Community

Sir David’s 100th birthday marked with call for kindness to animals

Published

2 months ago

May 7, 2026

FOLLY Farm has joined animal attractions across the UK in celebrating Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, with school visits, staff quizzes, new conservation signage and even a newborn alpaca named in his honour.

The much-loved broadcaster turns 100 on Friday (May 8), and the Pembrokeshire attraction said his lifelong work had inspired many of its own keepers and staff to care about endangered species and habitats.

***School children from Monkton School celebrate Sir David’s birthday at Folly Farm (Pic: Suppled)***

As part of the celebrations, Folly Farm welcomed pupils from Monkton Priory CP School in Pembroke, who spent time with conservation officer Jack learning about endangered and vulnerable animals, including lions, penguins and rhinos.

The pupils also gathered to sing Penblwydd Hapus to Sir David.

The attraction has also installed a new sign at the entrance to its zoo featuring one of Sir David’s best-known conservation messages: “No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they haven’t experienced.”

Folly Farm said one of its favourite tributes was the naming of a newborn alpaca cria, born on World Earth Day, April 22. The new arrival has been named David Alpacanborough.

***Celebrations at Folly Farm (Pic: Folly Farm)***

The zoo also held staff quizzes, created photo areas with a life-size cut-out of “Sir Dai”, and joined other BIAZA zoos and animal attractions in marking the milestone.

Folly Farm said: “Marking Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday is about more than photos and quizzes. It’s about acknowledging what his life’s work has achieved.

“Every time a child meets an animal up close, asks a question, or sings Penblwydd Hapus to a conservation hero, a seed is planted.

“Every time a keeper chooses this career path because of a documentary they watched growing up, that influence is still working quietly in the world.”

***Sir David filming with puffins in Pembrokeshire***

The Pembrokeshire celebrations come as the RSPCA urges the public to mark Sir David’s birthday by taking part in its Summer of Kindness campaign.

The charity is encouraging people to carry out seven simple acts to help animals, including planting flowers for pollinators, making bee drinking stations, feeding hedgehogs, helping pets in hot weather, organising litter picks and creating a basic rescue box for injured small wildlife.

The RSPCA said summer can be a difficult period for animals, with cruelty reports often rising during the warmer months. Last summer, the charity received 34,401 cruelty calls to its emergency line, up by a third on the previous year.

RSPCA wildlife expert Rebecca Machin said: “Sir David Attenborough has inspired generations to fall in love with animals and he has been a lifelong advocate for wildlife.

“His passion, care and voice for conservation has encouraged millions of people, including many across the RSPCA, to dedicate their lives to helping animals.

***Sir David with Jan Mathias, owner of Monk Haven Manor guest house in St Ishmaels***

“As Sir David celebrates this milestone birthday, we’re also celebrating his legacy in changing the way the world sees wildlife, and the importance of animal welfare.

“By taking on seven kind acts for animals as part of our Summer of Kindness, people can give David the best birthday present, by helping animals of every kind, and helping us build a better world for every animal.”

The campaign has particular resonance in Pembrokeshire, where wildlife is central to the county’s identity, from Skomer’s seabirds and coastal habitats to garden birds, hedgehogs, pollinators and farmland species.

The RSPCA’s suggested acts include planting nectar-rich flowers such as lavender, sunflowers and wildflowers, avoiding pesticides, leaving wild patches of grass, putting shallow water dishes out for bees and wildlife, and never leaving pets in cars on warm days.

Rebecca Machin added: “Positive change often starts with simple, everyday actions.

“From helping keep local communities clear of litter, to providing water and safe food for visiting wildlife, we can all get involved in making a big difference for animals.”

Folly Farm added: “If we can keep that sense of awe alive, keep telling the stories of endangered species, and keep making small, steady changes to protect the environment, then we’re doing our bit to carry his legacy forward.

“So, from all of us here, to the man who brought the natural world into our living rooms and into our hearts, happy 100th birthday, Sir David. Thank you for everything.”

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

14 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

Published

19 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

24 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.