Community

Heritage building skills courses as part of project to redevelop castle

Published

1 year ago

October 9, 2024

THIS Autumn, Pembrokeshire County Council and the Tywi Centre are delivering a series of free training opportunities in and around Haverfordwest for people to learn about heritage building skills. The series of workshops has been funded by UK Government as part of a focus by the Council on the regeneration of the County Town.

This is a unique initiative aimed at equipping Pembrokeshire residents with the skills needed to preserve and celebrate the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage and will run from October to December 2024.

For homeowners, the ‘Repair, Maintenance, and Energy Efficiency in older buildings’ is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to maximise the potential of their historic property by learning how to care for it properly.

If your building is listed, there is a course to guide you through the process of applying for Listed Building Consent. For people wanting to learn more practical skills, there’s an opportunity to dive deep into the art of ‘Working with Lime in Buildings,’ using a traditional Pembrokeshire cottage or “Ty un nos”, as a case study to explore common building defects and their solutions. Central to this course is understanding the various types of lime, along with their preparation, application, and aftercare.

The sessions are being run by a talented team of heritage building experts from the Tywi Centre on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Heart of Pembrokeshire Project and supported by UK Government funding. The first session is October 16^thand courses can be booked independently online via https://www.eventbrite.com/o/heart-of-pembrokeshire-90032525753.

The Tywi Centre has been delivering heritage construction training throughout Wales since 2009. Over the last decade the Tywi Centre has built a reputation for delivering high quality, engaging training by experts with extensive knowledge in their field of heritage construction.

Rowan Matthiessen, Client project manager for the Heart of Pembrokeshire project said, “We are thrilled to be offering this initiative which is a unique opportunity for people to learn and refine heritage skills, ensuring that Pembrokeshire’s history and culture are preserved for generations to come. We invite everyone to get involved in this transformative project.”

The Heart of Pembrokeshire project is redeveloping Haverfordwest Castle to become a bustling heritage-based discovery centre attracting a footfall of 40,000 annual visitors. As part of the project, the team are engaging with local residents and organisations to help develop the vision, direction and content of the attraction. A series of pilot workshops and volunteering opportunities will be held throughout 2025 and beyond, so if you are interested in finding out more get in touch with [email protected] or book online via https://www.eventbrite.com/o/heart-of-pembrokeshire-90032525753

Community

Loose horse sparks police response in Pembroke

Published

6 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Animal seen galloping through residential streets and towards main road

POLICE are reportedly tracking a loose horse which strayed into a residential area of Pembroke.

The animal was first spotted in Gatehouse View before making its way onto a nearby main road.

A post on the Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Citizens’ Forum said the horse had left Gatehouse View and was seen heading towards the road by Pembroke Leisure Centre.

The resident wrote: “Anyone recognise it? Police following it.”

The horse was later reported to be galloping down Buttermilk Lane in the direction of Martha’s.

Stray horses are not uncommon in the area. In January, several animals were reported loose around Pembroke and along the A477, particularly near Buttermilk Close and the Cleddau Bridge.

Those incidents created a hazard for motorists, prompting Pembrokeshire County Council to step in and return the animals. Drivers were advised to take extra care and avoid startling them.

Community

Charlie the ventriloquist doll returns to Pembroke Dock after 100 years

Published

13 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Beloved character to greet visitors as Heritage Centre reopens for new season

CHARLIE the 100-year-old ventriloquist’s doll is coming out of retirement — and back to where it all began.

Visitors to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre will be greeted by the much-loved character when the attraction reopens for the new season on Monday (March 30).

It marks a nostalgic return for Charlie, who once performed in the very same building — then the Royal Dockyard Chapel — alongside his original owner, Ernie James, a Pembroke Dock bus company proprietor. Over the years, the duo became a familiar and popular act on the Pembrokeshire variety circuit.

Today, Charlie is cared for by Paul Elliott, of Llanreath, who inherited the doll from his father, Fred Elliott — better known locally as magician ‘Mr E’, whose shows delighted audiences for decades.

Charlie has also recently enjoyed a brush with national attention, appearing alongside Paul at a BBC Antiques Roadshow event in Swansea.

The Heritage Centre will offer free entry on opening day, with Charlie and Paul on hand to meet visitors and share stories from a century of entertainment.

Community

First person of colour to be elected mayor of Haverfordwest

Published

23 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE town council will soon have its first-ever person of colour as mayor, and its youngest mayor in a century.

Haverfordwest Town Councillor Randell Iziah Thomas-Turner, aged 37, is to become mayor this May.

Cllr Turner said: “Tonight [March 19], I had the honour of accepting the nomination as mayor-elect — a moment that will forever stay with me.

“In doing so, I am humbled to be making history as the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest and the youngest mayor in a century. This is not just my achievement, it belongs to every person who believes in progress, representation, and the power of community. This is a new chapter for our town — one built on unity, opportunity, and hope.

“My mayor-making will take place this May, and I cannot wait to officially step into the role and begin serving the people of Haverfordwest with pride, passion, and purpose. Haverfordwest is the best in the West — and together, we are just getting started.

“Diversity is not a challenge to overcome, but a strength to embrace. When people from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives come together with respect and openness, we unlock new ideas, stronger solutions, and deeper understanding.”

It’s a double celebration for the Thomas-Turner family.

Wife, and fellow town councillor, Dani, has been voted as sheriff of the town for the second-year-running, the first woman to serve as sheriff for two consecutive years.

“The coming civic year will be one to watch as my husband Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner is becoming the first mayor of colour in Haverfordwest’s history,” said Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, adding: “It’s going to be a year of history and memory making for sure.”