News

End of the road for Chequers

Published

10 years ago

December 9, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Venue to be redeveloped: The club with a chequered history

THE PLANNING inspectorate has over turned a decision of Pembrokeshire County Council, who had refused permission to owners Rob Davies and Hettie Jones to convert former Chequers nightclub into holiday apartments. The inspector, Mr Gareth Rennie, decided to override the Council’s decision as the area would benefit from new holiday accommodation in a recognised tourist area.

The site previously had permission for holiday apartment development but with the adoption of the new Local Development Plan in 2013, Pembrokeshire County Council felt this use would not be compatible with their new policies and refused to renew their decision, and most disconcertingly for the appellant they felt that the former use of the building as a night club had been totally abandoned.

However, Mr Rennie agreed with Hayston’s argument at the planning hearing that the current use was active as a boxing club and public house was likely to start operating again soon, therefore the building had not been abandoned and had an entertainment use. A presentation was also made to show how the other reasons for refusal were overcome and that the reuse of this building for a quality holiday complex would be a significant improvement to both the appearance of the building and regeneration of the area.

The applicant, Mr Rob Davies said: “I am delighted with the successful appeal and hope this will still allow a quality investment into the redevelopment of Chequers to the benefit of Pembrokeshire tourism.” In his report, the planning inspector said: “The holiday units are suited to this rural location, would make a positive contribution to the local economy, and would help prevent the further deterioration of the appeal building.”

Managing director of Hayston, Andrew Vaughan-Harries said of the decision: “We are thrilled to have won this appeal, and pleased that Mr Davies will now be able to develop this site into something far more attractive and useful to both local residents and visiting tourists.” John ‘The Dentist’ Vaughan, a former DJ who worked at the venue said: “I am saddened whenever I hear of these old local independent clubs being demolished. It marks the end of an incredible era.

To me, that is what the demolition of a club like this is – it is a devastating blow to individuality and the importance of music.” The club was closed down by authorities in 1997 following a drugs raid which led to the arrest and conviction of the then licensee Dafydd Gittins for drugs offences. He was jailed but later his conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal who said that the police ‘at best exaggerated and at worst lied’ in order to get the conviction. In 2003 local businessman Thomas Sinclair, now the editor of The Herald, ran Chequers as a private members club after the council refused to grant a new public entertainment licence for the venue. At the time multiple attempts by the council to close the club down again, including at the High Court failed.

Entertainment

Two-day Christmas fair set for Pembrokeshire

Published

14 hours ago

November 17, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s annual Christmas Fair will run for two days this year, on Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.

Held at the Parkhouse Building on the Haverfordwest Showground, the venue will transform into a festive shopping destination, offering an expanded range of stalls, live music, Santa’s Grotto, and an outdoor food court.

Expanded event

Event organisers Judith Roach and Emma Thomas expressed their excitement about the extended format. They said:
“We are thrilled to announce that our Christmas Fair will run for two days instead of just one. We are building on last year’s success with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. The Parkhouse Building will become a one-stop shop for everyone preparing for Christmas.”

The fair will be open from 10:00am to 4:00pm on both days, with free admission for all visitors.

Festive treats and unique gifts

Attendees can expect to browse an extensive selection of unique gifts, handmade decorations, artwork, and homeware. Local food and drink producers will also showcase festive delights, including chocolate brownies, fudge, spirits, and Welsh cheeses.

An outdoor food court will cater for visitors on the go, with a variety of hot and cold options.

Santa’s Grotto

Santa himself will make a special appearance, with children able to visit him for £3 per child. Each child will receive a small gift, with all proceeds going to the Sandy Bear charity. Advance bookings can be made via the Sandy Bear website.

Community effort

Adam Thorne, president of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, praised the efforts of the event’s organisers:
“The society would like to thank Judith and Emma for their dedication in organising this two-day event. We’re delighted to offer visitors a chance to do their Christmas shopping while enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

The Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society encourages visitors to follow the Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for updates and a complete list of stallholders.

The event promises to be a perfect start to the holiday season, welcoming families and shoppers alike.

News

New hope for rare dormouse after forest find

Published

14 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A RARE hazel dormouse has been discovered in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, bringing fresh hope for the survival of the endangered species in the area.

The golden-brown rodent, known for its distinctive big eyes and long whiskers, has seen a dramatic population decline across Britain—down 70% since 2000. It is now one of seven vulnerable mammals in Wales.

Conservationists made the significant find during a project aimed at linking habitats across the park. Volunteers had set up nesting boxes in the Nevern woodland, roughly five miles west of the dormouse’s known habitat in Pengelli Forest.

A lucky discovery

Park conservationist Mary Chadwick said the team had been trying to connect isolated dormouse populations across the park’s ancient oak woodlands, including Pengelli Forest and areas near the Pentre Ifan Neolithic site.

“We were looking at linking up those important sites and checking whether populations were isolated,” she explained. “A licensed dormouse volunteer took on a new site and set up the boxes. It can take years for dormice to use the boxes, but we got lucky this year.”

The discovery marks the first recorded dormouse population in the Nevern valley, raising hopes for the species’ ability to spread across the landscape and bolster genetic diversity—key to its long-term survival.

Supporting conservation efforts

To ensure a brighter future for dormice, conservationists are calling on farmers and landowners to adopt wildlife-friendly practices, such as cutting hedgerows less frequently.

“We’re asking people to trim hedges on alternate sides each year,” said Ms. Chadwick. “That would be much better for our dormice.”

Building a future

With ongoing conservation efforts and discoveries like this, researchers hope the dormouse can move closer to recovery in Pembrokeshire. The new find has confirmed their belief that dormice could thrive across the Nevern valley, creating vital connections between isolated populations.

*Nesting boxes placed in the forest where dormice were found (Pic: Pembrokeshire Coast National Park)*

Crime

Burglar jailed for stealing cars worth £90,000 from Sinclair Garage

Published

14 hours ago

November 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BRIAN DAVIS, 53, of Bush Street, Pembroke Dock, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after admitting to three counts of non-dwelling burglary at Swansea Crown Court.

The court heard that Davis and an accomplice targeted Sinclair Garages in Neyland during the early hours of April 2 last year, stealing four vehicles: a Mercedes CLA, an Audi A1, an Audi Q3, and a Volkswagen Tiguan worth around £90,000 in total.

Sentencing Davis, Judge Paul Thomas KC said the crimes were too severe for a suspended sentence and noted little hope of rehabilitation. “These offences display planning and determination,” the judge remarked.

The burglars forced entry into the garage, using a crowbar to access a key storage board. Nine sets of keys were stolen, allowing them to take multiple vehicles. Prosecutor Matthew Murphy told the court: “The men left with two cars initially, returned 14 minutes later to steal a third, and returned again for a fourth.”

The stolen cars were valued at approximately £90,000. Three vehicles – the Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi A1, and Audi Q3 – were recovered the following day. However, the Mercedes CLA, worth £12,382, was only located in January this year. Damages included £5,541 to replace locks on several vehicles.

Police traced Davis through partial fingerprints found on a glove left in one of the stolen cars. He was arrested after surrendering at Haverfordwest Police Station on August 14.

Struggles with addiction

The court heard Davis had left Pembrokeshire in December, breaching post-sentence supervision for an unrelated offence, to stay with family in Glasgow and recover from drug addiction. Stuart John, defending, explained: “The defendant struggled with heroin addiction from a young age. Family bereavements caused a relapse.”

Mr John noted that Davis had been clean when he returned to Pembrokeshire and voluntarily handed himself in. While in custody, Davis completed courses and attended counselling, demonstrating awareness of the consequences of further drug use.

Recovered vehicles