News
Kilgetty pub makes charity donation


Quizmaster Dilwyn Davies: With Anthony Phillips, Brenda Rees and Pam Protheroe with Elizabeth Sleight of the Harriet Davies Trust
ANTHONY PHILLIPS, Proprietor of The White Horse Inn, Kilgetty, invited Elizabeth Sleight, fundraiser for the Harriet Davis Trust, to the inn this week to collect the proceeds from their Christmas quiz night.
The event raised an amazing £150, which will go towards the refurbishment project currently underway at the charity’s harbour side property in Tenby.
Elizabeth Sleight said: ‘We are so grateful to Anthony and all the regulars of the White Horse Inn for their support. These funds will really help with all the finishing touches to our work on Harriet’s House.’
Quizmaster Dilwyn Davies added: ‘It was a really well supported event and we were packed. I was delighted that we raised so much money for this very local charity.’
The White Horse Inn donation received an extra boost when the winning team from Narberth, Liz Thomas, Vanessa John, Gwen and Mary Evans generously added their cash prize back into the pot.
The pub offered a big thank you to Pam Protheroe for compiling the questions and her assistant Brenda Rees for organising the raffle.
Crime
Pembroke Dock Police warn of penalties for illegal e-scooter use

PEMBROKE DOCK police have issued a warning about the legal status of e-scooters, reminding residents that they are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act. This means they are subject to the same requirements as cars and motorcycles, including the need for a licence, insurance, and tax.
Currently, it is not possible to obtain insurance for privately owned e-scooters, making their use on roads or in public spaces illegal. Those caught riding an e-scooter without a valid licence or insurance could face penalties, including:
⚠️ A £300 fine and six penalty points for riding without insurance.
⚠️ A fine of up to £100 and three to six penalty points for not having the correct licence.
Offenders may also be penalised for:
❌ Riding on pavements.
❌ Using a mobile phone or handheld device while riding.
❌ Ignoring red lights.
❌ Riding under the influence of alcohol, which carries the same penalties as drink-driving a car, including court-imposed fines, a driving ban, or even imprisonment.
Police are urging residents to be aware of the rules and avoid using e-scooters illegally to prevent fines and legal action.
Business
Council take legal action against 686 Pembrokeshire-based businesses

Scores of firms listed in court for non-payment of business rates
HUNDREDS of businesses across Pembrokeshire are facing court action for unpaid non-domestic rates (business rates), with a staggering number of cases listed at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Feb 17).
The court list reveals that Pembrokeshire County Council is seeking liability orders against an astonishing 686 defendants.
The hearings will determine whether the council can proceed with enforcement measures against those who have failed to pay their dues. The proceedings fall under Regulation 12 of the Non-Domestic Rating (Collection and Enforcement) (Local Lists) Regulations 1989.
These liability orders, if granted, could result in enforcement action, which may include bailiff visits, seizure of goods, or other legal consequences for businesses struggling to meet their financial obligations.
The scale of the action highlights the financial strain faced by many local businesses, with concerns growing over the economic pressures forcing traders into arrears. The Herald understands that businesses across multiple sectors, including hospitality, retail, and services, are among those affected.
A local business owner, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Herald: “The cost of running a business has skyrocketed, and many of us are struggling to keep up. We want to pay our rates, but when you’re dealing with soaring costs and reduced footfall, it becomes a real challenge.”
As the Welsh Government considers levying a Tourism Tax, the court action underscores the difficulties facing Pembrokeshire’s business community, as economic conditions continue to tighten.
The Herald will continue to monitor the outcome of these proceedings and report on any further developments.
Farming
Top biosecurity tips from a Welsh farmer on protecting cattle from TB

A DAIRY farmer managing a chronic bovine TB breakdown has eliminated a major disease threat to his herd by no longer buying in cattle.
Michael Williams is one of 15 farmers involved in the Pembrokeshire TB pilot, a Welsh Government initiative which aims to develop additional measures for bovine TB control, over and above the statutory actions currently being used.
Sharing his progress with other farmers at a recent Farming Connect event, Mr Williams said there is much that every farmer can do to protect their herds from TB.
He has introduced multiple biosecurity measures, including running a closed herd.
He milks 150 cows on a robot milking system at Fagwrfran East, Puncheston, and had sourced cattle from livestock markets but this came with the risk of importing TB.
“We had already stopped buying in cattle before becoming part of this project but we have since become a truly closed herd, we don’t even buy a stock bull,’’ Mr Williams explained.
Cameras were installed to establish if badgers were coming into contact with cattle in the yard and housing and with food and water sources.
None were detected but there were obvious physical signs of activity in fields and on cow tracks.
One and a half miles of badger-proof fencing has since been erected along a hedge with a high number of setts and latrines, to separate these from the stock.
Mr Williams has introduced other measures too:
Creating a remote fallen stock area
The fallen stock collection point had been situated on a part of the farm which compelled a vehicle to cross the yard to collect carcasses.
This facility is now located in a contained area of a building that sits closest to the road and can be completely sealed off from wildlife.
Erecting electric fencing along the maize clamp
Although the farm has no feed bins vulnerable to wildlife, its open maize clamp is a potential risk at feeding out.
Mr Williams erected a simple deterrent, filling two redundant 20-litre dairy chemical drums with sand, placing these at each end of the clamp face and running polywire from one to the other, hooked up to a solar-powered energiser.
“This cost about £20, took ten minutes of my time and prevents badgers from interfering with the feed,’’ he said.
Restricting visitor numbers
Unplanned visits by sales representatives and others are now discouraged.
Visits are by appointment only and a sign has been placed at the farm entrance advising of this policy.
Vehicles coming onto the farm must be clean.
Draining unused water troughs
In-field drinking water troughs that are not used in the winter when the herd and youngstock are housed are drained and remain empty until turnout.
Water troughs in use are cleaned weekly.
Reducing reliance on farm contractors
Investment has been made in slurry application equipment to remove the need for hiring contractors for this job.
Keeping cattle accommodation walkways clean
The frequency that feed passages in the cattle housing are cleaned has increased to minimise the period that slurry pools in these locations.
Adopting the highest level of hygiene at calving
Matting similar to cubicle bed mattresses has been laid in a dedicated calving pen to allow the floor to be thoroughly pressure washed and disinfected between calvings.
Providing footwear disinfection points
Containers of disinfectant solution are positioned around the yard to allow footwear to be disinfected in between contact with different classes of stock
Increasing intervals between slurry application and silage harvesting
Although Mr Williams operates a multi-cut silage system, he has increased cutting intervals from four weeks to five and applies slurry to the aftermath at the very earliest opportunity, the day after the grass has been collected from the field.
Other measures
In addition to rolling out biosecurity measures, Mr Williams has been culling animals which have been identified as at high risk of contracting or spreading TB, flagged up on a ‘risk rating’ list through an app developed for the Pembrokeshire TB pilot.
Any cow in the two highest risk categories – in this case red or amber – is sold as barren.
“Being more proactive with culling, choosing when an animal leaves the farm rather than being in a forced situation as a result of a TB test, is a better option in many ways,’’ said Mr Williams.
If an animal falls into a ‘yellow’ band, the lowest of the three risk categories, but is nonetheless a risk, she is bred to a terminal sire to ensure that no female replacements enter the herd.
In 2024, 35 of Mr Williams’ cows exited the herd based on risk rating results.
“There is short term pain in getting on top of the residual disease but I am confident that we will reap the rewards a few years down the line,’’ he maintains.
“If we can get down to two or three per cent risk rating, we will be in the realms of being on top of the disease rather than the disease being on top of the herd.’’
He believes this system is working.
“In December 2024 the risk rating was 7% compared to 11% in January 2024 so this is a start, we think culling is working.’’
Mr Williams also emphasised the importance of making time to discuss biosecurity and disease risks with the farm vet.
“Don’t do this while the vet is TB testing or on the farm for another reason, set aside a dedicated time to have a proper discussion,’’ he advised.
He credits his vet, Rhiannon Lewis, of Gwaun Vets, with supporting him through this process. “We have worked together on this,’’ he said.
PANEL
The Farming Connect event was hosted by Rhys Lougher at Ty Tanglwyst, a dairy farm near Pyle.
Mr Lougher’s 120-cow herd of pedigree Holsteins has been free of TB for many years.
He too has high levels of biosecurity and benefits from his farm being largely remote from cattle on other holdings and protected by hard boundaries including roads and limestone quarries.
Only sexed semen is used for breeding and no cattle have been bought in for 40 years.
Mr Lougher has his own slurry tanker and muck spreader to avoid use of contractors.
“A big part of our business is selling high health status, freshly calved, pedigree Holstein heifers to other dairy farms, the wish to continue to do this is our main driver for wanting to keep TB out of our farm,’’ he said.
-
Business3 days ago
Digital marketing challenges for rural Welsh businesses
-
Education7 days ago
Excluding pupils for knives ‘too simple’, says Estyn chief
-
News7 days ago
Threatening email revealed: Why Neyland’s clerk missed controversial meeting
-
Business7 days ago
Oyster comeback: Milford Haven project aims to restore native species
-
News3 days ago
Police report filed over Neyland Town Council email controversy
-
Health3 days ago
Emergency care failing in Wales, warns damming report
-
Education7 days ago
Exciting apprenticeship opportunities at Port of Milford Haven
-
News7 days ago
New housing plans spark sewage fears in Broad Haven