WALDO Lounge has officially joined Haverfordwest High Street, promising to be a “home-from-home” with a welcoming atmosphere and a variety of offerings for the community.

The venue offers an all-day menu featuring everything from hearty breakfasts to indulgent dinners, with dedicated gluten-free and vegan menus ensuring there’s something for everyone. Guests can enjoy a relaxed environment complete with board games for all ages, toys for younger visitors, and even refreshments for canine companions. Whether you’re stopping by for coffee with friends, a family brunch, or an evening meal, Waldo Lounge aims to create a space where every customer leaves happy.

The ground floor of the Western Quayside development has been transformed by Loungers PLC into a cosy yet stylish haven. Highlights include vibrant wallpapers, Gothic chandeliers, vintage sofas, and a back bar mural that nods to Haverfordwest’s mediaeval past.

Gemma Irwin, Head of Community at Loungers, shared her enthusiasm for the opening:
“We are delighted to bring Waldo Lounge to Haverfordwest. At Loungers, we put community at the heart of hospitality. Our teams are encouraged to connect with local groups, charities, and businesses, making a meaningful difference. We can’t wait to welcome residents to our new home.”

The venue’s family-friendly ethos extends to providing high chairs, baby-changing facilities, and a selection of games and activities for younger guests. With this combination of features, Waldo Lounge seeks to become a central hub for the community.

Council leaders have praised the addition to Haverfordwest’s town centre. Pembrokeshire County Council Leader, Cllr Jon Harvey, commented: “This is a fantastic addition to the hospitality sector in Haverfordwest. Waldo Lounge will undoubtedly improve footfall and vibrancy, showcasing Western Quayside as a key asset to our town.”

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration, Cllr Paul Miller, added: “Loungers shares our vision for Western Quayside, and this opening represents a significant step in regenerating Haverfordwest. It’s exciting to see the area evolving into a great place to live, work, and visit.”

Paul McGeown, a Site Manager for Loungers who oversaw the Waldo Lounge project, shared his experience: “The project itself was an enjoyable one, and the community were great and very welcoming. I’ve been with Loungers for over seven years now, working nationally since October 2017, and it’s been amazing to be part of such a rapidly expanding and fantastic company. My family lives in Pembrokeshire, so I’ll definitely be visiting Waldo Lounge when I’m there on holiday. I wish the team every success in their new home!”

With its eclectic design, varied menu, and community focus, Waldo Lounge is poised to become a firm favourite among residents and visitors alike.

A NEW sculpture trail Art Afoot / Celf ar Droed linking Fishguard and Goodwick is due to be launched December 15th 2024.

Commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council with UK Government funding, the trail has been designed and delivered by local creative organisation Small World Theatre, based in nearby Cardigan.

Local artists from the region have designed and fabricated the artworks in their studios. The trail also includes augmented reality artworks that the viewer can see in the landscape using their phone.

The trails make use of existing and maintained pathways such as the boardwalk on Goodwick Moor, a wildlife reserve and the Marine Walk which is an accessible coastal path.

The new artworks will also be interspersed with existing artworks and heritage monuments and tell the twin towns heritage stories while celebrating the unique biodiversity and wildlife of the area.

A hand drawn and illustrated map will guide walkers along the various route options and website will give further details about the artworks, the artists and a digital version of the map.

Six new sculptures and eight augmented reality artworks have been commissioned as well as a series of decorated waymarkers. Sculptural archways created by Bill Hamblett will mark key route directions and celebrate local wildlife and heritage.

The launch event begins 2pm at Ocean Lab, Goodwick Sunday, December 15th and the artists will lead a guided walk along one of the trail routes.

Everyone is welcome, this is a free family friendly event and the route taken will be accessible to wheelchair users.

Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said: “This innovative project will bring the rich history of Fishguard and Goodwick to life through both physical and virtual art for us all to enjoy. It promises to be a really interesting experience, not just for those visiting the area but also those who already live in this beautiful part of Pembrokeshire.”

A stunning five metre stainless steel seahorse created by Pembrokeshire-based artist Gideon Peterson will sit at the entrance to the Marine Walk, overlooking Goodwick beach and Fishguard Harbour.

Many of the artworks are interactive or kinetic such as a wind-powered shoal of fish and a giant kaleidoscope showcasing local children’s drawings at Goodwick Parrog, made using reclaimed materials by artist duo Toby Downing and Ben Cramp.

A playful hand painted sculpture of Jemima Nicholas, created by Ann Shrosbree with painting by Sarah Hope, was originally inspired by a young person’s drawing and an augmented reality immersive experience awaits viewers with artworks by Seán Vicary and Steve Knight.

The area is known for its focus on arts and culture and these trails are the latest manifestation of this. For those who love culture as well as stunning coastal scenery and wildlife, this is an ideal combination.

CAMPAIGNERS called for voters to be given a say over who replaces Senedd politicians booted out of office for bad behaviour under a proposed system of recall.

Jessica Blair, director of the Electoral Reform Society (ERS) Cymru, supported calls for a recall system to allow voters to remove misbehaving politicians between elections.

But Ms Blair said voters should have a say over the replacement, warning an element of personal accountability will be lost with the Senedd’s new “closed-list” electoral system.

From 2026, people will vote for parties rather than individuals as Wales ditches first past the post in favour of a full form of proportional representation, with no by-elections being held.

Ms Blair said: “This idea of replacing someone with the next person on the list, it could be … from the voters’ perspective …  seen as a party being rewarded for bad behaviour.”

Giving evidence to the Senedd’s standards committee, she added: “This shouldn’t be necessarily about parties keeping control, it should be about voters having their say.”

Labour’s Mick Antoniw pointed out it is the person, not the party, that has transgressed.

But Ms Blair said: “That could also reflect badly on the party or the way a party’s handled it, so I don’t think it’s necessarily as clear cut, as this is one person’s actions.”

She told the committee that three of the four UK Parliament by-elections triggered by recall petitions since 2019 were won by a different party.

She said: “Parties can be punished for an individual’s bad behaviour or it could be a reflection of changing political support post election. There doesn’t seem to be a real case for retaining that party’s seat, especially three years after an election, for example.”

The standards committee will make recommendations on how a recall mechanism should work in Wales as part of its inquiry on Senedd Members’ accountability.

Hannah Blythyn, who chairs the committee, asked witnesses whether the circumstances for recalling a Senedd member should be the same as Westminster.

Ms Blair suggested the triggers – a custodial sentence of less than 12 months, a suspension of at least ten sitting days, or an expenses offence conviction – make a good starting point.

Nia Thomas, ERS Cymru’s research officer, agreed rules should be the same for Senedd Members as councillors who can be removed if they do not attend meetings for six months.

Ms Blair added: “In any other job, you wouldn’t be able to do that? If I didn’t turn up to work … people would be like ‘what’s happening here?’, I think there has to be a line in the sand and I think a recall petition is probably appropriate in this instance.”

In an earlier evidence session on November 19, Clare Sim, of the Association of Electoral Administrators, warned against replicating Westminster’s “flawed” system of recall.

Ms Sim described the recall process as a massive administrative burden as she raised concerns about the cost to the public purse.

She argued recall petitions, which are open for six weeks in Westminster, should close once the threshold of 10% of the electorate signing has been met.

Mr Antoniw, the former counsel general, suggested a simple yes-no public vote on whether a politician should remain in office in place of a “pointless” two-stage process.

Colin Everett, chair of the Wales Electoral Co-ordination Board, said it could be a feasible alternative to reduce the administrative burden while protecting the voice of electors.

Ms Sim added that a minimum 25-day timetable would be required for a quasi by-election.

She warned of complications with the 32 constituencies used in July’s general election being paired to create 16 for the Senedd poll in 2026, with each returning six members.

She said: “We’re talking about potentially three-four authorities being involved … it’s far more complex than any other process anywhere else in the UK.”

Calling for consistency and simplicity, Mr Everett said electors would expect to be able to vote in person on a designated day or days, with a right to a postal or proxy vote.

He rejected suggestions the 10% threshold should need to be met in each of the paired constituencies, saying this would question why they were combined in the first place.