MID and South Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell has pressed the UK Government for action on poor mobile connectivity in Pembrokeshire — with Tenby namechecked in Parliament just weeks after the town was left out of the latest round of publicly announced rural coverage upgrades.

Mr Tufnell asked Ministers what steps are being taken to improve mobile connectivity in Mid and South Pembrokeshire including Tenby, amid growing frustration from residents and businesses about unreliable signal and slow data in parts of the county.

The intervention follows recent reporting by The Herald highlighting that a UK Government announcement promising improved mobile coverage across rural Wales did not include Tenby, despite longstanding complaints about not-spots in the busy seaside town — particularly as it prepares for another visitor season.

Independent performance data has also added weight to local concerns. Analysis by Ookla, which tracks real-world mobile experience through millions of user tests, reported that UK-wide median mobile download speeds increased in 2025 — but found Wales remains the slowest-performing UK nation overall. Pembrokeshire was among the weaker-performing areas identified, with typical median speeds in the mid-teens to low-20s Mbps and fewer than half of samples reaching 25 Mbps.

Responding in a written Parliamentary answer, Labour MP Kanishka Narayan, speaking for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said the Government’s “ambition is for all populated areas to have access to higher quality standalone 5G by 2030”, including villages and rural communities. He said delivery is expected through commercial rollout by network operators, with Government working closely with firms to support continued investment.

However, industry and landowner groups warn that the ambition could be undermined by policy decisions affecting the cost of hosting mobile masts — a particular concern for rural counties where coverage depends on securing and maintaining sites on private land.

Under changes linked to the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act, campaigners say the valuation model used for telecoms sites is being extended, with some landowners reporting rent reductions of up to 90% and warning the approach risks driving providers away from hosting masts or refusing new ones.

Ted Hobbs, based in New Tredegar, described the impact of renegotiation attempts on long-running agreements, saying: “My 1995 Vodafone lease was £3,500 yearly. It expired in May 2025 – now they demand a slash. This is confiscation, not partnership.”

The row comes as the UK’s Shared Rural Network programme continues to fund upgrades in remote areas, with earlier milestones showing dozens of mast improvements completed in Wales — leaving some communities questioning why local blackspots, including in Pembrokeshire, are still waiting to see tangible improvements.

For Pembrokeshire, the issue is not simply about convenience. Businesses reliant on card payments, visitors navigating the county, and residents needing reliable access for work, healthcare and emergencies have repeatedly raised concerns about patchy coverage — and Tenby’s omission from the latest upgrade announcement has sharpened calls for clearer answers on when and where improvements will actually arrive.

Tenby RNLI brings all-weather lifeboat back on station following sea trials in Milford Haven

TENBY RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat Haydn Miller is back on station after several months away for planned maintenance.

On Tuesday (Jan 13), the crew took a relief lifeboat to Milford Haven, where they collected Haydn Miller and returned her to Tenby.

The vessel has been undergoing work at Mainstay Marine and, following sea trials, has been declared fit and ready to resume service.

The station said it was “great to have her back” ahead of what is expected to be another busy year.

A COUPLE from Pembrokeshire are preparing for the adventure of a lifetime – rowing 3,200 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.

Emma Gent, 53, and her partner Andrew Ravenscroft are currently in the Canary Islands ready for the start of the Atlantic Dash, an endurance race regarded as one of the toughest challenges in the world.

The pair, competing as Team SharkBait, are due to set off on Saturday, January 24, aiming to reach Antigua in the Caribbean in a journey expected to take around two months.

They will row alone in a seven-metre boat, named Donkey, with no support crew, no motor and no sails – just two sets of oars and the open Atlantic.

Team SharkBait has already raised £5,845 of its £6,500 target for four charities: Wales Air Ambulance, The MS Society, Megan Starr Foundation and The Robin Cancer Trust.

Emma, a sister in A&E at Withybush Hospital, said the challenge has been years in the making.

“I have been interested in rowing the Atlantic for three years now, and after a couple of team changes due to various reasons, I was thinking about doing it as a solo rower,” she said.

“Andrew has many challenges already under his belt and was looking for a new one, and when I asked him to join me, he jumped at the chance.

“I am delighted that Andrew has decided to join me. He is new to rowing but has not let that stop him in any way and has taken to it like a duck to water.”

Emma said she wanted to take on the challenge for a range of reasons – from the adventure to the charities – and to inspire her children.

“I have wanted to do this for a long time; the challenge, the charities, the adventure, the achievement and to prove to my children that nothing is impossible if you’re determined enough,” she said.

“To be able to share the highs and lows of this whole experience with Andrew has made the road ahead feel less daunting.”

Andrew, from Tenby, marked his 60th birthday this week in Lanzarote. He has previously completed an Ironman and other endurance challenges.

Emma, a mother of three, has been a Celtic longboat rower for more than twenty years and has rowed from Ireland to Wales twice – but said this will be her biggest test to date.

“We have spent time training for the last few months, along with sourcing and purchasing the considerable amount of equipment needed to keep us safe,” she said.

“Many hours have been spent on the computer learning about the specialist gear required.

“It’s been a long slog, but we are delighted to be in Lanzarote at the start line and excited to get going. We hope to complete it and enjoy a cocktail or two in Antigua, fingers crossed, a couple of months after our start date.”

Emma said the Wales Air Ambulance was chosen as one of the beneficiaries because of its importance to patients and families across Wales.

“My daughter had an accident several years ago and although the air ambulance didn’t end up assisting, they were on standby to support,” she said.

“Having worked in A&E for many years, I have seen how much the air ambulance can do, not just with accidents but also with transportation of patients to more appropriate hospitals.”

The Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, delivering hospital-standard care at the scene and, when required, transferring patients directly to the most appropriate hospital. It operates through a partnership with the NHS Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), with NHS consultants and critical care practitioners working onboard the charity’s aircraft and rapid response vehicles.

Its advanced critical care capability includes administering anaesthesia, delivering blood transfusions and carrying out minor operations at the roadside or in remote locations.

Mike May, the charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for South West Wales, said: “The challenge Team SharkBait has set themselves is incredible. Emma and Andrew are a brave and determined couple for taking on this remarkable challenge in aid of charities close to their hearts.

“We are extremely grateful to them both for supporting the Wales Air Ambulance. Emma knows firsthand how important the service is to the people of Wales when they need us most.

“The Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required every year to keep our helicopters in the air and our rapid response vehicles on the road.

“Good luck with your challenge and stay safe.”

People can support the pair by donating via their fundraising page at:
www.gofundme.com/f/sharkbait26

Updates will also be shared on their Facebook page: SharkBait.