Community
New housing scheme to support first-time buyers in Pembrokeshire
A NEW affordable housing initiative has been launched to help first-time buyers in Pembrokeshire take their first step onto the property ladder.
Homebuy Pembrokeshire, delivered by Pembrokeshire County Council, offers eligible applicants an equity loan of up to 30% of a property’s value—providing vital support for those struggling to bridge the gap between mortgage offers and rising house prices.
Funded by revenue from the Second Home Premium, the scheme aims to tackle one of the key challenges faced by prospective homeowners in the County: affordability. While many first-time buyers are able to save for a deposit and secure a mortgage, the actual cost of properties in Pembrokeshire can still be out of reach.
Homebuy Pembrokeshire is designed to address this by offering an interest-free loan secured against the property as a legal charge. The repayment value is linked to the market value of the property at the time of repayment, giving buyers flexibility to repay when they are financially able.
The scheme applies to homes purchased on the open market across Pembrokeshire, with additional support available for those choosing to purchase empty properties. Unlike similar initiatives elsewhere in Wales, which are often limited to new-build homes, Homebuy Pembrokeshire is tailored to the County’s general housing market.
Councillor Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The launch of Homebuy Pembrokeshire is part of this administration’s commitment to increasing the supply of affordable housing across all tenures.
“We understand that despite saving for a deposit, many people still find themselves priced out of home ownership. This scheme aims to remove that barrier and give first-time buyers a real chance to own their own home.
“It forms part of a broader strategy to address the housing crisis, alongside our development and acquisitions programme, Leasing Scheme Wales, and support for bringing empty properties back into use.”
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a local connection to Pembrokeshire and meet other eligibility criteria. The pilot phase of the scheme is backed by £1 million in funding, with all repayments reinvested into the County’s wider affordable housing programme.
For more information about the scheme and how to apply, visit the Homebuy Pembrokeshire webpage or contact the council’s affordable housing team via email at [email protected] or call 01437 764551.
Community
Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes
MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.
The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.
A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.
The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community
3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire
Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event
THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.
Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.












The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.
Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.
The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.
Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.
Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office
Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush
A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.
The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.
Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.
He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.
Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”
Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.
The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.
Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.
Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).
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