Entertainment

Memory-laden Pembrokeshire property sells at auction

Published

7 months ago

September 1, 2025

A charming house located in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, filled with thousands of photographic memories was recently sold via property auction. The eight-bedroom house was once the location of the famous Squibb Studios, a much-loved photography workshop owned by Margaret and Graham Hughes.

During his lifetime, Graham Hughes took photos of three generations of weddings, as well as portraits of local residents, important events and private functions. The photographer and his wife were a very important part of the local community and captured many wonderful memories on camera.

Let’s take a look at the history of the Pembrokeshire townhouse and what the future may have in store now it has a new owner.

The history of the famous Pembrokeshire townhouse

In the United Kingdom, the age of many of the buildings means that there is lots of interesting history to explore. Sometimes properties have been passed down through many generations or used for lots of different purposes. The Pembrokeshire property is now exception; it has been both a family home and a photography studio in the past.

Mr Hughes purchased the townhouse when purchasing the photography business from Authur Squibbs more than six decades ago. Now, the photography work of both Graham and Authur is being scanned to create a digital copy of the archive. This work is being completed by Alun Crockford with the Pembrokeshire Archives.

There are more than 11,000 photographs, in addition to thousands of film rolls from over half a century of work, dating between 1950 and 2010.

Older properties have stood through many eras of history, surviving wars, severe weather and lots of societal change. This property in particular is a great reminder of times gone by and how much every aspect of our lifestyles have changed.

For example, back then, the property’s residents would have filled their time playing board games, now they could simply play games like slots online with a few clicks on their smartphone. Or, after dinner there would be the laborious task of scrubbing dishes in the sink, while now it’s simply a case of stacking the dishwasher.

Technological innovation has changed our lives in ways the original property owners probably couldn’t imagine. While the added convenience is great, sometimes it is nice to reflect on simpler times.

How much did it sell for at auction?

Located at Napleton House on Warren Street, the property was successfully sold via public auction for £240,000 based on a guide price of £220,000. The sale was made by South Wales auction house Paul Fosh Auction. There was a huge amount of interest in the four-storey house, which has eight bedrooms. While the property does need quite a lot of work to modernise it, lots of people could see the great potential it has.

On the day of the auction, there were four bidders on the property and it took just five bids to seal the deal. While it was expected that it would go beyond the guide price due to the amount of interest the townhouse had received, the final price wasn’t too shocking.

What is so attractive about the house’s location?

For starters, Tenby is one of the most sought after areas in Wales. The house itself is very central and just a stone’s throw from a vast array of shops and other local amenities. Tenby is very popular with tourists and has a booming tourism industry too.

The property stands out on the street with its historical charm, passers-by look at it with intrigue.

There has been interest in turning it into a guest house

Given its generous size and convenient location, it is little surprise that previous owners had thought about turning it into accommodation. Planning permission has been granted to turn it into an eight bedroomed guest house. It is set out across 1,558ft and has outside space.

Other than a guest house, it also has potential for other commercial uses or to be turned into luxury apartments, if the correct permissions could be granted.

Tourists in Tenby would find the townhouse to be in the ideal location as it is close to the main train station and the centre of town for shopping. Also within walking distance is the golf course and a number of bus stops. Getting to the town’s beaches isn’t difficult from there either.

Currently, set out as a home the property has a lower ground floor and access to a basement. There are two reception rooms, a toilet and lots of storage space. Up on the ground floor is the shop area and a rear living space.

Then, up a set of stairs onto the first floor is a full bathroom, kitchen and four sizable bedrooms. On the top floor are the rest of the bedrooms and a loft space.

Entertainment

Tenby steams up in spectacular style as crowds flock to festival

Published

1 day ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Colourful parade, towering creations and Victorian flair bring town centre to life

TENBY was transformed into a vibrant Victorian fantasy on Saturday (Mar 21) as hundreds of visitors descended on the town for the annual Steampunk Festival.

The highlight of the day came with the much-anticipated Peacock Parade, which saw elaborately dressed participants wind their way through Tenby’s narrow streets, drawing large crowds of spectators.

Residents and visitors lined the route, many stopping to take photos as performers in eye-catching costumes passed by. From brass goggles and top hats to military-inspired uniforms and elegant gowns, the outfits on display reflected the creativity and theatrical spirit of the steampunk scene.

Among the most striking sights were the towering pink flamingo creations, which rose high above the crowds and became an instant talking point. Musicians in period costume added to the atmosphere, playing lively tunes as they marched through the town.

Families were out in force, with children and adults alike enjoying the spectacle. Many visitors had travelled from across Wales and beyond to attend the event, which has grown in popularity in recent years and is now firmly established as a key date in Tenby’s events calendar.

The Herald understands that local businesses also benefited from the influx of visitors, with cafés, pubs and shops seeing a steady flow of customers throughout the day.

In addition to the parade, a range of activities were taking place across the town, including markets, performances and themed entertainment centred around the De Valence Pavilion.

Organisers have worked to create an inclusive and welcoming event, with many people choosing to dress up while others simply come along to enjoy the unique atmosphere.

The festival continues on Sunday, with further events planned as Tenby remains firmly in the grip of steampunk fever for the weekend.

Photos: Colourful characters take part in the Peacock Parade through Tenby on Saturday (Pic: Gareth Davies).

Entertainment

St Patrick’s night celebration at Giraldus Centre

Published

4 days ago

March 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

GET ready to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in style this Friday at the Giraldus Centre in Manorbier.

The community venue is hosting a lively evening of music, dancing and Irish-themed fun, with entertainment from popular local group The Slipway Ukes.

Doors open at 7:00pm on Friday (Mar 20), with free entry for all. A fully licensed bar will be open throughout the evening, serving drinks and snacks with an Irish twist.

Organisers are encouraging everyone to “unleash their inner leprechaun” and enjoy a night on the dance floor.

There is no need to book—just turn up and join in.

Donations on the night will be gratefully received in support of the Paul Sartori Foundation.

The event takes place at the Giraldus Centre, Manorbier, SA70 7TN.

Entertainment

Met Opera’s Tristan und Isolde comes to the Torch Theatre

Published

7 days ago

March 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Lise Davidsen leads star cast in Wagner’s epic tale of love and death in special cinema broadcast on Sunday (Mar 22)

AFTER years of anticipation, a truly unmissable event arrives in cinemas worldwide as the electrifying Lise Davidsen takes on one of the ultimate roles for dramatic soprano – the Irish princess Isolde – in Wagner’s transcendent meditation on love and death, Tristan und Isolde.

Heroic tenor Michael Spyres stars opposite Davidsen as the love-struck Tristan in what promises to be a powerful and emotionally charged performance.

The production also marks the arrival of a new staging at the Metropolitan Opera by Yuval Sharon, making his Met debut. Sharon has been hailed by The New York Times as “the most visionary opera director of his generation” and was the first American to direct an opera at the famous Wagner festival in Bayreuth.

Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin also leads Tristan und Isolde at the Met for the first time in this landmark production.

The cast includes mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova reprising her acclaimed portrayal of Brangäne, alongside bass-baritone Tomasz Konieczny as Kurwenal following his celebrated Met appearances in Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländerand the Ring cycle. Bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green makes an important role debut as King Marke.

Reviewing the production for The Observer, Fiona Maddocks described it as a “glorious production” and “well worth catching”, adding: “This was one of those rare and blissful nights when dropped jaws silenced noisy opinion in the queue for coats afterwards.”

The recorded broadcast of Tristan und Isolde will be screened at the Torch Theatre on Sunday (Mar 22) at 4:00pm.

For further information visit www.torchtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on (01646) 695267.

ENDS