Magistrates hear persistent loud music caused nuisance to neighbours

A NEYLAND resident has been fined thousands of pounds after repeatedly failing to comply with a community protection notice, Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard.

Beryl John, 75, of Gothic Road, Neyland, Milford Haven, was convicted in his absence on Thursday (Feb 5) of breaching a community protection notice on multiple occasions.

The court heard that on November 8, 10, 13, 23 and 29, 2025, John failed to ensure that persistent and continuous music played at an excessive volume from his property did not create a detrimental effect on the quality of life of those living nearby.

The offences were committed despite a community protection notice having previously been issued. Magistrates found the breaches proved in absence.

For the first offence, John was fined £1,000. John was also ordered to pay a £400 victim services surcharge and £1,000 in prosecution costs. No separate penalties were imposed for the remaining offences.

A collection order was made, with the total balance of £2,400 to be paid by March 5.

CHARITIES, volunteers and community groups from across Pembrokeshire gathered at Bluestone National Park Resort on Friday (Feb 6) to celebrate the growing impact of the Bluestone Foundation, which has raised tens of thousands of pounds for local causes.

Around eighty guests attended the event, held inside the resort’s Serendome, marking two years of focused community support through the foundation.

Supporters, staff and representatives from partner organisations came together to share success stories and highlight how funding has helped projects tackling environmental issues, wellbeing and social inclusion across the county.

Speakers included Marten Lewis, Chair of the foundation, alongside Mike Slack from Get The Boys a Lift, Barry John of the VC Gallery and Ellen Petts from FRAME, each outlining the difference local backing has made to their work.

Founded in 2010, the Bluestone Foundation was created to channel support from the resort into environmental, economic and social initiatives across Pembrokeshire. It works in partnership with Pembrokeshire Association for Voluntary Services to distribute grants and strengthen grassroots organisations.

In 2025 alone, more than £60,000 was raised and invested into local projects.

Groups supported range from environmental organisations including Sea Trust Wales, BlueGreen Cymru and Greener Growth CIC, to wellbeing initiatives such as ASD Family Help, Get the Boys a Lift and the No Shame Foundation. Creative and heritage groups including Little Grebe Creative CIC, Pater Hall Community Trust, Milford Haven Community Society, Urdd Gobaith Cymru and the VC Gallery have also benefited.

Organisers said the event was an opportunity not only to reflect on achievements so far, but to strengthen partnerships and encourage further community involvement.

More information about the Bluestone Foundation is available via Bluestone Wales’ website.

PEMBROKESHIRE could benefit from lower bills, new jobs and fresh investment after the UK Government confirmed the largest ever round of clean energy contracts for solar, wind and tidal power.

The latest renewables auction, run through the government’s Contracts for Difference scheme, has secured 14.7 gigawatts of new electricity generation across Britain – enough to power the equivalent of sixteen million homes.

Ministers say the new projects will help cut household energy costs, reduce reliance on imported gas and speed up the shift to “homegrown” power.

Record solar and wind

The auction delivered the biggest ever procurement of solar farms in the UK, with 4.9GW agreed, alongside major onshore wind developments and new tidal stream schemes.

New onshore wind has been agreed at £72.24 per megawatt hour and solar at £65.23 per megawatt hour – both less than half the reported £147 cost of building and running new gas power stations.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said clean power was now the cheapest option for Britain.

He said: “By backing solar and onshore wind at scale, we’re driving bills down for good and protecting families, businesses and our country from fossil fuel price shocks.”

What it means for Pembrokeshire

While none of the named schemes are in Pembrokeshire yet, the announcement is likely to have local implications.

West Wales already plays a key role in the UK’s energy network, with the Port of Milford Haven handling major fuel imports and energy infrastructure, and growing interest in marine renewables in the Celtic Sea.

Industry figures say the move could:

• attract investment into floating offshore wind and tidal energy off the Pembrokeshire coast
• create supply-chain work through local ports and engineering firms
• open the door to community-owned solar or wind schemes
• help stabilise electricity prices for households and small businesses

The government recently outlined plans for community energy funding through Great British Energy, which aims to help towns and villages own and control their own renewable projects.

That could allow local groups or councils in Pembrokeshire to develop small-scale solar or wind schemes, keeping profits within the community.

Jobs and investment

Across the UK, the projects are expected to unlock around £5 billion of private investment and support up to ten thousand jobs during construction and operation.

Energy system officials say expanding domestic renewables will also protect families from the sharp gas price spikes that drove recent bill increases.

Low Carbon Contracts Company, which manages the auction process, said the results would provide “renewable electricity generation at scale” while giving investors long-term certainty.

Clean power push

The latest round follows a record offshore wind auction earlier this year and forms part of the government’s target to deliver largely clean electricity by 2030.

For Pembrokeshire – long associated with oil and gas – the shift signals a growing role in Britain’s next energy chapter.

With strong winds, open sea and established port infrastructure, the county is widely seen as one of the best-placed areas in Wales to benefit from the renewables boom.

If projects come forward locally, residents could soon see more turbines offshore, more solar panels inland – and, ministers hope, smaller bills landing on the doormat.