Community

Castell Henllys delivers golden visitor experience

Published

10 years ago

October 7, 2016

A RECENT visit by a ‘mystery shopper’ to Castell Henllys Iron Age Village resulted in the presentation of the highest level Gold Accolade Award by Visit Wales.

Visit Wales, the Welsh Government’s tourism arm, recognises achievement of excellence for facilities and customer service, as well as accrediting businesses and accommodation across Wales with a visitor quality standard.

Interim Castell Henllys Manager Jenn Jones said: “The assessor for this quality assurance scheme was completely unknown to our staff, so we were thrilled to have met the high standards set by the scheme.

“We have worked hard over the past couple of years to add value to our visitors’ experience, with the addition of a cafe and, most recently, a Barefoot Trail, which were mentioned as highlights.”

The assessor also mentioned the Visitor Centre with interpretative displays ‘gave a very good first impression’ and the self-guided trails leaflet as being ‘a useful, handy guide to the attraction’.

The site was graded on pre-arrival (online information including Facebook and TripAdvisor information), arrival (car park, layout, first impressions, visitor information), the attraction itself, cleanliness, toilets, catering, retail and staff. All were highly rated, with all staff noted as being friendly and helpful.

The cafe at this well-known North Pembrokeshire visitor attraction, which the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority owns and leases to Wendy Edwards (Cafi Ysgubor), also received a Quality Café Award.

The Quality Cafe Accolade achieved by the attraction was given for delivering a high quality and memorable food experience for visitors. It was noted there was an excellent range of hot and cold meals available, with fresh cakes and sponges, and noted ‘the afternoon tea offering looks delicious!’ Cafe staff were praised for giving a very good level of customer care.

Two roundhouses at the Iron Age Village, the Cook House and the Meeting House (or Earthwatch) first constructed in 1981, are being rebuilt over the next two years as they have come to the end of their useful lives.

Community

Family safe after major house fire in Letterston, community told

Published

8 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Memorial hall opened to help those affected after blaze in Station Road area

A FAMILY escaped without injury after a major house fire in the Station Road area of Letterston, according to local residents.

The blaze prompted a major emergency response on Wednesday (Apr 15), with fire engines seen at the scene and the road closed while crews tackled the incident.

People posting in the Letterston community group said the family was safe, although one kitten was sadly lost in the fire.

One resident wrote: “They lost a kitten, but the family were ok. Nothing worse than a fire. There were 4 fire engines here at one time.”

Others described hearing multiple sirens and seeing smoke rising from the area, with one local woman saying her partner could see the fire engines from nearby fields.

As news of the fire spread, the local community quickly rallied round. The memorial hall was opened for anyone affected, while residents offered practical help and support to the family.

Messages posted online described the loss of the home as heartbreaking, with one resident writing that while the house had gone, the family were “alive and well to make more new memories”.

The Herald has approached the emergency services for official confirmation on the cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage.

Community

Police investigate reports of door-to-door salespeople in Milford Haven and Johnston

Published

11 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents urged to stay alert as officers carry out patrols and work to establish whether the callers are legitimate

MILFORD HAVEN and Neyland Police said they are aware of concerns raised by residents following reports of door-to-door salespeople operating in the Milford Haven and Johnston area.

Local officers, together with neighbourhood policing and prevention teams, are working to establish the legitimacy of those involved and will be carrying out patrols while enquiries continue.

In the meantime, members of the public are being advised to familiarise themselves with crime prevention advice relating to unwanted visitors, which is available on the force’s website.

Anyone with information that could assist enquiries is asked to get in touch online, by email at [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting its website.

Community

Big plant sale set to bloom in Narberth

Published

14 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Family-friendly spring event will bring together local growers, craftspeople, food and live entertainment

GREEN fingers and creative talents will come together in Narberth next month as West Wales’ popular Big Plant Sale returns for 2026.

The event will take place at Narberth CP School on Saturday, May 2, offering visitors the chance to browse a wide range of plants, locally made crafts and eco-friendly products.

Organised with support from SPAN Arts, the annual sale has become one of the first major plant events of the season in the area, attracting gardeners of all ages and experience levels.

Stallholders are expected to offer everything from windowsill succulents and young seedlings to unusual and specialist plants, giving visitors plenty of choice as they prepare their homes and gardens for spring and summer.

Alongside the plants, there will also be a craft fair featuring handmade and environmentally conscious products, including soaps, textiles and wooden items made by local producers.

Organisers say the event is designed to be more than just a market, with locally produced food, live music and entertainment helping to create a lively and welcoming atmosphere for families and visitors of all ages.

SPAN Arts is also inviting local growers, nurseries, craftspeople and makers to get involved, particularly those working with sustainable and eco-friendly products.

The Big Plant Sale will run from 10:00am until 3:00pm at Narberth CP School, Jesse Road, Narberth, SA67 7FE. Visitors are asked to make a suggested £2 donation on entry.

Anyone interested in booking a stall can contact [email protected].

SPAN Arts, which is based in Narberth, has spent 30 years supporting arts and community projects across Pembrokeshire. The charity runs a broad programme of music, theatre, comedy and wellbeing activities, with a focus on reducing rural isolation and improving access to the arts.

For more information about the event, contact SPAN Arts on 01834 869323 or email [email protected].