News

Neyland Notice of Motion on soaring cost of energy

Published

4 years ago

September 1, 2022

A NEYLAND community councillor has put forward a Motion to the next Town Council meeting – due to take place on September 5 – concerning soaring energy bills.

Cllr Andrew Lye told this newspaper: “We are in a dire state in the country.

“I remember the black outs in 1973/4, but what we are seeing now is worse as we have people who are not going to have the heating on or cook a proper hot meal.”

Cllr Lye wants the PM to make an urgent overdue announcement to deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

The Motion reads as follows: ‘This Council notes that the current cost of living crisis is already hitting hard, many households within the town of Neyland.

‘As the Town Council, we are here to speak out for the people who are again going to be hit by a further increase in the energy price cap with effect from 1^st October 2022, as it increases from £1.971, to £3,549.

‘The October increase is a massive rise of £130 a month. In the run up to the New Year, the cost of electricity will double from 28p per kWh to 52p. Gas will increase from 7p to 15p per kWh, at a time that townspeople will be thinking of putting the central heating on.

‘This Council notes that former Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s assistance was not enough and that more help is urgently needed, NOW. Instead, we have a zombie government that is leaving it to the next PM to deal with.

‘This Council also notes the inflation rate increase for food, petrol and other goods is not reflected in wage increases and the growing number of strikes, affecting the economy.

‘This Council resolves:-

1. Calls upon the PM to make an urgent overdue announcement to deal with the cost of living crisis and the assistance that will be made to households.

2. Assistance should primarily be made to those on low and middle incomes, including those on benefits and pensions. Any assistance should not be regressive. Tax cuts alone won’t necessarily help pensioners.

3. We cannot afford continuing inaction in the face of the huge rise coming in October, that could increase to £5,000 to £6,000 in January. This is an emergency and the Government must step in now to save families and pensioners £1500 by cancelling the planned rise in energy bills, this October as part of a plan to protect households,

4. The increase also affects commercial properties in Neyland, who are not protected by the energy price cap. We fear the future of current businesses operating in the town. They need urgent assistance, also.

5. This Council urgently looks at the Christmas lights and whether we go ahead with installing them, because of the huge increase in the cost of electricity.

6. This Council writes to the Prime Minister, the First Minister, Stephen Crabb MP, Paul Davies MS and the 4 Regional MS’s for Mid & West Wales, to express our deep concern on the crisis affecting the people of Neyland.’

Education

Milford Haven School issues heatwave update as temperatures soar

Published

6 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MILFORD HAVEN SCHOOL has thanked pupils and staff for the way they have supported one another during the current heatwave.

The school said cooperation and care across the school community had been greatly appreciated.

With tomorrow (Jun 25) forecast to be the hottest day of the current spell, pupils are being asked to come prepared by bringing plenty of water, wearing sunscreen, and staying as protected from the sun as possible.

Pupils will also be permitted to wear their PE kit to help keep cool.

The school said it will continue to monitor the situation closely and take all necessary steps to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Business

Main Street Music to close retail shop as owner focuses on handmade guitars

Published

12 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Pembrokeshire music shop is changing the way it operates, with Main Street Music confirming it will no longer trade as a retail shop from September 1.

The business said there will be an immediate 15% sale on all stock, but stressed that Main Street Music is not disappearing completely.

The owner said the decision had been made “with a heavy heart”, adding that the shop’s closure as a retail outlet would be a loss for Pembrokeshire as the county’s last professional guitar dealership.

He said his long-term passion had always been making musical instruments, something he had done since his teenage years, later receiving scholarships and a fellowship for his studies.

After college, he was given the opportunity to buy the business at the age of 24.

He said: “I have had an amazing time running this shop, giving it everything I’ve got, met some wonderful people and sold some incredible guitars.”

Although the business itself remains successful, he said tighter retail margins, dealership pressures and rising costs had made it difficult to grow in a way that would allow him to employ others and spend more time in the workshop.

The shop will eventually reopen as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.

Current repair work will continue on a case-by-case basis by appointment only.

Main Street Music thanked customers for their support over recent years, saying the owner was proud of where the shop had been taken.

Caption:

Main Street Music will close as a retail shop from September 1, but will continue as an appointment-only workshop and showroom for handmade guitars and repairs.

News

Crackwell Street set to reopen after five-month closure

Published

53 minutes ago

June 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ROADWORKS linked to structural repairs at Goscar House in Tenby are nearing completion, with Crackwell Street expected to reopen to through traffic today (Wednesday, June 24).

Scaffolding has now been removed from the property, with contractors carrying out a general clearance of the area.

The road has been closed for around five months while structural repair work has been taking place.

Local residents, businesses and visitors are expected to welcome the reopening, with Crackwell Street forming an important route through the town.

Pembrokeshire County Council has indicated that, all being well, the road will reopen later today.

Gareth Davies, of Gareth Davies Photography Tenby, said it was “good to see the removal of scaffolding today and general clearance on the property”.

He added that locals and visitors would be “so pleased” to see the road open once again.

Photo caption:

Clearance work: Contractors at Crackwell Street, Tenby, as scaffolding is removed from Goscar House (Pic: Gareth Davies).