Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Air Cadets make history

A HISTORIC first for young aviation enthusiasts in West Wales! RAF Air Cadets from 2420 (Whitland & District) Squadron are celebrating a game-changing moment after securing vital funding from Sport Wales to enhance their training and skills.

Thanks to this boost, the squadron has officially launched its first-ever air rifle range, bringing a brand-new dimension to cadet activities in the region.

Hitting the target

The funding has allowed cadets from Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to access top-tier marksmanship training, with their inaugural air rifle range session taking place in January 2025.

Not only does this initiative provide cadets with essential shooting skills, but it also gives them the chance to compete in the prestigious BSA Silver Trophy postal competition this March. Success in the competition could see them earning the coveted gold shooting badge—an honour not achieved in the area for years!

“A fantastic opportunity!”

Squadron Officer Commanding, Flight Sergeant Rick Fisher, hailed the new range as a game-changer for cadet training: “It has been fantastic to see the cadets engage with air rifle shooting. Access to a new range and equipment has given them a unique opportunity to develop their skills and work towards a significant milestone in the squadron’s history.”

Shooting for success

With the squadron now firing on all cylinders, the future looks bright for these young cadets as they hone their marksmanship and set their sights on competition victories.

If you’ve ever dreamed of being an Air Cadet, this could be your moment! Cadets can join from age 12 (if in Year 8) up to 17—and with thrilling experiences like flying, adventure training, and now air rifle shooting, there’s never been a better time to get involved.

📍 Local squadrons meet in Tenby, Pembroke Dock, and Haverfordwest.
🔗 Find out more: RAF Air Cadets website

ONE of the main rides at Pembrokeshire’s Oakwood Theme Park—where a girl tragically died more than 20 years ago—is being dismantled for good.

The high-speed water ride Drenched, formerly known as Hydro, has been at the centre of activity this week, with photos online showing large cranes surrounding the structure. Sections of the ride, including its 85-degree drop, are missing, fuelling speculation that it is being permanently removed.

Oakwood Theme Park has now confirmed the ride’s removal.

A spokesperson for the park said: “We can confirm that after 20-plus years of operation, Drenched has been retired from the Oakwood Theme Park offering and is being dismantled.

“We look forward to sharing other park updates when we commence the build-up to the 2025 season.”

Tragedy and controversy

Hydro first opened at the park near Canaston Bridge in 2002. However, just two years later, tragedy struck when 16-year-old Hayley Williams, from Pontypool, fell 120 feet from the top of the ride.

An inquest into her death heard that a safety bar meant to restrain passengers had not been lowered before the ride started. The attraction was closed for a year before reopening with over-the-shoulder restraints fitted to its 24-seater car.

In 2008, the park’s then-owners, Oakwood Leisure, were fined £250,000 after admitting that staff had failed to ensure passengers were safely restrained.

That same year, Oakwood was acquired by Spanish international leisure park company Aspro, which rebranded the ride as Drenched in 2011.

Ride stood idle for two years

Drenched, a record-breaking Intamin Mega Splash water ride, has not operated for over two years.

Speculation over its future grew this week after a photo surfaced on theme park forum TowersTimes, showing the ride being dismantled. A post on the CoasterForce Facebook group questioned whether the attraction was leaving Oakwood for good.

The post read: “Oakwood’s Intamin Mega Splash water ride, which first opened in 2002, looks as though it could be about to leave the park permanently.

“News of the ride’s rumoured departure broke online on Wednesday (Feb 5) when an image showing Drenched being dismantled surfaced on TowersTimes.”

The user who shared the photo noted that three large cranes were in place, and significant sections of the ride, including its iconic drop and turnaround section, had already been removed.

Mixed reactions from fans

Theme park enthusiasts reacted with disappointment to the news.

One forum user wrote: “Really sad to see, but not overly surprising.

“As someone who really loves the park and has such nostalgia for it, it’s painful to see the lack of investment from the parent company.”

With Drenched now being dismantled, Oakwood Theme Park is yet to reveal what, if anything, will replace it.

A PEMBROKESHIRE pub has been named one of the friendliest in the UK, according to a new study.

The White Hart Inn in St Dogmaels has been ranked the second friendliest pub in Britain, with 66.67% of its Tripadvisor reviews highlighting its welcoming atmosphere.

The study, conducted by security experts at Get Licensed, assessed community pubs across the UK by examining Tripadvisor ratings, the percentage of reviews mentioning words like ‘friendly’ and ‘welcoming’, and local crime statistics.

The White Hart Inn scored 8.27 out of 10 for friendliness, narrowly missing out on the top spot to The Fishers Arms in Horncliffe, Northumberland, which scored 8.57.

A Community’s Triumph

The White Hart Inn, which began trading in 1769, faced closure in May 2019 when its previous owners decided to sell the property. Refusing to let their last traditional pub be lost, the residents of St Dogmaels embarked on a two-year fundraising and campaigning journey to purchase and refurbish the establishment. Their efforts culminated in the successful acquisition of the pub on January 18, 2021, transforming it into The White Hart Community Inn. Today, the pub thrives as a community-owned hub, supported by over 550 shareholders from around the world, including locals and supporters from as far as Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada.

A Hub for Local Events

Beyond its role as a pub, the White Hart Inn serves as a central venue for various community events. It hosts regular live music sessions, quiz nights, and themed events that cater to both locals and visitors. The establishment also supports local artists by displaying their works, contributing to the village’s vibrant cultural scene. Additionally, the pub offers a selection of locally sourced food and beverages, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Pembrokeshire.

Top 10 Friendliest Pubs in the UK

1. The Fishers Arms – Horncliffe, Northumberland
2. White Hart Inn – St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire
3. Case is Altered – Bentley, Suffolk
4. Station – Knebworth, Hertfordshire
5. Plough Inn – Longparish, Hampshire
6. Garibaldi – Bourne End, Buckinghamshire
7. Lamarsh Lion – Lamarsh, Essex
8. Cask Inn – Scarborough, North Yorkshire
9. Black Horse – Walcote, Leicestershire
10. Y Pengwern – Llan Ffestiniog, Gwynedd

According to the study, the friendliest pubs are often found in areas with lower crime rates, with researchers suggesting that these venues play an important role in fostering a sense of community.

Shahzad Ali, CEO of Get Licensed, said: “Prioritizing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in pubs isn’t just good for business, it’s essential for creating a safe environment. Our research shows that the friendliest pubs tend to be in areas with lower crime rates, highlighting the role pubs can play in deterring crime.”

While Pembrokeshire’s White Hart Inn is among the most welcoming, the study found that London had the least friendly pubs, scoring just 0.56 out of 10. Researchers found that nearly 24% of reviews for London pubs included words such as ‘unfriendly’, ‘hostile’, and ‘rude’.

For the full ranking and research details, visit Get Licensed’s website.