News
Get hooked – Pembrokeshire Fish Week casts off on Saturday!

LOVE good food, enjoy coastal activities and the great outdoors, or just want some fun with family and friends?
Then you’ll definitely be hooked on Pembrokeshire Fish Week!
The festival takes place from Saturday June 22nd to Sunday June 30th with more than 200 activities and events all over the county celebrating our coastline, beaches and great local produce.
Launching the festival on Saturday, 22nd June is the Milford Fish Festival at Mackerel Quay, Milford Waterfront – a free entry event, with fishy fun for the whole family planned on the day.
Enjoy fresh seafood, local produce, street food, cookery and filleting demonstrations and live music! Browse the stalls, enjoy children’s craft and entertainment, take a short boat trip along the Cleddau and lots more. You’ll find all the event information at www.milfordfishfestival.co.uk
Also on 22nd June is the launch of the Saundersfoot Summer Festival by the Sea. The week-long event (www.visitsaundersfootbay.com) includes family beach safaris, sculpture workshops, a seaweed potion kitchen, and plenty besides!
And if you love your fish and seafood, then you’re in for a feast – Fish Week is packed with cookery demos and workshops, and the chance to tuck into delicious local produce.
Renowned celebrity chef Bryn Williams will be hosting one of the festival’s highlights – a Cookery Masterclass at the Merlin Theatre in Pembrokeshire College, Haverfordwest, on Monday, 24th June at 7.30pm.

Celebrity chef Bryn Williams will be hosting a cookery masterclass on Monday 24th June at the Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College – be inspired by one of Britain’s top chefs!
Hailing from Denbigh in North Wales, Bryn Williams has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in London, working under Marco Pierre White and Michel Roux among others.
Bryn is now the Chef Patron of Odette’s in Primrose Hill, London, and is also at Porth Eirias on the North Wales coast. He has also recently opened at Somerset House on The Strand, London.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Bryn back to Fish Week – come and be inspired by one of the most talented chefs in Britain!” said festival organiser Joe Welch.
The evening at the Merlin Theatre will be hosted by restaurateur, broadcaster and food writer Simon Wright.
Tickets are £15 and the event is supported by Blas y Tir and Twr y Felin Hotel.
And throughout Fish Week, local café and restaurants are putting their fresh local catch at centre stage.
Enjoy delicious seafood barbecues and pizzas, fresh fish feasts, Spanish paella, a wild food pop-up, seaside fish and chips and much more!
Café Môr are holding a seafood barbecue at Freshwater West with a surfing lesson thrown in – or why not join a seaweed cooking masterclass, with perhaps a seaweed-spiced rum cocktail or two!
Enjoy a British feast night at The Shed at Cardeeth, Cresselly, the ‘Taste of the Sea’ at the Grove Hotel, Narberth, and the finest Fresh Fish Creations at St Brides Hotel and Spa.
At Saundersfoot, the Stone Crab is serving up delicious harbour dressed crab salads all week while Harold O’Vinegars is selling the freshest local crab and lobster – and don’t miss the seafood pizza at the Shoreline Café!
Spoil yourself with a prosecco seafood brunch and other culinary celebrations at Ffwrn in Fishguard, locally-caught crab and lobster at Coco’s in Milford Haven, or a five-course tasting menu at Castell Malgwyn in Llechryd.
Delicious dishes to enjoy while overlooking the sea include a family-style feast at the National Trust café Runwayskiln at Marloes, a gourmet seafood and wine-tasting evening at the Griffin Inn at Dale, and a mouth-watering Fish Feast at The Druidstone.
Or if you fancy dusting off your flamenco dress, why not come along a paella and tapas evening with Spanish wines at Martha’s Vineyard in Milford Haven Marina!
There’s also plenty of fun outdoor activities – from crab-catching with sea friendly gear at Lower Town, Fishguard to a foraging walk with Julia Horton-Mansfield and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority – as well as wild flower walks, guided rock-pooling, fly-fishing lessons, and much more.
The festival’s closing weekend includes a great family fun day and raft race at Fishguard Harbour and a swashbuckling Pirate Day at Dale (both on Saturday 29th June) while the spectacular Saundersfoot Harbour Festival takes place on Sunday 30th June.
Pembrokeshire Fish Week is co-ordinated by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Food Development Team, part-funded by Welsh Government and supported by various organisations.
For full event details visit www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk or follow us on facebook (PembrokeshireFishWeek) or Twitter (@pembsfishweek #fishweek)
The Bryn Williams cookery masterclass will be held on Monday, 24th June at 7.30pm at Merlin Theatre, Pembrokeshire College, Haverfordwest. Tickets are £15. To book online, please view www.ticketsource.co.uk/pembrokeshire-fish-week-festival
Crime
Driver jailed after crashing into house and fleeing scene

A PEMBROKESHIRE man who crashed into a house after destroying a garden wall before fleeing the scene has been jailed.
Oliver Torkington, 39, from Tenby, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on January 22, where he pleaded guilty to multiple motoring offences, including careless driving, failing to stop after an accident, failing to report an accident, and driving without insurance.
The court heard that on July 14, 2024, Torkington was driving a Seat Leon on the A470 at Talerddig, Powys, when he failed to negotiate a right-hand bend. His vehicle ploughed through a stone garden wall before colliding with the corner of a house, causing significant structural damage. The impact resulted in cracks extending from the exterior walls into the interior of the property, leaving the homeowner with extensive repair costs and safety concerns.
Rather than stopping to assess the damage or exchange details, Torkington drove away from the scene. He also failed to report the accident to the police within the required 24-hour period. Investigators later traced the vehicle back to him, leading to his arrest.
During sentencing, the court was told that Torkington was uninsured at the time of the crash.
Magistrates handed him a nine-week custodial sentence, citing the seriousness of his offences and his disregard for the law. In addition to his prison term, he was ordered to pay £110 in costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
He also had 10 points added to his driving licence, which will significantly impact his ability to drive legally upon release.
Torkington, who is currently serving a separate sentence at HMP Parc for a violent assault, was also warned about the potential consequences of further driving offences upon his release.
Approximately four months ago, he was convicted of a serious attack against his former partner in St Clears. During the assault, he punched, strangled, and stamped on the woman in a fit of jealous rage after seeing her speaking to a doorman during a night out. The victim suffered a broken finger and continues to experience ringing in her ear as a lasting impact from the attack. During sentencing for that offence, the judge criticised his behaviour, describing it as immature and reckless.
Magistrates stressed the importance of road safety and accountability, particularly in cases involving dangerous driving and damage to property.
The case highlights the severe penalties for drivers who fail to take responsibility for their actions on the road and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of driving with care and proper insurance.
Community
Is enough being done to tackle fly-grazing?

A PEMBROKESHIRE road was closed after horses were running loose during rush hour yesterday (Wednesday, February 12), raising further concerns over the ongoing problem of fly-grazing in the county.
The incident occurred on the A477 near Nash Fingerpost junction at 8:50am. The road was shut while the horses were removed.
A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Dyfed-Powys Police received a report of two horses loose on the A477 near to Nash Fingerpost junction at around 8:50am yesterday (February 12). The horses were safely moved from the road.”
This latest disruption comes as Pembrokeshire County Council and Dyfed-Powys Police continue their efforts to tackle the growing problem of horses being left on public land and highways. Known as fly-grazing, the issue has been causing increasing safety concerns and public disruption across the county.
Authorities launched a joint initiative over the Christmas period, aiming to combat the issue through a coordinated operational effort. However, with roads still being closed due to roaming horses, many are questioning whether enough is being done to address the problem effectively.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenge of managing fly-grazing incidents and ensuring public safety.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any concerns about fly-grazing by contacting [email protected] or calling 01437 764551.
Crime
Carmarthen man sentenced for offences under Malicious Communications Act

MATTHEW THOMAS, 47, from Carmarthen, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates Court today (Thursday, February 13, 2025) where he was handed a 16-week custodial sentence following an investigation led by Counter Terrorism Policing Wales.
Thomas, who pleaded guilty to two offences under the Malicious Communications Act, was given an 8-week custodial sentence for each charge and will be subject to a 12-month probation.
Reporting won’t ruin lives, but it could save them. Action Counters Terrorism. Remember, in an emergency, always dial 999.
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