News
Joyce Watson MS visits Dragon LNG on women in engineering day
SENEDD Member Joyce Watson marked International Women in Engineering Day (Jun 23) with a visit to Dragon LNG’s new solar farm.
Located at the operator’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Milford Haven, the project is part of the site’s transition to renewable energy, as it aims to become Net Zero by 2029.
Speaking after the visit, the Labour Mid and West Wales politician said: “Today is International Women in Engineering Day. But in the UK only 16.5% of engineers are women. Three quarters of our STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) workforce are men – and only 20 per cent of women science graduates go on to STEM careers, compared with 44 per cent of men.
“Girls generally outperform boys in science GCSEs and A-levels, but that success is not translating into careers.
“It’s not just a gender imbalance problem. Britain is short of 173,000 STEM workers – it costs the UK economy £1.5 billion a year. We cannot afford to waste female talent and potential.
“That is why initiatives like the Engineering Education Scheme Wales, which encourages girls from year 8 up to contact employers and higher education institutions, are so important – helping girls make informed choices about their options.
“Climate change, food security, global pandemics – the big challenges we face demand STEM-based solutions. We need more women to help solve them.
Mrs Watson, who chairs the Welsh Parliament’s cross-party construction group, added: “Dragon LNG, through its award-winning Darwin project, is doing fantastic work with Pembrokeshire College, the Pembrokeshire Education Authority and local stakeholders to engage around 3,500 learners every year – over 70,000 since it started in 2005.
“This month, Lamphey School pupils will take part in the company’s first renewables workshop. I hope it inspires the next generation of STEM specialists – boys and girls.”
Left to Right: Karen Wood; Joyce Watson; Laura Callan, commercial officer; and Priscilla Wilson, Health and Safety Executive lead
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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