News
Tenby Museum receives funding

A NEW research project to support Tenby Museum and Art Gallery has been made possible with funding by Arwain Sir Benfro. The Museum for the Community Project explores options for the future of the Museum which reaches its 140th anniversary in 2018 and helps to place it in the heart of Tenby.
Arwain Sir Benfro – the Local Action Group (LAG) for Pembrokeshire, administered by PLANED have provided funding of £8,500. This is funded through the LEADER programme, which is part of the Welsh Government Rural Communities Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, Funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
Michael Williams, Chair of Trustees, said: “As Tenby Museum and Art Gallery reaches its 140th anniversary and by obtaining this valuable grant funding it has been possible to conduct feasibility studies which have given the Trustees many ideas for ways to ensure a sustainable future for the museum. We want to increase visitor numbers and look forward to another 140 years and I hope the local residents will join the museum on its journey and continue their support.”
He continued: “The Trustees are keen to ensure that the museum will continue to offer all it can to the local community and visitors. With the aid of this funding, and with a generous contribution from the Friends of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery as well as volunteer help, we commissioned Headland Design to create and carry out visitor surveys in the area to find out what people want of their local museum.
“The Trustees have spoken to the local authorities and others who are interested in having a successful, vibrant museum in the town and serving the community. The reports are now being studied to explore ways in which to bring to the people of Tenby the tales and treasures which make Tenby what it is today and can be in the future. Looking to the future and with a view to creating more community spaces and extended display and family research areas, the grant enabled the Trustees to commission a local architect to develop some new ideas on what the layout of building could look like.”
Kate Lindley, LEADER Project Officer said: “This is just one example of the great projects being delivered in the county. PLANED, now celebrating its 30th year has helped communities in Pembrokeshire to access over £25m worth of funding during that time.
“Arwain Sir Benfro is currently supporting project ideas from local community groups, organisations and businesses. As the Local Action Group for Pembrokeshire, we bring together a mix of local community representatives, business, third sector, local authority partners.
“We designed and are now implementing the Local Development Strategy for Pembrokeshire. The group is supporting projects which test new ideas that benefit the county and contribute to a competitive, productive and sustainable local economy.”
LEADER is supporting all kinds of activity: mentoring, training, feasibility studies or pilot projects that test an innovative new idea. It can also be used for projects that improve local skills, make better use of a local resource or realise the economic potential of part of the locality leading to a ‘new’ outcome or product.
News
Tenby councillors seek new member to fill vacancy

TENBY TOWN COUNCIL is inviting residents to put their names forward to fill a vacant seat on the council following the resignation of a councillor.
The council will be filling the role by co-option, rather than holding a by-election. This means that eligible individuals can apply directly to be considered, and councillors will then vote to select a new member.
Anyone interested must be over the age of 18 and meet standard criteria such as living or working in the Tenby area.
The vacancy is in the South Ward. The successful candidate will join the remaining members of the council in representing the town on local issues.
Those wishing to be considered should submit a letter or email outlining their interest and suitability for the role by 12:00 noon on Friday, July 5, 2025.
Applications should be sent to the Town Clerk, Andrew Davies, at Tenby Town Council, The De Valence Pavilion, Upper Frog Street, Tenby, SA70 7JD, or by email to [email protected].
The co-option will take place at the full council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, July 9, 2025.
Business
Much-loved Narberth restaurant Madtom closes and goes on the market

A POPULAR restaurant in Narberth has closed its doors and is now up for sale.
Madtom Land & Sea, known for its fresh seafood and highly rated dining experience, announced the closure this week, bringing an end to six years of trading in the bustling Pembrokeshire town.
The team behind Madtom shared the news on social media, saying the decision had been made “with a heavy heart” and that it was “time to slow down a little, gather our thoughts and focus on the next chapter.”
The restaurant, which boasts more than 300 Tripadvisor reviews and a near-perfect Facebook recommendation rating, has now been listed for sale. Interested parties are encouraged to get in touch to arrange viewings.
The statement thanked customers and staff, saying: “Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past six years, and to our fantastic team—we couldn’t have done it without you.”
The announcement prompted an outpouring of messages from loyal customers and locals.
Kevin Clarke wrote: “Amongst the best dining experiences in Pembrokeshire. Good luck for the next chapter.”
Sue James-Davies said: “Very sorry you are closing but wish you all the very best for the future. Narberth won’t be the same without you.”
Caroline Husecken added: “So sad that you have closed—you will be so missed by us all in Narberth. You have been a huge asset to the town.”
The business is currently being marketed via private enquiry.
Community
West Wales marchers press on as Egyptian authorities crack down on Gaza protest

No reports of Pembrokeshire detentions as international participants face violence and deportation
ACTIVISTS from Pembrokeshire taking part in the Global March to Gaza remain on course to reach the Rafah border crossing on Sunday (June 15), despite a sweeping crackdown by Egyptian authorities on demonstrators from across the world.
The Herald understands that no members of the West Wales delegation, including Jim Scott and Tasmin Nash, have been detained, and Scott remained active on social media as recently as Friday morning.

However, disturbing scenes have emerged from Cairo and beyond, where activists from countries including France, Spain, Turkey, Canada, and the UK have had their passports confiscated, been forcibly removed from checkpoints, and in some cases physically assaulted by men in plain clothes. Footage circulating online shows demonstrators being kicked and dragged away, while some tried to defend themselves by throwing water bottles.
According to organisers, at least 40 protesters had their passports seized and were held in the heat without being allowed to move. Others—around 15 activists—are being held in hotels under restriction.
Among those confirmed detained are:
- Paul Murphy, Irish MP
- Faruk Dincer, Turkish MP (reportedly injured during arrest)
- Hala Rharrit, former US diplomat who resigned in protest over Washington’s handling of the war
Murphy posted: “We have had our passports confiscated and are being detained. It seems Egyptian authorities have decided to crack down on the #GreatMarchToGaza. We are refusing to board the deportation bus.”
The Global March to Gaza involves over 4,000 people from 80 countries, including a delegation of West Walians who set off from Al Arish on Friday morning for a 30-mile, three-day trek across the Sinai desert, aiming to reach Rafah on Sunday.
A separate 2,000-strong convoy travelling from Tunisia was also stopped by security forces in eastern Libya on Friday.
Despite the chaos, Jim Scott, a tree surgeon from Mathry, and CND Cymru delegate, has not reported any arrest or obstruction, telling supporters on Thursday night: “I’m OK. Safe for tonight. But an insane day. Completely insane.”
Tasmin Nash, an art curator and mother of four from Pembrokeshire, also remains unconfirmed among any detained. Speaking earlier this week, she said: “I cannot rest. I cannot stay silent. Now is the time to mobilise our passion and humanity. We are united for justice and solidarity for Palestine.”
The crackdown reflects Egypt’s tense balancing act. As the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel and a major recipient of US military aid, Egypt has attempted to publicly call for peace while suppressing grassroots pro-Palestinian actions within its borders.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday that he expected Egypt to “halt demonstrators at the Egypt-Israel border”, adding that their arrival would “endanger the security of IDF soldiers” and would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Israel has allowed limited aid into Gaza since last month, but international aid groups and UN agencies warn that the volume is nowhere near sufficient to meet the needs of the population. The humanitarian situation remains catastrophic.
Organisers of the march have called on embassies to intervene to secure the release of detained protesters, stressing: “We are a peaceful movement, and we are complying with Egyptian law.”
The Herald will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as the West Wales delegation nears Rafah.

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