News

Haverfordwest: New book reveals town centre’s past glory

Published

7 years ago

May 29, 2019

FUNDING from Pembrokeshire County Council has enabled a book on the history of Haverfordwest shops to be published.

The book by local historian Pat Swales Barker – herself a well known shopkeeper – has been supported by a grant from the Council’s Haverfordwest Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) along with backing from the town’s Civic Society and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Said Pat: “I’ve been working on the book for some years and as one of the town’s shopkeepers, I’m pleased our family has had an investment in this aspect of the town’s history. It was the shops which made Haverfordwest a county town to be proud of.

“There was an immense variety of shops, small and large, family businesses, independents and chain stores all with their own stories.

“Sadly the last twenty years or so have seen a steep decline in the quality and size of the town’s shopping centre as more businesses have located outside the town.

“The book was an opportunity to record something of the fascinating history and tune into the nostalgia there is for what it used to be and I am grateful for the support from the local organisations.”

County Councillor Thomas Tudor, Chairman of Haverfordwest THI, said his group was pleased to be able to support the book.

He explained: “It is Important to recognise and record our proud past as we work to provide a successful future for Haverfordwest.

“With the completion of the new Glan-yr-afon / Riverside facility and, more recently, the Castle Link walkway together with the planned significant investment in future work, I am positive and optimistic for the future of Haverfordwest.

“It is all an integral part of the Haverfordwest Master Plan which aims to boost the footfall and economic activity of the town centre both day and night.”

‘The Shops of Haverfordwest’ by Patricia Swales Barker is available from Victoria Bookshop and other local outlets and from the author (tel: 01437 766107) price £7.99.

Pictured at the top of this article: Author Pat Swales Barker with Haverfordwest THI Chairman, County Councillor Thomas Tudor, and the new book.

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

13 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.