Coastal groups, artists and charities unite at Sybil House to celebrate Pembrokeshire’s marine life and community spirit

MILFORD HAVEN is set for a splash of colour, music and marine discovery next month as the Festival of the Sea returns with a full day of free activities for families.

Organised by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, the event will take place at Sybil House on Sunday, March 1, from 10:00am to 4:00pm, bringing together conservation groups, artists, performers and community organisations to celebrate the county’s coastline and the people whose lives are tied to it.

The Herald understands the festival proved popular last year and has been expanded for 2026, with organisers moving into the larger indoor venue to allow more stalls, workshops and performances.

Visitors can expect a packed programme of hands-on activities and entertainment aimed at all ages. Highlights include a marine wildlife touch tank hosted by the Field Studies Council, children’s art and clay workshops at the Waterfront Gallery, live music and sea shanties, and walkabout pirate performers bringing a bit of theatre to the waterfront.

Throughout the day, local choirs and musicians will perform, creating what organisers hope will feel like a relaxed, community celebration rather than a formal exhibition.

Sue Burton, Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation Officer, said: “The Festival of the Sea was really popular last year, and I’m really pleased it’s coming back in the bigger venue of Sybil House.

“The marine environment of Pembrokeshire is internationally important for wildlife as well as for employment and energy. The festival is a fun way to celebrate all the great work being done for our seas, and it’s a great opportunity to engage young people through art workshops, face painting and street theatre.”

A wide range of organisations will host information stands and activities, including the RNLI, Sea Trust, Project Seagrass, The Crown Estate, Car-y-Môr, Marine Conservation Society, Marine Energy Wales and the Port of Milford Haven.

Together, they will showcase projects ranging from marine wildlife protection and habitat restoration to renewable energy and sustainable seafood, highlighting the economic and environmental importance of the Haven and surrounding coastline.

Food and refreshments will also be available, including local produce from Pembrokeshire Beach Food, giving visitors a taste of Pembrokeshire’s growing reputation for coastal cuisine.

Entry is free, and organisers say people are welcome to drop in for a single activity or spend the whole day exploring what is on offer. A full schedule of talks and workshops will be released closer to the date.

For more information, visit www.pembrokeshirecoastalforum.org.uk/festival-of-the-sea.

Man accused of killing ‘proud father of two’ after violent flat attack in Morriston

A JULY has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of a Swansea man accused of murdering his own brother in what prosecutors described as a violent and frenzied attack inside a family home.

The case, heard at Swansea Crown Court, centres on the death of Martin Steel, aged 48, who was found fatally injured at his flat in Hill View Crescent, Morriston.

Darren Steel, 41, denies murdering his brother.

Martin was described during proceedings as a “proud father of two” whose sudden death devastated his family and shocked neighbours in the close-knit community.

Concern was first raised on the morning of May 20, 2023, when neighbours noticed Martin’s dog whining alone in the garden at around 8.30am. Repeated calls and knocks at the door went unanswered.

The court heard that his mother, Dianne Steel, had planned to go shopping with her son that day. When she could not reach him, her fears grew and emergency services were called.

Paramedics and police forced entry to the flat and attempted CPR, but Martin was pronounced dead at 11.06am.

Giving emotional evidence, Mrs Steel told jurors she found her son “slumped in his chair in his living room, probably dead and covered in blood”.

Prosecutor Andrew Jones KC said the injuries were consistent with a sustained and violent assault inside the property.

During police interviews played to the court, Darren Steel admitted being at the flat the night before. He claimed he, his brother and his girlfriend had been taking heroin together.

He told officers the situation escalated after he believed Martin was “coming onto” his girlfriend, alleging this sparked a loss of control and a frenzied attack.

The prosecution argue the violence went far beyond self-defence and amounted to murder.

Jurors were taken through forensic evidence, witness testimony and the defendant’s account of events over several weeks of trial. Defence counsel urged them to consider the chaotic circumstances, including drug use and heightened emotions, when assessing Darren Steel’s state of mind at the time.

After closing speeches and the judge’s legal directions, the case was formally handed to the jury on Wednesday (Feb 12).

They will now deliberate in private before returning a verdict, with the court due to reconvene once a decision has been reached.

Offender had 1,101 unlawful images of children stored on his devices, including 122 Category A images – the most serious classification.

A PENDINE man has been jailed after admitting abducting a teenage girl, supplying her with drugs and keeping more than a thousand indecent images of children.

Richard Knight, aged 73, from Pendine, Carmarthenshire, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison at Swansea Crown Court following what police described as a lengthy and complex investigation.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police were alerted in the early hours of Monday, April 11, 2022 after a distressed 15-year-old girl phoned her mother asking to be collected, saying she had taken drugs at Knight’s home.

Police forced entry to the address after receiving no answer and finding concerns for the girl’s safety. Inside, officers discovered a small cannabis grow but no occupants. It later emerged Knight had driven the girl home himself.

He was arrested shortly afterwards on suspicion of drink driving and drug offences. A further search of the property uncovered several types of controlled drugs and a number of digital devices.

During interview, the teenager told officers she had agreed to meet Knight but believed he knew her age and that she had not told her mother where she was going. She described being given various drugs, including substances hidden inside fruit pastels. CCTV later showed Knight buying the sweets before collecting her.

Digital forensic analysis revealed 1,101 unlawful images of children stored on his devices, including 122 Category A images – the most serious classification.

Drug experts valued the cannabis grow at between £6,000 and £20,000. Officers also seized six different types of Class A drugs from the address.

Guilty pleas before trial

Knight was charged with 12 offences including child abduction, possession and making of indecent images of children, and being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

He admitted the drug offences in April last year and later pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images. Although he initially denied child abduction, he changed his plea immediately before a trial was due to begin at court in January.

‘Very serious case’

Detective Constable Jon Gouldson said: “This was a very serious case involving a man who groomed a young and vulnerable girl for his own satisfaction.

“There is no doubt he knew that taking this 15-year-old into his home without parental permission was wrong.

“Taking or keeping a child under 16 without consent is a crime. There are no grey areas.

“We welcome today’s sentence and remain committed to bringing offenders like this before the courts.”

Support available

Anyone concerned about their own behaviour or thoughts towards children can seek confidential help from the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, which runs the Stop It Now service aimed at preventing abuse before it happens.