News

Pub fined £4,500 for poor hygiene

Published

11 years ago

February 5, 2015

THE LANDLADY of a Pembrokeshire pub has been ordered to pay over £8,000 in fines and costs after admitting food hygiene offences.
Angela Jarvis, who is also the food business operator of the Horse and Jockey in Steynton, Milford Haven, was fined £4,500 by magistrates in Haverfordwest on Tuesday (Jan 20) on seven charges relating to two separate dates in a prosecution brought by Pembrokeshire County Council.
She was also ordered to pay £3,500 costs and £360 victim surcharge.

The court heard how an Environmental Health officer from the Council’s Public Protection Division visited the premises on August 7th, 2013, to carry out a routine food hygiene inspection.

The officer found the premises, fixtures and fittings to be in a dirty condition and greasy to touch; hand washing facilities inaccessible; and, accumulations of food waste which were attracting flies.

Hand contact surfaces in the kitchen, including the handles of equipment and various switches, were visibly dirty, presenting a risk of contamination.
The premises were given a Food Hygiene Rating of zero, and food production was voluntarily placed on hold pending thorough cleaning of the kitchen.
Following that inspection, a number of revisits were carried out to ensure that a significant improvement in standards had been secured.

However officers were disappointed to discover, on a visit to the premises in January last year, further evidence of dirty conditions and a lack of hot water to the premises.

This resulted in a Food Hygiene Rating of 1, with ‘major improvements’ needed, and required the further involvement of officers to secure compliance.
After the hearing, the County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental and Regulatory Services, Councillor Huw George said he was pleased with the outcome of the hearing.

He said: “It should reinforce the importance of food businesses ensuring satisfactory levels of food hygiene in the interest of safeguarding public health.
“However, I share the disappointment of officers that the business failed to respond effectively to the initial intervention and advice. This may have avoided the need for court action.

“On a more positive note the case does highlight the value of the Food Hygiene Rating information to the public and I would strongly encourage consumers to take note of these scores when exercising their choices over where to eat out.”
During the case, defending solicitor James Hartson read from a letter Jarvis had sent to the Council, saying she was “gutted” by the state in which officers had found her kitchen.

Local Government

Choice Homes applicants told to reapply for Pembrokeshire Housing Register

Published

52 minutes ago

July 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

People currently registered with Choice Homes Pembrokeshire must submit a new application as the county prepares to introduce a revised social housing allocations policy

A NEW application process opens today, Monday, July 27, with all existing applicants due to receive an email or letter from the Housing Team by Friday, July 31.

The correspondence will explain how applicants can reapply to join the new Choice Homes Pembrokeshire Housing Register.

Applicants have been urged not to ignore the communication, as they will need to complete the new process to remain on the register.

Why is the housing policy changing?

Pembrokeshire County Council and its partner housing associations have approved a new Choice Homes @ Pembrokeshire Allocations Policy.

The policy sets out how social housing will be allocated and how applicants will be prioritised according to their housing needs and connection to Pembrokeshire.

Demand for social housing in the county has increased significantly in recent years, with more households experiencing homelessness, living in temporary accommodation or remaining in unsuitable housing.

The new policy will come into effect in October 2026 and has been developed jointly by Pembrokeshire County Council, ateb, Wales & West Housing, Barcud, Caredig and Codi Housing Associations.

It is intended to reflect growing pressure on housing and homelessness services, as well as recent changes to Welsh housing legislation.

Pembrokeshire County Council administers housing applications on behalf of all registered social landlords operating in the county.

New legislation, including the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocation (Wales) Act 2026, also requires councils to strengthen the way social housing is allocated.

Who needs to apply?

The changes affect:

Everyone with an existing Choice Homes Pembrokeshire housing application.
Anyone wishing to submit a new application to join the Housing Register.

What applicants need to do

Existing applicants should receive an email or letter from the Housing Team between Monday, July 27 and Friday, July 31.

The first step will be to complete a pre-application assessment to determine whether the applicant meets the new local connection criteria.

Applicants will be asked to upload documents showing their connection to Pembrokeshire.

The pre-application forms the first part of a two-stage process. Once the Housing Team has reviewed the information, eligible applicants will be invited to complete a full housing application.

Some information already held by the Housing Team may be entered automatically, allowing applicants to check and update their details rather than starting from scratch.

Applicants are encouraged to complete the process online by registering for a Housing Online account through the Choice Homes Pembrokeshire website.

People who cannot complete the process online can contact a dedicated support line on 01437 776603.

Housing application roadshows

The Housing Team will hold a series of roadshow events across Pembrokeshire to offer advice and practical assistance.

Monday, August 3

10:00am to 12:00pm
Johnston Institute
Church Road, Johnston, SA62 3HE

Wednesday, August 5

5:00pm to 8:00pm
Fishguard Town Hall
Market Street, Fishguard, SA65 9HE

Monday, August 10

1:00pm to 3:00pm
Pater Hall
Lewis Street, Pembroke Dock, SA72 6DH

Wednesday, August 12

5:00pm to 8:00pm
Lord Nelson Hotel
9 Hamilton Terrace, Milford Haven, SA73 3AW

Housing Team staff will be available at each event to help applicants complete the new process, answer questions about the allocations policy and provide advice about other housing services.

Anyone needing support can email [email protected] or telephone 01437 776603.

Further information is available through the Choice Homes Pembrokeshire website.

Crime

Three youths arrested after mopeds ‘stolen and ridden dangerously’ in Milford Haven

Published

1 hour ago

July 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

POLICE are appealing for witnesses and video footage after two mopeds were allegedly taken without their owners’ consent and ridden dangerously around Milford Haven.

Dyfed-Powys Police received several reports on Saturday, July 25, of two mopeds being ridden recklessly in the town.

Officers were subsequently informed that two mopeds had been stolen in the area.

Three youths have been arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

They have since been released on bail while police enquiries continue.

Police are asking anyone who witnessed the incidents, or who has CCTV, dashcam or mobile phone footage showing the mopeds being ridden on the morning of Saturday, July 25, to come forward.

Information can be provided online through the Dyfed-Powys Police website, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

Crimestoppers can also be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Anyone contacting police should quote reference 26*603956.

Entertainment

Unearthing History: Pembrokeshire’s past to come alive at Carew Castle

Published

1 hour ago

July 27, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Archaeologists, historians and heritage groups will gather for a day of discoveries, demonstrations and hands-on activities

CENTURIES of Pembrokeshire history will be brought to life at Carew Castle next month as the popular Unearthing History event returns.

Unearthing History: Pembrokeshire’s Past will take place on Monday, August 3, bringing together archaeologists, historians and heritage organisations from across the region.

Visitors will be able to examine archaeological finds and historic collections, meet experts and discover more about the work being carried out to research and preserve the county’s past.

Organisations taking part will include Heneb, the Trust for Welsh Archaeology, Pembrokeshire Prospectors, Tenby Museum and Castell Henllys Iron Age Village.

The event will explore the people, places and objects that have helped shape Pembrokeshire through a programme of demonstrations, displays and interactive activities.

Younger visitors will also be able to take part in archaeology-themed games, try traditional skills and experience a taste of medieval life through Knight School and have-a-go archery sessions.

Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle, said: “Unearthing History gives people a fantastic opportunity to explore local heritage alongside those who study, preserve and bring it to life.

“It is wonderful to bring so many regional experts and organisations together in one place, and we are delighted to be hosting a day that celebrates the depth and variety of our local history.”

Unearthing History: Pembrokeshire’s Past will run from 10:00am until 4:00pm on Monday, August 3.

Normal castle admission charges will apply. Visitors are advised that some parts of the event can only be reached by steps.

Further details about the event and Carew Castle’s summer programme are available from the Carew Castle website.

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