News

Five shouts in 18 hours to kick off the Bank Holiday weekend

Published

2 years ago

April 29, 2023

ANGLE RNLI has had a busy start to the bank holiday weekend, responding to five separate incidents in just 18 hours.

The first call came at 9:10 pm on Friday, when the all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch in response to a report of an overdue windsurfer at Dale. Despite heavy fog, the crew made their way towards the location, only to be stood down when the windsurfer was found safe and well ashore. The Dale coastguard rescue team also assisted with this incident.

The crew were called out again at 6:09 am the next morning, when a yacht ran aground at Brunel Quay in Neyland. The lifeboat crew deployed the Y boat and liaised with the yacht’s skipper, who decided to remain onboard until the tide refloated the vessel. The lifeboat was then stood down and returned to station.

Shortly after, at 10:02 am, the crew received another call from the coastguard to search for a missing person in the Wards Pier/Rath area. The lifeboat launched and conducted shoreline searches up the Haven, alongside other coastguard rescue teams, police officers, and the fire service. While conducting a search in the South Hook Point area, the crew came across another incident where a person was in difficulty on the cliffs below the coast path. The coastguard and other assets were requested to assist, and the lifeboat stood by.

Finally, the crew was tasked to search for a vessel with possibly intoxicated crew and a young male onboard, making its way in somewhere on the Haven in poor visibility due to the fog. The lifeboat and the Water Ranger located the vessel near the Valero oil terminal, and after a welfare check of the persons onboard, the vessel was escorted to Warrior Way, Pembroke Dock, for recovery.

The all-weather lifeboat returned to station after a combined eight hours at sea. The RNLI crew and the staff of MRCC Milford Haven Coastguard ops room were praised for their coordination and dedication in responding to multiple incidents on what was an incredibly busy day around the coast.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

Published

5 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

12 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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

Published

13 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

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.