News

Children left disappointed over ‘shambolic’ Christmas event

Published

11 years ago

December 9, 2014

Tom Sinclair

The ‘Frozen party’ before the event opened

HUNDREDS of angry Pembrokeshire parents have taken to social media tonight (Dec 9) to complain about a ‘Disney’ Christmas event which left their children ‘bored, confused and in tears’. Nearly 500 comments from irate customers had amassed on the Facebook page ‘Pembrokeshire-Bay’ within hours of the event taking place.

The event, held at the Begelly Arms, was the first of four advertised by Milford Haven’s Pembrokeshire Mascots – which is run by the same couple who run the Milford Perk American style diner.

The event, which was advertised as a ‘Frozen Christmas Extravaganza’ using a flyer showing characters from the hit Disney cartoon Frozen. The hand-out boasted a ‘Frozen themed disco, party games, professional photographer, face painting, glitter tattoos, balloon modelling, buffet and fabulous Frozen candy cart with a treat for every child’. As a finale the firm promised that kids would be able to ‘see Santa on his sleigh with a free gift for all’.

At £10 a ticket the opening night promised to be full of festive fun but things quickly began to unravel.

Frozen party: Parents are questioning if Disney authorised the ‘shambolic’ event

Concerns have also been raised by parents complaining that their children were put ‘at risk’ by overcrowding. Questions are being asked how 140 tickets were sold for a function room which can hold only 100 people.

One mother told The Herald: “Firstly the queues were awful, we waited for over an hour to get in. Once we were inside there was clearly nothing there. We expected a winter wonderland but there were no decorations, no tinsel, nothing. I had not prepared tea for my daughter because there was a buffet advertised, but all that was offered was a 20p pack of crisps and a mini-chocolate bar. The advertised present from Santa was just a 5p lolly.”

Disappointed customer, Jade Bevis, said on Facebook: “Absolutely shocking! It was a complete shambles.”

Georgia Lewis added to the long list of furious customers, saying: “Such a disappointment kids were so excited but u couldn’t move in there or breathe. I asked where the party and the fun was, it was terrible, queues everywhere! Queue to get in for an hour in the rain, and then queue for face painting, so no room for dancing or games.”

She added: “No buffet, no presents, no dancing space, and no bouncy castle – just two very upset girls! Cannot believe it – and all before Christmas too – they should be ashamed of themselves”

The Begelly Arms Hotel denied any wrongdoing saying: “Would like to apologise to everyone that has had to wait to enter the Frozen party in our function suite, but would like to make people aware the party has been organized by Pembrokeshire Mascots not us.”

Gutted at the way the event turned out: Pub manager Peter Adams

Peter Adams, the manager of the Begelly Arms said: “I am gutted by the way the Frozen party was conducted tonight, I have to stress though that we at Begelly Arms, were not involved in the organisation of the event. The organisers were told when they booked the room that we would allow a maximum of 100, but I was told yesterday that they had sold apparently 140 tickets. We had people waiting outside tonight in the rain, it seemed that it was more of a grotto type event than a party, where you had pictures taken and they were letting people in a few at a time.”

Mr Adams added: “We rented the room out in good faith to the organisers, who assured us that the event was well organised. Clearly it was not, as apparently parents were not supposed to accompany their children. There were mistakes made, and at one time the room was really too full. The Begelly Arms would like to thank all the people who have contacted us with their support and not blaming us for the chaos during this evening.”

The management of the company behind the event – Pembrokeshire Mascots – posted on social media saying: “I understand there are posts on here regarding our Frozen Party this evening. It’s very easy to hear a one sided story. Yes there were queues for the venue which are inevitable wherever you go – we also can’t help the fact it was raining!! We moved the queues as quickly as possible but needed to give the children time with Santa and the mascots. There were indeed queues for both the balloons and face painting which again are inevitable. We have been advising that parents are welcome however when Nan, Granddad, aunties and uncles all come along then then this again can add to the queues and congestion. As for there being no characters or party games, lots of children are having a great time playing games”

The spokesman added: “For every person that has made their concerns known to us then of course we have taken them on board.”

Hardly a buffet: This is what kids got as part of £10 ticket – Pic Bryn Hughes

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12 Comments

Leighton Harries

December 10, 2014 at 8:33 am

Attended the Frozen cockup last night, what an utter shambles. My daughter, along with ALL other children were completly let down by Pembrokeshire Mascots. I asked one of the staff from Pembrokeshire mascots whether they would class a packet of chrisps and a bar of chocolate a BUFFET, there was no drink in my daughters bag may in add, the staff members answer was NOT REALLY NO!!. I know that Begelly arms staff tried there best to get the children in out of the rain, they diverted the queue into the restaurant area and also onto the stairway to try and get as many Children in out of the rain. There is no excuse for the queue because everyone could have been brought into the main room and then had pictures etc taken. I really do suggest that Pembrokeshire Mascots let a proffesional company carry out the party next time. I GUESS ALL THE CHILDREN WHO ATTENDED WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY TO RECIEVE THIER PROMISED GIFT FROM SANTA.
Ian

December 10, 2014 at 10:14 am

feel sorry for the kids, also feel sorry for the Begelly Arms – they rented a room out to a business that was overwhelmed by the number of ppl there – The pub did their best to mitigate a dreadful c*** up
Meryl Ball

December 10, 2014 at 11:04 am

I have posted my comments about last nights debacle! But this comment is regarding the Begelly Arms, and Managers comment, While I realise he was not the organiser of the event, he does have the ultimate responsibility for functions of all types, and therefore must surely accept responsibility for his ‘pubs’ capacity numbers, It most certainly is his place to make sure people are safe within him premises!!Mr.Peter Adams, I wonder what your brewery or owners would have to say about this situation, this whole evening has two very important issues. I hope lessons can be learned from this and thank fully nothing happened to put our families at further risk.
Leighton Harries

December 10, 2014 at 12:33 pm

I disagree with you Meryl Ball, Peter Adams and staff at begelly arms had no idea on how many people Pembrokeshire Mascots had over booked, they specifically stated that no more than 100 tickets could be sold, i feel this company came across as professional organisation within who begelly arms put there trust in. This number was simply overlooked by the money grabbing Pembrokeshire mascots. Begelly arms found themselves in a awkward position, they simply could not remove young children from the building who were expecting to see Santa and recieve a gift.
Kat Cowley

December 10, 2014 at 1:16 pm

I agree Leighton, Pembrokeshire Mascots were the organisers and had control over the amount of tickets sold and managing the crowd. I don’t blame Peter or his family for the 45 minute wait, poor food and poor judgment. At least he showed sympathy for the kids and continually offered his help. I was told by the organiser it was the parents fault as some kids were accompanied by 3 adults, funny as most kids I saw were with one parent and I was one of them. I was also told to wait inside the busy function room until everyone in the qeue was in before I could complain, which felt incredibly unsafe with pushchairs squeezing in and filling up the dancefloor, so much for a disco! Time everyone to do a Lionel and start dancing on the ceiling or not ever purchase a ticket from Pembrokeshire Mascots event ever again.
margaret bendelow

December 10, 2014 at 3:09 pm

perhaps the parents would have been better advised to bring the real meaning of Christmas to their children .. Christ would nothave confused and disappointed.
Kate

December 10, 2014 at 3:27 pm

How long before the owners go bankrupt again.
Sarah

December 10, 2014 at 10:15 pm

Bitten off more than they could chew !! Unfortunate for those who paid the money to see this mess!! But least they have cancelled the other events !!
janet

December 10, 2014 at 11:29 pm

If begelly arms didn\’t know there were going to be at least 240 people there why did they post on their Facebook page the day before the party \”looking forward to seeing the 140 children with their parents.\” Of course they knew. They thought it would be good publicity and that maybe the parents would have a meal while they were there.
tomos

December 10, 2014 at 11:32 pm

Meryl, you sound a little vindictive –

You might like to tell your kids about Christ and forgiveness or are you one of those ppl who don’t believe that religion should get involved with Christmas
suz

December 16, 2014 at 7:18 pm

All I can day is karma has hit them hard…the company is a total shambles at the perk that they ‘run’ also the mascot partys they put on for birthdays ect.. the wife an husband duo are arrogant stuck up an not very nice people at all.. they take people on at the perk let them work for a few weeks and then sack them myself and plenty others have experienced this upset.. and not even so much as a text to say “sorry we can no longer take you on as staff” ignorant, not very professional at all! I feel very sorry for all the disappointed children an adults who paid an was looking forward to there child enjoy this Christmas treat!! They should refund everyone and quit while they are ahead! Absolutely disgusting attitudes on the husband and wife, tut tut tut! Shocking…
Rashad

May 23, 2015 at 2:51 am

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kind of fashion someone likes. Carrying cups won’t harm anyone and you will not should use spectacles
all the time – begin using donning them if you
drive.

Crime

Man accused of Milford Haven burglary and GBH remanded to Crown Court

Published

8 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Court Reporter

A MILFORD HAVEN man has appeared in court charged with burglary and inflicting grievous bodily harm, following an incident at a flat in the town earlier this week.

Charged after alleged attack inside Victoria Road flat

Stephen Collier, aged thirty-eight, of Vaynor Road, Milford Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court today (Friday, Dec 5). Collier is accused of entering a property known as Nos Da Flat, 2 Victoria Road, on December 3 and, while inside, inflicting grievous bodily harm on a man named John Hilton.

The court was told the alleged burglary and assault was carried out jointly with another man, Denis Chmelevski.

The charge is brought under section 9(1)(b) of the Theft Act 1968, which covers burglary where violence is inflicted on a person inside the property.

No plea entered

Collier, represented by defence solicitor Chris White, did not enter a plea during the hearing. Prosecutor Simone Walsh applied for the defendant to be remanded in custody, citing the serious nature of the offence, the risk of further offending, and concerns that he could interfere with witnesses.

Magistrates Mr I Howells, Mr V Brickley and Mrs H Meade agreed, refusing bail and ordering that Collier be kept in custody before trial.

Case sent to Swansea Crown Court

The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court under Section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. Collier will next appear on January 5, 2026 at 9:00am for a Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing.

A custody time limit has been set for June 5, 2026.

Chmelevski is expected to face proceedings separately.

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Investigators are urging anyone who was in the area at the time or who may have captured the vehicle or the pedestrian on camera shortly before the collision to get in touch. (Phone: 101 Quote reference: DP-20251202-259.)

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Greyhound Bill faces fresh scrutiny as second committee raises “serious concerns”

Published

9 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE PROHIBITION of Greyhound Racing (Wales) Bill has been heavily criticised for a second time in 24 hours after the Senedd’s Legislation, Justice and Constitution (LJC) Committee published a highly critical Stage 1 report yesterday.

The cross-party committee said the Welsh Government’s handling of the legislation had “in several respects, fallen short of the standard of good legislative practice that we would normally expect”.

Key concerns highlighted by the LJC Committee include:

Introducing the Bill before all relevant impact assessments (including a full Regulatory Impact Assessment and Children’s Rights Impact Assessment) had been completed – a step it described as “poor legislative practice, particularly … where the Bill may impact on human rights”.
Failure to publish a statement confirming the Bill’s compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The committee has recommended that Rural Affairs Minister Huw Irranca-Davies issue such a statement before the Stage 1 vote on 16 December.
Inadequate public consultation, with the 2023 animal-licensing consultation deemed “not an appropriate substitute” for targeted engagement on the specific proposal to ban the sport.

The report follows Tuesday’s equally critical findings from the Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee, which questioned the robustness of the evidence base and the accelerated legislative timetable.

Industry reaction Mark Bird, chief executive of the Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB), described the two reports as leaving the Bill “in tatters”.

“Two consecutive cross-party Senedd committees have now condemned the Welsh Government’s failures in due diligence, consultation and human rights considerations and evidence gathering,” he said. “The case for a ban has been comprehensively undermined. The responsible path forward is stronger regulation of the single remaining track at Ystrad Mynach, not prohibition.”

Response from supporters of the Bill Luke Fletcher MS (Labour, South Wales West), who introduced the Member-proposed Bill, said he welcomed thorough scrutiny and remained confident the legislation could be improved at later stages.

“I have always said this Bill is about ending an outdated practice that causes unnecessary suffering to thousands of greyhounds every year,” Mr Fletcher said. “The committees have raised legitimate procedural points, and I look forward to working with the Welsh Government and colleagues across the Senedd to address those concerns while keeping the core aim of the Bill intact.”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The Minister has noted the committees’ reports and will respond formally in due course. The government supports the principle of the Bill and believes a ban on greyhound racing is justified on animal welfare grounds. Work is ongoing to finalise the outstanding impact assessments and to ensure full compatibility with the ECHR.”

The Bill is scheduled for a Stage 1 debate and vote in plenary on Tuesday 16 December. Even if it passes that hurdle, it would still require significant amendment at Stages 2 and 3 to satisfy the committees’ recommendations.