A PEMBROKESHIRE man once wrongly convicted during the Post Office Horizon scandal has reached the final of Britain’s Got Talent as part of a moving choir performance that has captured the public’s attention.

Tim Brentnall, from Roch near Newgale, was prosecuted in 2010 after a £22,000 shortfall appeared at his branch — one of 736 sub-postmasters caught up in the Post Office’s faulty Horizon computer system.

Now, Mr Brentnall is one of the key members of the “Post Office Scandal Choir,” which earned a place in the final of the ITV talent show following a powerful performance in Saturday’s semi-final (May 18).

The group performed “Something Inside So Strong” and received a standing ovation from the judges and audience. Viewers at home voted them through to next weekend’s live final.

Mr Brentnall, who appeared as the choir’s spokesperson on the night, told the audience: “We’re here to share our story and hopefully bring something positive out of everything that’s happened.”

His conviction was quashed in 2021, after years of campaigning exposed serious flaws in the Horizon IT system and the way the Post Office handled the resulting cases. A public inquiry into the scandal is ongoing, with calls for faster compensation and greater accountability.

The choir was formed earlier this year to bring together former sub-postmasters affected by the scandal. Their appearance on Britain’s Got Talent has brought renewed national attention to their experiences and efforts to rebuild.

The Britain’s Got Talent final airs on Sunday, May 26 at 7:30pm on ITV1.

Watch their semi-final performance in the video below.

A MULTI-MILLION pound regeneration of Haverfordwest Castle has entered its next major stage, as work continues to transform the historic landmark into a flagship visitor attraction for Pembrokeshire.

The ambitious redevelopment is part of a wider £17.7 million UK Government-funded scheme to revitalise Haverfordwest town centre and make better use of its rich heritage assets.

Over the past six months, conservation specialists iBEX have carried out meticulous repairs to the ancient walls of the Scheduled Ancient Monument, while archaeological excavations have been undertaken by Heneb – The Trust for Welsh Archaeology. The castle’s inner bailey has been newly landscaped to host outdoor events and concerts, and preparatory work has been completed on the old County Gaol building by site contractor Morgan Sindall.

The project now moves into its next phase: converting the former gaol into a modern, state-of-the-art visitor experience that will explore both the history and future of Pembrokeshire through immersive exhibits, interactive displays and innovative digital storytelling.

Plans also include the refurbishment and relaunch of the Haverfordwest Museum, which will be housed in the Grade II-listed Governor’s House, along with free outdoor interpretation trails throughout the castle grounds.

A development grant of £368,525 has been awarded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the next design phase. Leading interpretation specialists The Creative Core have been appointed to shape the museum’s layout and exhibitions. Local residents will be invited to participate in focus groups, surveys and workshops throughout 2025 to help inform the final designs.

Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said:
“We are excited to see this ambitious project continue apace. This next stage brings us closer to delivering a high-quality heritage attraction that will boost not only the town’s economy but the entire county.”

Local member Cllr Thomas Tudor added: “It’s fantastic to see real progress. Our town’s castle is a source of pride, and we want to make it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.”

Pembrokeshire County Council is working in partnership with the Haverfordwest Castle Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), which will run the attraction once complete. The CIO, which evolved from the project’s stakeholder group, is also seeking further funding support with the help of professional fundraisers.

The redevelopment has been nearly a decade in the making, and is expected to deliver a year-round cultural attraction for Pembrokeshire—welcoming local people, schools and tourists, while acting as a gateway to explore the wider region.

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been forced to surrender his firearms licence after testing positive for a cocaine derivative while behind the wheel.

Shane Beynon, 50, was stopped by police on Clay Lane, Hundleton, on November 8, 2024. Subsequent tests revealed 240 micrograms of benzoylecgonine – a cocaine metabolite – in his system. The legal limit is 50.

This week, Beynon, of Hean Castle, Saundersfoot, pleaded guilty to drug-driving when he appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates.

“He doesn’t take cocaine and is very surprised this was found in his system,” said defence solicitor Michael Kelleher. “He’d been out the night before, but he accepts that no one is going to come to court and say they spiked his drink.”

Mr Kelleher told the court that the mandatory driving ban would have a significant impact on Beynon, both professionally and personally.

“He is a self-employed fencing contractor who relies on his vehicle, and he’s also a keen shooter. As a result of this charge, he’s had to surrender his firearms to the police,” he added. “The future is very uncertain for him.”

Magistrates disqualified Beynon from driving for 12 months. He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £120 victim surcharge.