News

Children left disappointed over ‘shambolic’ Christmas event

Published

10 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

Inside our present time prescribed eyeglasses are utilized not only for healthcare reasons but in addition showing what
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.

Entertainment

Two-day Christmas fair set for Pembrokeshire

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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