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Castle to Quayside Festival links Haverfordwest past, present and future

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OVER 1,000 people attended the Castle to Quayside Festival in Haverfordwest on Saturday 6 September, celebrating the town’s fascinating heritage.

Funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund, the event is seen as a blueprint for more activities planned as part of the next phase of the Haverfordwest Castle redevelopment project.

The festival was organised by Pembrokeshire County Council in partnership with the River Festival, Haverfordwest Heritage Trust, Haverfordwest Action Forum and Haverhub, with additional support from Milford Haven Port Authority and Haverfordwest Town Council.

Castle Square and the Quayside were brought to life with arts and heritage activities for all ages. Live music, outdoor theatre and Morris dancing drew crowds, and even Queen Eleanor of Castile made an appearance.

Talks on ecology and sustainability, including The Cleddau Project and the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum Marine Code, attracted full audiences. History enthusiasts also enjoyed Mark Muller’s guided tour and Simon Hancock’s talk on the Castle. Visitors were able to view the Castle works in progress, while Shire Hall opened its doors to offer a rare glimpse of the old Court Room.

More events like this are planned as part of Haverfordwest Castle’s transformation, with a new heritage discovery attraction due to open in 2028, showcasing Pembrokeshire’s past, present and future.

Siobhan McGovern, Client Project Manager of the Castle development and festival organiser, said: “It was fantastic to see so many people at the festival – proof that we love our heritage. The Castle’s big reopening is set for early 2028, and we’re working hard to make it something the whole community can be proud of. In the meantime, there’ll be lots of chances to get involved along the way.”

The Haverfordwest Castle redevelopment aims to create a flagship attraction for Pembrokeshire, drawing more than 40,000 visitors a year. The project is part of wider efforts to regenerate Haverfordwest, boost footfall to the town, support local businesses, and foster pride in the area’s heritage.

Pics: Jasper Photography

 

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

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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.

 

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Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

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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.

 

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Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

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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.

 

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