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New festival focuses on ‘wellbeing and health’

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A NEW festival dedicated to wellbeing and health would not be complete without music to feed the mind and soul.

Big Retreat Wales, which launches in the rural heart of Pembrokeshire this weekend (May 26-29), doesn’t dress itself up as a music festival.  Its organisers make clear its ‘not music festival’ but rather a ‘festival with music’.

As the sun goes down, the days will round off with music from some of the best new talent, including BBC Introducing contenders, Climbing Trees, and Welsh roots rocker, Ragsy – along with Ed Sheeran and Micheal Buble Tribute acts

They will be joined by Welsh singer-songwriter Jodie Marie, who has been making music since she was 16 years old, and Caroline Harrison, whose music is inspired by the music of the Mamas & the Papas and Dusty Springfield.

Completing the line-up will be Lucy Jones, whose distinctive vocal style and intelligent lyrics compare to Tracy Chapman and Amy Winehouse, and folk, country and blues duo, Lowri Evans and Lee Mason. Ofelia, New Band Sherbet Sandcastle, Rosey Cale, and Platform 1

Co-founder of Big Retreat Wales, Amber Rich, says music tastes have broadened massively and the festival aimed to celebrate that: “Our music choice is laid back with some of the best new talent around. As the sun goes down, think open skies, music vibes and campfires to round off the day.

“We will have chilled out tones and feature headline entertainment on all three evenings and there will be some chill out music to enjoy during the day also.’’

The independently minded Big Retreat Wales festival is set in the grounds of the former castle at Lawrenny.

The festival site is a big space and purpose-built to share, says Amber: “It’s a great place of communion in exercise and rest, music and mindfulness, fireside chat and celebration of the here and now.’’

The festival promises something for people of all ages. From a selection of Yoga classes, fitness and wellbeing classes, raw chocolate demos to gin workshops.

Families can immerse themselves in foraging, creative art session, yoga and zumba, enjoy story time with a children’s author or indulge in chocolate and juice-making workshops, all in idyllic rural surroundings.

Ticket can be purchased at www.thebigretreatwales.co.uk, from £15 for evening ticket to £145 for the long weekend and 3 nights camping pitch.

The events and activities are all included in the ticket price, although there will be some additional activities, such as kayaking on the estuary, which can be booked and paid for separately.

 

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

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Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

 

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News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

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Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

 

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Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

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FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.

 

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