Welsh-language text spray-painted at North Beach and other tourist hotspots as council arranges clean-up

TENBY’S Welsh-language signage has been targeted by vandals in a spate of graffiti attacks across the town.

Black spray paint has been daubed on a number of bilingual information boards at some of the resort’s busiest visitor areas, including around North Beach. In each case, the markings appear to focus on the Welsh-language text, while the English information has been left untouched.

Signs affected include those giving practical guidance to visitors – such as parking instructions, motorhome information and notices about dog restrictions on local beaches.

A newly formed campaign group, Mudiad Eryr Wen, said it felt “compelled to respond” after images of the vandalised signs circulated online. The group – which describes itself as youth-led and focused on defending Wales and campaigning for independence – claimed the graffiti amounts to an attack on the Welsh language itself.

In a statement, a spokesperson said the incidents differ from previous cases where Welsh place names were targeted, arguing that this time the Welsh wording on everyday public signage appears to have been deliberately singled out. The group alleged the vandalism was driven by anti-Welsh sentiment and criticised figures and parties it believes have helped to fuel hostility.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the damage and said arrangements are being made for signs to be cleaned or replaced where required.

A council spokesperson said: “Pembrokeshire County Council is aware of the vandalism of a number of signs around Tenby. The Council is currently arranging for the signs to be cleaned or replaced where necessary. Deliberate vandalism of this kind diverts time and resources away from important public services.”

Tenby’s Mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan, also condemned the graffiti, describing it as unacceptable and costly.

He said: “Tenby Town Council strongly condemns graffiti and vandalism anywhere in our town. Such behaviour is unacceptable. It damages property, spoils public spaces, and costs the community time and money to put right.

“It shows a lack of respect for Tenby and for the people who live, work, and visit here. The vandalism will be reported, and we encourage anyone with information to do the same.”

A PETITION call for backing for a Pembrokeshire council group looking at its previous climate change commitment will be heard by councillors.

Last July, councillors agreed to set up a group to review its own decision to declare a climate emergency some six years ago.

In May 2019, the council declared a climate emergency following a notice of motion by Cllr Joshua Beynon, committing to becoming a zero-carbon local authority by 2030.

At the July 2025 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, a successful notice of motion by the late Cllr Mike Stoddart called for the establishment of a working group to review that decision.

That led to a recent petition, by Lynda Duffill of West Wales Climate Coalition, which attracted 725 signatures, calling on the council to reaffirm its Declaration of a Climate Emergency, and retain the ambition to deliver Net Zero Council operations by 2030.

That petition was considered at the October meeting of full council; members agreeing the working group be asked to ensure the petition is included as evidence in its consideration of the matters referred to it by the council resolution in July 2025.

This led to a further petition, concerned at a potential increase in council tax from a re-affirmation of a Declaration of a Climate Emergency.

The latest e-petition, on the council’s own website, created by Carolyn Ellis, reads: “We call upon all elected members of Pembrokeshire County Council to support and to take seriously the working group tasked with the review of the ‘climate emergency’ called in 2019 (by the-then 21-year-old councillor Joshua Beynon) and to question the hefty funds needed to spend on ‘net zero’.

“We refer to the recent petition by the West Wales Climate Coalition which purports to speak for the residents and council tax-payers of Pembrokeshire.

“There is potentially a far higher number of residents who do not share this unsubstantiated view and who are extremely concerned about the potential for huge hikes in council tax, especially if this tax is linked in future to the carbon efficiency of homes and businesses.

“This was hinted at as a possible lever for encouraging ‘compliance’ with decarbonising homes in the ‘Better Homes, Better Wales, Better World’ report. Therefore, not only could we be faced with more taxes, but also inevitable deterioration in service provision by PCC.”

The current petition runs to March 26, and has attracted 253 signatures to date.

Any petition of between 100 and 499 signatures triggers a debate at one of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and any over 500 a debate at full council.

Community groups join weekly drop-in as councillors donate food and live music set to return next Friday

VC GALLERY’S Friday breakfast club in High Street, Haverfordwest, drew a strong mix of ages this week as local support organisations joined residents for a shared meal and a catch-up in the charity’s community space.

The VC Gallery said the session “went down a real treat”, with “super cool vibes” and people coming together to enjoy the welcoming environment.

Breakfast was kindly donated by Haverfordwest Town Council, with volunteers and staff helping to set up and run the morning.

Guests included representatives from Citizens Advice Pembrokeshire, Pembrokeshire Advocacy Service and homelessness charity The Wallich, as the groups connected with residents and shared information about the help available locally.

VC Gallery said it was “great to be working towards a common goal for our community” and thanked those involved for their support.

Next week’s breakfast club will feature new guests, with live music also set to return as Goose is expected back to play during the session.

The VC Gallery is based in Haverfordwest and runs a range of projects aimed at supporting veterans and the wider community.