Founder Kayleigh Salmon thanks loyal customers after building beloved bakery from home kitchen at just 17

A MUCH-LOVED Pembrokeshire cake business has closed its doors after an emotional final day that left customers, friends and supporters sharing messages of thanks and sadness.

St Davids Cake Co announced the end of an era this week, with founder Kayleigh Salmon thanking the local community that helped turn a teenage dream into a successful small business.

In an emotional social media post, Kayleigh said she was overwhelmed by the support shown during the final day of trading.

She wrote: “Just WOW, honestly today was absolutely amazing.

“I can’t believe this amazing small community we built from starting in my home kitchen at the age of 17.

“I never believed little me could achieve this.”

Photos shared by the business showed bouquets of flowers, cards, gifts and a bottle of fizz from well-wishers, while friends gathered in the shop for a heartfelt send-off.

Kayleigh paid tribute to her close friend Ells, who supported her both during childhood and throughout the business journey.

She said: “I just want to thank my great friend Ells, for all the help, support and encouragement over the last 10 years.

“For her to help me so many years later in my shop it was a real pleasure to have her alongside me for our final day. I’m forever grateful for our friendship.”

The closure prompted an outpouring of affection from customers, many describing the bakery as a treasured part of visits to St Davids.

Jenny Pearson said: “Really going to miss your fabulous cakes. Even though I’m gluten intolerant and shouldn’t have eaten them, they were well worth it.”

Bethan Mayer wrote: “Gutted I couldn’t get to you, will miss your cookies.”

Another customer, Sara Hawkridge, described the bakery’s treats as “the BEST”, adding: “You should be very proud.”

Others wished Kayleigh luck for “whatever you do next”, with many encouraging her to enjoy some well-earned time off after years of hard work.

While the closure marks the end of St Davids Cake Co, the reaction online suggests Kayleigh’s cakes — and the community she built around them — will not be forgotten anytime soon.

A WELL-KNOWN independent veterinary practice in Pembrokeshire has announced a change of ownership after nearly two decades of caring for local pets.

All Pets Vet Care revealed that founder Billa will soon hand over the reins after 17 years, with experienced local vets Alice Richards and Pete Howe set to become the practice’s new owners.

The practice said both Alice and Pete share Billa’s commitment to maintaining the independent, friendly and community-focused ethos that has helped make the surgery a trusted name among pet owners across Pembrokeshire.

Alice and Pete are both highly experienced vets who have worked in Pembrokeshire for more than ten years, meaning many clients may already know them.

The team stressed that there will be no change to the care provided, with the practice continuing to offer the same personal service and out-of-hours care for registered clients.

In a message to customers, the practice said: “Nothing about the care you receive is changing – it will still be the same personal, friendly service.”

The new owners said they are looking forward to meeting clients and their pets in the coming weeks.

Pet owners will also have an opportunity to meet Pete at the practice’s Open Day on Friday, June 27. Alice will be unable to attend due to a long-planned charity bike ride, although the team said she would “be there in spirit.”

Photo caption:

New chapter: Local vets Alice Richards and Pete Howe are taking over ownership of All Pets Vet Care after 17 years under founder Billa (Pic: All Pets Vet Care).

A CALL to convert a ticket office to a home at a former Pembrokeshire railway line which closed more than 60 years ago has been lodged with county planners.

In an application to Pembrokeshire County Council, Mr James, through agent Harries Planning Design Management seeks permission for the conversion of a ticket office into a dwelling, at the old Ticket Office, Station Road, Crymych.

A supporting statement says: “The building used to serve as the ticket office for the Crymych Arms Railway Station serving both the Whitland and Cardigan Railway. The station closed in 1962, with this building becoming disused.

“Since its closure the building has been used as temporary storage by the owner, who has continued to maintain, fix and repair the building to a state where conversion is possible. The ticket office is semi-detached with a dwelling to the north. The ticket office building comprises faced stone elevations and a slate roof.

“Externally, it is served by overgrown green space to the south and concreted areas to the east and west. There are no known environmental or historical designations on site.”

It goes on to say: “The dwelling will retain the existing form, with no external extensions proposed. Internally, it is proposed to convert the building into a two-bed dwelling, with an open plan kitchen/living/dining area to provide ample space for modern habitation. Garden space is to be provided to the south and west, with lawned gardens and native beech hedging. External materials will remain as existing for the most part, with the windows replaced with heritage style UPVC sash and the existing chimney removed.”

It concludes: “The proposal seeks to retain the external form of the building to conserve its historic impact within the landscape. The proposal seeks to comply with [planning policy] which places open market housing within the settlement boundary of a service village and for the conversion of a historic building which is not being utilised. Therefore, the principle of development is considered acceptable and will contribute to a positive conversion within the landscape.”

The application will be considered by county planners at a later date.

The 27-and-a-half-mile-long Whitland and Cardigan Railway branch line, initially called the Whitland and Taf Vale Railway before becoming the Whitland and Cardigan, reached Crymych in 1874 though a passenger service didn’t start until the following year, with an extension to the edge of Cardigan opening in 1886.

A proposal to close the line, known locally as the Cardi Bach, came a little before the infamous ‘Beeching Axe’ which saw many stations in Wales and elsewhere close; the line closing to passengers in 1962, the last being the 5.45 Cardigan Mail, remaining open to freight traffic for a short while before a final closure in 1963.