LARGE crowds gathered in Milford Haven on Saturday afternoon (Dec 6) as the town’s Christmas lights were switched on – with Santa making a dramatic entrance by RNLI lifeboat.

The popular annual event began at 4.30pm with a festive parade setting off from Charles Street, outside the old police station, before making its way down through the town to Hamilton Terrace and on to the Town Hall. Families lined the route despite the cold, with children waving lanterns and cheering as Santa and his helpers joined the procession.

RNLI crew members from Milford Haven gave Santa a very Pembrokeshire-style arrival earlier in the day, escorting him into the marina aboard their all-weather lifeboat. Volunteers posed with Santa for photos before he headed off to meet waiting families.

After entertainment and stalls outside the Town Hall, the countdown began — and the Christmas tree lights were officially switched on to cheers from the crowd.

One notable absence this year was the traditional lighting along Hamilton Terrace. Milford Haven Town Council confirmed that new lamp posts installed earlier in the year were not yet ready for Christmas light fittings, meaning the usual display could not be installed in time for the switch-on.

Despite this, the area around the Town Hall was brightly illuminated, with the building covered in colourful lights and a Christmas tree standing at the entrance, creating a festive atmosphere as the town marked the start of the holiday season.

(Photos: Pure West Radio/Visit Milford Haven/Herald)

Teen competitor airlifted to Cardiff Hospital with major injuries as community rallies to support her recovery

A FUNDRAISING campaign has passed the £5,000 mark in support of Delphi, a talented young surfer from South Pembrokeshire who was seriously injured in a car accident last week.

The teenager, who had been preparing to compete in the Euros Surf Competition next year, was left with significant injuries after the crash. Emergency services had to cut her free from the vehicle before she was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. She remains there awaiting surgery after suffering a broken pelvis and other trauma, with what is expected to be a long road to recovery.

Her family are currently travelling to Cardiff every day and staying by her side as she undergoes treatment. Friends say the injury has been devastating for a young athlete whose life revolves around the ocean, training, and the competitive surf scene.

A GoFundMe campaign titled “Back to the Waves – Support Delphi’s Rehab Journey” was launched this week to help ease the financial strain on the family and provide specialist rehabilitation support once she is well enough to begin recovery. Organisers say the aim is to give her “the best possible chance of getting back to the sport she loves.”

Within days, donations had climbed above £5,000, with contributions pouring in from fellow surfers, local residents, beach communities and well-wishers across Pembrokeshire and beyond. Messages on the page describe Delphi as “a rising star”, “full of promise”, and “a lovely young girl who lights up the line-up.”

A spokesperson for the fundraiser said: “Delphi has big dreams for her surfing future. This accident has knocked her world off its axis, but with proper rehab and support she has every chance of coming back strong. We’re incredibly grateful for every donation, message and share.”

The Herald understands the family has been deeply moved by the outpouring of support during what they describe as the worst week of their lives.

The GoFundMe page can be found here for those wishing to donate or share the campaign: Back to the Waves – Support Delphi’s Rehab Journey.

A BARGOED man who used his car workshop as a front for large-scale drug distribution has been jailed for almost ten years — with links to supply routes reaching into West Wales, including Pembrokeshire, The Herald understands.

Thirty-seven-year-old Peter Ian Yandell, from Bargoed, was arrested at his business premises on 11 June after officers from Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, executed a warrant at his Tredegar vehicle workshop. Investigators found that Yandell had been using the business as a cover for the wholesale movement of controlled drugs.

A search of the premises uncovered significant quantities of Class A and Class B drugs, specialist equipment used to manufacture illicit substances, and an imitation firearm.

His mobile phone was seized at the scene. Subsequent analysis uncovered extensive evidence of large-scale supply operations across South Wales, including communication patterns and distribution activity indicative of a wider network reaching beyond the Valleys.

The Herald understands that this network included the movement of cocaine and cannabis into West Wales — including Pembrokeshire — as part of a broader regional supply chain.

Yandell pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and possession of an imitation firearm. He was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court to nine years and ten months for the offences, with a further two months added for breaching a suspended sentence.

Detective Constable Rhys Richards, of Tarian ROCU, said: “This operation dismantled a sophisticated drug production setup that was responsible for supplying harmful substances into communities across the region.

“Yandell attempted to hide his criminal enterprise behind a legitimate business, but the evidence recovered – in particular from his mobile phone – revealed the true extent of his offending.

“This investigation demonstrates Tarian’s continued commitment to exposing and disrupting organised criminality. We will work tirelessly to protect the public and ensure that those who profit from the supply of illicit commodities are brought before the courts.”