Community

Fish kill at Wallis Pond sparks new concern over pollution in Cleddau

Published

10 months ago

August 16, 2025

A SERIOUS pollution incident at Wallis Pond in Ambleston has killed several large fish, prompted urgent calls for action, and reignited concerns over the wider health of the Cleddau river system.

The Cleddau Project (TCP) says the incident – at a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) only recently restored to improve biodiversity and public access – was first reported to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on Saturday (Aug 9) by a volunteer. Despite photographic evidence and visible contamination, locals say there was no sign of action from NRW for four days.

By Wednesday (Aug 13), at least six dead fish were spotted floating in the pond. Volunteers who carried out their own testing on Thursday (Aug 14) recorded ammonia levels “off the scale” – levels that are likely to be toxic to fish.

During the days between the first report and the arrival of NRW, a paddleboarder was seen using the pond, apparently unaware of any potential health risk.

Restoration work at risk

Wallis Pond holds a special place in the community. It was reopened in 1978 by King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, and was only recently restored in a collaborative project involving Pembrokeshire County Council, NRW, Ambleston Community Council, Nestlé Waters UK, and Heavyside Landscapes.

The aim of the restoration was to enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and provide safe public access. Campaigners fear the ongoing pollution could undermine this work entirely if the source is not identified and stopped quickly.

Questions over NRW response

TCP says the incident highlights serious shortcomings in NRW’s revised pollution response criteria, which mean officers now attend only when incidents are deemed “significant” by their internal measures. The group argues this leaves communities unprotected, wildlife at risk, and public trust in environmental regulation damaged.

“We’ve done the leg work to expose this serious pollution incident,” a spokesperson said. “But if polluters are allowed to carry on and NRW doesn’t get a grip quickly, the restoration work means nothing.”

TCP is demanding:

An urgent investigation to identify and stop the source of the pollution.
Accountability for any parties responsible.
A public explanation from NRW for the delay in containment and lack of public warning.
A review of NRW’s response policy to ensure incidents like this are treated with urgency.

Video evidence, photographs, and ammonia test results have been supplied to NRW, with the BBC and ITV also alerted.

Wider concerns about the Cleddau

Environmental campaigners say Wallis Pond is just one example of the ongoing threat to the Cleddau river system, which faces regular pollution from agricultural run-off, sewage discharges and industrial activity.

The Cleddau Project, a community-led group of around 100 volunteers, regularly monitors water and soil quality from the river’s source to the sea, holding polluters to account and campaigning for change at government level.

Natural Resources Wales has been asked for comment.

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

3 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

Published

9 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

13 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.