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 TO GET NEW TESCO SUPERMARKET
Fishguard has not been called the 'Capital of Rumour' for nothing. However the rumours about the proposed new Tesco supermarket are becoming a saga worthy of a place in the history of retail in this small market town.
Without repeating the rumours, which would only add to the confusion, the known facts as provided now by the County Council are that Chelverton Deeley Freed were appointed as the preferred developer for the Fishguard Junior School site in West Street two years ago. The site already has outline planning permission for a supermarket and Tesco have signed a contract with Chelverton Deeley Freed as the preferred developer.
Any work on the site cannot proceed until the present school is demolished. The new school, to be built on the site of the old Further Education Centre, is expected to be ready in September 2011. It is believed that the 20,000 foot square store will be similar in size to the Tesco store in Cardigan. The application is subject to consultation and planning approval by the County Council.
COMMENT. It is pretty obvious that any rumours could have been avoided if the County Council had just kept the local community informed of developments as they proceeded. It is especially galling for local traders who are trying to plan ahead as they struggle during this financial recession.
FISHGUARD BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Fishguard Holiday Park
Graded as 4 Star Excellent by Visit Wales. Open from March 12th 2010.
Click the name to visit the Fishguard Holiday Park website or telephone (01348) 872462.
The Charterhouse Returns
The Charterhouse was the first motorised lifeboat in Wales and went on station in Fishguard and Goodwick in 1909, exactly 100 years ago. Remarkably the old lifeboat has been found, still afloat, at Bangor in North Wales and is now at Fishguard Harbour.
One of her most daring rescues was in 1920 under coxswain John Howells, aged 65. A Dutch three-masted motor schooner, the Hermina, had sought shelter at Fishguard from a fierce gale and heavy seas. Durinng the heroic rescue the schooner's third officer was lost.
The Charterhouse was later taken to London by train and displayed outside the Houses of Parliament. John Howells was awarded the RNLI's highest honour, a Gold Medal, with other memebrs of the crew also receiving medals, the presentations being made by the Prince of Wales. Follow the progress of the Charterhouse on the
website.
FISHGUARD'S THEATR GWAUN
Theatr Gwaun is a community venue in Fishguard, with a varied year-round programme of film and live entertainment. It is located in West Street opposite the Post Office and the entrance to the free car park. Box Office tel no: 01348 873421. For further details and programme of events visit the theatre's website.
Fishguard Port Development
Stena Line Press Release 30-7-09.
Stena Line has confirmed that it is considering a number of potential re-development options for the Port of Fishguard.
Commenting, Vic Goodwin, Route Director said: "Our existing berth facilities restrict the type and size of ferry we can use on this route and we are looking at what investment may be needed to help us to accommodate bigger and more modern ferries. Any changes would necessitate a signifivcant financial investment by Stena Line and we have to consider this against the fact that this particular Route operates with a small profit margin at the moment."
The options being considered by Stena LIne include the upgrade of the existing single tier, single width ramp to a more modern double tier ramp, or the construction of another modern berth and ramp at another location in the Harbour coinciding with reclamation that would create additional standage for any future new services that Stena, or another operator may introduce to the port.
The port of Fishguard is also earmarked for a Marina Development which is supported by The Crown Estate and the Welsh Assembly Goverment and Pembrokeshire County Council as part of their plans for the economic regeneration in the region.
Welcoming the announcement from Stena, Cllr John Davies, Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, commented; "The upgrading and expansion of the Port of Fishguard and the provision of a new marina complex to service the growth of marine leisure in the Irish Sea are key strategic priorities identified by the County Council and Assembly Government's regeneration strategy for Fishguard. The realization of those projects will create new employment and growth opportunities for the whole of North Pembrokeshire."
Vic Goodwin added; We are keen to support the Marina plans and for this reason we have undertaken a feasibility study of the Harbour in conjunction with the Conygar Investment Company PLC, the Marina's Developers, and with the support of the Welsh Assembly and Pembrokeshire County Council. It was important for us that any Marina Development did not interfere with any plans for expansion that may be needed for the Ferry Port and we are satisfied that we now have a number of options to consider that will ensure both the Marina Development and Ferry Operations can complement each other."
Stena Line confirmed that any plans for the Port Development and future Ferry options for the Route would be subject to Main Board Approval.
Robert Ware, CEO of Conygar, said that the Marina proposals had been on hold because of a recent High Court case concerning the ownership of the foreshore and seabed at Fishguard nut now that this case was finally settled in The Crown Estate's favour, the focus was firmly back on the development and the discussions with Stena Line over the last few months have been very constructive.
Fishguard Marine Walk
Work is now complete on improving and upgrading Fishguard's Marine Walk at a cost of £200,000. One of the jewels in Fishguard's crown this popular walk, with its outstanding vistas of the harbour and open sea, is enjoyed by residents and visitors alike.
Fishguard Harbour
Fishguard Harbour was opened in 1906 with daily ferry services between Fishguard and Rosslare and with further services added in due course to Waterford and Cork. Today the thriving port continues to provide services to Wexford with the super-ferry Stena Europe providing two daily crossing all year round and the high speed Stena Lynx lll making several crossings a day from May to September.
In August 1909 the famous Cunard liner 'Mauritania' inaugurated a transatlantic service and up until the outbreak of the 1st World War in 1914 various liners of the Cunard fleet called regularly at the port.. This year will see the centenary of that first visit and plans are underway to celebrate this important date in Fishguard Harbour's history.
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 and Goodwick Chamber of Trade
Fishguard and Goodwick Chamber of Trade have just produced 25 thousand copies of a new leaflet to attract more holidaymakers and day visitors to the area. A professional company is being used to distribute the leaflet concentrating on West Wales and the M4 corridor. The Chamber will distribute the leaflet locally and will use it to answer queries obtained via their website and their advert in the Pembrokeshire Guide.
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 and are held at the E-Learning Centre, Ysgol Bro Gwaun. 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.
Fishguard & Goodwick 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 Saturday the Fishguard Farmers' Market is held at the Market Hall from 9am-1pm until Christmas. [See picture]
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.
See the Fishguard newspaper, County Echo, and the Pembrokeshire newspaper, Western Telegraph, for more local information.
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, the 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.
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. 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.
