Children invited to ‘Read to the Beat’ with free music-inspired events across the county

PEMBROKESHIRE LIBRARIES are inviting children and families to take part in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, which launches across the county on Monday, July 20.

The 2026 challenge, titled Read to the Beat, celebrates the connection between stories, music and creativity, encouraging children to explore books through rhythm, sound and imagination.

Organised by The Reading Agency, the Summer Reading Challenge is designed to help children discover the joy of reading during the school holidays.

This year’s theme has been developed in partnership with Universal Music Group UK, bringing together the magic of books with the universal appeal of music to inspire a new generation of readers.

Throughout the summer, children will be encouraged to discover new books, complete reading challenges and take part in a programme of free library activities designed to bring stories to life.

Pembrokeshire Libraries will also host a series of music-inspired family events, including storytelling with live music, opera workshops, creative craft sessions, rhythm workshops and wild storytelling adventures.

Reading for pleasure is widely recognised as one of the biggest indicators of a child’s future success, helping to build confidence, literacy skills, wellbeing and imagination.

Children can sign up from Monday, July 20 at any Pembrokeshire Library. The challenge is completely free, and children can read any library books they choose while collecting rewards as they progress.

Whether they are already keen readers or just beginning their reading journey, every child is welcome. The challenge is designed to make reading fun, build confidence and encourage families to enjoy books together throughout the holidays.

Weekly activities will take place at libraries across Pembrokeshire:

Fishguard Library: Tuesdays, 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Haverfordwest Library: Fridays, 11:30am to 12:30pm
Milford Haven Library: Fridays, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Pembroke Dock Library: Wednesdays, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Tenby Library: Tuesdays, 10:00am to 11:00am

Highlights include Caravan of Storytellers, featuring storytelling accompanied by live music and songs; ABC Opera, where children can sing, act, dress up and create their own musical adventures; and Make Some Noise, a Sound Explorers session using everyday materials to create musical instruments.

Families can also enjoy Bongo’s Rhythm Shack with community musician Bongo Clive, offering fun and inclusive rhythm and percussion workshops, as well as Wild Rhythm Adventure, which will round off the summer with animal-themed stories, sounds and musical fun.

For more information about the Summer Reading Challenge and Pembrokeshire Libraries’ summer events, visit your local library or follow Pembrokeshire Libraries on social media.

A MARRIED couple from Pembrokeshire are celebrating after winning £1 million on The National Lottery’s Lotto game.

The couple, who are in their seventies and have played Lotto for many years, matched five main numbers and the Bonus Ball in the draw on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

Their winning ticket came from a free Lucky Dip, which they had received after winning an entry in a previous draw.

The couple said the life-changing win would allow them to support their family and enjoy a few treats of their own, including doing the M&S shop with “a trolley, not just a basket”.

Speaking after the win, they said: “It’s lovely to know that our family will always have financial security.”

Andy Carter, Senior Winners’ Advisor at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, congratulated the Pembrokeshire couple.

He said: “Congratulations to our lucky couple on their million-pound win. It’s always so heart-warming to see winners so generously helping their families after they win, so enjoy your big M&S shop – you’ve earned it!”

The win comes as Lotto has recently undergone changes designed to create more winners and more millionaires.

Since June 10, the game has given players two chances to win from a single £2 line under a new two-round format. The changes are expected to improve the odds of winning any prize from 1-in-9.3 to 1-in-4.9, and more than double the number of Lotto millionaires from around 140 a year to around 345.

National Lottery players also help raise around £33 million each week for good causes across the UK. Since The National Lottery launched in 1994, more than £53 billion has been raised, helping to fund hundreds of thousands of projects in communities across the country.

Players can buy and check tickets online via The National Lottery app or website, or in retail stores. Tickets bought online are checked automatically, while retail tickets can be scanned using the app.

Players must be aged 18 or over.

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.