BILINGUAL road signs across parts of west Wales have been deliberately defaced, with English place names sprayed over in what politicians have described as targeted acts of vandalism.

Incidents have been reported in St Clears, Welshpool and Burry Port in recent days, with the English wording obscured while the Welsh language names were left untouched.

The damage has prompted criticism from Andrew RT Davies, the South Wales Central Conservative Member of the Senedd, who said the attacks were “disgraceful” and risk fuelling division within communities.

In St Clears, Carmarthenshire, black paint was sprayed across the English name on entrance signage, while the Welsh version, “Sancler”, remained clearly visible. The town itself dates back to the 12th century as an Anglo-Norman settlement, with the Welsh name derived from the original English.

Similar reports have emerged from Welshpool in Powys and Burry Port on the Carmarthenshire coast, where bilingual signs have also been tampered with.

Mr Davies said: “These attacks, presumably carried out by Welsh separatist activists, are disgraceful.

“The English language is central to Welsh culture.

“Attempts to erase it are completely unacceptable and must be condemned.”

He added that road signs are there for safety and navigation and should not be used to make political statements.

Local residents have also voiced frustration, with some pointing out that obscuring parts of signs could pose a risk to drivers unfamiliar with the area, particularly visitors and tourists.

Bilingual signage has been standard across Wales for decades, reflecting both Welsh and English as everyday languages used by communities. While the vast majority of signs remain untouched, the recent incidents appear to have been deliberate and selective.

Police have not yet confirmed whether any arrests have been made, but anyone with information about damage to public property is urged to contact their local force.

Anyone who spots vandalised signage is also advised to report it to their local council so repairs can be arranged quickly.

YOUNG players from Pembrokeshire and Fishguard enjoyed an evening of friendly competition and learning as Fishguard Junior Chess Club welcomed Pembrokeshire Chess Club Juniors for a lively inter-club match.

Fourteen juniors took part in a series of games, gaining valuable experience across the boards while putting their developing skills into practice. Coaches from both sides said it was encouraging to see not only improving tactics and confidence, but also the traditional etiquette of the game on full display.

Handshakes, quiet concentration and respectful play summed up the night, with sportsmanship praised as highly as the results.

While everyone enjoys winning, organisers stressed that chess is also about patience, discipline and respect — qualities that serve players well both at the board and beyond.

One standout performance came from Pembrokeshire captain and board one Harry Harling, who secured two impressive results against an opponent around 150 grading points higher and several years his senior.

Growing numbers

The club continues to go from strength to strength, with ten new junior members joining in recent weeks. That brings total junior membership to 25, prompting sessions to be split into two groups to ensure coaching can be tailored to different ages and abilities.

Plans are already in place for Fishguard to make a return visit to the Pembrokeshire club’s Steynton headquarters, giving those who missed out this time a chance to take part.

The wider aim, organisers say, is simple: to grow junior chess locally and give as many young people as possible the opportunity to play competitively.

That philosophy is already bearing fruit, with under-11 Henry Burton recently stepping up to represent the adult side on board one — an opportunity he is said to be relishing.

What’s next

Attention now turns to the half-term trip to Llanelli on February 18 for a return fixture against White Knights, with thanks given to Jason Garcia for organising the match.

There is also talk of arranging games against the newly formed Haverfordwest Chess Club, with both senior and junior players expected to take part, ensuring newcomers and experienced competitors alike get time at the table.

The club also congratulated friends at Redhill High School for fielding three teams at the Welsh Secondary Schools Championship, where they competed with distinction.

With more fixtures in the diary and growing enthusiasm among young players, junior chess in Pembrokeshire looks to be firmly on the move.

A NEW pop-up exhibition celebrating local history, identity and creativity is set to open at the Torch Theatre in Milford Haven, showcasing artwork created by customers and partners of ateb Housing Association.

The free exhibition brings together a year’s worth of creative work produced through the Wales REACH project, which encourages participants to explore Pembrokeshire’s heritage while building confidence, skills and social connections.

Through workshops, visits and shared activities, residents have developed a varied collection of personal and community-focused pieces reflecting their own experiences and the stories of the county.

Among the featured works is Museum in a Bag, a reflective look at identity and self; REACH for the Landsker Line, which examines Pembrokeshire’s cultural divide through Norman castles and the Welsh language; and REACH Back in Time, a textile sculpture inspired by the history of Milford Haven.

An interactive scroll will also be on display, inviting visitors to add their own memories and reflections, alongside an oral history recorded by an ateb customer and disability rights advocate, offering a powerful first-hand account of life and resilience.

Organisers say the project has had clear benefits beyond the artwork itself.

Rex, an ateb customer who took part, said: “I have enjoyed the planned sessions – being able to get out and about and take part in the activities where possible. I also enjoyed the social aspect, mixing with other residents, sharing our local knowledge of the area and learning new facts.”

Another participant, Joan, added: “It has revived my school-level love of history. I am loving all the given work with interest.”

Project Officer Anne Kerr-Hughes said she had seen noticeable improvements in wellbeing and confidence.

She said: “We’ve noticed so many positive changes – from people trying new things and learning new skills to gaining the confidence to travel independently. One lovely outcome has been more residents using the local bus service after trips to the archives in Haverfordwest. It’s been heart-warming to see.”

The Wales REACH project has been supported by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, with partners including Open University in Wales, Amgueddfa Cymru and People’s Collection Wales.

The exhibition runs from Tuesday, February 10 to Saturday, February 14, with visitors welcome to drop in during opening hours.

Entry is free and open to all.