Community
Tenby packed as Santa Run and lights switch-on launch festive season
TUDOR SQUARE was transformed into one of the busiest scenes Tenby has witnessed in years on Saturday (Nov 29) as the town’s Festive Fun Saturday brought together the annual Santa Run, a full programme of entertainment, a Christmas market and the dramatic arrival of Father Christmas by lifeboat for the evening lights switch-on.


Large crowds gathered from early morning and remained throughout the day, with businesses, residents and visitors describing the atmosphere as one of the best festive launches the town has held.
Santa Run fills the town


The day began with the Tenby Round Table Santa Run at 11:00am. Close to four hundred participants, ranging from young children to older runners, arrived dressed in identical red Santa suits supplied as part of the entry fee. Families filled Tudor Square before the start, creating a striking scene as the crowd prepared to set off.
The runners surged through the square and into the town centre to cheers from onlookers, completing a 3km route that wound through Tenby’s historic streets and along the harbour. Many participants ran in groups or with family members, and volunteers lined the route to manage road safety.
Proceeds from the run will go towards local charities and community projects supported by Tenby Round Table. Organisers said the turnout was one of their strongest in recent years.
Entertainment and Christmas market draw large crowds
From 9:30am, the Christmas market brought steady footfall into the town centre. Stalls selling food, crafts, gifts and festive treats remained busy throughout the day as visitors browsed and took advantage of the dry weather.
Live entertainment continued on the stage in Tudor Square, with performances from Steve Briers, Lowri Wyn Smith, Richard Henton, Samantha Skyrme-Blackhall and the Salvation Army Band and Community Choir. Dance displays from the Kelly Williams School of Dance drew further crowds in the afternoon.
Families reported queuing times at rides and stalls far longer than in previous years as the number of visitors increased across the day.















Santa arrives by lifeboat
Shortly after 4:30pm, attention shifted to the harbour as blue lights appeared offshore and the Tenby RNLI lifeboat made its way towards the town carrying Father Christmas.
Fire crews and coastguard officers escorted the convoy from the harbour up through the packed streets as children waved and shouted for Santa from both sides of the road. The lifeboat’s arrival into the square prompted one of the loudest cheers of the day.
Santa greeted families, posed for photographs and joined the Mayor and town councillors, who were present in full ceremonial robes for the occasion.








Lights switch-on marks the finale
With the square full to capacity, the countdown began for the switching on of the town’s Christmas tree lights. The large tree, positioned next to St Mary’s Church, lit up to applause and a burst of artificial snow from buildings overlooking the square.
Santa then made his way to St Mary’s Church House to open his grotto, where children queued to meet him.
Local businesses stayed open late as the crowds remained in the town centre well into the evening, with restaurants and cafés reporting one of their busiest nights of the year.
Organisers described the event as a major success and said the combined turnout across the Santa Run, market and lights switch-on showed strong community support for Tenby’s festive programme.
(Images: Gareth Davies/Herald)
Community
Scooter rally brings colour and nostalgia to Tenby
TENBY is buzzing with the sights and sounds of classic scooters this Bank Holiday weekend as the Welsh National Scooter Rally continues in the seaside town.
Hundreds of scooter enthusiasts have travelled to Pembrokeshire for the four-day event, which runs from Friday (May 1) to Monday (May 4), bringing a splash of colour, chrome and Mod culture to the resort.

The rally, organised by Scooter Collective South Wales, is taking place across several venues, including De Valence Pavilion, Tenby United Rugby Club and the Ex-Servicemen’s Club.
Entertainment includes live music, Northern Soul nights, club events and the traditional rally atmosphere which has made Tenby a popular stop on the national scooter calendar.
A ride-out was also planned from Tenby RFC’s ground at Heywood Lane on Saturday afternoon, with scooters heading through the surrounding area. A Custom Show and Traders Fair were also due to be held at the rugby club.

Classic Vespas, Lambrettas and custom scooters have been seen around the town throughout the weekend, with visitors adding to the atmosphere in local streets, pubs, cafés and hotels.
This year’s event also marks 25 years since the first national scooter rally was held in Tenby in 2001 at Kiln Park, when soul legend Edwin Starr headlined.
Before that, smaller local rallies had taken place in 1999 and 2000, while Tenby had already become a regular weekend destination for South Wales scooterists during the 1990s.
The 2026 event is understood to be the 12th time a national rally has been held in Tenby, underlining the town’s long-standing connection with the scooter scene.

The rally continues until Monday, with organisers and visitors hoping the Bank Holiday atmosphere will provide another boost for the town.
Photo caption:
Scooter spectacle: Riders and enthusiasts gather in Tenby for the Welsh National Scooter Rally 2026 (Pic: Malcolm Richards)
Community
New officer appointed as Pembrokeshire Pride expands year-round work
PEMBROKESHIRE Pride has appointed Jamie Rees as its new Community Liaison Officer as the organisation looks to strengthen its year-round presence across the county.
The role, funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, will focus on building closer links with LGBTQ+ people in Pembrokeshire, as well as wider community groups, local organisations and partner agencies.
Jamie, who is originally from Pembrokeshire, brings experience in marketing, communications and community engagement within the arts and cultural sector.
He will help expand Pride’s regular programme beyond its annual event, creating more opportunities for people to meet, feel supported and take part throughout the year.
Monthly events
Current events include Pride Brunch on the first Saturday of the month, Pride Book Club on the second Thursday, Pride Quiz on the last Wednesday, and Pride Friday Dinner Club on the last Friday of the month.
Pembrokeshire Pride said the appointment marks an important step in its ambition to become a more visible and active organisation across the county all year round.
Chair of Pembrokeshire Pride, Donna Humphrey said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jamie to the team as our new Community Liaison Officer.
“This role is a vital part of our vision to grow Pembrokeshire Pride into a visible, active and supportive presence throughout the year.
“We are incredibly grateful to the National Lottery Community Fund for making this role possible. Their support allows us to invest in our community, strengthen connections, and ensure that Pembrokeshire Pride continues to grow in a meaningful and sustainable way.”
Main Pride weekend
Jamie Rees said: “I’m incredibly excited to be stepping into this role at such an important moment for Pembrokeshire Pride. This is about building something that lives and breathes all year round, not just at one event.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting people from across the county – both within the LGBTQ+ community and the wider community – and creating more opportunities for connection, visibility and understanding.
“Pembrokeshire has always been home for me, and I care deeply about helping to build a county that feels welcoming, inclusive and full of pride for everyone who lives here.”
Plans are already underway for this year’s main Pembrokeshire Pride event, which will take place at Dewslake Farm on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20.
The team is keen to hear from stallholders, food vendors and entertainers interested in taking part in the weekend.
Tickets are due to go on sale later this month.
Anyone wishing to find out more, attend an event, or contact Jamie directly can follow Pembrokeshire Pride on social media or email [email protected].
Community
Reduced hours at Hakin Post Office spark concern
Councillor says the change appeared to have been made without proper consultation or adequate warning to the community
RESIDENTS in Hakin and Hubberston have been left shocked after opening hours at Hakin Post Office were suddenly cut without warning.
The branch, based inside CK’s Supermarket on Gellyswick Road, is now only open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00am to 5:30pm, and on Saturday from 9:00am to 12:30pm.
It means the Post Office is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with only limited Saturday morning access.
Local councillor Vivien Stoddart has raised concerns that the sudden reduction represents a serious loss of a vital community service, particularly for elderly residents, people without access to transport, and those who rely on the branch for banking, parcels, pensions and other essential services.
Cllr Stoddart said the change appeared to have been made without proper consultation or adequate warning to the community.
The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted the Post Office after being provided with evidence that opening hours at the CK’s-operated branch had been significantly reduced.
The Herald asked whether the Post Office was aware of reductions at CK’s-operated branches, whether the changes had been approved, what minimum opening hours were required, and what safeguards were in place to ensure communities retained reasonable access to Post Office services.
In its initial response, the Post Office referred to Milford Haven Post Office, but later issued a clarification confirming that the Milford Haven branch is fully open and not affected.
The reduced hours apply to Hakin Post Office, at CK’s Supermarket on Gellyswick Road.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “We sincerely apologise to customers for the inconvenience caused by the short notice change and for the lack of communication informing them of this update for Hakin Post Office.
“We are currently working with the operator to review the opening hours for its branches. Alternative branches for Hakin is Milford Haven and The Mount.”
The statement confirms that the Post Office accepts there was a lack of communication with customers about the change.
For residents in Hakin and Hubberston, the practical impact is significant. The branch now operates for only three full weekdays and one Saturday morning each week.
The Herald understands there is concern locally that the reduced hours could hit vulnerable residents hardest, particularly those who depend on nearby services and cannot easily travel to alternative branches.
The Post Office has not yet provided detailed answers on minimum contractual opening hours, whether the changes were formally approved, or whether similar reductions have been made at other CK’s branches.
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