From Castlemartin to Lower Town, new exhibition celebrates local people, places and wildlife

A GROUP of Pembrokeshire artists inspired by the county’s people, places and landscapes are showcasing their work at the Torch Theatre this July.

The exhibition, titled Out and About (Most of the Time), will be on display at the Joanna Field Gallery in Milford Haven throughout the month.

The artists, known as the “Homework Club”, meet weekly throughout the year to paint, sketch and develop their work. Many of the members first met while attending art classes with Pembrokeshire Learning.

Their pictures are inspired by locations across the county, from Castlemartin church to Lower Town in Fishguard, as well as local houses, wildlife, people and fellow artists.

When the weather allows, the group can often be seen painting outdoors in different parts of Pembrokeshire. On less favourable days, they gather indoors at one of their homes to work on still life subjects.

Paul King, one of the artists involved, said the group was looking forward to welcoming visitors and hearing their views on the work.

He said: “It will be really good to know what people visiting the exhibition think of the artwork.

“We’ve tried to vary what we paint and have visited places such as Castlemartin church and Lower Town in Fishguard. We’ve produced work featuring houses, people, wildlife and each other. Our pictures include all sorts really.”

Paul said painting in public often sparks curiosity and conversation.

He added: “It can be a little daunting when people come up to you and ask what and why you are painting, but it starts some interesting conversations and engagement.

“We aren’t in it to make money, we just enjoy ourselves. We are all amateurs. Some of us use ink, pencil or watercolours, and it’s not often we get oils out, but it’s great fun.”

The group previously exhibited at the Joanna Field Gallery last year and is now keen to gather more feedback from visitors.

This year, members are asking people to score the pictures and leave an overall comment. One completed feedback form will be drawn at random, with the winner receiving four Torch cinema tickets.

Paul said: “It’s a way of engaging with people, with the aim of finding people’s favourite picture and seeing what people really like and why.

“I’m really keen to know what people think of the pictures.”

Out and About (Most of the Time) can be seen at the Joanna Field Gallery, Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, throughout July during Box Office opening hours.

For further information, visit torchtheatre.co.uk or contact the Box Office on 01646 695267.

Ben Barrett remanded in custody ahead of Swansea hearing

A LLANDEILO man accused of rape has been sent to Swansea Crown Court.

Ben Barrett, 37, of Maes y Farchnad, Llandeilo, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Jul 2).

He is charged with rape, contrary to section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The alleged offence is said to have taken place in Llandeilo between March 21 and March 31, 2025.

No plea was entered during the magistrates’ court hearing.

The case was sent to Swansea Crown Court under section 51 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Barrett was remanded in custody and is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 3 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

CONCERNS are growing in Neyland after another vehicle collision added to long-running fears over speeding and road safety in the town.

Residents say the latest incident, in which a driver struck a parked vehicle, has renewed calls for action on Honeyborough Road and Kensington Road, where there have been repeated reports of vehicles losing control, wing mirrors being knocked off and damage caused to parked cars.

The issue has become a major concern for people living near the bend where Honeyborough Road leads into Kensington Road.

Earlier this year, a car mounted the pavement and crashed into the wall of a house on Kensington Road, prompting warnings that it was only “sheer good luck” that nobody had been killed or seriously injured.

Local community page Neyland News said there was “real public concern” about safety in the area, particularly on Honeyborough Road.

It said: “On Thursday a driver hit a parked vehicle. These incidents have happened a number of times with cars losing wing mirrors and scrapes to bodywork. This has been reported to the police and the county council.”

The post added that Pembrokeshire County Council is carrying out a topographical survey from Honeyborough Roundabout to Kensington Road, with proposals expected to follow for measures aimed at physically slowing traffic.

The post said: “This cannot come soon enough. I will keep everyone updated on this. I have asked the police to carry out much more regular speed checks. I am in direct contact with the Inspector.”

County councillor Simon Hancock, who represents the area and is also Pembrokeshire County Council’s presiding member, said speeding on Honeyborough Road and Kensington Road remained a serious concern.

He said: “Speeding on Honeyborough Road and Kensington Road are matters of great concern. A number of serious incidents have been reported recently but this situation is getting worse.

“I am pushing hard for much greater speed enforcement checks from the police and physical traffic calming measures from the highways department of Pembrokeshire County Council.”

The latest incident follows repeated warnings from residents and councillors about the risk to pedestrians, householders and drivers.

In February, Cllr Hancock called for traffic calming measures after a vehicle hit the wall of a house in Kensington Road. At the time, he said residents had attended a town council meeting to raise concerns about speeding vehicles losing control at the bend.

He said the incident was the fifth serious collision in nine years involving vehicles striking houses in the terrace.

Cllr Hancock said at the time: “Any pedestrians on the pavement at the time could have been killed or seriously injured. I have written to the chief executive, leader and cabinet member insisting on road traffic calming measures at this location.

“It is by sheer good luck that a terrible tragedy has been avoided.”

After the February collision, Pembrokeshire County Council said it was liaising with police to establish the cause before considering what measures the highway authority could take.

Residents are now waiting to see what proposals emerge from the latest survey work, with calls growing for visible enforcement and permanent traffic calming before a more serious incident occurs.