The Pembrokeshire Herald

18/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

The long-distance swim, cycle and running events returned to Tenby this June, with a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle, and a marathon across the weekend.

A RECENT decision on an agreement with the organisers of the annual Long Course Weekend is to come under senior Pembrokeshire councillors’ scrutiny. The August 19 extraordinary meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet is to consider a recommendation of the Services Overview and Scrutiny...

18/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

The application seeks retrospective approval of internal layout changes that occurred before the applicant purchased the building, and a retrospective change of use from a cafe to Hearing Aid Specialist.

PLANS to make good changes to a former Pembrokeshire town centre pub, made after an enforcement notice, by applicants unaware of its listed building status, have been approved. In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Ben Davies of Hearing Wales, through agent Acanthus Holden Architects, s...

18/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝘂𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗶𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗸𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀

NARBERTH CRICKET CLUB'S 1st XI have proudly revealed their brand new kit for the season – with support from a number of local businesses.

The new shirts have been made possible thanks to the backing of main sponsors Young Bros and Millforge, along with sleeve sponsors The Ivy Bush and The Wiseman Bridge Inn.

Club captain Lewis Hough led the team out for their official photo in the fresh strip, which has been warmly welcomed by players and supporters alike.

The 1st XI squad pictured in the new kit includes: Matthew Johns, Ryan Williams, Ben Hughes, Kyle Williams, Ben Quartermaine, Rhodri Dyer, Shay Norcross, Lewis Jones, Lewis Hough (Captain), Loui Davies, and Jack Tucker.

Narberth Cricket Club extended their thanks to the sponsors for their continued support, which they say plays a vital role in keeping grassroots sport alive in Pembrokeshire.

18/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

From Friday through to Sunday, minis, juniors, parents and committee members came together to tackle a host of jobs around the ground, painting, tidying and carrying out much-needed maintenance ahead of the upcoming season.

HAVERFORDWEST Rugby Football Club has been given a fresh new look thanks to the hard work of volunteers who rolled up their sleeves over the weekend. From Friday through to Sunday, minis, juniors, parents and committee members came together to tackle a host of jobs around the ground, painting, tidyi...

18/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

Watch this fantastic time-lapse from Andy Britton (Specsavers Director of Haverfordwest) as the new bridge is lowered into place. A proud milestone in the town centre regeneration project.

18/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

The event takes place on Saturday, 23 August, running from 11:00am until 4:00pm at the Boat Yard on Front Street (SA72 6JY).
Organisers say all types of bikes are welcome, from vintage and custom machines to café racers and modern models, promising something for every taste.

MOTORCYCLE enthusiasts are set for a treat later this month as the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society hosts its annual Bike Show in Pembroke Dock. The event takes place on Saturday, 23 August, running from 11:00am until 4:00pm at the Boat Yard on Front Street (SA72 6JY). Organisers say all types o...

17/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

𝗣𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘀
-𝗖𝗮𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗽𝘂𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗽𝗲-

PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL is facing calls to come clean over how much it has spent on settlement agreements with departing staff, after a row erupted elsewhere in Wales about councils “gagging” employees.

Unlike Caerphilly County Borough Council, which admitted paying out £832,000 in a single year on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), Pembrokeshire insists it does not use NDAs. Instead, it relies on settlement agreements under employment law. But the authority has not yet published figures showing how many deals have been signed or what sums have been paid, leaving residents in the dark.

𝗖𝗮𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘆’𝘀 £𝟮.𝟳𝗺 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀
The controversy stems from new data obtained under a Freedom of Information request which revealed Caerphilly spent more than £2.7m on 150 NDAs in the last five years. By contrast, Newport signed 62 agreements over the same period, while Monmouthshire, Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent together issued fewer than 40.

Critics have branded the practice “absolutely wrong” and accused the council of throwing money around “like confetti.” Others questioned whether NDAs are being used to cover up issues that should be in the public interest.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆
Here in Pembrokeshire, the picture remains unclear. One high-profile case saw the former Chief Executive receive a £95,000 settlement payment in 2020, a deal later criticised by the Auditor General for Wales for governance failings. But beyond isolated examples, the council has not published a full breakdown of how often such agreements are used.

A local resident told The Herald: “Services are being cut and council tax is going up. If public money is being spent on gagging staff, people deserve to know about it.”

The Herald understands fresh Freedom of Information requests will now be lodged with Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire councils to uncover the true scale of settlement payments in West Wales.

17/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

𝗣𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆

PEMBROKESHIRE is counting down to its biggest annual event, with the Pembrokeshire County Show returning in just three days’ time.

The show, which takes place at the Haverfordwest Showground, will open its gates on Wednesday (Aug 20) for three packed days of farming, food, and family fun.

Organisers say this year’s event will feature a full line-up of livestock competitions, trade stands, equestrian events, and countryside displays. Visitors will also be able to enjoy local food and drink, a fairground, craft marquees, and entertainment across the showground.

The County Show is regarded as the highlight of Pembrokeshire’s summer calendar, attracting thousands of visitors and showcasing the best of the county’s agricultural heritage alongside modern farming practices.

As well as being a major day out for families, the show provides a platform for farmers, producers, and rural businesses to network and demonstrate the strength of the county’s rural economy.

Show president and organisers have said they are looking forward to welcoming visitors back to Haverfordwest Showground, stressing that the event plays an important role in bringing the community together.

Advance tickets remain on sale, with organisers encouraging early purchase to avoid queues. Free parking will be available on site, and shuttle services are being laid on from key points in Haverfordwest to help ease congestion.

The Pembrokeshire County Show will run from Tuesday (Aug 20) until Thursday (Aug 22), with gates opening each day from 9:00am.

17/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

£𝟭 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀

𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 £𝟯 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

YOUNG people in Wales are being urged to sign up now for a free mytravelpass to take advantage of the new £1 bus fare scheme, which launches on Monday, September 1.

The pilot will see single fares capped at just £1 for those aged 16 to 21, while £3 day tickets will also be available, allowing unlimited travel on participating services.

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱

The mytravelpass will need to be shown to bus drivers as proof of eligibility and is free to apply for through the official website.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales Ken Skates said: “This scheme will make a real difference to young people across Wales and will allow them to make journeys for work, education and leisure at a discounted price. I would encourage those who don’t yet have a mytravelpass to apply so they can take full advantage of the scheme when it begins on 1 September.”

𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Welsh Government is committing £15m over two financial years (2025-26 and 2026-27) to support the £1 fare for 16 to 21-year-olds, as part of a budget agreement with Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds.

From 3 November, a further £7m investment will extend discounted travel to children aged five to 15.

Full details of the scheme and how to apply can be found on the mytravelpass website.

17/08/2025

HERALD NEWS UPDATE

Another one who hasn't paid for their food at The Ship Inn in Solva on Friday. It seems that we're getting more and more of these reports than ever before. It's costing our local traders a lot of money.

17/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗡𝗟𝗜 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗮𝗰𝗵𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆

𝗖𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗰𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿

ANGLE lifeboat was launched shortly after midday on Saturday (Aug 16) after the skipper of a yacht suffered severe chest pains 27 miles west south west of St Ann’s Head.

With only a handheld VHF radio working onboard, the vessel’s call for help was picked up by a local charter fishing boat, which relayed the distress to HM Coastguard.

𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁

Coastguard Rescue Helicopter R924 from Newquay arrived on scene first and attempted to assess the yacht for a winch recovery. However, the two-metre swell and the yacht’s rigging made winching unsafe.

With the lifeboat still ten miles away, the crew were instead requested to attempt a direct transfer once they arrived.

𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹

The casualty was transferred from the yacht to the lifeboat after the sails were lowered and the vessel brought head to sea. By 1:45pm, he was safely winched aboard the helicopter and flown to Newquay for treatment.

𝗦𝗶𝘅-𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱

The lifeboat then returned to assist the two remaining crew, who were struggling with engine problems and poor communications. The yacht was taken under tow for nearly six hours back to Milford Haven, arriving at Hobbs Point by 7:30pm.

After placing the yacht safely alongside a pontoon, the lifeboat refuelled at Milford Marina and returned to station, ready for service by 9:30pm.

17/08/2025

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗗 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘

Who is heading to Pembrokeshire County Show on Wednesday and Thursday next week?

FINAL preparations are underway for this year’s Pembrokeshire County Show — and organisers say it simply would not be possible without the tireless work of volunteers and the generosity of sponsors. The small team of staff, volunteers, directors and trustees of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society...