News
Inspirational Achievements recognised in 16th Sport Pembrokeshire awards
ONE of the highlights of the local sporting calendar, the Sport Pembrokeshire Awards 2022 were held on Friday (25 November) at Folly Farm.
Celebrating the outstanding achievements of sportspeople, coaches and volunteers, the ceremony recognised 13 award-winners in a variety of categories, the winners of two special awards – the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Special Achievement Award – plus the School Award.
The ceremony was organised by Sport Pembrokeshire, and sponsored by Valero, the Western Telegraph, Pure West Radio, Folly Farm and Pembrokeshire County Council. It was hosted by sports journalist Bill Carne and Cris Tomos.
The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was dual code international rugby player and coach Rowland Phillips.
A native of St Davids, Rowland played in the backrow for the legendary Neath pack and won ten caps for Wales between 1987-1990 before moving to rugby league and signing for Warrington.
He also played for Rochdale, Oldham and Workington; won the Regal Trophy and represented Wales and Great Britain.
His coaching career was equally impressive. In 2003, he returned to his beloved Neath and led them to four successive Premiership titles and three Cup Final victories.
He undertook top roles home and abroad with among others the Ospreys, London Welsh and Wales Under-18s.
He has also been coach of the Wales Women’s national side, with his daughter, Carys achieving international success too, in her dad’s footsteps.
“Rowland has achieved international success but remained close to his family and community. He’s a real role model,” said Geoff Williams, retired Head of BBC Sport Wales, who presented him with the award.
The winner of the Special Achievement Award, presented by the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Pat Davies, was Brian Griffiths of Burton Cricket Club – an active member of the club for 72 years.
Brian played his debut as an 11 year old when he turned up to score but was asked to play when the team found itself with only ten men!
As well as playing a huge number of games for club and county he was also an excellent coach for over 40 years, initially with Burton and later on in the Pembrokeshire coaching set-up.
In recent years, Brian also umpired the club’s second team but his major contribution has been as the groundsman at Oatfield Park.
Burton all-rounder Steve Jones said: “Brian Griffiths has always typified the very best of cricket, on and off the field.
“He has been an excellent player over such a long period and worked tirelessly as a coach and groundsman. But above all that he really is a gentleman of the sport.”
In addition to the worthy finalists and winners, Sport Pembrokeshire also recognised Johnston CP School for its commitment tohealth and wellbeing.
Sponsored by Pembrokeshire County Council, the School Award was presented by Steven Richards-Downes, Director of Education.
Johnston school has developed their provision of inclusive sport with 12 after-school clubs every week, introduced a Special Visitor Programme to introduce learners to professional athletes and interesting speakers from all walks of life, offers a huge range of opportunities in dynamic PE sessions, and promotes outdoor learning with the Outdoor Schools programme.
Matthew Freeman, manager of Sport Pembrokeshire, congratulated all nominees, finalists and winners.
“Once again we’ve heard about some truly inspirational achievements, and outstanding examples of teamwork behind the scenes,” he said. “Well done to everyone.”
The winners are as follows:
SPORT PEMBROKESHIRE FINALISTS 2022:
Girls (U16) Sporting Achievement
Gracie Griffiths
Boys (U16) Sporting Achievement
Oscar Willington
Club of the Year
Cresselly Cricket Club
Junior Disability Sport Award
Ben Stanton
Disability Sport Award
Lily Rice
Young Volunteer of the Year
Lucy Kerrison
Junior (U16) Team Achievement of the Year
Neyland Pirates U14s 2021/22
Unsung Hero
Kevin Jenkins
Team Achievement of the Year
Wiseman’s Bridge Women’s Coxed Squad
Male Sporting Achievement
Ioan Croft
Female Sporting Achievement
Heather Lewis
Club Organiser of the Year
Wendy Bradshaw
Coach of the Year
Guy Croft
Business
First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead
THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.
The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.
A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.
The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.
Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.
“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”
The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.
Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.
The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.
A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.
Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.
Photo: Martin Cavaney
Crime
Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood
A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.
SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST
Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.
The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.
COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION
Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.
Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.
She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.
The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.
Local Government
Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works
Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure
SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.
County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.
“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.
Urgent works underway
Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.
Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.
Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.
Further updates are expected later this week.
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