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Pembrokeshire honours D-Day hero Ted Owens with Remembrance Day tribute

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TODAY, November 11, Pembroke Dock commemorates the remarkable life of one of Wales’ last D-Day veterans, Ted Owens, with a special Remembrance Day event at the VC Gallery. Owens, a revered Second World War veteran who passed away at the age of 98 in July, is celebrated for his bravery and service.

Ted Owens, a sniper with the Royal Marine Commandos, played a pivotal role in the Normandy landings on June 6, 1944, landing on Sword Beach in the first wave of advances. Despite being injured in a mortar attack and enduring subsequent wounds, Owens’s resilience saw him returning to action, participating in significant battles including Dunkirk and the Battle of the Bulge.

His wartime experiences were poignantly shared in the award-winning ITV documentary ‘Lest We Forget,’ bringing his story to a wider audience and cementing his status as a ‘true gentleman’ of war history.

The day’s events at the VC Gallery, located in the former St Mary’s Catholic school in Pennar, will include the unveiling of a portrait of Owens by renowned portrait artist Lloyd Lewis. The artwork, donated by Owens’s friend and VC Gallery supporter David O’Toole, is a fitting tribute to a local hero.

Barry John, the founder of VC Gallery, reflects on the connection with Owens: “For the last ten years, we’ve supported Ted’s welfare. From joining our reading club to assisting with hospital visits, Ted was a significant part of our community.”

In honour of Owens, the school hall in the VC Gallery’s Pembroke Dock home will be renamed the Ted Owens Memorial Hall. Visitors can engage with an exhibition featuring photographs of Ted, a video detailing his life, and artefacts from his personal history. Additionally, a booklet of his stories will be available for purchase, with all proceeds supporting the VC Gallery.

The gallery also invites the public to explore its mobile museum, showcasing artefacts from the world wars and modern conflicts, along with an exhibition about HMS Glenart Castle, a First World War hospital ship sunk by a German U-Boat in 1918.

The event, running between 11 am and 3 pm, promises to be a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans like Ted Owens and an opportunity for the community to pay their respects to a local and national hero.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

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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)

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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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)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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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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