Community
Local hero celebrates St David’s Day at Downing Street


Barry John MBE: ‘Honoured’ be be invited to No. 10
BARRY JOHN MBE was welcomed to 10 Downing Street on Wednesday (Mar 1) to celebrate St David’s Day with Prime Minister, Theresa May.
Prime Minister Theresa May hosted a reception to celebrate St David’s Day in Downing Street on Wednesday (Mar 1) where she welcomed guests from the worlds of business, media, tourism sport and the charity sector.
Mr John was invited thanks to his work in Welsh Arts and also military charity sector in Wales. Mr John, whose work at The VC Gallery in Haverfordwest is well known in Pembrokeshire, was invited to Downing Street to celebrate St David’s Day and to be able to talk about the fantastic work that is happening in relation to the arts in Pembrokeshire.
A number of companies showcased their products at the event including Welsh whiskey, beer and wine as well as cheese from Snowdonia and Welsh cakes. There was also a performance from the Welsh choir, Côr Heol y March.
The day commenced with a meeting in the Houses of Parliament, before making their way to Downing Street for Theresa May to address the Welsh contingent.
Mr John, speaking to The Herald, said: “Having the opportunity to celebrate St David’s Day in Number 10 was a great honour.
“Speaking with members of the Government and Secretary of Defence was fabulous. Adorning the walls of Number 10 was also the most fascinating art from Turner to Freud, and even Tracey Emin!”
Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Theresa May said: ““I am pleased to be celebrating St David’s Day with a reception in Downing Street.
“This reception is about celebrating everything that Wales has to offer to the world – and there is indeed much to celebrate. This proud country – and a special part of our United Kingdom – is home to some of the greatest talent and industry in the world, and we can see that right here today.
“Whether it is leading figures from the worlds of business, sport and politics – or one of the finest arrays of award-winning cheese, cakes, ham, wine, beer, whiskeys, spirits and flowers that I have ever seen.”
She continued, saying: “I am immensely proud to be Prime Minister of the whole United Kingdom – and together with Alun as Secretary of State, I am absolutely committed to promoting and supporting Wales as part of that honour and responsibility.
“As I said on the doorstep of Number 10 when I became Prime Minister, I will always fight to preserve our proud, historic union, and I am determined that we will emerge from this great period of change stronger, fairer, more united and more-outward looking than ever before: And that will be the best possible outcome for Wales – and for the whole of our United Kingdom.
“Our precious Union is at the heart of everything my Government does, which is why Wales was one of the first places I visited when I became Prime Minister.
“And, today, as the Welsh flag flies high alongside the Union flag over Downing Street, we are reminded of the huge part Wales has played in our history and the crucial role it will play in the future prosperity of the UK.
“I wish you all a very happy St David’s Day.”
Speaking at the event, Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: “Today, we have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our national day amongst the people making their indelible mark in their communities, their country, and across the world.
“From our brave service men and women to our great figures from the arts, business, culture and sport, these are the people helping to make Wales’ future as glorious as its rich and illustrious history.
“I send my warmest wishes to everyone celebrating St David’s Day at home and around the world.”
Community
Cadets take aim at success with new shooting range

Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire Air Cadets make history
A HISTORIC first for young aviation enthusiasts in West Wales! RAF Air Cadets from 2420 (Whitland & District) Squadron are celebrating a game-changing moment after securing vital funding from Sport Wales to enhance their training and skills.
Thanks to this boost, the squadron has officially launched its first-ever air rifle range, bringing a brand-new dimension to cadet activities in the region.
Hitting the target
The funding has allowed cadets from Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire to access top-tier marksmanship training, with their inaugural air rifle range session taking place in January 2025.
Not only does this initiative provide cadets with essential shooting skills, but it also gives them the chance to compete in the prestigious BSA Silver Trophy postal competition this March. Success in the competition could see them earning the coveted gold shooting badge—an honour not achieved in the area for years!
“A fantastic opportunity!”
Squadron Officer Commanding, Flight Sergeant Rick Fisher, hailed the new range as a game-changer for cadet training: “It has been fantastic to see the cadets engage with air rifle shooting. Access to a new range and equipment has given them a unique opportunity to develop their skills and work towards a significant milestone in the squadron’s history.”
Shooting for success
With the squadron now firing on all cylinders, the future looks bright for these young cadets as they hone their marksmanship and set their sights on competition victories.
If you’ve ever dreamed of being an Air Cadet, this could be your moment! Cadets can join from age 12 (if in Year 8) up to 17—and with thrilling experiences like flying, adventure training, and now air rifle shooting, there’s never been a better time to get involved.
📍 Local squadrons meet in Tenby, Pembroke Dock, and Haverfordwest.
🔗 Find out more: RAF Air Cadets website
Community
Drenched ride dismantled at Oakwood Theme Park

ONE of the main rides at Pembrokeshire’s Oakwood Theme Park—where a girl tragically died more than 20 years ago—is being dismantled for good.
The high-speed water ride Drenched, formerly known as Hydro, has been at the centre of activity this week, with photos online showing large cranes surrounding the structure. Sections of the ride, including its 85-degree drop, are missing, fuelling speculation that it is being permanently removed.
Oakwood Theme Park has now confirmed the ride’s removal.
A spokesperson for the park said: “We can confirm that after 20-plus years of operation, Drenched has been retired from the Oakwood Theme Park offering and is being dismantled.
“We look forward to sharing other park updates when we commence the build-up to the 2025 season.”
Tragedy and controversy
Hydro first opened at the park near Canaston Bridge in 2002. However, just two years later, tragedy struck when 16-year-old Hayley Williams, from Pontypool, fell 120 feet from the top of the ride.
An inquest into her death heard that a safety bar meant to restrain passengers had not been lowered before the ride started. The attraction was closed for a year before reopening with over-the-shoulder restraints fitted to its 24-seater car.
In 2008, the park’s then-owners, Oakwood Leisure, were fined £250,000 after admitting that staff had failed to ensure passengers were safely restrained.
That same year, Oakwood was acquired by Spanish international leisure park company Aspro, which rebranded the ride as Drenched in 2011.
Ride stood idle for two years
Drenched, a record-breaking Intamin Mega Splash water ride, has not operated for over two years.
Speculation over its future grew this week after a photo surfaced on theme park forum TowersTimes, showing the ride being dismantled. A post on the CoasterForce Facebook group questioned whether the attraction was leaving Oakwood for good.
The post read: “Oakwood’s Intamin Mega Splash water ride, which first opened in 2002, looks as though it could be about to leave the park permanently.
“News of the ride’s rumoured departure broke online on Wednesday (Feb 5) when an image showing Drenched being dismantled surfaced on TowersTimes.”
The user who shared the photo noted that three large cranes were in place, and significant sections of the ride, including its iconic drop and turnaround section, had already been removed.
Mixed reactions from fans
Theme park enthusiasts reacted with disappointment to the news.
One forum user wrote: “Really sad to see, but not overly surprising.
“As someone who really loves the park and has such nostalgia for it, it’s painful to see the lack of investment from the parent company.”
With Drenched now being dismantled, Oakwood Theme Park is yet to reveal what, if anything, will replace it.
Community
National triumph: Pembrokeshire pub ranked among the friendliest in UK

A PEMBROKESHIRE pub has been named one of the friendliest in the UK, according to a new study.
The White Hart Inn in St Dogmaels has been ranked the second friendliest pub in Britain, with 66.67% of its Tripadvisor reviews highlighting its welcoming atmosphere.
The study, conducted by security experts at Get Licensed, assessed community pubs across the UK by examining Tripadvisor ratings, the percentage of reviews mentioning words like ‘friendly’ and ‘welcoming’, and local crime statistics.
The White Hart Inn scored 8.27 out of 10 for friendliness, narrowly missing out on the top spot to The Fishers Arms in Horncliffe, Northumberland, which scored 8.57.
A Community’s Triumph

The White Hart Inn, which began trading in 1769, faced closure in May 2019 when its previous owners decided to sell the property. Refusing to let their last traditional pub be lost, the residents of St Dogmaels embarked on a two-year fundraising and campaigning journey to purchase and refurbish the establishment. Their efforts culminated in the successful acquisition of the pub on January 18, 2021, transforming it into The White Hart Community Inn. Today, the pub thrives as a community-owned hub, supported by over 550 shareholders from around the world, including locals and supporters from as far as Australia, New Zealand, the USA, and Canada.
A Hub for Local Events
Beyond its role as a pub, the White Hart Inn serves as a central venue for various community events. It hosts regular live music sessions, quiz nights, and themed events that cater to both locals and visitors. The establishment also supports local artists by displaying their works, contributing to the village’s vibrant cultural scene. Additionally, the pub offers a selection of locally sourced food and beverages, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Pembrokeshire.
Top 10 Friendliest Pubs in the UK
- The Fishers Arms – Horncliffe, Northumberland
- White Hart Inn – St Dogmaels, Pembrokeshire
- Case is Altered – Bentley, Suffolk
- Station – Knebworth, Hertfordshire
- Plough Inn – Longparish, Hampshire
- Garibaldi – Bourne End, Buckinghamshire
- Lamarsh Lion – Lamarsh, Essex
- Cask Inn – Scarborough, North Yorkshire
- Black Horse – Walcote, Leicestershire
- Y Pengwern – Llan Ffestiniog, Gwynedd
According to the study, the friendliest pubs are often found in areas with lower crime rates, with researchers suggesting that these venues play an important role in fostering a sense of community.
Shahzad Ali, CEO of Get Licensed, said: “Prioritizing a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in pubs isn’t just good for business, it’s essential for creating a safe environment. Our research shows that the friendliest pubs tend to be in areas with lower crime rates, highlighting the role pubs can play in deterring crime.”
While Pembrokeshire’s White Hart Inn is among the most welcoming, the study found that London had the least friendly pubs, scoring just 0.56 out of 10. Researchers found that nearly 24% of reviews for London pubs included words such as ‘unfriendly’, ‘hostile’, and ‘rude’.
For the full ranking and research details, visit Get Licensed’s website.
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