TOURISM BUSINESSES SHOW GROWING CONFIDENCE AHEAD OF 2026 CEREMONY

VISIT PEMBROKESHIRE has reported a sharp rise in applications for its 2026 Croeso Awards, in what organisers say reflects growing confidence across the county’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The annual awards, which celebrate excellence in Pembrokeshire’s visitor economy, will return to the Atrium at Pembrokeshire College on Thursday, October 29.

Organisers say applications have risen by around a third compared with the 2024 awards, following efforts to encourage wider participation from businesses across the county.

This year’s scheme was opened to all tourism businesses in Pembrokeshire, not just members of Visit Pembrokeshire, with no application fee and free tickets for finalists.

The Croeso Awards are also linked to an eight-month mentoring programme run in partnership with The Celtic Collection and Pembrokeshire College, aimed at giving students practical experience and industry guidance as they prepare for careers in tourism and hospitality.

Emma Thornton, chief executive of Visit Pembrokeshire, said: “The increase in entries this year is hugely encouraging and demonstrates the passion, resilience and innovation that exists across our tourism industry. We wish all applicants the very best of luck.”

She added that while many familiar businesses continue to support the awards, organisers are keen to highlight the wider range of tourism operators helping to create memorable visitor experiences across Pembrokeshire.

With applications now closed, independent judges from outside Pembrokeshire will assess entries across 17 categories before finalists are announced on July 1.

The awards ceremony will take place later this year, recognising businesses that continue to help drive one of Pembrokeshire’s most important industries.

A MILFORD man has been sentenced for handling benches and a bike frame stolen from three separate properties in Haverfordwest.

This week Haverfordwest magistrates were told that during the night of July 16, 2025, a white van, driven by 29-year-old Simon Rees, was spotted close to where a number of burglaries had previously taken place in Haverfordwest.

 “A bike frame and two benches had been taken from the properties, and while there was no evidence linking the defendant to the burglaries, each of those stolen items were discovered inside his van,” Crown Prosecutor Linda Baker told the court.

A total of 8.3 grams of herbal cannabis was also discovered inside the van and inside Rees’ flat at Observatory Avenue, Hakin.

“Initially he said the garden benches had been given to him, but they were later identified by their owners as the ones stolen from their properties,” concluded Linda Baker.

Meanwhile the owner of the bike frame, Scott Phillips, said the incident has had a serious impact on his partner and teenage daughter.

“The situation has caused them to  be very upset,” he said in a victim impact statement read out to the court.

“People came into our garden which is a private place, and this made me angry and cross.  I’ve worked for years to get these items, but then someone just takes them away.”

Rees pleaded guilty to three charges of handling stolen goods and one charge of  possessing a controlled Class B drug, namely herbal cannabis. 

“This was a particularly difficult time in his life, after losing some close family members, losing his job, splitting up from his partner and losing contact with his children,” said his solicitor, Tom Lloyd.

“But he’s now doing very well.”

Rees was sentenced to a six month community order during which he must carry out a 60-day alcohol monitoring programme, five rehabilitation activity requirement days.  He was ordered to pay a £114 court surcharge and £85 costs and a destruction order was imposed for the herbal cannabis.

Defendant transported high-purity drugs from Cardiff to Pembrokeshire for £210

A PEMBROKESHIRE man caught transporting more than £15,000 of high-purity cocaine through Pembroke Dock town centre has been jailed for three years.

Police received intelligence on April 4 that a vehicle was expected to be bringing drugs into Pembrokeshire.

Just after 3:30pm, officers spotted the vehicle travelling west on the A477. It was later stopped in Dimond Street, Pembroke Dock, where Zamurd Hussain, aged 43, was found to be the sole occupant.

Inside the vehicle, officers discovered a clear plastic bag containing 123 grams of cocaine.

Sian Cutter KC, prosecuting, told Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday that Hussain had travelled to Cardiff earlier that morning and stayed for just one hour before returning west.

“He told the officers he had gone to collect the drugs in order to make some money,” she said.

The court heard Hussain was paid £210.15 to act as a courier, transporting the cocaine from a Cardiff dealer to Pembroke Dock.

Ms Cutter said the drugs, which had a street value of just over £15,000, were not for Hussain’s personal use and that his role was to move them on behalf of others.

When officers asked to see his mobile phone, Hussain shouted at a member of the public to take it from him. When police eventually seized the phone, he refused to provide the PIN.

Ms Cutter said Hussain had 17 previous convictions, including two drug-related offences for possession with intent to supply.

Hussain appeared before the court by video link from HMP Swansea, where he has been held on remand.

Defending, Hannah George KC said Hussain had suffered from a serious drug addiction for many years.

“He started smoking cannabis as a teenager and has had substance abuse issues for a considerable time,” she said.

“His use of cocaine worsened in 2020, which resulted in his previous conviction for possession with intent to supply.

“But since he has been on remand, he has used his time productively by completing numerous courses in relation to cannabis and drug misuse.”

Ms George said Hussain was eager to return to employment after serving his prison sentence and hoped to find work in the construction industry.

“He is supported by family members who will do all they can to help him remain on the right path once he is released,” she added.

Sentencing Hussain to three years in custody, Judge Huw Rees said: “It is startlingly obvious that drugs have been your downfall.”

The court heard that Hussain was a “drug addict” also made a forfeiture and destruction order for the cocaine found in Hussain’s vehicle and for his mobile phone.

However, he allowed Hussain to retrieve personal, non-contentious items from the phone, including photographs of his family.