TESCO customers in Milford Haven are being invited to help spread some festive cheer by donating new toys to children in need this Christmas.

From today until December 15, the Tesco Milford Haven Superstore will be collecting new and unwrapped toys on behalf of the local charity PATCH (Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship). PATCH will distribute the gifts to children across Pembrokeshire as part of its annual Christmas Toy Appeal, which supports families who are struggling during the festive season.

Tesco Community Champion, Debbie Ann-Mills said: “I am delighted to support the PATCH Toy Appeal again this year. Bringing some happiness to families in Pembrokeshire who may be struggling this Christmas is so important.

“We take pride in supporting our local community throughout the year through Tesco Stronger Starts and our Community Food Connection programme, and this year’s toy donation campaign is a fantastic way for customers to help local families in need.”

Claire De Silva, Head of Communities at Tesco, added: “Our stores are committed to supporting local children and their communities year-round. Thanks to the generosity of our customers and colleagues, the annual toy donation campaign is a wonderful way to make a difference at Christmas.

“It’s great to see Tesco Milford Haven partnering with PATCH this year to ensure that every child experiences the magic of Christmas.”

More than 800 large Tesco stores across the UK will have dedicated toy donation points where customers can drop off gifts bought in-store. Last Christmas, Tesco customers donated over 125,000 toys — a figure the retailer hopes to beat this year.

Emergency services responded to one electrical pylon that was ‘destroyed by fire’

A LARGE electrical fire that caused widespread power flickers across south Pembrokeshire on Wednesday morning (Nov 12) has been confirmed as a pylon fire near Bentlass, close to Pembroke.

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said that a crew from Pembroke Dock Fire Station was called to the scene at 10:45am following reports of a burning electricity pylon close to a local farm.

A spokesperson told The Herald: “The crew responded to one electrical pylon that was destroyed by fire. The fire had extinguished by the arrival of the crew. The National Grid was also in attendance and local electricity disturbance is expected as a result of the fire. The crew left the scene at 11:18am.”

The pylon involved forms part of the high-voltage transmission line that runs from Pembroke Power Station, and the incident is believed to have caused a brief but intense power surge across much of south Pembrokeshire. Offices and homes reported computers, routers, and electrical systems rebooting in Milford Haven, Neyland, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock.

Witnesses described seeing a “huge flash”, with one local resident reporting that a tree had caught fire and that the electrical arcing was taking place.

At around the same time, an alarm sounded at Valero Refinery, and some residents reported a smell of gas in parts of Milford Haven.

The Herald has contacted Valero Refinery and National Grid Electricity Distribution for further information.

A FORMER hotel in Pembroke Dock that was badly damaged by fire has been listed for online auction with a guide price of just £10,000.

The property, known as The Commodore Hotel, sits on Admiralty Way within a site of around 1.38 acres. Once a busy venue, it now offers significant redevelopment potential—subject to the necessary planning permissions.

The site is within easy reach of Pembroke Dock town centre, with good transport links including the nearby railway station. South Pembrokeshire Golf Club is also just a short distance away.

The building is being sold by auctioneers Under the Hammer, with bidding set to open on Wednesday, November 19.

Due to access restrictions imposed by the current occupant, the auctioneer has been unable to carry out an internal inspection of the building. As a result, details about the layout, accommodation and condition have been supplied by the seller and remain unverified.

Under the Hammer advises all prospective buyers to download the legal pack, carry out their own checks, and seek independent advice before making an offer. The property is being sold “as seen,” and anyone bidding accepts the potential risks of purchasing without full internal inspection.

The Commodore Hotel is offered leasehold.

Those interested can find more information, register to bid, or make a pre-auction offer via the Under the Hammer website.