A BYELECTION for a Pembrokeshire county council ward vacant following the death of “fearless campaigner for truth and justice” Cllr Mike Stoddart is to take place next month.

Cllr Mike Stoddart, who passed away last month, represented Milford Haven’s Hakin ward, and had been a county councillor for more than two decades, having first been elected in 2004, with wife Vivien and daughter Tessa Hodgson also having county seats, Hubberston and Lamphey respectively, with Tessa also serving as Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.

Cllr Stoddart, who passed away on January 4, was well-known as an outspoken councillor, critical of failings and injustices, as he had been when he set up the Milford Mercury newspaper with his family before he became a councillor.

In later years, Cllr Stoddart also held an often-critical mirror to council and councillor activities through his popular Old Grumpy website.

Paying tribute to Cllr Stoddart, Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Cllr Jon Harvey, had said: “Mike was the prime example of what someone in local politics should be – working for and demanding better for his constituents.

“Mike was unashamedly forthright. He would argue his corner with conviction and always with facts on his side.

“He has kept me and many predecessors as leader firmly on our toes. The chamber and Pembrokeshire as a whole will be much poorer for his loss.”

Cllr Jacob Williams, a friend and fellow blogger, said Cllr Stoddart had left “a formidable legacy”.

“I was first elected to the council with Mike in 2012, and he’s been an enormous part of my life ever since. To say he was my mentor wouldn’t do him justice – I couldn’t have wished for a better friend, and I’ll miss him dearly.”

If the Hakin seat is contested an election will take place on March 17; nomination papers should be delivered to the returning officer at County Hall, Haverfordwest no later than 4pm on February 18.

Applications to register to vote must reach the Electoral Registration Officer by midnight on February 27.

The election for the Hakin ward follows a recent byelection for the Fishguard North-East ward following the death of Cllr Jordan Ryan.

That election, held on February 10, saw a seven-way fight for the seat, with Plaid Cymru candidate Billy Shaw winning.

The results for that seat were: Caleb Charles Churchill, Welsh Liberal Democrats, 135; Paul Stephen Howe, Welsh Labour, 83; Peter Martin John, Reform UK, 95; Brian Andrew Murphy, Welsh Conservative Party, 69; Teresa Ruth Tannahill, Independent, 79; Adrian John Adrian Tyrrell, Independent, 35; and William Cuthbert Linton Shaw, Plaid Cymru – The Party of Wales 253.

YOUNG people from across the county were recognised for their courage, talent and community spirit at this year’s Pembrokeshire Spotlight Awards.

The fourth annual celebration, organised by Pembrokeshire Youth, the Children and Young People’s Rights Office and Pembrokeshire County Council Children’s Services, honours children and young people who achieve exceptional things and make a real difference in their communities.

Originally planned for November, the event was postponed due to severe weather but successfully went ahead on Thursday (Feb 6) at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, thanks to support from sponsors BAM Nuttall, Milford Haven Port Authority, Pure West Radio and Ascona Group.

Councillor Marc Tierney, Cabinet Member for Young People, Communities and the Wellbeing of Future Generations, praised those taking part.

He said: “It was a privilege to hear how our young people have triumphed within their own lives and within their communities. Huge thanks go to the organisers and sponsors who made this celebration possible.”

Chair of council Cllr Maureen Bowen added: “The evening was a joy to attend. It highlighted the incredible talent of Pembrokeshire’s young people and gave real hope for the future of the county.”

The ceremony opened with a video message from First Minister Eluned Morgan, who offered her congratulations despite being unable to attend in person.

Award winners

Among those recognised on the night were:

• Welsh Language – Emma Nicholas
• Fundraising – Ben Stanton (winner); Jack Gray and Milford Haven Youth Council (runners up)
• EcoChampion – Tomos Roberts
• Achieving Positive Change – Alfie Harper (winner); Amber Allerton and Thomas John
• Arts – Dawn Clark (winner); LillieMai Radcliffe and Kali Flux
• Education – Yuliia Bedyk and Andrii Volkov (joint winners); Courtney Waugh and Leo Credland
• Making a Difference in the Community – Off The Streets Youth Forum (winner); Megan Mathias, Kyra Mottram, Lexi Jenkins and Pembrokeshire Youth Assembly
• Most Inspiring Story – Kai Williams (winner); Carly Sharif, Caitlin Griffith and Berat Sahin
• Music – Dylan Harwood (winner); Toby Draper and the cast of Bugsy Malone 2025 – Ysgol Harri Tudur
• Sports – Samantha Barton (winner); Mary Falconer, Alannah Field and Destiny John
• Voice – Young Voices for Choices Youth Forum
• Young Leader/Peer Mentor – Caiden Meacham (winner); Amélie Houghton and Brooke Jenkins-McNamara

Overall Spotlight Award

The top honour went to the We Know Our Journey Youth Project, a collaboration between the You Should Know Girls Project and His Path His Journey Boys Project.

The group was recognised for promoting inclusion, challenging harmful attitudes and encouraging open conversations around violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and men’s mental health.

Members organised the countywide “Men Make It Safe” event and raised £1,600 for local mental health and domestic abuse charities through a sea swim and a 10k run involving 24 young participants.

Judges said the project demonstrated the powerful role young people can play in creating positive change.

Thanks and support

Organisers thanked presenters, nominators, performers and supporters, along with staff at Pembrokeshire College and event leads Nadine Farmer, Bethany Roberts, Nicky Edwards and Angie Moore. Businesses including National Grid, Princes Gate, Tan y Castell, Greggs and The Vine also backed the evening.

More information is available via the Children and Young People’s Rights Office social media pages.

Valero donation helps secure historic ‘Memento Mori’ treasure found near Uzmaston

A RARE Tudor gold ring dating back more than four centuries has been added to the collection at Haverfordwest Town Museum, thanks to a donation from Valero Pembroke Refinery.

The 6.38-gram gold ring was discovered by a metal detectorist at Uzmaston and Boulston in 2021 and has since been formally declared treasure.

Stylistically dated to between 1550 and 1650, the ring bears the inscription ‘Memento Mori’ – the Latin phrase meaning ‘Remember you must die’ – alongside a small skull motif filled with cross-hatched detailing. Such rings were commonly worn during the Tudor and early Stuart periods as a symbolic reminder of the brevity of life.

Museum curator Dr Simon Hancock said the piece offers a rare and personal glimpse into the beliefs of the period.

He explained: “Such rings, worn by a merchant or member of the gentry, reminded the wearer of the shortness of life. This was a very popular theme during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

“The ring was declared treasure and we are very grateful to Valero for providing a grant towards the treasure valuation, allowing us to secure it for the museum and the people of Pembrokeshire.”

The acquisition ensures the artefact will remain in the county where it was found and will go on public display as part of the museum’s growing local history collection.

Pictured are Ted Sangster, chair of Haverfordwest Castle CIO; Lesley Turner, museum treasurer; Tim Evans, chair of trustees; Stephen Thornton of Valero; Dr Simon Hancock, curator; and Bethany Hope, museum volunteer and social media manager.