Entertainment

Memory-laden Pembrokeshire property sells at auction

Published

10 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

Pembrokeshire soprano to perform at International Eisteddfod

Published

2 days ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST music teacher and soprano soloist Clare Harrison is set to perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen next month.

Clare will sing under the baton of Sir Karl Jenkins on Tuesday, July 7, as part of the World Choir, an auditioned international chorus of singers, for the long-awaited Welsh premiere of his work One World.

She will also perform in a new commission, Greeting the Dawn, by Sam Buttler, and in Peace Child with Wrexham-based chorus NEW Voices.

Clare combines a busy teaching schedule with regular solo performances across Wales and the borders.

Her next Pembrokeshire appearance will be as soloist with Tenby Male Choir at St Mary’s Church, Tenby, on Thursday, July 16.

Caption:

Clare Harrison: The Haverfordwest soprano will perform at the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.

Entertainment

Harbour Fest to bring music, food and maritime magic to Milford Waterfront

Published

3 days ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Free family festival will celebrate Milford Haven’s seafaring history and coastal community

MILFORD WATERFRONT will burst into life on Saturday, June 27, as the first Harbour Fest sails into town for a day of music, food, family fun and maritime celebration.

The free event will run from 10:00am to 6:00pm at Mackerel Quay and across the waterfront, bringing together local traders, live entertainment, coastal organisations and independent businesses for a packed day beside the water.

Organisers say the festival will celebrate everything that makes Milford Haven special, from its seafaring history and working harbour to its growing reputation as a destination for food, shopping, culture and family days out.

Visitors will be able to browse stalls from local makers and producers, enjoy street food and live performances, and explore a Marine Zone featuring organisations involved in sea safety, marine conservation and coastal life.

The Marine Zone will include Seagrass Network Cymru / Project Seagrass, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dyfed-Powys Police, NCI Wooltack Point, Rudders Marine Training, RNLI Milford Haven and RNLI Angle Lifeboat.

RNLI Angle Lifeboat is expected to be based on the Mackerel Stage, while the Sea Cadets will be giving rope-tying displays at Milford Haven Museum, where craft activities will also be taking place.

Live entertainment will run throughout the day, with performances from Tom & Abz, Will Scott, Ryan Bristow, Milford Haven Town Band, Kyle Kirkhouse and ShantyJacs Sea Shanties.

Businesses across the waterfront are also joining in. All Pets Vet Care will hold a family-friendly open day with a bouncy castle, treasure hunts, quizzes, craft activities and behind-the-scenes tours. Aurora Artisan Crafts will host vocal performances, Biffy’s Bar & Restaurant will feature solo acoustic music from Laurence Lewis, and Martha’s Vineyard will offer seafood street food with live music from Ryan Bristow and Steve Bartram.

At Tŷ Milford Waterfront’s outdoor plaza there will be face painting, children’s activities, pop-up artists and an afternoon DJ set, while Phoenix Bowl and Pirate Pete’s Adventure Play will have inflatables and glitter tattoos outside.

The Waterfront Gallery will host introduction to felt-making workshops with textile artist Carole Fletcher, giving participants the chance to create a woollen felt flower pin brooch or phone/glasses case. The workshops start at 10:30am, 1:00pm and 3:30pm and cost £5 per person.

A wide range of traders will also be attending, including 5th Flock Spirits Co, Cinnamon Grove Distillery, Cwm Deri Wines & Liqueurs, Ferncraft, Get Loaded, J.J. Pottery, Major Nuts, Orange Garden Design, Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm, Pembrokeshire Gold, Pembrokeshire Lottery, Plumstone Welshcakes and SlateArtSJ.

With music drifting across the marina, food stalls lining the waterfront and lifeboats, sea safety teams and coastal groups adding a strong maritime flavour, Harbour Fest is expected to bring a lively summer atmosphere to one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known waterside destinations.

Organisers say the event is suitable for families, friends and visitors of all ages, with plenty to see and do throughout the day.

Photo caption: Harbour Fest will take place at Milford Waterfront on Saturday, June 27 (Pic: Milford Waterfront).

Entertainment

Filming begins on new Welsh BBC comedy starring Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs

Published

3 days ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HEARTWARMING new Welsh BBC comedy co-written by Ruth Jones and Steve Speirs has started filming in South Wales.

Better Later, a six-part series for BBC iPlayer, BBC One and BBC One Wales, will explore the unexpected joys of an unlikely friendship.

The comedy stars Jones and Speirs as two people who meet at a knee trauma clinic. Retired teacher Clive, played by Speirs, is 60, widowed and facing a new chapter in life. Shelley Anne, played by Jones, is a 55-year-old environmental health officer going through a bitter divorce.

The series is being filmed in and around South Wales, including the Brecon Beacons, and is set in the fictional village of Brynfach.

Ruth Jones said: “In a funny way this show has been 35 years in the making, which is when I first met Steve. It’s not that we’re slow writers, it’s just that we’ve been up to other things. It’s fantastic to be back in front of the camera with him again.”

Steve Speirs said: “Our first time acting together for quite a long time. Ruth makes me laugh more than anyone and I’m a terrible giggler. This could be a long shoot.”

Better Later has been commissioned by BBC Cymru Wales and BBC Comedy and is being made by Tidy Productions in association with BBC Studios Comedy, with support from Creative Wales.

The series was commissioned by Nick Andrews, Head of Commissioning at BBC Cymru Wales, and Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy at the BBC. The commissioning editors are Emma Lawson and Paul Forde.

Executive producers are Sarah Fraser for Tidy Productions and Josh Cole for BBC Studios Comedy. The producer is Owen Bell and the director is Simon Massey.

Transmission details will be announced in due course.