CENTURIES-OLD CEREMONY DRAWS FAMILIES TO THE RIVERSIDE

HAVERFORDWEST’S historic Beating of the Bounds returned on Sunday (Jun 14), with boats, music and crowds gathering along the riverside for one of the town’s most distinctive civic traditions.

The ceremony saw the Mayor of Haverfordwest and Admiral of the Port, Cllr Randell Thomas-Turner, lead a water-borne procession along the Western Cleddau to the White Stone, the painted boundary marker of the Borough and Port of Haverfordwest.

He was joined by Deputy Mayor Cllr Adam Benson-Davies, Town Sheriff Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, Deputy Lieutenant Patricia Porter OBE and her daughter, the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, the Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, Reverend Sophie Whitmarsh, Andrew Merfyn Phillips the High Sheriff of Dyfed, and other invited guests.

A flotilla of boats from Neyland, Milford Haven and other parts of the Haven made its way upriver for the ceremony, with civic leaders and dignitaries travelling out to the White Stone.

Upon reaching the marker, Reverend Sophie Whitmarsh, the Mayor’s Chaplain, gave a blessing as the boats gathered around the painted white rock.

Cllr Thomas-Turner then delivered the traditional proclamation, formally reaffirming the town’s ancient boundaries and rights.

He declared: “Let it be known that I come to the White Stone and do this day acknowledge and maintain the ancient bounds and privilege of the Borough and Port of Haverfordwest.”

The ceremony was accompanied by a busy family event at the Quayside Car Park, where Pure West Radio broadcast live from the riverside and crowds enjoyed face painting, bouncy castles, ice cream and food stalls.

Local artist and musician Steve Bartram performed during the afternoon, while children from Vision Arts entertained the crowd with songs from Disney films and musical theatre, including I’ve Got No Strings from Pinocchio.

Milford Haven Town Band also performed, adding a traditional soundtrack to the occasion as the historic ceremony unfolded on the river.

With the Bristol Trader open and people sitting out on benches along the river enjoying the evening atmosphere, the event brought a relaxed summer feel to the town centre.

Security for the event was provided by RM Training and Security Solutions, helping ensure the celebrations ran safely for families and visitors.

First aid cover was provided by St John Ambulance Cymru, with four team members on site throughout the event.

Beating the Bounds is an ancient civic custom, once used to mark and remember parish or town boundaries before modern maps and records. In Haverfordwest, the tradition survives in a particularly distinctive form, with the Mayor travelling by boat to the White Stone to acknowledge the historic bounds and privileges of the borough and port.

This year’s event combined formal civic ceremony with music, family entertainment, river activity and a strong community turnout, helping to keep one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known traditions alive for another generation.

Photos by The Pembrokeshire Herald, Aad Oostermeijer, Cllr Thomas Tudor and Darthy Media

MS WARNS CLOSURES COULD DAMAGE RURAL COMMUNITIES

CLAIRE ARCHIBALD MS has urged Pembrokeshire councillors to protect village schools ahead of a key vote on the future of Ysgol Clydau and Manorbier Church in Wales School.

The Member of the Senedd for Ceredigion Penfro has written to councillors before today’s meeting, asking them to consider the wider impact that losing small rural schools could have on children, families and local communities.

Ms Archibald said village schools provided a type of education that was becoming increasingly rare, offering smaller, more familiar settings where children were well known by staff.

She visited Manorbier Church in Wales School on Friday, where she met staff and saw the school for herself.

Ms Archibald said: “Small village schools provide families with a type of education that is increasingly rare. They offer a more homely environment where children are well known by their teachers and where strong relationships exist between the school, families and the wider community.

“Not every child thrives in a large, busy setting. For some children, particularly those who struggle with anxiety or additional learning needs, a smaller school environment can make a real difference.”

During her visit to Manorbier, Ms Archibald said she was impressed by the care shown to pupils and the strong sense of community around the school.

She added: “These schools are not simply buildings where lessons take place. They are an important part of village life and often sit at the heart of their communities.”

In her letter to councillors, Ms Archibald said the decision was not only about buildings or numbers, but about whether different types of education were valued for different children.

She also pointed to the exceptional circumstances faced by Manorbier following the fire at the school, and said the community had already shown how strongly it valued the school through local support.

Ms Archibald warned that once rural schools close, they are very unlikely to reopen.

She said councillors should support deferral if they were not satisfied that every question had been answered and every alternative properly explored.

The future of Ysgol Clydau and Manorbier Church in Wales School is due to be decided by Pembrokeshire County Council today.

MOTORISTS are being warned to expect major disruption when resurfacing work closes Newgale hill later this month.

Pembrokeshire County Council is due to carry out work on Tuesday, June 23, from 9:00am to 3:30pm, and Wednesday, June 24, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.

The closure will affect the A487 from above the Newgale shop to Penycwm.

County councillor Mark Carter said he fully supported the resurfacing work, but had “severe concerns” about the diversion arrangements.

Traffic is expected to be sent along the partially single-track route from Penycwm to Victoria, Roch, via Eweston and Roch Bridge.

Cllr Carter said the route is used during winter storms when waves overtop at Newgale, but warned traffic is usually much lighter at that time of year.

He said: “I believe there will be severe delays and confrontation on this route when traffic meets head-on.”

He added that he had suggested alternatives, including carrying out the work at a quieter time of year, night working, a convoy system, or using a different route to create more of a one-way flow.

However, he said he had been told the closure would go ahead as planned.

Cllr Carter said PCC had indicated staff would be on the diversion route to assist traffic, but he had not yet received an answer about arrangements for service buses.

He advised residents to avoid the diversion where possible and allow extra time by travelling further around Newgale.