News

Archaeological excavations fail to uncover medieval priory at Cardigan Hospital site

Published

1 year ago

July 14, 2023

RECENT archaeological investigations conducted on the grounds of the former Cardigan Hospital have yielded disappointing results, offering limited insights into the possible location of a medieval priory that once stood there. Experts now fear that extensive redevelopment over the centuries has likely obliterated any significant remains from the medieval era.

The excavations, carried out along the northern edge of the site, were part of Phase 1 of the planning conditions imposed by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust. The dig was necessitated by earlier findings that hinted at the presence of a medieval roadside settlement in the area. The subsequent excavation work was initiated in anticipation of the proposed redevelopment of the site by Wales and West Housing.

Although fragments of medieval pottery and jug handles were uncovered during the excavation, EDP heritage planning consultant, Rob Skinner, acknowledged the lack of noteworthy discoveries. “We’ve found some pieces of medieval pottery and some jug handles, but unfortunately, in addition to these, nothing particularly exciting has been found,” remarked Skinner.

The overall condition of the site, heavily disturbed and altered over the centuries, posed a significant challenge to the archaeological team. Large portions of land had been excavated and filled with rubble and other materials during subsequent developmental phases. Consequently, the disrupted state of the site has hindered the retrieval of a coherent archaeological record.

Skinner further explained, “Over the centuries, the site has been developed and changed in so many different directions, with the result that the archaeological picture has been severely disturbed. This means that the majority of what’s been found dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, with very little dating before.”

These findings suggest that the priory may have occupied the exact location where remnants of a 17th-century house still stand today. Consequently, the archaeological team is beginning to believe that the priory’s remains may never be unearthed. “If this is the case, it means that the remains of the priory will never be found,” added Mr. Skinner with a hint of disappointment.

While the first phase of excavations concluded in May, the Dyfed Archaeological Trust plans to commence the second phase later this year. The upcoming dig will shift focus to the western side of the site, closer to the church, in the hopes of uncovering additional historical artifacts and shedding further light on the site’s past.

In the midst of these archaeological developments, Wales and West Housing has confirmed that a press statement will be issued later this summer, as they have encountered “some issues” during the development process. The housing developers had initially aimed for the opening of their new 34 eco-friendly apartments by the summer of 2023. However, they announced last year that construction would be delayed until this summer, attributing the setback to challenges related to the availability of materials and labor in the construction sector.

As excavations continue and the fate of the priory remains elusive, the archaeological team remains committed to unraveling the mysteries of the former Cardigan Hospital site.

Crime

Pembroke Dock woman in court for failing to remove rubbish from property

Published

9 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKE DOCK resident is due to appear before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court later today (Nov 25) for multiple alleged breaches of a community protection notice.

Sheena Deacon, of 13 Wavell Crescent, Pembroke Dock, faces charges under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, which carries a maximum penalty of a Level 4 fine.

The charges stem from allegations that Deacon failed to remove accumulated household waste from her property on several occasions. According to court documents, the breaches occurred on September 19, September 26, October 2, October 9, and October 17 this year.

The charges indicate that Deacon, despite being issued with a community protection notice, did not comply with the requirements to clear and appropriately dispose of refuse and household waste from her address.

The Herald will bring updates on the case as it progresses.

News

Welsh Conservatives urge Labour to scrap ‘family farm tax’

Published

9 hours ago

November 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE WELSH CONSERVATIVES have announced plans to bring forward a Senedd debate next week (Nov 27) calling on the UK Labour Government to abandon its proposed “family farm tax.”

The tax, introduced by the UK Labour Government, is being criticised as a move that will harm Welsh farming, threaten food security, and increase food prices. Alongside the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme and perceived “anti-farming agenda,” critics argue this new tax amounts to a coordinated effort to undermine the future of agriculture in Wales.

Shadow Minister warns of consequences
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs, James Evans MS, condemned the proposal, stating:
“Labour’s family farm tax will put family farms out of business, threaten our food security, and lead to food prices rising. Only the Welsh Conservatives will stand up for our farmers, and that’s why we’re bringing forward a Senedd motion calling on Labour to reverse this decision. No farmers, no food.”

NFU Cymru expresses alarm
NFU Cymru President, Aled Jones, echoed these concerns, highlighting the widespread opposition from the farming community. Speaking about the impact of the tax on Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief, Jones said:
“Earlier this week, hundreds of farmers from across Wales journeyed to London to meet with their MPs and register their deeply held concerns about these misguided and ill-thought-out reforms.

“The proposals unveiled by the Treasury last month to introduce a tax on the passing on of our family farms to the next generation are a massive added burden. They will leave many farmers without the means, confidence, or incentive to invest in the future of their business.

“NFU Cymru reiterates its call for the UK Government to halt these changes.”

The motion to be debated
The motion, set to be debated in the Senedd, reads:
“To propose that the Senedd:
Calls on the UK Labour Government to reverse its decision to impose a family farm tax on agricultural businesses.”

This debate is expected to attract significant attention, with Welsh farmers and rural communities keenly watching for the outcome.

Community

Internet outage for two villages after exchange box destroyed

Published

11 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENTS of Clunderwen and Llandissilio have been left without internet access following the destruction of an Openreach exchange box just outside Llandissilio village.

The incident occurred yesterday (Nov 23) when the box was reportedly demolished by a vehicle. The damage has resulted in a complete loss of internet services for the two villages, with repairs expected to take at least a couple of days.

Local residents have expressed frustration over the disruption, as the outage affects home businesses, remote workers, and households relying on internet connectivity for day-to-day tasks.

Openreach engineers have cordoned off the site, and work is ongoing to assess the extent of the damage. A spokesperson for Openreach has been contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication.

The vehicle involved in the incident has not yet been identified. Anyone with information about the collision is urged to contact the local police.

With repair timelines unclear, affected residents have called for increased communication from service providers to manage expectations during the outage.

“Bringing the community back online is a priority,” a local resident said. “We’re hoping Openreach can resolve the issue quickly and ensure it doesn’t happen again in future.”