News
Editor serves £50,000 defamation claim on Neyland Town Council
THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD has today confirmed that its Editor, Tom Sinclair, has served a £50,000 defamation claim on Neyland Town Council following a series of false and damaging statements issued by the Council and its Clerk.
The legal action centres on an official post published by Neyland Town Council on its Facebook page in October, in which the Herald’s reporting was described as “targeted”, “bullying”, and “relentless”. These accusations were presented as fact, published without evidence, and issued without giving the newspaper any right of reply.
In the weeks that followed, serious defamatory abuse was allowed to remain visible beneath the Council’s post, including a comment labelling the editor a “nonce”. That comment remained public for around eight weeks before being removed. The Town Clerk later escalated matters further by posting an abusive public message directed at Mr Sinclair personally, using obscene language.
Mr Sinclair said: “Our reporting has been fair, accurate and entirely justified. When a public authority uses its official platform to publish untrue personal attacks about a journalist, it crosses a line. This is not about disagreement with a story – it is about a council making baseless allegations that undermine press freedom and damage trust in local democracy.”
He added: “No journalist should be publicly slurred by a public body for doing their job. Allowing defamatory abuse to remain online for weeks, and then adding further hostile comments, has caused serious harm to my reputation and encouraged harassment.”
The claim seeks damages, the removal of the offending material, a public apology, and written undertakings to prevent a repeat of the allegations.
Mr Sinclair said the purpose of the action is to “draw a clear line under this behaviour” and ensure that no other journalist is subjected to similar treatment by those in public office.
“The Herald will always hold public bodies to account,” he said. “But accountability runs both ways.”
Local Government
Major improvement works completed at Fleming Crescent
NEW roofs, structural upgrades and solar panels have been installed across three residential blocks at Fleming Crescent as part of a major housing improvement scheme.
Pembrokeshire County Council said the project has delivered safer, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for residents, with the full replacement of roofs serving 54 flats.
The works also included structural improvements designed to support the long-term performance of the buildings, alongside the installation of solar panels to help improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs for tenants.

The council received a funding contribution from the Welsh Government through the Optimised Retrofit Programme, which supports energy-efficiency improvements alongside wider investment works.
The scheme was completed on schedule, with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd appointed as the main contractor.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Michelle Bateman said: “Delivering a project of this scale on schedule is a significant achievement.
“The new roofs and external upgrades will help reduce future maintenance issues and improve the long-term resilience of the buildings, while the solar panels form an important part of our wider decarbonisation programme.
“By working closely with W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, we have delivered high-quality improvements that will benefit tenants both now and in the future.
“Pembrokeshire County Council continues to invest in housing improvements across the county, ensuring homes remain safe, modern, energy efficient and fit for the future.”
The project has also received national recognition after being shortlisted for a Constructing Excellence in Wales Award.
Neil Griffiths, Managing Director of W B Griffiths & Son Ltd, said: “We are proud to have delivered this important project at Fleming Crescent to a high standard and within the agreed timescales.
“The combination of full roof replacement and solar panel installation will provide long-term value, improve the performance of the buildings and support better outcomes for residents.
“It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Pembrokeshire County Council on this scheme.”
News
Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey
A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.
Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.
The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.
Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.
After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.
Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.
After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.
The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.
Entertainment
Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings
THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.
The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.
There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.
Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.
On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.
Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.
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