News
Oakwood eyesore will soon be no more
A PROMINENT Pembrokeshire eyesore, once an indoor offshoot of Oakwood Theme Park, will soon be no more as demolition equipment moves on site.
In its heyday Canaston Bowl, near Narberth, was a thriving bowling alley and home to the popular Crystal Maze game.
A generation of Pembrokeshire people will remember the attraction as a venue for birthday parties and school trips.
But the building, owned by Oakwood Theme Park, fell into a state of disrepair since closing at the end of 2011, with peeling paint work, overgrown bushes and a pot-holed car park.
Stephanie Dewick, working in the local hospitality industry, said just a few short years later: “It needs tidying up. It’s right next to Oakwood and doesn’t give a very good impression.
“They should invest a bit of money into it and reopen the place. All it’s doing now is rotting away, which is not a pleasant sight.”
Since then, the local eyesore has attracted a new breed of visitors, urban explorers keen to seek adventure and create nostalgia by entering the former tourist attraction.
In the last few years, the attraction of the shabby building appears to have increased in line with its dereliction, and people who go inside add to the sorry sight by causing more damage.
Police issued several warnings during the lockdown period that people were risking their safety by going into the old Canaston Bowl.
In June of 2020, Tenby Neighbourhood Policing Team issued five fixed penalty notices for breach of lockdown to people they found at the building.
A Dyfed-Powys police spokeswoman said at the time: “People are trying to enter the building out of nostalgia, and part of the urban exploring trend, with photos and videos then online.
“It is mostly young people who remember it being open, but not always the case, and we are urging people to stay out.
“The building is derelict and in a poor state of repair, and anyone entering is risking their own safety.”
Following the sighting of plant machinery at Canaston Bowl’s front car park this week, it has now been confirmed demolition work is taking place.
A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said: “We can confirm that we have received a demolition notice for the former Canaston Bowl building from Merthyr Salvage Ltd under section 81 of the Building Act.”
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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