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Brand new attractions unveiled at Scolton Manor

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Youngsters enjoy the new adventure play area.

SCOLTON Manor’s reputation as one of Pembrokeshire’s favourite family attractions has been boosted by a £160,000 investment.

Ready for visitors this Easter are a range of new features, including an adventure play area, a welcome centre and gift shop, and the newly-remodelled ‘Edie’s Tea Room’.

The funding comprises £128,000 from Welsh Government and the EU with the remaining £32,000 from Pembrokeshire County Council.

The attractions were unveiled officially on Friday. Mark Thomas, manager of Scolton Manor, said the team were looking forward to welcoming visitors to the site.

“We’re delighted with our new facilities and believe they perfectly complement the attractions we have here already at Scolton,” he said.

The adventure play area includes a 30-metre zip-wire, a spinning climbing web, ‘super swings’ and more. The area is aimed towards older children while younger ones can enjoy
the wooden playground already on site. There is also a sensory musical play area and woodland play features.

The welcome centre and gift shop – complete with mini ice- cream parlour – has been created by renovating an existing building near the car parks.

“We believe the centre will offer a much improved visitor reception to Scolton,” said Mark. “It will provide information and guides to all our attractions, including the walled garden
project, beekeeping centre, and the Victorian manor house with its changing schedule of exhibitions.

“There are also timetables for family activities, a range of gifts, and tourist information on other attractions in the county.”

A highly-anticipated new feature on the site is the new ‘Edie’s Tea Room’ adjoining the manor house, named after Edith Higgon from the Higgon family which ran the Scolton estate in Victorian times.

As well as providing a delicious new menu, the tea room intends to be a more accessible and welcoming space for visitors and includes a second-hand bookshop.

Much of the tea room re-fit work was carried out by Norman Industries, thanks to a £12,000 grant from the Welsh Government. Integrated Care Fund Mark said he felt the new developments not only enhanced Scolton’s role as a community facility, but also provided
people of all ages with a wider range of countryside experiences at a lower cost.

“It will continue the development of the site into a must-visit tourist attraction within mid and North Pembrokeshire,” he added.

The adventure play area and welcome centre received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-20, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

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Road closure following serious road traffic collision near Pembroke

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A ROAD traffic collision involving two vehicle led to the closure of the A4075 between Golden Hill and the Fingerpost Junction near Pembroke, causing significant disruption throughout Monday (MAr 18).

Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly before 11:30 AM after reports the incident.

The road was closed to allow for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

As the day progressed, it became clear that the closure would be extended, with the road likely to remain shut for an extended period.

The accident, described as ‘serious’ by authorities, prompted an immediate response from Dyfed-Powys Police and emergency medical teams.

Early reports suggest that at least one individual has been injured, although the extent of the injuries remains unclear.

Throughout the day, updates from the scene indicated a significant effort by investigative teams to understand the cause of the crash.

By late evening, after more than nine hours of closure, there was a slight reduction in the length of the road affected, AA Traffic said.

The A4075 is a crucial link between Pembroke and the surrounding areas, and its closure has had a noticeable impact on local traffic and commuters.

Emergency services and local authorities have expressed their gratitude to the public for their patience and cooperation during this challenging time.

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Tragic loss of pony spurs campaign for safer roads in west Wales

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A WEST WALES woman has embarked on a mission to ensure such a tragedy never recurs. Laura Grant, 58, faced an unthinkable ordeal last spring when her Welsh Mountain Section A pony, Katie, was fatally injured on a Carmarthenshire road, leading to a wider call for road safety reforms.

The incident unfolded as Grant, accompanied by a 15-year-old family friend, was enjoying a serene carriage drive with Katie and Billy, a Welsh cob. The tranquillity of their outing was shattered when an impatient van driver’s actions spooked Katie, causing her to bolt into a cattle grid despite her 700 miles of road experience. The tragedy of the situation is compounded by the fact that Katie, a rescue pony lovingly nurtured by Grant for four years, could not be saved.

Grant, devastated by the loss, reflected on the moment, wishing the outcome could have been different. “How I wish I managed to stop her or pulled her into the wall, but it happened so quickly,” she lamented. The incident has not only left a void in her heart but has also paused her passion for carriage driving.

In the wake of this loss, Grant is channeling her grief into advocacy, organising a “Pass Wide and Slow” ride in Trimsaran, Carmarthenshire, to honour Katie’s memory and promote awareness about safe driving near horses. The event, scheduled for September 14, underscores the urgent need for change.

Furthering her campaign, Grant has initiated a petition for “Katie’s Law” on change.org. This proposed legislation calls for the Highway Code’s advice — to pass horses at no more than 10 mph and maintain a two-metre distance — to be legally binding. The necessity of such measures is underscored by British Horse Society data, revealing 100 traffic-related equine incidents in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Ceredigion in 2023 alone.

Grant’s advocacy extends to urging the Carmarthenshire County Council for greater consideration of equestrian needs, advocating for the restoration and shared use of old riding routes now converted into cycle paths. “Give us back all our old riding routes… We need equestrian access plans for Carmarthenshire, Wales, or better still, the whole UK,” she implores, aiming to prevent further tragedies.

Katie’s legacy, marked by a gold rosette from the British Driving Society for her carriage-driving achievements, continues to inspire a movement towards safer, more inclusive roads.

As the community mourns a “pocket rocket” who brought joy to many, the call for action echoes loud, driven by a hope that Katie’s loss will pave the way for meaningful change.

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Major traffic jams following accident on M4 near Swansea

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A ROAD traffic accident has closed the M4 in both directions as of Tuesday morning (Mar 19).

Police, paramedics and the fire service were called to the scene of the crash on the eastbound carriageway between Pont Abraham and Hendy at 23:20 GMT on Monday.

A fire which had broken out was extinguished before they arrived.

The motorway remains closed in both directions between J48 and J49.

The affected section is between junction 49 Pont Abraham and junction 48 Hendy, Llanelli, in Carmarthenshire.

As of 8.30am there were 45-minute delays with Traffic Wales saying: “Road continues to remain closed.

https://x.com/DyfedPowys/status/1769963608048378117

“Busy in the area delays showing as approximately 45 minutes in the surrounding areas. Please allow additional time for travel and thank you for your patience.”

Traffic monitors are showing there is already slow traffic in the area and congestion.

There are delays on surrounding routes in the area and on the A48.

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