Fishguard

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Statistics
Fishguard
Population:	3,193
Ordnance Survey
OS grid reference:	Maps for SM955375
Administration
Principal area:	Pembrokeshire
Constituent country:	Wales
Sovereign state:	United Kingdom
Other
Police force:	Dyfed-Powys Police
Ceremonial county:	Dyfed
Historic county:	Pembrokeshire
Post office and telephone
Post town:	FISHGUARD
Postal district:	SA65
Dialling code:	01348
Politics
UK Parliament:	Preseli Pembrokeshire
European Parliament:	Wales

Lower town, Fishguard

Fishguard (Welsh: Abergwaun - "Mouth of the River Gwaun") is a coastal town in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with a population of 3,300 (est. 2006). A regular ferry leaves for Rosslare in Ireland from the port of Fishguard Harbour (not actually in Fishguard, but a mile away at Goodwick). Fishguard is the terminus of the A40 London to Fishguard trunk road.

Fishguard's ancient Royal Oak pub saw the signing of surrender following the Last invasion of Britain in 1797. The whole story is told by the Fishguard Tapestry, which was created for the 200th anniversary as a deliberate echo of the Bayeux Tapestry, and is on display in a hall near the town centre.

Fishguard's Royal Oak pub also appeared in the film I'll Sleep When I'm Dead starring Academy Award nominee Clive Owen (Closer, King Arthur).

Fishguard has been given large recognition by Hugh Pugh in Barry Welsh is Coming, who reports from Fishguard and constantly points out the rivalry between Fishguard and Haverfordwest.

The town of Loctudy (Breton: Loktudi) in Brittany, France has been twinned with Fishguard since 1995.

Fishguard hosted the National Eisteddfod in 1936 and 1986.

Fishguard is served by train at Fishguard Harbour railway station which is due to be closed, although a date has not yet been set.

1 Industry
2 Tourism/sights
3 Population
4 Farming
5 Wildlife
6 Climate
7 External links

[edit] Industry

The English name 'Fishguard' derives from the Scandinavian 'fiskigadr', demonstrating the town's connection with the sea. It is therefore not surprising that fishing and the port are the principal industrial activities in this town. Fishguard Harbour opened in 1906 and today is used by ferry passengers to Ireland and also well-known for herring fishery.

[edit] Tourism/sights

Outside of Fishguard there is a stone monument commemorating the signing of the Peace Treaty after the last invasion of Britain in 1797. Also there is the 19th century parish church of St. Mary's containing the grave of the heroine Jemima Nicholas.

Fishguard has many hotels and is the main shopping town of North Pembrokeshire with a busy Thursday market in the town hall.

[edit] Population

Population Age Distribution	Fishguard	Pembrokeshire
20-44 years	24.4%	28.4%
45-64 years	25.2%	27.2%
65+ years	27.9%	19.2%

Population Age Distribution	Fishguard	Pembrokeshire
0-4 years	5.8%	5.8%
5-15 years	13.0%	14.6%
16-19 years	3.7%	4.8%

According to the census of 2001, Fishguard has 3,193 inhabitants and 1,465 households.

[edit] Farming

Farming has become more intensive in recent years, raising concerns on the effect to the environment. Erosion, pollution and harm to wildlife are major issues farmers now face. Some also face issues over payment and financial losses due to weather and climate changes. One other very important point is that the farmers use lot of pesticides, fertilisers, hormones and antibiotics. The Pembokeshire region including Fishguard is registered as a problem zone, because the area has a very little potential of agriculture, revenues are less than the Welsh average.

[edit] Wildlife

Wildlife in the Fishguard vicinity is rich in flora and fauna: It shows a wide variety of colourful wild flowers and birds such as cormorants, gannets and gulls. Other local wildlife include the grey seal, puffins and even porpoises or dolphins. It is a paradise for bird and animal watchers alike.

[edit] Climate

Fishguard enjoys a relatively mild climate due to its coastal position. The winds coming from the west or southwest have a determining influence on temperature and precipitation.