published

4 years ago

August 12, 2021

ADVERTISING FEATURE

WHEN people talk about burials they often think, headstones, grass trimmed within a few centimetres and pots of cut flowers. They are a place that focuses on the fact people have died, rather than the fact they have lived. However, at a natural burial ground, there is a very different feel to your traditional burial ground. There are no headstones to tend. Wildflowers buzzing with bees greet you, and the grass waving in the wind chirps with the sound of grasshoppers. It is a place that focuses on life and good memories, not death.

We got to experience this when we visited Pembrokeshire Natural Burial Ground who are celebrating their first year of offering natural burials in our beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside. As they prepare for their open day on the 14th of August 2021 it got them thinking about what people may like to know about their natural burial ground. How it works and how they can help those who wish to choose eco-friendly choices whether they opt for cremation or burial. They have explained a little bit more to us about who they are, what they can offer and how they can help families to create personal, unhurried funerals.

Pembrokeshire natural burials sit within the heart of Pembrokeshire by the village of Keeston. They are about 5 minutes from Haverfordwest and Newgale and are the first natural burial ground in Pembrokeshire. As you arrive at the meadow you are greeted by easy parking and new native hedgerows that are filled with wildflowers in the spring and summer. Venture slightly further and the breathtaking view of the Preseli Mountains in the distance welcomes you into the meadow.

Sarah said that the natural burial ground works on an eco-friendly ethos, ‘we put back into the ground what we take out of it. It’s about offering something personal to the families that use us while supporting native habitats’. At the natural burial ground families can have a meadow burial and sprinkle native wildflowers. They also have a corner where they are offering new native woodland plots. Ashes can be interred in plots or as part of a natural burial. There is also the option to include pets ashes as part of natural burial as they understand this is important. While they have a designated area for natural pet burial and pets ashes.

Natural burial is often a choice for those who love nature and being in the countryside and we can see why. Sarah explained to us that they work with nature. During the summer the wild grasses and wildflowers grow, when autumn approaches they mow the meadow ready to welcome next year’s wildflowers. In the summer months mowed winding paths lead you through the wild grasses to areas where funerals can gather. These are managed in a very sympathetic way to fit in with the natural surroundings. Around the meadow, you can wander the permissive walk, while people are welcome to visit from dawn to dusk throughout the year.

Managing the natural burial ground in this way also allows the land to be used sustainably and in current times we have realised the importance of sustainable development. It is something that we are starting to consider in everyday life. Why should the same not be said for the choices we make when we die? On occasion, you may even find the natural lawn mowers grazing the lower part of the meadow. Sarah said, ‘natural burial allows us to leave the lightest of footprints when we are gone.’

Memorials are not placed on graves to allow the natural burial ground to be managed sustainably and remain as natural as possible, however, there is a beautiful welsh oak memorial frame in the meadow. This houses simple welsh slate memorials for those who wish to have a memorial in the meadow. The natural burial ground also offers memorial trees and dedications for those who wish to have a tree in honour of a loved one.

You will find a few places in the meadow where you can stop, sit, remember and reflect but these are natural and down to earth. They include reused logs and a recycled water trough that was discovered when they were re-establishing the meadow. When the meadow was first purchased in 2019 it was very overgrown. Re-establishing the meadow has now encouraged wildlife-rich habitats. The natural burial ground also has plans that include re-establishing their wetland and building a memorial shelter. It is very much a work in progress and has already created a wonderfully wild meadow, full of birds, bees and the love of all those that have found a haven there. But take our word for it, if this is something you are interested in go and have a look for yourself.

Pembrokeshire Natural Burials is hosting its first open day on Saturday the 14th of August 2021. Sarah said that all are welcome, there will be coffee and cake. You can find out more about natural burial, eco-friendly funeral ideas and their nature projects. There is even a nature hunt inspired by their 7-year-old nature lover Jesse. Dogs are welcome too if you want to go and explore their permissive walk. If you are not free on this day you can always pop by in your own time or arrange a visit with Sarah at another time.

If you want to see what natural burial is about for yourself they are hosting an open day at Pembrokeshire Natural Burials. This is on Saturday the 14th of August 2021 between 10 am and 4 pm. You can pop along, grab a coffee with them. You can even take the dog for a wander around their permissive walk and get involved in a nature hunt around the meadow.

www.pembrokshirenaturalburials.co.uk

Pembrokeshire Natural Burials, Bridge Lane, Keeston, SA62 6EE

Contact Sarah: 07780 764 715 / [email protected]

@pembrokeshirenaturalburials

TO FEATURE YOUR BUSINESS ON THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD WEBSITE CALL 01646 454545

Business

Cardiff Airport announces special Air France flights for Six Nations

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Direct services to Paris-Charles de Gaulle launched to cater for Welsh supporters, French fans and couples planning a Valentine’s getaway

CARDIFF AIRPORT and Air France have unveiled a series of special direct flights between Cardiff (CWL) and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) scheduled for February 2026.

Timed to coincide with two major dates — the Wales v France Six Nations clash on Saturday 15 February and Valentine’s weekend — the flights are designed to offer supporters and holidaymakers an easy link between the two capitals.

For travelling French rugby fans, the services provide a straightforward route into Wales ahead of match day at the Principality Stadium, when Cardiff will once again be transformed by the colour, noise and passion that accompanies one of the tournament’s most eagerly awaited fixtures.

For Welsh passengers, the additional flights offer a seamless escape to Paris for Valentine’s Day, as well as opportunities for short breaks and onward travel via Air France’s wider global network.

Cardiff Airport CEO Jon Bridge said: “We’re thrilled to offer direct flights to such a vibrant and exciting city for Valentine’s weekend. Cardiff Airport is expanding its reach and giving customers fantastic travel options. We’ve listened to passenger demand and are delighted to make this opportunity possible. There is more to come from Cardiff.”

Tickets are already on sale via the Air France website and through travel agents.

Special flight schedule

Paris (CDG) → Cardiff (CWL):

13 February 2026: AF4148 departs 17:00 (arrives 17:30)
14 February 2026: AF4148 departs 14:00 (arrives 14:30)
15 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
15 February 2026: AF4150 departs 19:40 (arrives 20:10)
16 February 2026: AF4148 departs 08:00 (arrives 08:30)
16 February 2026: AF4150 departs 16:30 (arrives 17:00)

Cardiff (CWL) → Paris (CDG):

13 February 2026: AF4149 departs 18:20 (arrives 20:50)
14 February 2026: AF4149 departs 15:20 (arrives 17:50)
15 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
15 February 2026: AF4151 departs 21:00 (arrives 23:30)
16 February 2026: AF4149 departs 09:20 (arrives 11:50)
16 February 2026: AF4151 departs 17:50 (arrives 20:20)

Business

Cwm Deri Vineyard Martletwy holiday lets plans deferred

Published

10 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

CALLS to convert a former vineyard restaurant in rural Pembrokeshire which had been recommended for refusal has been given a breathing space by planners.

In an application recommended for refusal at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Barry Cadogan sought permission for a farm diversification and expansion of an existing holiday operation through the conversion of the redundant former Cwm Deri vineyard production base and restaurant to three holiday lets at Oaklea, Martletwy.

It was recommended for refusal on the grounds of the open countryside location being contrary to planning policy and there was no evidence submitted that the application would not increase foul flows and that nutrient neutrality in the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC would be achieved within this catchment.

An officer report said that, while the scheme was suggested as a form of farm diversification, no detail had been provided in the form of a business case.

Speaking at the meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd, after the committee had enjoyed a seasonal break for mince pies, said of the recommendation for refusal: “I’m a bit grumpy over this one; the client has done everything right, he has talked with the authority and it’s not in retrospect but has had a negative report from your officers.”

He said the former Cwm Deri vineyard had been a very successful business, with a shop and a restaurant catering for ‘100 covers’ before it closed two three years ago when the original owner relocated to Carmarthenshire.

He said Mr Cadogan then bought the site, farming over 36 acres and running a small campsite of 20 spaces, but didn’t wish to run a café or a wine shop; arguing the “beautiful kitchen” and facilities would easily convert to holiday let use.

He said a “common sense approach” showed a septic tank that could cope with a restaurant of “100 covers” could cope with three holiday lets, describing the nitrates issue as “a red herring”.

He suggested a deferral for further information to be provided by the applicant, adding: “This is a big, missed opportunity if we just kick this out today, there’s a building sitting there not creating any jobs.”

On the ‘open countryside’ argument, he said that while many viewed Martletwy as “a little bit in the sticks” there was already permission for the campsite, and the restaurant, and the Bluestone holiday park and the Wild Lakes water park were roughly a mile or so away.

He said converting the former restaurant would “be an asset to bring it over to tourism,” adding: “We don’t all want to stay in Tenby or the Ty Hotel in Milford Haven.”

While Cllr Nick Neuman felt the nutrients issue could be overcome, Cllr Michael Williams warned the application was “clearly outside policy,” recommending it be refused.

A counter-proposal, by Cllr Tony Wilcox, called for a site visit before any decision was made, the application returning to a future committee; members voting seven to three in favour of that.

Business

Welsh Govt shifts stance on business rates after pressure from S4C and Herald

Published

21 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ministers release unexpected statement 48 hours after widespread concern highlighted in Welsh media

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced a new package of tapered business rates relief for 2026-27, in a move that follows sustained pressure from Welsh media — including S4C Newyddion and The Pembrokeshire Herald — over the impact of revaluation on small businesses.

In Milford Haven, the hard-pressed pub sector is already feeling the impact: the annual bill for The Lord Kitchener is rising from £5,000 to £15,000, while rates at the Kimberley Public House have nearly doubled from £10,500 to £19,500. The Imperial Hall’s rates are increasing from £5,800 to £9,200, prompting director Lee Bridges to question why businesses “are being asked to pay more when we use less services”. In Haverfordwest, the annual rates bill for Eddie’s Nightclub is increasing from £57,000 to £61,500.

A written statement, issued suddenly on Wednesday afternoon, confirms that ministers will introduce a transitional “tapering mechanism” to soften steep increases for tourism, hospitality and small independent operators. Full details will be published with the draft Budget later this month.

The announcement comes less than two days after The Herald’s in-depth reporting brought forward direct concerns from Pembrokeshire business owners and councillors, highlighting the uncertainty facing one of Wales’ most important local industries.

Herald reporting credited by senior councillor

Pembrokeshire County Council Independent Group Leader Cllr Huw Carnhuan Murphy publicly thanked The Herald for pushing the issue into the spotlight.

In a statement shared on Wednesday, Cllr Murphy said: “Welcome news from Welsh Government. Thanks to Tom Sinclair for running this important item in the Herald in relation to the revaluation of businesses and the consequences it will have for many.

He added: “Newyddion S4C hefyd am redeg y stori pwysig yma ynghylch trethi busnes.,” which in English is “and thanks to S4C Newyddion as well for running this important story about business taxes.”

He added that the Independent Group “will always campaign to support our tourism and agriculture industry, on which so many residents rely within Pembrokeshire”.

Media spotlight increased pressure on Cardiff Bay

On Monday, ministers said business rates plans would be outlined “within the next two weeks”.
By Wednesday afternoon — following prominent coverage on S4C and continued pressure from The Herald — Welsh Government released an early written statement outlining new support.

Industry sources told The Herald they believed the level of public concern, amplified by the media, “forced the issue up the agenda much faster than expected”.

A cautious welcome for ‘better than nothing’

Cllr Murphy welcomed the partial support, though he stressed it fell short of what many businesses had hoped for.

“This isn’t the level of support many were hoping for,” he said, “but it is certainly much better than nothing.”

Draft Budget expected soon

The full tapered support scheme will be detailed in the Welsh Government draft Budget, expected within a fortnight.

Tourism and hospitality representatives have reserved final judgment until the figures are published, but many have expressed relief that some support will continue, following weeks of uncertainty.