BLUESTONE National Park Resort is excited to announce the much-anticipated return of its festive event, Kingdom of the Elves. Making a comeback for the first time since 2019, the magical Christmas experience will run from 4th November to 2nd January, transforming the resort into a winter wonderland with new seasonal experiences for all the family to enjoy.

Guests visiting this year’s Kingdom of the Elves can dive into a range of complimentary activities, including the Jingle Jive, a fun-filled celebration with Christmas characters, festive games, a disco, and singalongs. Little ones can also enjoy Polar Postal, where Santa’s elves will collect their special letters, and Christmas Countdown, a daily celebration with the elves as the big day draws nearer.

Extra activities on offer include Santa’s Lodge, nestled in the trees, and the Elf School Journey, where guests can learn festive skills, uncover Christmas secrets, and graduate with festive joy. The fun can begin with the Elf Breakfast, a lively buffet featuring singing, dancing, and plenty of fun alongside the playful elves who bring the Kingdom of the Elves to life.

Recently voted the third-best resort in the UK and Wales’ top resort by Which?, Bluestone is a five-star self-catering destination spread across 500 acres of the Pembrokeshire countryside. Known for its seasonal makeovers, the resort promises to offer guests of all ages a magical Christmas, calling it the ‘ultimate Christmas experience.’

The festive magic will extend throughout the resort, with elves spreading cheer across the Blue Lagoon water park and the Serendome, the UK’s largest ‘umbrella’ and entertainment hub. Alongside the festive activities, Bluestone’s popular adventure offerings will still be available, and for those seeking a peaceful escape, the award-winning Well Spa will be open throughout the season.

Rebecca Rigby, Operations Director at Bluestone, said: “The Bluestone team is thrilled to welcome Kingdom of the Elves back to the resort. Our ‘Christmasland’ event was hugely successful over the last few years, but Kingdom of the Elves has always held a special place in our guests’ hearts.

“This year, we’re pulling out all the stops to make the festival even more magical. With exciting new events and mischievous elves spreading festive cheer from the moment guests arrive, it’s the perfect way for all ages to embrace the Christmas spirit. We can’t wait to turn on the Christmas lights and let everyone experience the magic.”

Last year, the resort added 80 new platinum lodges to its accommodation lineup, each designed to house up to eight guests and offering complimentary access to an electric buggy. Bluestone is looking forward to welcoming even more multi-generational families this festive season with these spacious new lodges.

In addition, Bluestone has enhanced its sustainability efforts with the launch of a new solar farm in September 2024. Set to provide 30 percent of the resort’s annual electricity, it will help power this year’s magical Christmas lights for the first time.

For those looking to book a Kingdom of the Elves stay, a four-night midweek break starts from £360, while a three-night weekend break starts from £495 (based on a two-bedroom lodge, sleeping up to four people).

To find out more or to book your Kingdom of the Elves break, visit: www.bluestonewales.com.

PEMBROKESHIRE’S Ascona Group has been shortlisted for another prestigious Great British Entrepreneur Award, this time in recognition of its philanthropic efforts.

The company, which has already been acknowledged for its high-quality customer service and operational excellence, is now a contender for the ‘Randal Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year Award’, part of the 2024 Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Darren Briggs, CEO and Founder of Ascona, has been named as a finalist for this new category, which celebrates businesses that reflect The Randal Foundation’s mission: saving lives, improving life chances, and positively contributing to local communities.

Ascona, the 7th largest independent forecourt operator in the UK, has seen rapid growth in recent years, becoming one of the fastest-growing companies in Wales. Since its inception, the group has remained committed to giving back, launching the Ascona Foundation in 2020. The group’s philanthropic efforts have made a significant impact, donating over £375,000 to local, national, and community organisations since 2017.

A new initiative with Pennies, a leading UK charity that protects and grows micro-donations, is set to raise over £250,000 annually for Ascona’s charity partner, the Wales Air Ambulance. By the end of 2025, the company expects to have donated over £500,000 in total through its charitable activities.

In addition to this latest nomination, Darren Briggs was also a finalist earlier this year in the ‘Scale-Up Entrepreneur of the Year’ category. The awards’ shortlist includes businesses with a combined turnover of nearly £2.9 billion and approximately 20,000 employees, highlighting their role in driving economic growth and community support.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at Grosvenor House in London on Monday, 18th November 2024.

Darren Briggs commented: “It’s a great honour to be named a finalist in such prestigious categories at this year’s Great British Entrepreneur Awards. I’m incredibly proud of everything Ascona has achieved, and this recognition is a testament to our team’s hard work and commitment over the years.

“However, our charitable endeavours are what make me most proud. Giving back is close to my heart, and we remain dedicated to supporting our charity partners, including the Wales Air Ambulance, as we continue our fundraising efforts across the group.”

PARENTS and guardians of Year 6 pupils in Pembrokeshire are invited to apply for a secondary school place for September 2025 by the closing date of December 22^nd 2024.

Applications received after this date will be considered late which may have a bearing on whether your child gets a place at their preferred school.

There is no automatic admission to a secondary school (except for 3-16 schools – see below), even if you are living in catchment and/or your child attends a feeder school, an application must be made.

It is important to note that a school place will not be allocated unless a formal application is received.

Parents of pupils in Year 6 at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, Ysgol Bro Preseli or Ysgol Caer Elen do notneed to apply as they are attending 3 to 16 schools and it is assumed they will remain in their current schools. 

However, if parents wish to apply for a different secondary school they should apply by the deadline noted above.

The online application form can be found on the Pembrokeshire County Council website: www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning under ‘Apply for a School Place’. 

For further information on the school admissions process, please view our Information to Parents

Parents/guardians will be informed of the allocation of places on the common offer date of 3 March 2025.