Major milestone reached in project to transform historic gaol building into flagship visitor attraction

A MAJOR milestone has been reached in the redevelopment of Haverfordwest Castle, with the new roof now lifted into place on the historic gaol building inside the castle walls.

Morgan Sindall Construction is carrying out the work on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council as part of the wider project to rejuvenate the castle site and create a flagship visitor attraction for the county.

The Grade II listed former gaol, which is more than 200 years old and covers around 800 square metres, has undergone major structural work, including a full replacement of its two-level roof and measures to stabilise the core of the building.

Once complete, the building will tell the story of Pembrokeshire across three floors of interactive, hands-on and immersive exhibits.

The redevelopment will also include a new café serving locally sourced food, a shop selling local and bespoke products, free-to-access grounds with new interpretation of the site, and a 500-seat outdoor events space for community events, fairs and markets during the summer months.

The main section of the gaol building has been fitted with a replacement timber frame and slate tiles, while a cladding system has been used over the lower section. Zinc cladding has also been incorporated to bring the building up to modern standards while respecting its historic setting.

Other work already completed includes repairs to the thick stone walls, the careful removal of non-heritage debris, and the installation of new drainage and flooring.

Because Haverfordwest Castle is a Scheduled Monument, preservation work on the site is carefully controlled by Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service. The castle’s original walls, which date back to the 1120s, are being strengthened and repointed by specialist contractors.

The project forms part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s £17.7m levelling-up programme, funded by the UK Government.

Extensive archaeological excavations have also taken place in the castle’s Inner Bailey. Drainage has been replaced, new accessible footpaths have been created, and landscaping work is underway. When the site reopens, the Inner Bailey will be used as a flexible outdoor space for events, open-air theatre and markets.

Morgan Sindall said sustainability has been a key part of the project. The contractor has taken part in its 10 Tonne Carbon Challenge, working with its supply chain to reduce emissions by at least 10 tonnes. The project has already exceeded that target, with a reported saving of 230.5 tonnes of CO₂ across four stages, equivalent to heating 86 UK homes for a year.

Stonework debris removed from the site has also been reused rather than sent to landfill. It was donated to Walters Group, a local civil engineering company, and much of it has been used to repair parts of Castle Back steps, improving the link between the castle and Haverfordwest town centre.

Sections of roofing that were still structurally sound have been recycled and chipped for use as bedding at local horse training facilities. A 1960s hardwood staircase, formerly part of the archives, has been stored off site by the Pembrokeshire Supported Employment Programme, which will turn it into furniture for the new café.

Morgan Sindall said it has also focused on creating social value locally. Eight local businesses have been employed on the project so far, including Haverfordwest firms Coe Stone and SJB, which have been involved in conservation work including stone cleaning and repairs.

Project partners include AtkinsRéalis, Roger Casey Associates and DB3 Architects.

Ten apprentices have worked on the scheme, while five young people have been given work experience placements through Pembrokeshire College and Futureworks. Students from Pembrokeshire College, Swansea University, Coleg Sir Gâr and local primary schools have also visited the site to learn more about careers in construction.

Young “Castle Ambassadors” will continue to be involved in the next phase of the project, helping to shape parts of the exhibition and schools activity programme.

Morgan Sindall has also donated money and supplies to The Men’s Shed, a charity based near the castle grounds which helps reduce loneliness and isolation by bringing people together to recycle and repair furniture and other items. A donation has also been made to a local woodturning club.

Rob Williams, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in Wales, said: “It has been a real responsibility and privilege to work with Pembrokeshire County Council on delivering such a nationally significant project.

“We work on a lot of heritage projects and have developed a clear and robust process to ensure that we protect these incredibly important buildings and give them a new lease of life.

“Haverfordwest Castle and its grounds will deliver so much more value to the local community and visiting tourists than just being a historical landmark once the project is completed.

“The structure of the castle itself will be more secure, it will have an event space, and now the roof has successfully been completed, a visitor centre which lives and breathes history. All of which will be fully accessible to everyone.”

Cllr Thomas Tudor, county councillor for Haverfordwest’s Castle Ward, said: “Haverfordwest Castle is without doubt the jewel in the crown for the county town of Pembrokeshire, and I am so pleased that the redevelopment of the castle is gaining momentum.

“It is brilliant news that Morgan Sindall Construction has reached a key milestone in the project to rejuvenate Haverfordwest Castle, with the new roof now in place.

“The future is looking very positive for Haverfordwest, which can be enjoyed by tourists and residents alike.”

The project is due to be completed in summer 2027.

Suggested photo caption:
New heights: The replacement roof structure being lifted into place at Haverfordwest Castle as work continues on the former gaol building.

Heartbroken owner says her five-year-old cat died after being found fitting near Picton Road, amid concerns over possible poisonings in the area

A HAKIN cat owner has warned others to be vigilant after her five-year-old cat died following a suspected antifreeze poisoning.

Lucy Harris said her much-loved pet was found fitting by a neighbour near Picton Road after the family had recently moved nearby.

He was rushed to the vets, where attempts were made to save him, but his kidneys failed and the family had to make the devastating decision to have him put to sleep.

Lucy said she has since been told there are concerns about a possible spate of poisonings in the Picton Road and Picton Close area.

She told The Herald: “Please put this in your paper. The vets said there’s a spate of cats being poisoned on Picton Road and Picton Close.

“The RSPCA inspector has been notified by the vets and will investigate.

“Within an hour of ingesting antifreeze it can be too late. They have seizures, heavy panting, and then the kidneys, liver and brain shut down. It is a horrible, painful death.

“To watch a poor, defenceless, loving cat go through that pain was heartbreaking. At the end of all that pain and upset we had to pay nearly £500 trying to save him, only to then have him put to sleep because he was suffering too much.

“People need to be made aware and be cautious. It is a very quick poison that kills if not treated immediately.”

Lucy said the incident has left her family devastated, but she is determined to raise awareness so other owners know how quickly suspected antifreeze poisoning can become fatal.

She added: “I’m determined to find out what has happened. I’d be more than happy to speak about it because people need to know.”

Pet owners in Picton Road, Picton Close and the surrounding Hakin area are being urged to monitor their animals closely and seek immediate veterinary help if a cat shows signs of poisoning.

Symptoms can include seizures, vomiting, weakness, heavy panting, confusion, collapse, or sudden changes in behaviour.

Anyone with information about suspected animal poisoning in the area is asked to contact the RSPCA, Dyfed-Powys Police, or their local vet.

MORE than 50 children from two Dee Valley community schools stepped back into local history when they travelled by train to Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod’s Children’s Day.

Pupils from Ysgol Corwen and Ysgol Carrog boarded a vintage diesel train at Corwen Station before making the journey along the heritage line to Llangollen, arriving shortly after 9am to enjoy a sunny day at the festival.

The journey revived a much-loved local tradition. Children from the Corwen and Carrog areas once travelled by train from their local stations to the Eisteddfod’s Children’s Day every year, until the Ruabon to Barmouth line was closed in the early 1960s following the Beeching cuts.

Thanks to the route’s revival as a thriving heritage railway, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod and Llangollen & Corwen Railway have been able to bring the annual outing back to life, with the tradition returning in 2019.

This year’s group of young “railway children” waved from the carriage windows as they pulled into Llangollen Station, where they were welcomed by representatives from the Eisteddfod and the railway.

There was also time for photographs, and even a couple of songs from the children, before they were guided from the station to the Eisteddfod field for a packed day of activities and performances.

Eisteddfod organiser Ian Lebbon, who helps arrange the special journeys, said they remained an important link with communities along the heritage line.

He said: “We see them as extremely important to the people in the communities at the other end of the heritage line, where the railway is part of their everyday lives.

“The railway, of course, is one of the three great highways of the valley, along with the River Dee and the A5 road.

“Many of these children will never have travelled by train before, especially one as magnificent as the heritage one they came on today.

“It’s also good for them to be able to see and enjoy the Eisteddfod. Many of them will be coming to the festival for the first time and we hope they will become regular visitors.”

Becky Mollison-White, assistant headteacher at Ysgol Carrog, said the children had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

She said: “It was an amazing experience for the children from the two schools and they were all very excited about it.

“Corwen and Carrog both have stations on the heritage line and the children were very happy about getting the opportunity to travel on it.”

Helping guide the children to the Eisteddfod field were young people from Ysgol Dinas Brân in Llangollen and Ysgol Morgan Llwyd in Wrexham, who work at the festival each year as Welcome Hosts.

Mr Lebbon said the scheme also offered the young volunteers a valuable opportunity to build confidence, gain experience and improve their future career prospects.