Community

Pembroke and Milford Haven could see new leisure centres

Published

3 months ago

March 18, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL to back feasibility funding which may ultimately see new leisure centres in both Milford Haven and Pembroke, as well as a multi-million grant to keep Tenby’s pool running for at least a decade, has been backed by senior councillors.

At the March 16 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members were asked to approve a leisure investment programme including feasibility funding for new leisure centres in Pembroke and Milford Haven, along with works at Tenby leisure centre, with the aim of extending the lifespan of the trust-run swimming pool by at least 10 years.

A report for members said of Pembroke and Tenby leisure centres that “the advancing age of the buildings, combined with the end-of-life cycle of a number of key components, has now resulted in the need for a significant replacement programme across both sites”.

To replace Tenby pool on its current footprint would be approximately £27.47m, with efforts to identify a viable alternative site within the town’s catchment area unsuccessful.

For Pembroke Leisure Centre, it says costs to extend the lifespan of the 1974-built pool by 10 years would be £8,288,418.

For Milford Haven Leisure Centre, the report said a condition survey “highlights significant areas that require attention, including, for example, building structure (metal cladding, roof) and mechanical and electrical works,” with an estimated cost over a 30-year period to address all findings at some £12,677,279, £5.6m of that over the next four years.

For Tenby, the aim is to extend its lifespan by at least a decade, with a grant to the charitable trust running the pool.

Members backed a long string of recommendations, subject to future decisions of Cabinet in accordance with the governance arrangements in the Capital Strategy to approve individual projects and put them into the capital programme.

For Pembroke this includes a detailed feasibility study for a new-build Leisure Centre in Pembroke, on the current school site, providing a feasibility budget of £195,000 from reserves.

For Milford Haven, members backed £1.2m (at risk) in the capital programme to develop a high-level leisure brief into the tender of the new English Medium primary and secondary school project in Milford Haven, and the preconstruction services to develop the project designs (to RIBA 4, Detailed Design) for a new leisure centre at the same time as the school.

For Tenby, members backed a grant of £4,606,667 to the Tenby and District Swimming Pool Association, as owner of the asset, for works to extend the lifespan of the current swimming pool by at least 10 years.

Members also backed other recommendations including £50,000 from reserves to procure external funding consultants to identify and secure as much funding as possible towards the delivery of the investment programme, and to establish a leisure operations review board to undertake a formal review of the leisure services operating model.

Community

Councillors needed for Kilgetty and Begelly Community Council

Published

4 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE community council, which only has half its council seats filled, is calling for anyone interested in becoming a councillor to think about joining it.

Kilgetty and Begelly Community Council which cover areas such as Reynalton, Thomas Chapel, Begelly and also Kilgetty, is on the lookout for new members, having six vacant seats out of 12.

Peter Adams, Vice-Chair said: “The community council currently has six vacancies for our council, and would very much like to hear from anyone who may be interested in becoming more involved in community matters.

“The only commitment asked, is for a monthly meeting at the Kilgetty community centre on the second Thursday of the month to assist in decision making in the community, apart from the summer break which is usually in August when there is no meeting.”

He added: “KBCC council has 12 seats for councillors to represent the community covering the areas of Reynalton, Thomas Chapel and Kilgetty-Begelly; in recent years councillors have left for various reason due to retirement and other commitments etc, leaving us currently with six people.

“A lot has been achieved in the community in the last two years with a new park being opened, and now the completion of the ownership of the community centre the council feel that we need to encourage new people to come forward with ideas, and to also assist in the running of the increasing community facilities.”

Anyone interested please contact the council’s clerk Gary Price using the council’s website (www.kilgettybegellycouncil.co.uk) or phone 07984991520.

Community

HOPE MS Therapy Centre celebrates 40 years of support in Pembrokeshire

Published

11 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A special evening of music and celebration marked four decades of service by HOPE MS Therapy Centre, one of Pembrokeshire’s longest-serving self-funding charities.

THE ANNIVERSARY concert took place on Friday evening (June 26) at St Clement’s Church, Neyland, bringing together supporters, trustees, local councillors and members of the community to celebrate the charity’s 40th year.

Founded in 1986, HOPE MS Therapy Centre provides support and therapies for people living with multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions across Pembrokeshire. The organisation has operated as a self-funding charity throughout its history, relying heavily on fundraising and community support.

Guests enjoyed performances from the Quaynotes Mixed Choir, along with acclaimed soloist Sarah Arthur, in what organisers described as an evening of music, song and thanksgiving.

Among those attending was Pembroke Mayor Jonathan Grimes, who praised the charity’s contribution to the county. He was joined by fellow county councillors and trustees including Simon Wright and Simon Hancock MBE.

Writing after the event, Cllr Grimes said: “Thank you to HOPE MS Therapy Centre for inviting me as Mayor of Pembroke to this evening’s concert to celebrate 40 years of service to Pembrokeshire.

“It was great to see my fellow county councillors and members of the trustee board as well as enjoying a fabulous performance from Quaynotes Mixed Choir and the fabulous soloist Sarah Arthur.

“Congratulations to HOPE MS Therapy Centre. I’m looking forward to being involved with the other events you have planned to celebrate 40 years.”

The concert is one of a series of events planned to mark the charity’s milestone anniversary year.

HOPE MS Therapy Centre continues to support people from across Pembrokeshire, providing therapies, advice and a vital social network for those affected by multiple sclerosis and related conditions.

Community

Fishguard joins Eisteddfod celebrations as Lord Rhys procession arrives in town

Published

13 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Giant puppet procession brings Welsh history and culture to the streets ahead of this summer’s National Eisteddfod

FISGHUARD and Goodwick joined the celebrations today as the spectacular Carreg Filltir Las procession brought the story of Lord Rhys to north Pembrokeshire.

Residents lined the streets as a giant puppet of the 12th-century Welsh prince, created by Small World Theatre, made its way through the community as part of the build-up to this summer’s National Eisteddfod.

The procession commemorates 850 years since Lord Rhys hosted what is widely regarded as the first Eisteddfod at Cardigan Castle in 1176.

Fishguard was one of the stops on the route, with families, local residents and Welsh language supporters turning out to welcome the larger-than-life figure as it passed through the town.

Organisers say the project aims to connect communities across the Eisteddfod area while celebrating Welsh language, culture and heritage.

The procession forms part of the build-up to Eisteddfod Genedlaethol y Garreg Las, which will be held in north Pembrokeshire from August 1 to 8.

The festival is expected to attract thousands of visitors and will showcase Welsh music, literature, performance, art and culture.

The Lord Rhys journey has already visited communities across west Wales and will culminate in Cardigan, the historic birthplace of the Eisteddfod tradition.

Photo caption:

Crowds gathered in Fishguard as the Lord Rhys procession passed through the town as part of the build-up to the 2026 National Eisteddfod.