Annual memorial service at Milford Haven Cemetery to remember those who never returned home

A MEMORIAL service will be held at Milford Haven Cemetery to honour local fishermen who lost their lives at sea on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Organised by Milford Haven Town Council, the annual gathering gives families, friends and residents the opportunity to come together in quiet reflection and remembrance of those who made their living on the water but never returned home.

The service will start at 11am and will be officiated by Rev Dr Adrian Furse SSC.

Milford Haven has long been shaped by its fishing and maritime industries, with generations of local families connected to the sea. While the harbour has provided work and prosperity, it has also brought tragedy, with storms and accidents claiming lives over the years.

The service will include prayers, readings and the laying of wreaths, creating a moment for the community to pause and acknowledge the sacrifices made by fishermen past and present.

Town councillors say the event is always a moving occasion and are encouraging anyone with links to the fishing community, as well as members of the wider public, to attend and show their support.

The aim, they say, is to ensure those who were lost are never forgotten and that their contribution to the town’s heritage continues to be recognised.

Residents wishing to attend or find out more can contact Milford Haven Town Council on 01646 692505 or visit www.milfordhaven-tc.gov.wales.

Former councillor says legal fight will continue while wider council issues remain unresolved

FORMER Neyland town councillor David Devauden has spoken out following last week’s tribunal decision which resulted in his suspension from public office for four years.

As previously reported by The Herald, the two-day Ombudsman-related hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court found that Cllr Devauden had breached the councillors’ code of conduct following complaints linked to his dealings with the town clerk and the mayor.

In a statement to this newspaper, Mr Devauden said he strongly disputes the findings and intends to continue pursuing legal action.

Mr Devauden provided a longer statement containing additional claims about the council. The Herald has reported only those matters which can be independently verified or which were raised in open proceedings.

Hearing focused on conduct

The tribunal heard evidence from town clerk Elizabeth Anne Matthews and Mayor Peter Hay, alongside other witnesses, and examined allegations relating to Cllr Devauden’s behaviour, tone and communications.

Appearing without legal representation, Mr Devauden told the tribunal he was “nearly eighty” and said: “My brain is not as quick as it used to be.”

Although the hearing gave Cllr Devauden the opportunity to challenge the credibility of witnesses and to provide context for his dispute with the clerk, he struggled to do so. He did not mount an effective cross-examination, and frequently failed to put his own version of disputed events in a clear, structured way. As a result, the tribunal heard repeated allegations about his conduct and tone, but much less by way of explanation of the underlying grievances which he said lay behind his anger.

The panel later imposed a four-year suspension and ordered further code of conduct training.

Long-running tensions

However, the dispute at Neyland Town Council did not begin with the tribunal and is unlikely to end with it.

Over the past two years the authority has faced repeated internal conflict, public disagreements and the loss of councillors.

Former members Brian Rothero and Steve Thomas both resigned last year during the period of unrest. During the tribunal, the court heard that the situation had taken a toll on Mr Thomas’s mental health.

A further standards case is also still to be heard. The Herald understands that former councillor Brian Rothero is scheduled to face his own Ombudsman-related tribunal in the coming weeks, with the hearing expected to take place by video link.

The council has also struggled at times to fill vacancies, relying on co-options to maintain numbers. Residents have raised concerns that the ongoing instability has made it harder to attract new councillors and has contributed to what some describe as decision-making paralysis.

The Herald has previously reported on wider controversies at the authority, including disagreements over civic events, complaints about transparency, and leaked correspondence which illustrated deep divisions between councillors.

Civil claims remain live

Separately, Mr Devauden has issued two civil claims arising from events linked to Remembrance Sunday arrangements and council meetings in 2024.

One claim is against Mayor Peter Hay personally, alleging defamation, while the second is against Neyland Town Council, alleging a failure of duty. Those claims have not been tested in court and no hearing dates have yet been listed.

“Not the end of the matter”

While the tribunal ruling brings the standards process to a close, it does not determine the outcome of those civil cases or address broader questions about the council’s governance and culture.

Budget, donations and theatre funding bid on agenda at Sea Cadets base

MILFORD HAVEN councillors will meet on Monday evening (Feb 9) for a Full Council session covering finances, community issues and updates from across the town.

The meeting will take place at the Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets Unit, Unit A, Havens Head Business Park, starting at 6:00pm. Remote access is available for councillors and members of the public on request.

Among the key items for discussion will be financial matters, including the acknowledgement of donations and an application for financial assistance from the New Xenon Theatre Company. Councillors are also expected to revisit minutes from a special precept-setting meeting relating to the 2026/27 budget, which were deferred from January.

The agenda includes the usual public question-and-answer session, giving residents up to ten minutes to raise issues directly with councillors.

Updates will also be heard from the Mayor, along with reports on councillor engagements and feedback from representatives serving on outside bodies.

The Milford Haven Multi-Agency Working Group will present minutes from its latest meeting, alongside a report highlighting current “areas of concern” affecting the town.

Other business includes declarations of interest and formal approval of minutes from recent council meetings.

Residents wishing to observe the meeting remotely can contact the Town Council in advance to arrange access.