Community

Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund brings joy to school children

Published

12 months ago

February 27, 2025

THE ENHANCING PEMBROKESHIRE FUND PROJECT, with the support from Pembrokeshire County Council’s regeneration programme, has been hailed a huge success by the school children of Milford Haven Community Primary School.

An 11-week course, with the Torch Theatre at the helm, saw arts experts deliver a term of expressive arts sessions concluding with the young people sharing their hard work in a performance in the Torch’s studio theatre.

The Torch Theatre’s professional team worked with the school’s year 5 pupils on a playwriting and theatre design project in the company of playwright, Katie Elin Salt and theatre designer, Ruth Stringer. The creative activity was designed to support the school in the development of young people’s languages, literacy and communication skills.

The children created an epic play called Famous Authors which allowed each class to explore different aspects of a chosen favourite author’s life. Full of dramatic twists and featuring spectacular handmade props and costumes, all created by the young people themselves, the project opened doors to many.

Three quarters of the children said they would recommend the project to other year groups in the school as Tim Howe, Senior Manager for Youth and Community at the Torch explains:

“We’re so pleased the project was a success. Over three quarters of the children in this project indicated that they were more likely to write more stories after having completed the project; over half the children described their writing skills as excellent or good as a result of this project and almost half the children described their presentation skills as excellent or good.”

Rhian Johnson Year Leader for Year 5 and Expressive Arts Lead at Milford Haven Community Primary School said: “I’m so proud of the creative journey our students have been on. Over the Autumn term, they had dived into scriptwriting and prop making, building key skills in literacy, design, and collaboration. Working with creative professionals inspired them and opened their eyes to the possibilities of theatre. The culmination of their hard work, showcased on the Torch Theatre stage, was a true reflection of their creativity and determination. This experience has not only enriched their learning but also helped them develop critical thinking and teamwork—skills they’ll carry forward.”

One of the pupils undertaking the project said: “I have really enjoyed working with the Torch Theatre this term as the Torch has helped me understand how a play is put together.”

The children were asked the open question “Tell me what you learned from the Torch Theatre project.” Approximately a quarter of the young people spoke about how brave it made them feel or the courage it gave them to speak in front of people. A similar number of young people spoke about the importance of creativity and imagination and 20% of them spoke about teamwork and working with other people.

Tim added: “They were incredibly analytical in this with some talking about positives, and others discussing how they overcame issues presented by working in a team.

“We know that providing this opportunity for the children and staff has had a meaningful and lasting impact. Not only did our young people improve their literacy skills, but we also hope it gave them aspirations to be part of the creative sector. We know that maybe one day they will be writing plays for the Torch Theatre.”

Community

Pub reopens with VIP club launch and free drink offer

Published

24 hours ago

February 25, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POPULAR Pembrokeshire pub is reopening its doors this week with a new loyalty scheme aimed at rewarding regular customers.

The Griffin Dale Pembrokeshire will reopen for the season on Thursday (Feb 26), with owners Sian and Simon promising roaring fires, fresh seafood and a warm welcome for returning customers.

To mark the reopening, the team has launched a new Griffin VIP Club, designed to give regular visitors small perks throughout the year.

The scheme includes a loyalty drinks stamp card, occasional meal offers, discounts on drinks, birthday treats and early access to events and promotions.

As part of the launch celebrations, customers visiting on reopening day will receive a complimentary drink along with 20% off food and drinks during a special “Thirsty Thursday” promotion.

The owners said the club was intended as a simple way of giving something back to loyal customers rather than a formal membership programme.

“We’re so excited to be reopening for the season and welcoming everyone back,” they said. “It’s just our way of saying thank you to those who support us and pop in regularly.”

Customers interested in joining the VIP Club can sign up at the bar when visiting the pub.

Business

Bosherston Bistro 10pm alcohol licence granted by council

Published

2 days ago

February 25, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to allow the selling of alcohol as late as 10pm at a rural beauty spot former village tearoom which objectors fear will “create an absolute nightmare” exacerbating an already growing issue with antisocial behaviour from holidaymakers, has been given the go-ahead.

At Pembrokeshire County Council’s February licensing sub-committee, members considered an application by Sarah Jane Partridge and Robert John Secrett for a new premises licence at Bosherton Bistro, Old World Cottage, Bosherton.

A report for members said it was proposed the premises, formerly a tearoom called ‘Ye Olde Worlde Café’ would open 8am-10pm, selling alcohol from 9am on and off site, seven days a week in the village.

Since the proposal for the site, close to the village pub The St Govan’s Inn, was publicised, 13 objections were received, including Stackpole and Castlemartin Community Council.

In its submissions, the community council said it “will cause a significant public nuisance in the residential area”.

It said the ordinarily tranquil Bosherston, with its neighbouring beauty spot attractions of the lily ponds and St Govans currently has four well-established camp sites “which already frequently cause late night disruption, littering and anti-social behaviour caused predominantly by intoxicated individuals”.

It went on to say: “Instances of aggressive behaviour and trespass are already prevalent within the village by visitors under the influence of alcohol.”

Concerns raised by members of the public included fears of “an increased problem with drunkenness, drink driving and antisocial behaviour,” and it would “make life for the residents in the immediate area an absolute nightmare”.

Robert John Secrett and Sarah Jane Partridge

Speaking at the meeting, applicant Sarah Jane Partridge said they shared “the same fundamental aims as the residents,” with the scheme “not about creating a drinking venue but a food-based family bistro”.

She stressed that campers were already able to buy alcohol from the pub, or bring their own to the campsites, adding the 84-cover bistro would introduce safeguarding measures around the sale of any alcohol; off-site sales consisting of ‘gift-set’-style alcohol craft packages rather than “cans of lager”.

Objector Rik Guly said there had been many public order incidents over the years in the 36-home village relating to visitors from the campsites, as well as empty beer bottles, tampons and tins littering the area, one farmer also having his ‘honesty box’ stolen on several occasions; the application “effectively throwing a catalyst for more alcohol consumption and more public disorder”.

He also raised concerns it could restrict access along the narrow road to the nearby coastguard building for emergency services.

Another objector Clare Strudwick said “almost half the village” was objecting to the scheme which would cause “unacceptable public nuisance”.

Representing the community council, local county councillor Steve Alderman, who once farmed in Bosherston himself, said post-Covid visitor interest in the area had been raised “immeasurably,” with huge numbers attracted to the area.

He said that, while “antisocial behaviour, both physical and verbal” and “a complete lack of respect for what is a marvellous-looking village” was “society’s fault,” the resident’s had a right to enjoy their quality of life.

After the committee deliberated, chair Cllr Tony Wilcox said they had considered the range of objections but considered they were “not of sufficient seriousness to consider rejecting the application”.

The licensing application was approved, objectors hearing that decision could be appealed within 28 days.

Community

Police step up community engagement in Milford Haven neighbourhood

Published

2 days ago

February 24, 2026

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENTS in Howarth Close, Milford Haven, may have noticed an increased police presence in the area on Tuesday (Feb 24), as officers carried out door-to-door visits to promote a new community messaging service.

Members of the Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team spoke directly with residents to encourage sign-ups to Dyfed-Powys Connects — a free email alert system designed to keep communities informed about local policing matters.

The service provides updates on crime, antisocial behaviour, policing activity, community events and crime prevention advice tailored to specific neighbourhoods.

Officers say the initiative aims to strengthen communication between police and the public, helping residents stay informed about issues affecting their area.

Residents can sign up to the free service online at: https://orlo.uk/3POxP