Award-winning estate agency founded during Covid expands with new office and national recognition

A WEST WALES estate agency launched at the height of the Covid pandemic is celebrating five years in business after building a strong reputation across the region.

Cardigan Bay Properties was founded in February 2021 by Helen Worrall, from Glynarthen, and Tania Dutnell, from Betws Ifan, with the aim of offering what they describe as a more personal, customer-focused approach to buying and selling homes.

Based at Aberporth Technology Park near Aberporth and serving the wider Cardigan area and beyond, the firm says it has grown steadily, moving into larger premises, expanding its team and collecting a string of industry awards.

Among its recent accolades are Residential Estate Agency of the Year at the 2025 Welsh Estate Agency Awards and a Client Service Excellence Award at the SME UK Enterprise Awards.

The founders say their success has been built on transparency and customer service.

Tania Dutnell said: “We started the business because we felt buyers and sellers deserved a better, more personal experience. Five years on, we’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and the trust our clients place in us.”

The company reports almost entirely five-star online reviews and says word-of-mouth recommendations have helped drive much of its growth.

Helen Worrall added: “We’re grateful to our families, our team and our clients for supporting us. Moving into our new office and seeing the business develop has been a real milestone, but we still have plenty of plans for the future.”

Alongside residential and commercial sales, the agency offers accompanied viewings, video tours, digital marketing tools and online portals for sellers to track viewings and offers.

The business also supports local causes and is backing the West Wales Domestic Abuse Service during 2025 and 2026.

For appointments or enquiries, the team can be contacted on 01239 562 500 or via their website.

Former councillor says legal fight will continue while wider council issues remain unresolved

FORMER Neyland town councillor David Devauden has spoken out following last week’s tribunal decision which resulted in his suspension from public office for four years.

As previously reported by The Herald, the two-day Ombudsman-related hearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court found that Cllr Devauden had breached the councillors’ code of conduct following complaints linked to his dealings with the town clerk and the mayor.

In a statement to this newspaper, Mr Devauden said he strongly disputes the findings and intends to continue pursuing legal action.

Mr Devauden provided a longer statement containing additional claims about the council. The Herald has reported only those matters which can be independently verified or which were raised in open proceedings.

Hearing focused on conduct

The tribunal heard evidence from town clerk Elizabeth Anne Matthews and Mayor Peter Hay, alongside other witnesses, and examined allegations relating to Cllr Devauden’s behaviour, tone and communications.

Appearing without legal representation, Mr Devauden told the tribunal he was “nearly eighty” and said: “My brain is not as quick as it used to be.”

Although the hearing gave Cllr Devauden the opportunity to challenge the credibility of witnesses and to provide context for his dispute with the clerk, he struggled to do so. He did not mount an effective cross-examination, and frequently failed to put his own version of disputed events in a clear, structured way. As a result, the tribunal heard repeated allegations about his conduct and tone, but much less by way of explanation of the underlying grievances which he said lay behind his anger.

The panel later imposed a four-year suspension and ordered further code of conduct training.

Long-running tensions

However, the dispute at Neyland Town Council did not begin with the tribunal and is unlikely to end with it.

Over the past two years the authority has faced repeated internal conflict, public disagreements and the loss of councillors.

Former members Brian Rothero and Steve Thomas both resigned last year during the period of unrest. During the tribunal, the court heard that the situation had taken a toll on Mr Thomas’s mental health.

A further standards case is also still to be heard. The Herald understands that former councillor Brian Rothero is scheduled to face his own Ombudsman-related tribunal in the coming weeks, with the hearing expected to take place by video link.

The council has also struggled at times to fill vacancies, relying on co-options to maintain numbers. Residents have raised concerns that the ongoing instability has made it harder to attract new councillors and has contributed to what some describe as decision-making paralysis.

The Herald has previously reported on wider controversies at the authority, including disagreements over civic events, complaints about transparency, and leaked correspondence which illustrated deep divisions between councillors.

Civil claims remain live

Separately, Mr Devauden has issued two civil claims arising from events linked to Remembrance Sunday arrangements and council meetings in 2024.

One claim is against Mayor Peter Hay personally, alleging defamation, while the second is against Neyland Town Council, alleging a failure of duty. Those claims have not been tested in court and no hearing dates have yet been listed.

“Not the end of the matter”

While the tribunal ruling brings the standards process to a close, it does not determine the outcome of those civil cases or address broader questions about the council’s governance and culture.

A JOINT business advice surgery will take place later this month after more than one hundred and fifty local firms signed up to an online forum highlighting growing concerns over business rates and rising costs.

The event has been organised by Samuel Kurtz and Paul Davies, who say they were inundated with requests for further help following their recent virtual session on the business rates system.

More than one hundred and fifty businesses from across Pembrokeshire and west Wales registered for the online forum, raising questions about the Valuation Office Agency revaluation process, how rateable values are calculated and what elements can be challenged.

Both Members of the Senedd said the scale of engagement showed a clear appetite for practical, one-to-one advice.

The in-person surgery, scheduled for February 17, will give business owners the chance to discuss their individual circumstances confidentially and seek tailored guidance directly from their elected representatives.

Samuel Kurtz said the response to the forum demonstrated the pressure many firms are under.

“The response showed just how strong the demand is for clear advice and constructive engagement,” he said. “With more than one hundred and fifty registrations, it was evident that many businesses want the opportunity to explore their own situations in greater depth, and that is exactly what this advice surgery is designed to provide.

“Businesses in west Wales are at a cliff edge. Employers tell us the current business rates system is placing real strain on high streets at a time when they are already facing rising staffing, energy and supply costs. Policy should encourage investment and growth, not penalise it.”

Paul Davies added that the session would help them build a stronger case with ministers.

“We want to do everything we can to support businesses in Pembrokeshire and this surgery is a valuable opportunity to listen to their specific concerns and make representations on their behalf,” he said.

“Firms are telling us they feel like they are walking a tightrope. Whether it is rates increases, higher overheads or workforce challenges, the strain is clear. Taking real-world evidence directly to the Welsh Government is the best way to push for change.”

Businesses interested in attending are encouraged to contact the pair’s constituency offices to book an appointment.

Cover image

Offering support: Paul Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS (Pic: Supplied)