REFORM UK has gained its first county council seat in Pembrokeshire following a seven-way battle for a ward made vacant following the death of veteran councillor Mike Stoddart.

Cllr Mike Stoddart, who passed away in January, 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.

The late Cllr Stoddart 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.

Following his death a by-election was held for the Hakin ward, with the count taking place on March 17, initially with an eight-way fight for the seat.

That eight-way fight was reduced to seven when Labour candidate Nicola Harteveld, who set up charity foundation the Megan’s Starr Foundation, withdrew her candidacy after allegations a family member was harassed during her campaigning.

Those standing for the ward included parties the Welsh Liberal Democrats, Welsh Conservatives, Reform, the Green Party, and three independents.

Results for the ward, which saw a 32.7 per cent voter turnout were: Derrick William Charles Abbott, Independent, 11 votes; Samuel Robert Booth, Wales Green Party, 85; Lee James Bridges, Independent, 106; Duncan Ritchie Edwards, Independent, 52; Brian Kelvin Taylor, Welsh Conservative Party, 144; Samuel Warden, Welsh Liberal Democrats, 57; Scott Michael Thorley, Reform UK, 179.

Nicola Catherine Harteveld, Welsh Labour, who withdrew her candidacy, still attracted 27 votes.

Winner Scott Thorley had previously unsuccessfully stood as a Reform candidate for the Prendergast Haverfordwest ward seat made vacant following the resignation of local county councillor Andrew Edwards.

He was later co-opted on to Haverfordwest Town Council.

Speaking after his Hakin ward win, the-now Cllr Thorley said: “It was a massive honour to win last night and I’m more than aware I’ve got some massive shoes to fill in Hakin.

“I’ve already started work this morning and have responded to four residents first thing.

“People in Hakin just want the basics done right and someone they can reach out with any issues they have; I will be that person.”

A PUBLIC consultation on the early stage of plans to secure community allotments in a north Pembrokeshire village through a community group share purchase is to be held later this month.

Community Benefit Society, St Dogmaels Growers CBS, is holding the meeting at St Dogmaels Church Hall on March 28, 10-4pm.

It said St Dogmaels Road Allotments, alongside the river between St Dogmaels and Cardigan, and were set up by a handful of people who got together to find some land in St Dogmaels to establish allotments for the community.

The site, Keewaydin Field, was leased from the owner Paul Welch, who having moved away from the area, was keen that the community should develop allotments on his field.

Fifteen years later, there are currently 67 plot-holders working the land, from across both Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.

“Paul sadly died in a tragic accident in 2021, and the land was inherited by his two sons. Understandably, no longer living in the area, they have decided to put the land up for sale, in late spring 2026, in the hope that the purchasers will continue to fulfil their father’s wishes,” St Dogmaels Growers CBS said.

“Our goal is to raise funds to purchase the land, not only to ensure the established allotments are secured for the future, but to preserve this beautiful green space for the wider community, and generations to come, and ensure that Paul’s dream continues to flourish.

“As a newly formed Community Benefit Society, St Dogmaels Growers CBS, we will be launching a community share offer later this year, with our main objective being to purchase the land on which the allotments are situated, along with the surrounding area which is currently overgrown and cluttered with debris. Once cleared, we hope to invite community groups to share our space.”

The group added: “From the monoculture of an agricultural field, Keewaydin Field has evolved into a mosaic of amazing habitats, across a patchwork of plots, bordered by a meadow orchard, mature hedgerows, woodland and mature riverbank trees.

“We not only grow healthy organic food, but we have created a thriving interconnected ecosystem, between the urban settlements of St Dogmaels and Cardigan.

“At the meeting, we will be displaying our short, medium and long-term aims for our project, along with heart-felt testimonials of all those that have benefited from the peace and tranquillity of this special location.

“We would really appreciate hearing your views, to establish what the community needs and how we can work together to meet those needs. We have already started preparing a dedicated community food plot where we will be growing donations for local food projects.”

It finished: “We started off as just a small village allotment group, but with the help of our community, together, we could preserve this precious space for the future.”

SAMUEL KURTZ MS recently visited Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Amateur Boxing Club to see first-hand the club’s pioneering disability boxing sessions and the inspiring work being led by chairman and coach Chris McEwen.

During the visit, Samuel joined one of the adaptive boxing sessions, including taking part in a wheelchair boxing session which used VR headsets to experience a live boxing match. Samuel was joined by the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Cllr Michelle Wiggins, and together they met with participants and volunteers to learn more about how the club is creating opportunities for people of all abilities to get involved in the sport.

The club has gained national recognition for its inclusive approach, having previously received the Insport Blue Ribbon Award from Disability Sport Wales and being named Parasport Club of the Month for its work supporting disabled athletes and vulnerable members of the community.

Chris McEwen, a former member of the Royal Air Force who is himself disabled, has been championing disability boxing and working with organisations including Welsh Boxing, England Boxing and Disability Sport Wales to help develop a safe, regulated pathway for adaptive boxers.

A key ambition of the project is to see disability boxing formally recognised under amateur boxing regulations, creating opportunities for adaptive boxers to compete and potentially opening the door to major competitions such as the Invictus Games and, one day, even the Paralympics.

Samuel Kurtz MS also hosted Chris McEwen at an event at the Senedd last month to showcase the pioneering Netflix documentary Fighters and highlight the merits of the sport with fellow Members of the Senedd.

Speaking after the visit, Samuel Kurtz MS said: “I was delighted to visit Pembroke and Pembroke Dock Amateur Boxing Club and see the disability boxing sessions in action. Chris McEwen and the team are doing incredible work to ensure that boxing is accessible to everyone, regardless of ability.

“The club is not only helping people improve their fitness and confidence but also providing a supportive community where people can thrive. Chris’s vision to see disability boxing recognised as an official sport is truly inspiring, and I am proud to support the work he is doing to make that ambition a reality.

“I also want to thank Chris, the coaches and volunteers for their dedication and for the positive impact they continue to have across Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.

“The club has become a real community hub, offering inclusive boxing sessions, in-school support for vulnerable young people, and free training opportunities for disabled participants.”

Chris said “Samuel has been a breath of fresh air with the support that he has given us. He is always ready to roll his sleeves up and get involved as his recent visit to the club has demonstrated.

“The town of Pembroke Dock is very special to me and I am pleased that Samuel was able to see first hand the work that we undertake here and get to meet many of our members.

“I echo the views of the whole club in thanking Samuel for the support that he has given to our club, our town and the inclusion community. We are firmly in your corner and thank you for everything that you do”