Family-run pub on Main Street combines homemade food, live music, affordable rooms and a strong tradition of raising money for good causes

THE OLD CROSS SAWS INN has earned a loyal following in Pembroke by offering something that is becoming harder to find – a true local pub where community spirit still comes first.

Run by Michelle and Will, the family-run venue on Main Street has become a popular meeting place for regulars, visitors and families alike, with customers drawn in by its friendly atmosphere, homemade food, live entertainment and genuine welcome.

Whether people are calling in for a quiet pint, gathering for a Saturday night band session, enjoying a hearty Sunday lunch or taking part in the pub’s much-loved charity bingo afternoons, the aim is always the same – to make everyone feel at home.

Karen said: “We just want people to feel welcome when they walk through the door and enjoy themselves – whether it’s for Sunday lunch, live music or just a drink with friends.”

That simple approach has helped The Old Cross Saws Inn become one of the town’s best-loved pubs, with customers regularly praising both the hospitality and the sense of belonging they find there.

One customer said: “Very friendly, everyone knew the drinks we were having after the first order. We went on a band night and had a brilliant time.”

At the heart of the community

The Old Cross Saws Inn is not just a place to eat and drink. Over recent years, it has also become a hub for charity fundraising, with the pub and its regulars raising thousands of pounds for good causes close to people’s hearts.

Among the causes supported are Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice, Greenacres Animal Rescue, Wales Air Ambulance Charity and Tan-Yard Youth Club.

In total, £3,400 has been raised for Ty Hafan, £2,000 for Greenacres Animal Rescue, £2,000 for Wales Air Ambulance Charity and £500 for Tan-Yard Youth Club.

Much of that fundraising has come through the pub’s weekly charity bingo afternoons, which have built up a devoted following and become a valued part of local life.

Held every Thursday from 1:30pm to 3:00pm, the bingo offers a relaxed and sociable afternoon out while helping to support worthwhile causes. Regulars have become known affectionately as the pub’s “amazing bingo family”, a reflection of the close-knit atmosphere that has grown around the event.

With the games wrapping up before the school run, it has also proved popular with people looking for a friendly midweek break that fits around everyday life.

Live music and sport

Entertainment plays a big part in the pub’s appeal. Every Saturday from 8:30pm, live music helps turn the venue into a lively weekend destination, attracting a strong crowd and creating the kind of atmosphere that keeps people coming back.

For sports fans, The Old Cross Saws Inn also offers Sky Sports and TNT Sports throughout the week, along with horse racing coverage, making it a go-to spot for those wanting to catch the big game or enjoy a drink with friends in good company.

Whether it is a packed band night, a major sporting fixture or simply a casual evening at the bar, the pub has built its reputation on offering a welcoming setting for all.

Homemade food with a local reputation

Food is another big part of the attraction. The pub’s Sunday lunch, served from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, has developed a strong reputation locally for generous portions, homemade cooking and good value.

One visitor described it as: “Like your mum’s Sunday lunch – tasty, homemade and great value.”

During the week, food is served from Monday to Thursday between 2:00pm and 8:00pm. Fresh rolls and pies are also available during the day, giving customers the option of anything from a quick bite to a relaxed sit-down meal.

That focus on straightforward, satisfying pub food has become another reason why so many customers return time and again.

A garden, rooms and a warm welcome

When the weather is kind, the south-facing beer garden offers another attraction. With umbrellas, covered seating and even an outdoor television, it provides a comfortable place to enjoy a drink in the sunshine while still keeping up with live sport.

The pub is also dog-friendly and family-friendly, adding to its broad appeal.

For those visiting Pembroke and the surrounding area, The Old Cross Saws Inn also offers affordable rooms, giving guests a convenient base from which to explore the town, coastline and nearby attractions.

Each room includes tea and coffee facilities, a fridge and a sink, while a microwave is available on the landing for guest use.

Its Main Street location places it around five minutes from Pembroke railway station, within walking distance of Pembroke Castle and the Millpond, and roughly fifteen minutes by car from Tenby.

A proper local

In an age when many pubs face growing pressures, The Old Cross Saws Inn continues to show the value of doing the basics well – good food, friendly service, strong community ties and a welcoming atmosphere.

It is a place where people can come together for entertainment, support local causes, share a meal or simply enjoy a drink among friends.

And thanks to the support of its customers, that community spirit is having an impact far beyond the bar itself, helping to raise vital funds for charities and local organisations.

For Michelle, Will and the team, that is what being a proper local pub is all about.

The Old Cross Saws Inn is at 109 Main Street, Pembroke, SA71 4DB. Charity bingo takes place every Thursday from 1:30pm to 3:00pm, while live music is held on Saturdays from 8:30pm.

Follow The Old Cross Saws Inn on Facebook for details of upcoming events, live music nights and Sunday lunch updates.

Labour candidate says ‘you can’t fake compassion’ as she accuses US president of disrespecting faith and abandoning the vulnerable

CEREDIGION PENFRO candidate Eluned Morgan has launched a fierce attack on Donald Trump after global backlash over an AI-generated image portraying him as a Christ-like figure.

In a statement posted on Facebook, the First Minister said the image had caused real offence to people of faith and exposed what she described as a deeper hypocrisy at the heart of Trump’s leadership.

Baroness Morgan said: “For millions of people, this isn’t just poor judgement – it’s deeply offensive. Faith is not a costume. It’s not something you can put on for political theatre and then cast aside when it suits.”

She said the row was not simply about one image, but about the values behind it.

Morgan said: “Jesus’ message was clear: stand with the poor, protect the vulnerable, welcome the stranger. Yet this is an administration that has done the opposite – slashing humanitarian aid, turning its back on those most in need and cutting funding to the Red Cross by 17%, the very organisation he tried to hide behind when challenged.

“You cannot pose as a symbol of compassion while practising the politics of cruelty.”

Morgan also sought to draw a direct line between international instability and everyday pressures facing people in Wales.

She said: “This isn’t abstract – it lands on doorsteps here in Wales. When global leadership is reckless, families pay the price: through rising costs, instability, and pressure on already stretched services.

“People want stability, especially at a time like this – not chaos dressed up as leadership.”

She added that the UK should be clearer and more forceful in defending its values on the world stage.

“It’s time to draw a line,” she said. “The UK must be clear about the values it stands for. Leadership that disrespects faith, abandons the vulnerable and makes the world less stable should be called out – plainly and without apology.”

The remarks are likely to attract political attention during the election campaign, with Morgan using the controversy to argue that moral leadership abroad and stability at home are closely linked.

Former Launch Authority helped oversee 44 call-outs and brought decades of maritime and rescue experience to the role

A DEDICATED Fishguard RNLI volunteer has retired after years of service helping to keep the station ready for emergencies at sea.

Barry Scott stepped down from his role as Launch Authority after celebrating his birthday earlier this year and reaching the retirement age for the position.

During an eight-and-a-half-year voluntary career with Fishguard RNLI, Barry oversaw 44 shouts and played a key role in the station’s operational life.

He joined the station with a wealth of maritime and rescue experience, having spent 16 years as a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy, followed by 25 years with HM Coastguard.

As one of the station’s volunteer Launch Authorities, Barry worked on a rota providing a 24-hour link between the lifeboat station and HM Coastguard at the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Milford Haven.

When a lifeboat was requested, the on-duty Launch Authority would be paged by the Coastguard and contacted by phone with details of the incident. They would then decide whether to authorise the use of the charity’s assets, unless there was an immediate risk to life, in which case the full crew would be paged at once.

Once details of a shout were confirmed, the Launch Authority would brief either the coxswain of the all-weather lifeboat or the helm of the inshore lifeboat. They would also keep an accurate record of which crew members went to sea and which responded to the pager.

During a shout, the Launch Authority would often remain at the station, recording useful information from radio transmissions. After the lifeboats returned safely and the crew came ashore, they would consult the boat officers and crew to complete the records before submitting a formal report to RNLI Headquarters in Poole.

Asked about the standout moments of his time with Fishguard RNLI, Barry said: “The camaraderie and working with volunteers who want to achieve the best outcomes.”

He added, with a smile: “And of course the cake.”

Reflecting on his years with the charity, Barry said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with individuals from all walks of life who are willing to drop everything at any time, day or night, to help others in difficulty in all weather conditions, and still be able to maintain a sense of humour in potentially difficult situations.”

The team at Fishguard RNLI thanked Barry for his service and wished him a happy retirement, with the hope that he will now be able to enjoy full nights of sleep without the pager going off.

Fishguard RNLI is currently recruiting more Launch Authorities. Anyone living close to their local station and interested in volunteering as part of a lifesaving team is encouraged to get in touch.