St Andrew's Church, Narberth, taken over by herd of goats
A spokesperson for Narberth Town Council said: 'Narberth Town Council is continuing its work to enhance the grounds of St Andrew's Church as part of our ongoing biodiversity and environmental improvement programme.
'To support this, we are trialling a natural and chemical-free method of managing overgrown areas by introducing Bio Goats – an eco-friendly solution for controlling brambles and invasive vegetation. These goats will help clear excess growth around gravestones and across the site, enabling us to implement a longer-term ground management plan.
'The goats are GPS ringfenced to remain within a designated area, and daily welfare checks will be carried out to ensure they are healthy, safe, and well cared for throughout their time on site.
'We kindly ask all visitors to support this initiative by:
Avoiding the goat-grazing area while they are at work
Keeping dogs on a lead at all times in the vicinity
Ensuring children are supervised and kept a safe distance away
'We understand that children may be curious and wish to see the goats. However, we respectfully ask that this is discouraged, as human interaction may disturb the animals and interfere with their natural grazing behaviour.'
The rummaging ruminants themselves come from Clynderwen-based Biogoats 2 Rent, run by Richard and Dawn for the past six seasons, who said the goats were already on-site at St Andrew's, and are expected to remain there for two to three weeks.
Goats from Biogoats 2 Rent, believed to be the only business of its type in the UK, have already been used to provide an eco-friendly service for Pembrokeshire County Council, the national park, and for other local churches.
'They're most recognised down at Canaston Bridge,' said Dawn, explaining they were used as a eco-friendly way of clearing natural set aside areas on the Robeston Wathen bypass, and had also been used at Tenby's St Mary's church, with plans to return there later this summer.
Rather than using collars, the goats are kept in their designated areas using GPS satellite technology, a process recently shown on Clarkson's Farm, TV star Jeremy Clarkson's farming programme.
'I think he stole the idea from us,' joked Richard, adding: 'We're the only company in the UK to do this; we get enquiries from all over the UK, but the travel costs can make it unviable for the customers from further away.'
They finished: 'We enjoy what we do and meet some nice people along the way.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
18 hours ago
- Telegraph
Dear Richard Madeley: My husband wants us to get a new dog, but I'm still grieving for our old one
Dear Richard, Our much-loved Cairn Terrier recently died – she had got to a good age but it was quite sudden when it happened. My husband felt we should get a puppy of the same breed at the earliest opportunity, so we didn't get out of the habit of looking after a pet, and also so our children could get to know it before they went back to university. But I felt we should wait: it was just too soon for me and I didn't want to betray our dog's memory, if that's not a silly way of putting it. I also suggested it would be more ethical to get a rescue, but he was very hostile to the idea. The problem is that a pure-bred Cairn puppy has become available and of course she is absolutely gorgeous. If we don't snap her up someone else will. I am now genuinely torn, but I still feel my plan – to wait six months and then find a rescue – is the right one. If I insist on that plan, my husband won't refuse, but I can feel myself wavering. What do you think? – B Dear B, I think the unstated tension in your letter – because you may genuinely be unaware of it – is the difference in the way individuals grieve, whether that's for a parent, or a sibling, or a child, or, yes, a much-beloved pet. I think that differential is largely what's at play here. Your husband wants to 'move on'; meanwhile you need time to come to terms with your loss. There's nothing wrong with either response – it's just that they don't match up and you're beginning to glare at each other across the gulf. So... our old friend 'compromise' enters the frame. You need time; he craves action. You're going to have to negotiate the healing process. All I can suggest is that you talk it through, with kindness and gentleness, to find the least painful solution for both of you. I can't believe that the opportunity to secure a Cairn puppy won't repeat itself, so perhaps it's your husband who should consider giving way. But be kind to each other. This is all about coping with grief. We all have our different ways. Good luck.
Daily Record
18 hours ago
- Daily Record
Perth fire service cuts could put lives at risk, union warns
If approved, the FBU said, it would mean the permanent removal of the third pumping appliance at Perth and 15 firefighter posts. Lives could be at risk if the number of Perth frontline firefighting appliances are cut according to the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). Their warning comes as Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) chiefs announced a public consultation into changes at Perth Community Fire Station in the city. In 2023 the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service cut Perth appliances from three to two, with a reduction of 15 firefighters – a move which they want to make permanent. But the Fire Brigade Union (FBU) point out that firefighters who attended recent Perth blazes - the tragic fire in Scott Street in which a man lost his life and at Balhousie School now facing demolition – reported being under pressure while waiting for help from other fire stations. If the 2023 changes are approved, the FBU said, it would mean the permanent removal of the third pumping appliance at Perth and 15 firefighter posts. SFRS chiefs said Perth operational demand for the city's three wholetime appliances is lower than most fire stations with two wholetime appliances. But Perth-based FBU official Colin Brown said: 'As we have seen in recent weeks the speed and weight of response to fires and other emergencies is crucial to save life and property. 'Crews who attended the fires at Scott Street and Balhousie School have reported being stretched too thin in the early stages of these incidents whilst they awaited additional crews coming from county stations – Dundee's and Fife. 'Perth crews were also deployed to support and provided fire cover into Aviemore during the recent spate of wildfires. 'Cutting firefighter numbers and fire appliances removes resilience from the service when incidents do occur, this has the potential to put lives at risk and the FBU would encourage members of the public to fully engage in the ongoing SFRS consultation and let both SFRS and the Scottish Government know they don't want to see their fire and rescue service cut even deeper. 'The changes in Perth, if approved, would mean the permanent removal of the third pumping appliance and 15 firefighter posts.' Perth MSP Murdo Fraser criticised the move, particularly given the two devastating blazes in the city last month. He said: 'These proposed cuts to Perth Fire Station have been feared for a while and I understand the concerns that these will leave the brave firefighters who work there extremely short of much needed resources. 'The spate of recent fires we have seen in Perth underlines the need for a properly resourced fire and rescue service in our community.' SFRS head of service delivery for the east and the north of Scotland deputy assistant chief officer Andrew Girrity, said: 'Our modelling has shown that two appliances would align better with risk and demand. 'Currently, the third vehicle at Perth is a combined aerial rescue pump, and we want to change this to a dedicated high reach appliance. 'Since 2023, the dedicated high reach appliance has been temporarily crewed, and we need to find a permanent solution.' Speaking about the service delivery review Mr Girrity added: 'We have an opportunity for the first time since the national SFRS was formed in 2013 to review how we provide our emergency service across Scotland. 'I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the public consultation process and attend the public meetings.' A drop-in public meeting will take place tomorrow, Wednesday July 23, from 3pm to 7pm at AK Bell Library in Perth.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Grave of football hero who defied the Nazis restored after heartwarming campaign
The family of a hero Derby County goalkeeper, who refused to give Nazi salute in defiant gesture against Hitler in a 1930s match, has thanked fans after his rundown grave was restored The rundown grave of a one of football's bravest heroes has been restored following a fundraising campaign. John 'Jack' Kirby was goalkeeper for Derby County when he heroically defied Adolf Hitler's Nazis. Derby were on tour in Germany in 1934 and when they played matches the team was ordered to all give Nazi salutes. All did, except Kirby who refused point blank and was captured in this iconic photo showing his contempt. He was buried in Derbyshire, but his grave fell into a state of disrepair until historian and Derby fan Kal Singh Dhindsa launched a campaign to raise money to repair it. Kal, 45, a supply teacher, told the Mirror: 'When I first saw the photo I was immediately in awe of this man. "What an inspirational player - having the bravery to stand up to Hitler and Nazi Germany. When I started this appeal there were donations from supporters from all sorts of clubs. Lots from Derby but also from our rivals Nottingham Forest. It was lovely to see the football world come together to honour such a man. 'Jack Kirby is a Derbyshire legend of defiance. It was a pleasure to see this through. The original grave was in a very weathered state. It was almost impossible to find then decipher what was written on it. "Myself and family members decided that the best thing to do would be to restore it as close as possible to what it looked like when it was first put down. Despite never meeting him, Jack Kirby's great-niece, Rachel Kirby, said she idolised her great-uncle for his defiant act 90 years ago. She said: 'His grave had become weathered and unrecognisable to fans, but thanks to Kal and generous supporters, it has now been beautifully restored, with the lettering once again clear for all to see.' Rachel said her Uncle Jack shared a close bond with her father, Douglas. Even into his 90s dad took great pride in visiting the grave and laying flowers, but sadly we lost dad to dementia," she added. "I know how he would have been deeply moved by this tribute. I'm incredibly proud and so thankful to everyone who donated, shared, and supported. I'd love people to visit and remember him." Born in South Derbyshire on 30 September 1909, Kirby made 191 appearances for the Rams after arriving from Derbyshire-based Newhall United in Derby County's tour in 1934, Kirby refused to salute in all four matches in four cities against German teams, of which the Rams lost three and drew one
