Community

Gumfreston Tenby road flooding call to Welsh Government

Published

5 months ago

January 7, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PETITION call to the Welsh Government to find a long-term solution to a regularly flood-hit road at the entrance to Tenby has been submitted by a local councillor.

The Gumfreston area near the south Pembrokeshire seaside town is regularly hit with floods, and councillors have previously heard its existing warning system appeared to not like working when its wet, with St Florence and St Mary Out Liberty county councillor Rhys Jordan frequently raising the issue at full council meetings.

The petition, created by Cllr Jordan, entitled ‘Lead and fund a long-term flood mitigation solution for the B4318 and Tenby catchment,’ has attracted more than 500 signatures to date and runs up until January 31.

It says: “The B4318 floods repeatedly, cutting off a key access route to Tenby. Although the road is maintained by Pembrokeshire County Council, flooding is caused by surface water runoff, high River Ritec levels, and tidal locking at the South Beach outfall during high tides. These combined factors mean local highway measures alone cannot resolve the problem.

“Flooding on the B4318 is frequent and disruptive, affecting residents, businesses, emergency access, schools and the local economy. Local options have been pursued but are limited by factors beyond the council’s control, including river capacity, catchment drainage, and coastal discharge constraints. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of rainfall and tide-related flooding, making the situation unsustainable.

“We are asking the Welsh Government to provide national leadership by coordinating relevant bodies such as Natural Resources Wales and Pembrokeshire County Council to assess the full catchment, including surface water, river, and tidal influences. A long-term, climate-resilient solution is required, supported by appropriate capital funding, to protect access to Tenby and reduce ongoing flood risk for the community.”

All petitions with more than 250 signatures will be discussed by the Petitions Committee after they have finished collecting signatures; any petition reaching 10,000 will be considered for a debate in the Senedd.

At the December meeting of Pembrokeshire county council, a submitted question calling for an improvement in communication of road closures caused by flooding in the area was heard, with members agreeing the question be submitted to a future meeting of the county council’s Cabinet for further consideration.

In his submitted question, Cllr Jordan had said: “The B4318 at Gumfreston is prone to persistent flooding during adverse weather conditions, leading to road closures that disrupt travel and pose safety risks for residents and motorists.

“Currently, closures are not effectively communicated to residents, causing inconvenience, delays, and potential hazards. An efficient alert system would provide timely information to residents, allowing them to plan alternative routes and ensuring safety.”

Last October, Cllr Jordan had asked at full council for an update on progress made toward improving the flood warning system in the Gumfreston area.

He had asked: “Can you give me an assurance that the flood warning system will actually work this autumn and winter?

“Only yesterday [October 16] the road was flooded and no warning signs were on; it seems to work when the road is not flooded, but they don’t like operating when its wet.”

He described it as “probably the most closed road in the county,” but one where there was the least communication on.

Members were previously given a ‘full commitment’ to improvements to the warning systems would be made.

Community

Bellringers praised at St Davids Cathedral service

Published

7 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SERVICE was held today at St Davids Cathedral for the annual meeting of the Diocesan Guild of Bellringers.

Fr Jim, the guild’s chaplain, led the service, during which the Bishop of St Davids preached and thanked members for their dedication to churches across the diocese.

He spoke about the important role bells play in marking moments of worship, celebration and remembrance, and said he had been personally moved when bells marked significant points in his own ministry.

The guild is keen to encourage new people to take up bellringing and says it is a friendly and approachable group for anyone interested in getting involved in church life.

Community

Hundreds of pupils unite for special Eisteddfod song

Published

7 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN FROM 50 SCHOOLS HELP CELEBRATE BRO’R GARREG LAS

HUNDREDS of primary school children from across west Wales have come together to release a special song celebrating the communities, language and landscape of Bro’r Garreg Las.

The song, Croeso i Fro’r Garreg Las, has been recorded by pupils from 50 schools across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire ahead of this summer’s National Eisteddfod in Llantood.

The project marks the countdown to the festival, which will be held from August 1 to August 8.

More than 500 children have taken part, with the song celebrating the area’s Welsh language, local communities, culture and sense of identity.

The track has been released on digital platforms alongside a colourful video filmed at some of the region’s best-known locations.

Pupils travelled to sites including Cardigan, Tenby, St Davids, Pentre Ifan and Drefach Felindre to perform and help bring the song to life.

The lyrics were written by poet Ceri Wyn Jones, with the melody by Einir Dafydd. The track was produced by Mei Gwynedd and the video was filmed by Gareth Bull.

Pembrokeshire County Council leader, Cllr Tessa Hodgson said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the National Eisteddfod to Llantood this summer.

“It’s been a pleasure to see young people from the three counties come together to create a special song that celebrates the area, and builds excitement as we look forward to the Eisteddfod.

“Collaboration across Bro’r Garreg Las has been at the heart of this project.”

Cllr Catrin M S Davies, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Culture, said: “This song celebrates the Welsh language and the unique character of the whole area – from the coast to the countryside.

“Ceri Wyn’s lyrics also offer a taste of our history and heritage. There will be an opportunity for the whole of Wales to enjoy our area in August and to hear some of our stories – come along!”

Cllr Glynog Davies, Carmarthenshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, said: “It has been a privilege to work with Welsh and English-medium schools across the counties to create this special song.

“Over 500 children have contributed to it, which is an incredible achievement. It is wonderful to see that the Welsh language and the Eisteddfod belong to everyone.”

The song can be heard on digital platforms now, while the video is available to watch on YouTube.

Photo caption: Children from schools across Bro’r Garreg Las have joined forces to record a special song ahead of this summer’s National Eisteddfod.

Community

Ceremonial gown linked to Prince Charles’ 1969 investiture discovered in Saundersfoot

Published

7 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CEREMONIAL gown worn by the grandson of former Prime Minister David Lloyd George during the 1969 investiture of Prince Charles has been discovered at an antiques roadshow in Pembrokeshire.

The gown, worn by Owen Lloyd George, 3rd Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor, was found alongside his original invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to take part in the historic ceremony at Caernarfon Castle.

The items were brought to a WeBuyVintage roadshow in Saundersfoot by a member of the public who had acquired them after they were removed from Ffynone House, near Boncath, the Earl’s former Pembrokeshire country seat.

The Earl, who lived from 1924 to 2010, was the grandson of David Lloyd George, Britain’s wartime Prime Minister. He was given a prominent role at the investiture on July 1, 1969, carrying the ceremonial sword during the nationally televised event.

The red ceremonial gown bears the Earl’s name on a label inside and is believed to have been made especially for him for the ceremony. It was kept at Ffynone House for decades.

The current owner said she rescued the items in 2021 after seeing possessions from the house being advertised for sale.

She said: “The owner explained that many historic possessions connected to the Lloyd George family were likely to be discarded following the sale of the house and its contents.

“I felt I could not let that happen with the gown and the letter, as these felt like genuine pieces of Welsh history and I wanted to make sure they were preserved.”

Antiques specialist Neil Church, of WeBuyVintage, said the discovery was immediately significant.

He said: “Every so often, something comes through the door that truly stops you in your tracks, and this was one of those moments.

“Far more than an old ceremonial garment, it was a remarkable discovery directly connected to one of the most significant royal and historic moments in modern Welsh history, the investiture of the now King Charles.

“What made it especially fascinating was its provenance, tracing it back to the grandson of the former Prime Minister of Britain and the family’s historic country seat, Ffynone House.

“While we valued it at around £600, its historical significance reaches far beyond its monetary worth.”

The gown and invitation are now being described as a rare surviving piece of Welsh and royal ceremonial history, rediscovered in west Wales more than half a century after they were used at Caernarfon Castle.

Photo caption: Historic find: The ceremonial gown worn by Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor at the 1969 investiture of Prince Charles was discovered at a Saundersfoot antiques roadshow (Pic: WeBuyVintage).