News

Snow and ice in Pembs: Some schools closed and police warn of road dangers

Published

2 years ago

January 18, 2024

Good morning, residents of snowy Pembrokeshire.

In light of the cold weather conditions affecting the county, we are keeping you informed with the latest updates on road safety, school closures, and public transport alterations.

As of 06:00 AM, travellers are advised to exercise extreme caution on the A487 route from Newgale to Haverfordwest. This stretch has become treacherous due to significant ice accumulation. Authorities recommend allowing extra time for travel along this route, as the icy conditions have considerably increased the risk of accidents.
By 06:30 AM, the A487 near Boncath experienced disruptions. A lorry, unable to navigate the snowy and icy hill at Rhos Hill near the turnoff to Boncath, became a partial roadblock. Efforts are underway to safely remove the vehicle and restore normal traffic flow.
Schools have been significantly impacted by these harsh conditions. At 07:20 AM, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi announced its closure for the day, citing the severe weather and the cancellation of school buses. The safety of students and staff is paramount, and the decision to close was made to ensure their wellbeing.
Shortly thereafter, at 07:23 AM, further potential school closures were reported. Portfield School, Pembroke Dock School, Neyland LRC, Goodwick School, and Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi are likely to remain closed today. However, Pembrokeshire College, Milford Haven Community Primary School, and Cosheston VC have reported that they will remain open.
Richard Bros. announced at 08:00 AM the suspension of all school and college service routes until further notice. This decision, made in response to the adverse weather and road conditions, aims to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff. Richard Bros. apologises for any inconvenience caused and urges the public to stay updated for further notices.
At 7:46am there were reports of cars stuck on Newgale Hill.
At 07:52am The council said Mary Immaculate School, Haverfordwest says it can open.
At 07:53am Cilgerran Church in Wales VC School will be closed today .
At 07:55am The council said Pembrokeshire Learning Centre will be closed today.
At 07:56am We received news that Puncheston Community Primary School will be closed today.
At 07:56am It was confirmed that Roch Community School will be closed today.
At 07:58am The council said Ysgol Bro Ingli – Newport will be closed today.
At 07:59am We received news that Ysgol Caer Elen will be closed today.
At 08:00am It was decided that Ysgol Gymunedol Brynconin – Llandissilio will be closed today.
At 08:04am We received news that Ysgol Gymunedol Maenclochog will be closed today.
At 08:04am Goodwick Community School will be closed today.
At 08:05am It was confirmed that Ysgol Llandudoch – St Dogmaels will be closed today.
At 08:06am Confirmed that Ysgol Llanychllwydog – Gwaun Valley will be closed today.
At 08:07am The council said Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA will be closed today.
At 08:09am It was confirmed that Ysgol Bro Preseli will be closed today.

08:09am – Holy Name Catholic Primary School in Fishguard will be partially closed today due to staff shortages caused by adverse weather conditions. Classes 4 and 5 will be closed this morning Work will be set on Google Classroom If we are able to safely reopen the classes later today we will inform parents
08:10am – Ysgol Ger y Llan in Letterston will be partially closed today Staff say conditions will be re-assessed by 10am and parents contacted via Seesaw
08:11am – Ysgol Hafan y Môr will be partially closed today as some staff are unable to reach the school site. The school will be partially open today. This means open to pupils in yrs. 3 – 6 however the school is closed to all pupils in Nursery, Reception, Yrs. 1 + 2. Breakfast club open – yrs. 3 -6 only Cylch Meithrin is open. School says apologies for any inconvenience this may cause however the health and safety of staff is paramount. Thank you for your understanding.
08:23am – Coastlands School – St Ishmaels will be partially closed today.
08:24am – Haverfordwest High VC School will be partially closed today. School is closed to KS3 and Open to KS4 and 5.
08.34am – Road between the country road between St Davids Road and Nolton Haven is impassable for cars.
08:51am – B4329 road at Poyston Cross, Haverfordwest, is currently obstructed due to a single-vehicle traffic collision.
09:00am – Pembrokeshire County Council have announced that there are challenges surrounding waste and recycling collections this morning due to weather conditions. Collections will be later starting than usual, and when commencing, priority will be given to Residual (grey/black bags) and AHP (purple bags) collections. We will make every effort to collect where it it safe to do so, however wherever possible can households please keep their recycling until the next collection day.
09:20am – Update from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park – We’re aware of snow falling across many areas of the National Park overnight and this morning. We’d advise everyone to be cautious if you’re heading out – and be mindful that some local roads are already in a treacherous condition. For those planning to enjoy the snow, please remember that much of the land in the National Park, including North Pembrokeshire, is privately owned. Have fun, but please respect the land, farmers and their livestock. Take all litter home with you and park wisely, without blocking gates or roads that may be used by local residents, landowners and emergency services.
09:21am – Pembrokeshire County Council have said that primary routes and secondary routes have been gritted and are being patrolled again this morning but conditions remain very icy and slippery. Untreated routes will be hazardous and dangerous. Please take caution and cnsider if journey is essential. Coastal roads are reported as dangerous.
09:22am Police confirm road closure at Jackson Way and Goodwick Hill, Goodwick. Drivers are reminded to follow diversion routes which will be gritted.
09:31am Pembrokeshire County Council said A478 has been gritted but road is icy, especially around Rhoshill. Reports of cars being stuck also between Cardigan and Crymych at Bridell.
09:40am Emergency services are still dealing with accident on the A478 at Newgale Hill, police said.
09:59am Warning from local residents that Snowdrop Lane in Haverfordwest is very icy and to proceed with care
10:04am Warning that B4318 is blocked due to lorry stuck on hill due to ice/snow between Tavernspite and Red Roses. Team deployed by Pembrokeshire County Council to assist.
10:52am Avoid the back road past the Priory Inn, Lower Priory, Milford Haven, vans and cars stuck all over the place, the snow has frozen, so very slippy.
11:08am Gritting lorry stuck in snow near Scolton Manor, take care to avoid obstruction.
11:09am Road closure at Saundersfoot and Stop & Call, Goodwick due to burst water mains. Drivers are reminded to follow diversion routes which are gritted.
11:10am Road closure for the B4582 requested between Croft and Nevern due to several vehicles stuck
11:12am B4313 between Fishguard and Llanacher at Trebover Hill only passable by 4 x 4 cars unable to pass
11:13am Back roads around Letterston and Wolfscastle are not passable with a number of cars getting stuck
11:15am A478: Icy especially between Cardigan and Crymych at Bridell.
11:17am A487: Icy conditions around each side of Newgale on the hills
11:20am Hill on Glenover fields, Redhill park, side roads around Trafalgar roads in Haverfordwest are very icy
11:22am Take care on Johnston to Troopers Inn and Church Road
11:20am B4329 Haverfordwest to Cardigan road between Scolton and Crundale: Car accident
11:27am Road between Jordanston and Rosemarket around St Mary’s Park: Car Stuck and Public transport blocked. Team deployed by council.
11:30am Roads around Milford Haven are reporting as hazardous due to frost freezing over the snow. Fender bender on Victoria Road and also at Murray Road.
11:32am Take care on B4313 between Fishguard and Llanacher at Trebover Hill only passable by 4×4 – ordinary cars are unable to pass, police said.
11:36am A number of cars are blocking the access road between the A40 and Sealyham
11:47am Roads around Eglwyswrw, Llangwm, Letterston, Ambleston, Little Newcastle,, Wolfsdale, Leweston, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Keeston very slippy and have difficult driving conditions to name a few – Pembrokeshire County Council warning.
13.10pm The A487 between Fishguard and Cardigan has been closed in both directions due to snow. Police are currently on scene. Pembrokeshire County Council have been informed. Please avoid the area and find an alternative route.

The Pembrokeshire Herald urges all residents to stay informed, plan ahead, and prioritise safety during these challenging weather conditions. For the latest updates, please continue to follow our website and stay tuned for any further announcements.

Stay safe, Pembrokeshire.

Entertainment

Gavin & Stacey stars reunite for Christmas advert

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Luke Sinclair

GAVIN & STACEY favourites Joanna Page and Mathew Horne have reunited on screen for a Christmas special – though not the one fans might have hoped for. Instead of returning to Barry or Billericay, the duo appear together in a new festive advert for Waitrose, sharing a turkey pie while responding to a fan’s heartfelt letter about expressing love through food.

The short film marks their appearance in How to Say It With Food, a six-part series in which Page and Horne tackle some of the nation’s most common Christmas food dilemmas. The clip opens with Page teasingly nodding to their iconic sitcom: “Oh, you didn’t think we’d let Christmas roll around without showing up again, did you?”

Horne quickly follows with his own playful line: “Us? Miss Christmas? Not a chance. But this time we’re here to help you say it with food.”

The pair are then handed an envelope “from Santa”, containing a letter from a viewer asking how he can show his “leading lady” he loves her through food. Mathew quips: “First time saying it, you want a statement. Sixteenth time, you want a statement that doesn’t involve socks.”

He then introduces Waitrose’s new Christmas advert starring Keira Knightley and Joe Wilkinson. The main campaign follows an unlikely festive romance sparked by Sussex Charmer cheese and culminating in Wilkinson presenting Knightley with a turkey pie decorated with the words “I love you”. Watching the moment unfold, Page smiles at Horne and mirrors another classic Gavin & Stacey reference: “Oh, that’s so romantic.”

The duo are soon given their own turkey pie to try. Horne eagerly tucks in before cutting Page a slice, prompting laughter from his co-star. The advert ends with the pair wishing viewers a Merry Christmas as Knightley and Wilkinson share a warm festive kiss on screen.

The reunion comes almost a year after audiences tuned in to the BBC sitcom’s much-anticipated finale, which drew an impressive 12.3 million viewers on Christmas Day. The episode wrapped up storylines including Gwen’s blossoming romance with Dave Coaches, Smithy’s near-wedding to Sonia, and the moment fans had long debated – Smithy and Nessa tying the knot.

Reflecting on the new project, Page said: “You thought you’d seen the last of us! Well, we’re back and what fun we had.” She added: “It was such a treat working with Mat… food is what brings people together over the festive season.”

Horne described the experience as “brilliant”, calling their on-screen reunion “a Christmas tradition”.

Health

Government orders clinical review amid sharp rise in mental health diagnoses

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

4.4 million working-age people now claiming sickness or incapacity benefit, up by 1.2 million since 2019, many because of a mental health condition

A CLINICAL review into how mental health conditions are diagnosed across the UK is expected to begin this week, following concerns within government over rapidly rising sickness-benefit claims linked to conditions such as autism, ADHD and anxiety.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has commissioned leading clinical experts to examine whether ordinary emotional distress is being “over-pathologised” and to assess why the number of people receiving sickness and incapacity benefits has grown to 4.4 million – an increase of 1.2 million since 2019.

According to reports in The Times, ministers are particularly alarmed by the surge in the number of 16- to 34-year-olds now out of work because of long-term mental health conditions.

Streeting said he recognised “from personal experience how devastating it can be for people who face poor mental health, have ADHD or autism and can’t get a diagnosis or the right support,” but added that he had also heard from clinicians who say diagnoses are “sharply rising”.

“We must look at this through a strictly clinical lens to get an evidence-based understanding of what we know, what we don’t know, and what these patterns tell us about our mental health system, autism and ADHD services,” he told the newspaper. “That’s the only way we can ensure everyone gets timely access to accurate diagnosis and effective support.”

The review is expected to be chaired by Prof Peter Fonagy, a clinical psychologist at University College London specialising in child mental health, with Sir Simon Wessely, former president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, acting as vice-chair.

Prof Fonagy said the panel would “examine the evidence with care – from research, from people with lived experience and from clinicians working at the frontline of mental health, autism and ADHD services – to understand, in a grounded way, what is driving rising demand.”

The move comes as the UK Government faces mounting pressure over the rising welfare bill. Ministers earlier this year pulled back from proposed changes to disability benefits, including those affecting people with mental health conditions, after opposition from Labour backbenchers.

Speaking on Monday, the Prime Minister said a fresh round of welfare reform was needed.

Keir Starmer said: “We’ve got to transform it; we also have to confront the reality that our welfare state is trapping people, not just in poverty, but out of work.”

Business

Welsh Govt shifts stance on business rates after pressure from S4C and Herald

Published

15 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Ministers release unexpected statement 48 hours after widespread concern highlighted in Welsh media

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced a new package of tapered business rates relief for 2026-27, in a move that follows sustained pressure from Welsh media — including S4C Newyddion and The Pembrokeshire Herald — over the impact of revaluation on small businesses.

In Milford Haven, the hard-pressed pub sector is already feeling the impact: the annual bill for The Lord Kitchener is rising from £5,000 to £15,000, while rates at the Kimberley Public House have nearly doubled from £10,500 to £19,500. The Imperial Hall’s rates are increasing from £5,800 to £9,200, prompting director Lee Bridges to question why businesses “are being asked to pay more when we use less services”. In Haverfordwest, the annual rates bill for Eddie’s Nightclub is increasing from £57,000 to £61,500.

A written statement, issued suddenly on Wednesday afternoon, confirms that ministers will introduce a transitional “tapering mechanism” to soften steep increases for tourism, hospitality and small independent operators. Full details will be published with the draft Budget later this month.

The announcement comes less than two days after The Herald’s in-depth reporting brought forward direct concerns from Pembrokeshire business owners and councillors, highlighting the uncertainty facing one of Wales’ most important local industries.

Herald reporting credited by senior councillor

Pembrokeshire County Council Independent Group Leader Cllr Huw Carnhuan Murphy publicly thanked The Herald for pushing the issue into the spotlight.

In a statement shared on Wednesday, Cllr Murphy said: “Welcome news from Welsh Government. Thanks to Tom Sinclair for running this important item in the Herald in relation to the revaluation of businesses and the consequences it will have for many.

He added: “Newyddion S4C hefyd am redeg y stori pwysig yma ynghylch trethi busnes.,” which in English is “and thanks to S4C Newyddion as well for running this important story about business taxes.”

He added that the Independent Group “will always campaign to support our tourism and agriculture industry, on which so many residents rely within Pembrokeshire”.

Media spotlight increased pressure on Cardiff Bay

On Monday, ministers said business rates plans would be outlined “within the next two weeks”.
By Wednesday afternoon — following prominent coverage on S4C and continued pressure from The Herald — Welsh Government released an early written statement outlining new support.

Industry sources told The Herald they believed the level of public concern, amplified by the media, “forced the issue up the agenda much faster than expected”.

A cautious welcome for ‘better than nothing’

Cllr Murphy welcomed the partial support, though he stressed it fell short of what many businesses had hoped for.

“This isn’t the level of support many were hoping for,” he said, “but it is certainly much better than nothing.”

Draft Budget expected soon

The full tapered support scheme will be detailed in the Welsh Government draft Budget, expected within a fortnight.

Tourism and hospitality representatives have reserved final judgment until the figures are published, but many have expressed relief that some support will continue, following weeks of uncertainty.