Fishguard, Goodwick and Fishguard Harbour, Pembrokeshire
Fishguard and Goodwick are ideal holiday destinations near the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park with Stena Line ferries sailing from Fishguard Harbour to Rosslare in Ireland. Visit the Last InvasionTapestry, which has been compared to the Bayeux Tapestry, at Fishguard Town Hall and enjoy the facilities of the Fishguard Leisure Centre with indoor Swimming Pool.
Fishguard Last Invasion Tapestry Gallery
A gallery to display the Last Invasion Tapestry, which was prepared to celebrate the bicentenary of the Last Invasion of Britain in February 1997, is incorporated into the recently refurbished Town Hall. This internationally famous tapestry is a must for visitors to the area. OPEN Mon to Sat during Library opening hours. Tel: 01437 776639.
Fishguard & Goodwick News
Unveiling of Commemoration Plaque
On Saturday 3rd May a dedication service took place on Goodwick Square when a plaque was unveiled to commemorate the people who worked on the railway at Goodwick since its arrival on 1st July 1899. Many past employees of the railway, local dignitaries and members of the public attended.
Fishguard Harbour visit by Duke of Gloucester
On Saturday 3rd May hundreds of people thronged Fishguard Harbour to view a steam excursion ex Birmingham hauled by BR Pacific 71000 Duke of Gloucester. The train was hauled in by a Class 66 diesel locomotive and hauled out by the Duke.
Fishguard & Goodwick What's On
Regular Events
Every Tuesday (9am-1pm) Fishguard Country Market is held at the Market Hall, Town Hall, Fishguard.
Every Tuesday evening, "Folk at the Oak" at the Royal Oak.
Every Thursday (8am-3pm) the weekly Fishguard Town Market is held at the Market Hall.
Every other Saturday (9am-1pm) the Fishguard Farmers' Market is held at the Market Hall. Dates - April 5, 19, May 3, 17, 31, June 14, 28, July 12, 26, Aug 9, 23, Sept 6, 20. See Benni in person at the Farmers' Market.
Every Friday morning, the Friendship Circle meets at the Market Hall.
Fourth Monday of the month, the Chamber of Trade & Tourism normally meets at the Fishguard Bay Hotel at 7.30pm. New members always welcome.
Town Council meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 7.30pm (except during August). Check at Town Hall on location of meetings.
See the Fishguard local newspaper, County Echo, and the Pembrokeshire newspaper, Western Telegraph, for more information.
Fishguard Forthcoming Events
FISHGUARD FOLK FESTIVAL 23-26 MAY
For more information vist the website.
PEMBROKESHIRE FISH WEEK 21-19 JUNE
Several events in and around Fishguard and Goodwick.
For more information vist the website.
LIONS FUN DAY SATURDAY 26 JULY
Goodwick Moor Car Park
FISHGUARD INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 25 JULY to 2 AUGUST
For more information vist the website.
FISHGUARD SHOW FRIDAY 1 AUGUST
ABERJAZZ FESTIVAL FESTIVAL 22, 23, 24 AUGUST
For more information vist the website.
FISHGUARD and GOODWICK CARNIVAL SATURDAY 23 AUGUST
Fishguard Tesco Store
Tesco is the preferred company to build a new supermarket in Fishguard. The deal includes a new primary school to be built on the old Education Centre site to replace the current junior and infant schools in the town. The current junior school site will be demolished to accommodate Tesco's new 15,000 square foot supermarket together with a car park for 158 vehicles.
This is another step in the regeneration of the town centre which will include a new road system and wider, safer pavements. However, in the opinion of some local people these improvements will come at a cost to local shopping facilities. Others look at it positively with the potential of more shoppers being attracted to Fishguard benefitting other businesses and creating local jobs.
Planning applications should be made by the end of the year with work starting on the new school site next year.
Fishguard Marina project more hopeful
After a High Court ruling in respect of the ownership of large tracts of the Severn Estuary it would appear that the same argument applies to the foreshore of Fishguard Harbour in that it is in the possession of the Crown. This is good news for the developers who have plans for a marina with eventually up to 600 berths. As a result many local jobs will be created to service the needs of the marina helping to boost the local economy in general.
What remains now is the commencement date for the work to start!
Fishguard Community Learning - Day & Evening Classes
Learning Pembrokeshire offers a wide range of courses, both certificated and non-certificated, catering for students of all ages (16+) and ability. Why not try something new or improve on your current skills?
Further details are on the Learning Pembrokeshire website.
The Fishguard Community Learning Centre is at Ysgol Bro Gwaun campus and you can call in for a copy of the latest brochure or further details can be obtained by telephoning 01348 872488 or by Email.
"Jemima Nicholas did exist"
Proof that the Last Invasion of Britain's local heroine Jemima Nicholas did exist appears to have been found at the Records Office in Haverfordwest by a local college lecturer seeking his family's history.
The records of Mathry Parish Registry show that a Jemima Nicholas had been baptised in the village on 2nd March 1755 making her 41 years of age at the time of the Invasion in February 1797. Contemporary accounts of her age at the time recorded that she was 47.
The baptism record gives her parents as William and Elinor Nicholas from Llanrhian; they also had a son, Isaac, who was baptised two years later at Llanrhian.
A cobbler, or shoemaker, by trade she lived in Main Street, Fishguard and was buried at St Mary's Church near her home 16th July 1832. A memorial gravestone was erected in the churchyard in 1897 to commemorate the centenary of the Invasion. See Last Invasion for further details of the Invasion and Jemima's part in routing the French invaders.
Fishguard Bay Hotel's £1 million spend
Upgrading and refurbishment of North Pembrokeshire's premier hotel is now complete after a £1 million spend. Enjoying one of the best locations in Pembrokeshire overlooking Fishguard Harbour, hotel includes new facilities for conferences with state of the art facilities and a major refurbishment of the public rooms and bedrooms.
Fishguard's Town and Market Halls catch up with the 21st century
At a cost of £1.3 million, work on transforming the Town and Market Halls on Fishguard Square is now complete. Located in the building are the weekly Town Market, weekly Country Market fortnightly Farmers' Market, Library, Tourist Information Centre, Tapestry Gallery, Council Customer Service Centre, Registrar's Office and the Town Council Clerk's Office. The Market Hall is also used by community groups. The improved facilities are welcomed by all. A lift reaches the 1st floor for the Library and Tapestry Gallery and there are toilets at the far end of the Market Hall.
Fishguard and Goodwick Town Council
Town Council meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at 7.30pm (except during August). These meetings are open to the public. The location of the meetings is changeable at the moment and enquiries can be made at the Town Hall. The Town Clerk is available at her office at the Town Hall on Tuesdays 2-5pm, Wednesday 10-1pm and Thursday 10-1pm, telephone no 01348 874406.
Planning your Holiday
With more BLUE FLAG beach awards than the rest of Wales put together Pembrokeshire has to be on your shortlist for a family holiday. Here are brief details of two beaches in Fishguard and Goodwick; a list of all the beaches in Pembrokeshire can be found here.
SLADE. The tiny beach at the bottom of the Slade was a bygone favourite, now mainly forgotten, but deserves to be included for its location at the edge of Lower Town, Fishguard - in Welsh 'Y Cwm' - surely one of the most beautiful harbours in Wales. Parking and toilets at Lower Town.
GOODWICK SANDS. Winner of the Seaside Award, the sand and shingle beach overlooks Fishguard Harbour and is sheltered by the breakwater and backed by a grassy bank. Safe bathing and popular with families. Ocean Lab features 'Ollie the octopus', cyber cafe, ocean quest, coffee shop, soft play area for under fives and tourist information centre. Plenty of parking space and toilets. Shops, pubs and Post Office close by in Goodwick.
