Tributes have been paid to the woman described as the “heart and soul” of a well-known Pembrokeshire family farm following her death this week.

MARGARET DAVIES, affectionately known to many simply as “Mama”, passed away after a lifetime spent building and supporting the family business at Cuckoo Mill Farm.

Mrs Davies founded the poultry enterprise in 1958, starting with just three turkeys. Over the decades she grew the small venture into a well-known local business supplying poultry to families across the county.

Alongside farming, she also ran a farmhouse bed and breakfast for more than fifty-five years, welcoming guests from across the world and serving home-cooked three-course meals prepared on the Aga.

Family members said her work ethic and warmth made her the driving force behind the farm for generations.

For more than half a century Mrs Davies personally handled every Christmas turkey order, worked at farmers’ markets, and helped keep the busy farm kitchen running smoothly.

Visitors to the farmhouse often found the kitchen full of activity — the phone ringing with orders, stuffing being prepared for turkeys, potatoes boiling on the Aga, and white coats hanging ready for the next day’s work.

Despite the long hours and busy seasons, especially around Christmas, Mrs Davies was known for rarely complaining.

Her favourite saying summed up her outlook on business: “It’s when the phone doesn’t ring — that’s when we have a problem.”

As well as running the farm, she was known for her friendly and welcoming personality. Television and radio crews who visited the farm were often invited straight into the kitchen to film or record interviews.

“She was always so agreeable to fun,” her family said in a tribute. “If we said the TV crew were coming, she would just smile and say, ‘Well, why not? Bring them in!’”

Mrs Davies is remembered as a hardworking and inspiring woman who led by example and took pride in providing quality produce and excellent service to customers.

Today, the farm continues to operate under the next generation of the family. Granddaughters Emily and Beth now help run the poultry side of the business, while grandsons Danny and Joe continue the dairy enterprise started by their grandparents.

Many of the farm’s loyal customers now span several generations themselves, with families returning year after year for their Christmas turkey.

Her family said they are determined to carry forward the values she established.

“As we celebrate Mama’s life, we will continue working to carry forward her wonderful legacy and everything she stood for.”

Funeral details will be announced once confirmed.

MILFORD HAVEN SEA CADETS have had a busy and successful week, with new equipment arriving at the unit, a donation from a local organisation, and junior members taking part in World Book Day activities.

The Milford Haven unit recently received delivery of new Standard Horizon VHF radios, which will be used during the upcoming boating season. The equipment was purchased after the group successfully secured funding through the RCD Foundation Grant.

The radios will help cadets develop important communication and safety skills while taking part in maritime training on the water.

The unit also received a £100 donation from Neyland Lodge, with cadets presented with a cheque during the week. Staff at the unit said the contribution would help support activities and training opportunities for young people involved in the organisation.

Leaders at the unit thanked the lodge for its support, describing the donation as a welcome boost for the cadet group.

Meanwhile, junior Sea Cadets marked World Book Day by taking part in a special visit to their local library. Along with members of the Junior Training Organisation (JTO), the young cadets dressed up and learned about the role of a librarian.

During the visit, they explored the library and each chose a favourite book, helping to encourage reading and learning outside the classroom.

Milford Haven Sea Cadets said the week highlighted the wide range of experiences available to cadets, from maritime training and community support to educational activities.

The unit is part of the wider Sea Cadet network operating across West Wales and continues to provide opportunities for young people in the Milford Haven area to develop skills, confidence and teamwork.

Community hub supporting more than 700 people a month recognised at West Wales health and social care awards

PLANED has won the Working in Partnership Award at the West Wales Regional Health and Social Care Awards, held at Canolfan Pentre Awel.

The awards were hosted by the West Wales Regional Partnership Board and recognise projects that demonstrate strong collaboration across health, social care and community organisations.

The award celebrates the success of the Carmarthenshire Living Well Centre, a project led and managed by PLANED which has become a key hub for community support in the county.

The centre brings together a range of organisations and initiatives offering advice, wellbeing activities and support services free of charge to local residents.

PLANED said the success of the centre has been built on strong collaboration with the many projects and organisations based there, all working together to support communities across Carmarthenshire.

More than 700 people each month now access services at the centre, taking part in group sessions, receiving advice and support, and benefiting from a wide range of community-led activities.

The organisation said the award recognises not only PLANED’s leadership in developing and managing the centre, but also the collective effort of the partners delivering services from the facility.

PLANED added that it will continue seeking further funding to support the development of the centre so it can expand its work and help even more people in the future.

Representatives from the organisation said it was great to see so many partners and familiar faces at the awards ceremony, adding that the recognition belongs to everyone involved in delivering the project.