A PETITION has been launched to save Oriel y Parc, the landscape gallery in St Davids, amid fears that its future as a dedicated fine art space is under threat.

Concerned members of the community and supporters of the arts have rallied against proposals by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA) to repurpose parts of the gallery, which currently houses important artworks including those by the renowned British artist Graham Sutherland.

Campaigners say that the authority’s plan to downgrade the Pembrokeshire Landscape Gallery and convert it into a National Park Discovery Centre represents a significant departure from its original purpose. The gallery was created using £3.3 million in public and EU funding and was designed specifically to showcase the landscape and art of Wales.

The petition, launched on Change.org by the Pembrokeshire Landscape Gallery Working Group, has already attracted 519 verified signatures. It calls on PCNPA to reinstate the full gallery space for continuous exhibitions from the National Collection and maintain the rotating display of Graham Sutherland’s works, a core feature of the gallery since its opening.

Dozens of people have signed the petition in recent hours, with local residents and visitors alike voicing their support. Notable recent signers include Joanna Burke, Anne Crowley, Joanne Miles, Phil Thomas, and Patricia Karen Rathbone.

Campaigners argue that the decline in visitor numbers in recent years is not due to public disinterest in art, but rather to the lack of high-profile exhibitions since 2018. They point to previous successes—such as exhibitions of works by Graham Sutherland and John Constable—that attracted tens of thousands of visitors, boosted the local economy, and enriched the cultural life of the region.

Speaking to BBC Wales Today on March 27, Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of PCNPA, defended the changes, saying:

“The gallery has to change. You know, 15 years – all organisations evolve and develop; their audience tastes develop during that time. I think we would be rightly criticised if we hadn’t evolved and tried to meet the needs of current visitors and current residents.”

While campaigners acknowledge that change is necessary, they say that abandoning the gallery’s artistic mission would be a mistake.

“The building was purpose-built to house art,” the petition states. “Instead of abandoning its original purpose, we urge PCNPA to work with the National Museum of Wales and the wider arts community to restore and reinvigorate Oriel y Parc’s programme.”

The petition also stresses the gallery’s importance to schools, families, artists and tourists, and warns that converting it into a discovery centre would strip St Davids of one of its most valuable cultural assets.

Supporters are calling on the public to sign the petition and urge decision makers to protect the architectural integrity and artistic role of Oriel y Parc for future generations.

To sign the petition or learn more, visit Change.org and search “Save Oriel y Parc”.

DOG owners visiting Pembrokeshire off-season have been able to enjoy unrestricted access to the county’s stunning coastline – but that freedom is about to end.

From May 1, seasonal dog bans will come into force on several popular beaches, as part of the county’s annual summer restrictions.

Outright bans will apply to Tenby’s North Beach and Whitesands in St Davids, while partial restrictions will be in place at parts of Lydstep, Newgale, Saundersfoot, Tenby Castle Beach, South Beach, Amroth Beach and Promenade, Poppit Sands, Broad Haven North, Dale, and Coppet Hall, where a voluntary exclusion zone operates.

The rules are in place each year from May 1 to September 30, covering the busiest visitor months.

With more than 50 beaches across the county, the majority remain dog-friendly year-round – but the council advises walkers to check signage and maps before setting off.

This summer, Pembrokeshire County Council is trialling a more lenient approach, focusing on education over enforcement. Dog walkers who breach the restrictions may receive a warning instead of an immediate fine.

However, the council has warned that dog fouling will still be strictly enforced, both on beaches and in public spaces.

A council spokesperson said: “We are looking to prioritise awareness and responsible dog ownership. This trial only applies to dogs on restricted beaches – fouling remains a serious issue and will not be tolerated.”

Maps and further guidance on beach dog zones are available via the council’s website.

THE SEWAGE pollution crisis engulfing West Wales continues to deepen, with new data and growing public pressure exposing serious environmental failures across multiple river catchments — including the River Teifi and the Cleddau.

Teifi among UK’s most polluted rivers

According to 2024 monitoring data, the River Teifi now has been ranked the fifth most sewage-polluted river in the UK, suffering 2,232 discharges lasting a combined 22,288 hours. The discharges, all recorded by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, underscore the dire state of the region’s infrastructure and regulation.

Meanwhile, Ceredigion emerged as the most sewage-polluted area in England and Wales, with 8,252 discharges lasting 94,836 hours—an unprecedented scale of pollution that has alarmed residents, politicians, and environmental groups alike.

Cleddau declared worst-performing SAC river in Wales

Concerns have also intensified in Pembrokeshire, where the Cleddau River has now been classified by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as the worst-performing Special Area of Conservation (SAC) river in Wales, failing to meet environmental standards across key metrics. The designation has triggered political mobilisation and grassroots activism.

The Cleddau River Project and Surfers Against Sewage have been particularly prominent.

A public meeting held last month at Haverfordwest Rugby Club last week drew more than 150 concerned residents, bringing together politicians, scientists, campaigners, and regulators to discuss solutions. Organised by local advocacy group The Cleddau Project, the event was chaired by Henry Tufnell MP, who vowed to raise the issue in Westminster.

“The Cleddau is a vital natural resource, and last night’s discussion highlighted the urgent need for action,” said Tufnell. “The insight shared by our expert panel and members of the community reinforced the importance of tackling pollution at its source and ensuring our regulatory bodies are held accountable. I will be raising these issues in Parliament and pushing for stronger regulations and enforcement.”

Campaign leader Ric Cooper, of The Cleddau Project, added: “It was encouraging to see so many people engaged in this discussion, but we need to ensure that words translate into concrete action.”

Residents raised concerns about illegal discharges, agricultural runoff, and what they described as a systemic failure of enforcement by authorities.

At the meeting Jennifer Grubb from Welsh Water said: “We can do better. We need to do better.”

Political pressure mounts

Across West Wales, political figures are now facing increasing scrutiny. The Welsh Liberal Democrats have lambasted both Welsh Labour and the UK Conservative Government for what they describe as regulatory complacency.

Sandra Jervis, Welsh Lib Dem Senedd candidate for Ceredigion, said: “Welsh Labour has remained asleep at the wheel—using Dŵr Cymru’s status as an arm’s-length body as an excuse to avoid proper regulation and accountability. Residents deserve transparency and action.”

Party leader Jane Dodds MS added: “The Welsh Labour Government must get to grips with this crisis, properly regulate Welsh Water, and ensure there are real, enforceable punishments for breaking the rules and damaging our waterways.”

Welsh Water responds

Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has attributed the vast number of discharges to the limitations of outdated rural infrastructure and reliance on Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs).

A company spokesperson said: “We acknowledge the public concern and are committed to transparency and improvement. We’ve pledged £2.5 billion over the next five years, including £889 million specifically to improve storm overflows, to meet the challenges of climate change and aging infrastructure.”

Despite this, the company’s environmental record remains under intense scrutiny.

Regulatory failings and rising enforcement

Natural Resources Wales reported 107 sewage pollution incidents involving Welsh Water in 2023, with the number of serious incidents increasing from five to seven. Meanwhile, Ofwat has launched enforcement actions against all water companies in England and Wales, including Dŵr Cymru, amid growing concern that routine sewage releases have become normalised.

Impact on health and ecosystems

The effects are being felt far beyond the water’s edge. Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage reported 1,853 illness cases in 2024 linked to contaminated waters across the UK, many of them in Wales. Tourists and locals have also raised alarm over poor water quality at beaches in Cardigan Bay, New Quay, and along the Cleddau estuary.

The ecological cost has been severe. Local groups such as Save the Teifi have warned of dead fish, algae blooms, and collapsing biodiversity. “This is ecological vandalism,” said campaigner Lowri James. “Our rivers are dying before our eyes.”

From the Teifi to the Cleddau, the evidence is now overwhelming: sewage pollution is not confined to one catchment or one company—it is a widespread crisis demanding national attention. With communities, scientists, and politicians increasingly aligned in their calls for change, the question now is whether those in power will act before irreversible damage is done.

Cover image:

Surfers against sewage at Broad Haven in May 2024 (Image: Martin Cavaney)