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Fishguard prepares for huge New Year’s Eve street party as thousands expected

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ONE of Pembrokeshire’s biggest New Year celebrations is set to return as Fishguard prepares to welcome thousands of revellers into the town centre to see in 2026.

Up to 4,000 people are expected to gather in Market Square on New Year’s Eve for the annual Fishguard Street Party, an event that has grown from a small community celebration into one of the most popular New Year destinations in Wales.

First launched to mark the millennium, the event has now been running for twenty-six years and regularly attracts visitors from across the county and beyond.

Live music and midnight fireworks

The evening celebrations will begin at 8:00pm, with local favourites RocCana opening the night. The band will perform a mix of well-known hits from the 1960s onwards, alongside Welsh and Irish songs.

They will be followed by headline act Slipped Disco, a nine-piece Cardiff band known for their high-energy performances, horn section, percussion and disco-funk sound. The band will play through to midnight, before compere Allan Cresswell leads the countdown to the New Year.

As the clock strikes midnight, a fireworks display will light up the sky above Market Square, sponsored by the Royal Oak, Fishguard.

Family activities earlier in the day

Earlier in the day, the street party committee is also laying on entertainment for younger families.

Between 1:00pm and 4:00pm, a dedicated Kids’ Zone will offer face painting, balloon modelling, magic and circus skills workshops with performers Will Hughes and Emma Williams. The area is open to children aged three to 12, who must be accompanied by an adult.

Entry costs £3, or is free with the purchase of a New Year’s Eve Street Party wristband.

Road closures and wristband entry

Roads surrounding Market Square will close from 5:30pm. From 6:30pm onwards, pedestrian access to the square will be restricted to wristband holders only.

Food and drink will be available throughout the evening from local businesses including the Royal Oak, the Farmers Arms, Cove Corner and Fishguard Fish and Chips.

Wristbands cost £6 and are available from a number of local outlets, including Cresswell’s Café, Fishguard and Goodwick Post Offices, West Street Sweets, the Gourmet Pig, Cove Corner, the Royal Oak and the Farmers Arms.

Committee members will also be selling wristbands at Cresswell’s Café from 9:00am to 12:00pm on Monday, December 29.

The stage being set up at last year’s event (Pic: Supplied)

Fundraising and volunteers

Raffle tickets will also be on sale to raise funds for this year’s chosen charity, the DPJ Foundation. Prizes include a three-night geodome glamping stay at Tregroes, a two-night bed and breakfast stay at the Ivy Bridge Hotel, and a range of other prizes. Tickets cost £1 each.

The street party’s 200 Club will also be open for new members. The annual £10 membership gives one lucky entrant the chance to win up to £1,000 on New Year’s Eve, with proceeds split evenly between the winner and the street party.

Organisers are also appealing for volunteers to help with this year’s event and with planning for future celebrations. Anyone interested is encouraged to contact the Fishguard New Year’s Eve Street Party via Facebook or leave their details at Cresswell’s Café.

Committee co-chair Jo Thompson said the event could not continue without local support.

“We want to thank the many local businesses who have supported us, including GD Harries, Thomas Carroll Insurance, the Ivy Bridge Hotel and the Royal Oak,” she said.

“We are hugely grateful to the local community for continuing to get behind the street party and helping us keep it going year after year.”

Community

Former Milford Haven mayor Eddie Setterfield has died

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A FORMER Mayor of Milford Haven, county councillor and long-serving town councillor, Eddie Setterfield, has died.

The news was confirmed by Milford Haven Town Council, which said it was saddened to learn of the passing of the former mayor, who served during the municipal year 1997–1998.

Mr Setterfield also served as a Pembrokeshire county councillor and was a former Chairman of the County Council’s Planning and Highways committee.

In a statement, the town council said: “On behalf of all at Milford Haven Town Council, we are saddened to hear of the passing of a former Mayor of Milford Haven and former Town Councillor, Eddie Setterfield.”

The council added that its thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends at this time.

Mr Setterfield was well known locally for his commitment to public service and civic life in Milford Haven, with further tributes expected from across the community in the coming days.

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Community

Busy year for Tenby Surf Lifesaving volunteers

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TENBY Surf Lifesaving volunteers have completed another demanding year, delivering vital safety services across the resort’s beaches throughout 2025.

The volunteer-run organisation provided beach patrols, event water safety cover, lifeguard training courses and water safety education, supporting both residents and visitors during the busy season.

Over the course of the year, the team contributed 188 hours of volunteer lifeguard patrols on Tenby’s beaches. During that time, lifesavers assisted 113 people who found themselves in difficulty in the water.

Tenby Surf Lifesaving is a locally led registered charity which has worked for many years to save lives through prevention, education and rescue. The organisation operates entirely through the commitment of volunteers, supported by local sponsors and public donations.

The charity has thanked everyone who backed its work during 2025, saying continued community support remains essential to delivering its life-saving services.

Tenby Surf Lifesaving is now recruiting new volunteers. Anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to contact the club by email at [email protected] or via its social media channels.

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Community

Pembrokeshire gypsy traveller site changes possible in 2026

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A CALL for a special group to evaluate “sustainable, inclusive, and effective practices for the maintenance of local Gypsy Traveller sites within the county” will be considered by Pembrokeshire councillors next year.

In a notice of motion before the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembroke Monkton and St Mary South councillor Aaron Carey called for ‘The establishment of a cross-departmental Working Group for the maintenance of local Gypsy Traveller sites’.

Cllr Carey’s motion read: “That council agrees to the establishment of a cross-departmental working group, comprised of relevant council representatives, stakeholders, and representatives of local Gypsy Traveller communities, with the objective of assessing, evaluating, and recommending sustainable, inclusive, and effective practices for the maintenance of local Gypsy Traveller sites within the county.

“The working group will: Assess the current condition of Gypsy Traveller sites, including infrastructure, safety, sanitation, and accessibility. Engage with Gypsy Traveller communities to understand their specific needs and concerns regarding site maintenance.

“Review best practices from other local authorities and regions for managing and maintaining Gypsy Traveller sites. Consider the financial and resource implications of maintenance proposals and develop a clear action plan.

“Provide recommendations to the council for improvements and sustainable management of the sites, with the aim of improving living conditions for residents. The working group will present its findings and recommendations to full Council/Cabinet/O&S (where appropriate) within six months of the establishment of the group, following a series of consultations and site visits.”

Members agreed Cllr Carey’s notice of motion would be considered at a future services overview and scrutiny committee.

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