News

Leisure centres and libraries to close across Pembrokeshire

Published

6 years ago

March 19, 2020

ALL Pembrokeshire County Council leisure centres and libraries will close at 3.15pm on Friday, 20th March until further notice.

The Pembrokeshire Archives and Local Studies ceased its front-line service at 5pm last night (Wednesday, 18th March).

At Scolton Manor, the Museum, Tea Room and Visitor Centre will close at 3.15pm on Friday, but the grounds and play areas will remain open.

The closures are as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the need to increase social distancing and the requirement to redeploy staff.

Leisure

Leisure centre users have been reassured that all existing memberships will be frozen and no further deductions taken from direct debits during the closure period.

Club and pre-paid bookings / will be refunded or alternatively be moved to other suitable, future dates.

Libraries

The libraries closure includes the Mobile Library service.

All existing items on loan from the library service will be extended for the period of closure.

There will be no need to return items during the closure period and there will not be any overdue fines for these items once normal service is resumed.

Library users can access ebooks, audio books, emagazines and ecomics online, 24-7 at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/using-library-services/24-7-e-library

Archives

The research room has closed until further notice.

However, the service will continue to respond to remote enquiries and correspondence, although responses may be delayed.

Archives users are encouraged to keep in contact via the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PembsArchives/

Paul Miller, the Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure & Culture, said: “I have today, based on the best advice available to me, agreed to the closure of the county’s libraries, leisure centres, and the Manor House museum at Scolton with effect from 3.15pm on Friday 20th March.

“In addition, I have also agreed to the closure of the archive search room from 5pm Wednesday 18th March.

“This has been done firstly to minimise the risk in relation to the spread of the coronavirus and secondly to enable us to release non-critical staff to support the Council’s wider response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

“All leisure members will have their direct debits frozen (we will not collect payment for services that are not available) and these will resume when service is restored. For those customers who have paid for an annual membership, an extension to that membership in line with the closure period has been agreed. We will also refund any payments for bookings which will not now take place.

“These closures will be reviewed regularly and services will resume once the advice suggests it is safe to do so.

“We will continue to do all we can to keep our communities safe.”

Community

Port launches waterway safety competition with monthly prizes

Published

3 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced the launch of its first Waterway Safety Competition, set to begin in April.

The initiative aims to promote safe and responsible use of the Milford Haven Waterway, one of the busiest and most diverse waterways in Wales. The waterway is used daily by paddleboarders, kayakers, sailors, swimmers, and large commercial vessels, making safety a key priority.

As part of the competition, participants are invited to showcase their own interpretation of the waterway through any creative medium. All art forms are welcome, and entries will be judged monthly.

Each month, winners will receive prizes designed to support water safety, including lifejackets and training sessions.

The Port hopes the competition will encourage greater awareness of safety while celebrating the unique character of the waterway.

For more information or to enter, visit: https://www.mhpa.co.uk/waterway-safety-competition/

News

Reform UK unveils Carmarthenshire Senedd candidates

Published

3 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

REFORM UK Wales has announced its full list of candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire) ahead of the Senedd election on Thursday, May 7.

Leading the list is Gareth Beer, the party’s Carmarthenshire chairman, a local businessman, father of four and Kidwelly town councillor. In the 2024 General Election, he came within around 1,500 votes of winning the Llanelli seat — Reform UK’s strongest result in Wales.

Beer said the party had assembled “a strong team of decent, hard-working people” ready to represent the county.

He said: “We have already started campaigning strongly across the constituency, and the reception we are receiving on the doorstep has been overwhelmingly positive.

“People have had enough of the lies they hear from politicians and want to give a new party a genuine chance to make real changes.”

He added that key issues raised by voters included NHS waiting lists, education standards, the economy and the cost of living.

Full candidate list

The Reform UK candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin are:

Gareth Beer – Businessman, Kidwelly town councillor and Carmarthenshire chairman for Reform UK.

Carmelo Colasanto – County and community councillor with a background in retail, compliance and multinational business operations.

Sarah Edwards – Retired dental professional and smallholder, known for campaigning on rural and environmental issues.

Christopher Brooke – Retired engineer and manager with more than four decades’ experience in manufacturing.

Alan Cole – Former senior corporate leader and business owner who has worked with small businesses across South Wales.

Michelle Beer – Marketing and PR professional and Reform UK county councillor for the Lliedi ward, elected in a 2025 by-election.

The party said the team brings experience from business, engineering, healthcare and public service.

Reform UK Wales said its campaign in Carmarthenshire would focus on reducing NHS waiting times, improving education, supporting small businesses and addressing the rising cost of living.

The party is positioning itself as an alternative to what it describes as the political “status quo” in Cardiff Bay.

News

Police watchdog investigates after gunshot fired inside Milford Haven flats

Published

3 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POLICE firearm was discharged inside a block of flats in Milford Haven during an incident on Saturday evening (March 28), it has emerged.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a single shot was fired at around 6:32pm after officers were called to reports of disorder at Bunkers Hill involving a person believed to be carrying a knife.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now confirmed it has been notified. A spokesperson said the force had made a voluntary conduct referral, which will be assessed before any decision is made on further action.

Police have stated that the firearm was not directed at any individual and that no injuries were reported.

A witness close to the matter told The Herald that the shot was fired as an officer entered the flats and moved up the stairs, with the bullet striking a breeze block wall. This account has not yet been officially confirmed.

When Herald reporters attended the scene on Sunday afternoon, a significant police presence remained, with officers seen going in and out of the building and carrying out checks around the rear of the flats.

The precise circumstances leading to the discharge remain under investigation.

More to follow.