Crowds raise a glass as music, beer and community take centre stage under cover at Milford Waterfront

RAIN and drizzle couldn’t wash away the good vibes at this year’s Big Beer Festival, held at Milford Waterfront on Saturday (May 24).

Thanks to the large Ascona Group marquee, festivalgoers stayed warm and dry—apart from what they were drinking—as hundreds turned out to celebrate one of Pembrokeshire’s most anticipated events, organised by Milford Haven Round Table.

Supported by headline sponsors Milford Waterfront, Ascona Group and Thornton Motors, the festival delivered an unforgettable afternoon and evening of entertainment, street food, and a standout drinks menu—all while raising money for local causes.

The UK’s number one Stereophonics tribute act The Phonics headlined the event, electrifying the stage with iconic hits. Also performing live were Steve Bartram, Funktion 22, Kyle Kirkhouse, The Doovays, and Big Chicken—each met with cheers from the packed marquee as rain fell steadily outside.

Entry to the event was £25, which included four drink tokens and a limited-edition festival glass. Attendees could sample over 20 cask and craft beers, local ciders, lagers, prosecco and Pimm’s. Featured producers included Tiny Rebel, Mantle Brewery, Gethin’s Cider, and Pembrokeshire Cider Co.

Food lovers were spoiled for choice at the Thornton Motors Street Food Zone, where vendors such as The Junkyard Dog, Impasto Pizza Bar, and Get Loaded served up everything from gourmet hotdogs to handmade pizzas.

A strict Think 25 policy was in place throughout the event, ensuring a responsible and safe environment for all. Security staff praised attendees for their upbeat and respectful attitude.

The event ran until 10:30pm, closing with a crowd-wide singalong to “Dakota” beneath the bright lights of the marquee.

Organisers from Milford Haven Round Table expressed their thanks to everyone who braved the weather, the sponsors who made the event possible, and the volunteers who made it run so smoothly.

Staying dry under canvas: Toby Ellis, from Pure West Radio took a selfie of the crowd from the stage

Tenby’s iconic seaside hotel restored to its former glory

THE IMPERIAL HOTEL in Tenby has reopened following a major refurbishment, restoring one of Wales’ best-loved coastal landmarks to its former splendour.

Now under the ownership of Crest Hotels Group, the Grade II-listed building has undergone a comprehensive transformation blending 19th-century heritage with contemporary luxury. With its position overlooking South Beach, the revamped hotel boasts redesigned rooms, a stylish new lounge, and the launch of a modern dining experience, Essence, offering sweeping views across Carmarthen Bay.

Crest Hotels acquired the property in 2024 and have since delivered what they describe as a “sensitive but ambitious” restoration. Every element of the upgrade respects the historic character of the building, while bringing it in line with today’s expectations for comfort and quality.

Tracy Webb, General Manager at the Imperial Hotel, said: “Crest Hotels has given this hotel what it deserves. The refurbishment is beautiful and will have a hugely positive impact on Tenby. With the new spa and gym opening next year, it will bring something a bit different to the town.”

All guest rooms have been redecorated in sea-inspired tones of blue and green, and now feature high-end fittings including Hansgrohe power showers, luxurious Sleepeezee beds, air conditioning, and high-speed internet. Substantial improvements have also been made to the bar, restaurant, and the hotel’s iconic seafront façade.

The new restaurant, Essence, champions Welsh produce and caters for both residents and visitors. The menu includes everything from small plates to three-course meals, with local ales, craft beers, and bespoke cocktails. The hotel is also dog-friendly, providing canine guests with dog biscuits while their owners enjoy complimentary Welsh cakes.

Tracy added: “The aim is for the Imperial to be as busy in winter as it is in summer. Tenby is such a special place — it means holidays, happiness, sunshine. South Beach has always been my favourite since childhood, so to work here with that view every day is amazing.”

Jason Hiley, Managing Director of Crest Hotels, said: “We want to reclaim the Imperial as the place to go in Tenby — a hotel that locals and visitors alike are proud of. It needed some tender loving care, and we’ve brought back the style and elegance it always deserved.”

Tenby remains one of Wales’ most popular holiday destinations, known for its colourful harbours, golden beaches, and rugged coastal walks. The Imperial Hotel offers a prime base for exploring the wider Pembrokeshire coast, including landmarks such as Carew Castle, Caldey Island, St David’s Cathedral, and the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

For more information or to book a stay, visit: www.imperialhoteltenby.co.uk

CONSERVATIONISTS in rural Wales could be set to play a crucial role in saving endangered vultures thousands of miles away in Africa.

The Horstmann Trust in Carmarthenshire has been breeding vultures for more than 40 years, while Falconry Experience Wales at Adfa, near Newtown, Powys welcomed their first two Hooded Vultures two years ago.

Barry Macdonald and Luce Green, owners of Falconry Experience Wales, an award-winning raptor conservation and education attraction, hope to start breeding their two-year-old Hooded Vultures, Togo and Hope, within the next four years.

It’s hoped that their chicks will eventually be part of the wider conservation programme and also released into the wild in Africa, should the situation improve there.

The Welsh conservation work could be crucial to the survival of vulture species. In the last 20 years, vulture populations have crashed by up to 99.9% and nearly 70% of the 23 vulture species are now threatened with extinction.

Of the 16 African and European vulture species, 11 are facing extinction. Globally, of the 23 species, 14 are threatened with extinction, including the largest of all the flighted birds, the condors.

Falconry Experience Wales also owns Vinnie, an African White-Backed Vulture, the population of which has plummeted by 95%, as part of its collection.

The plight of species in South Africa was brought into sharp focus last week when 123 of – 102 White-Backed Vultures, 20 Cape Vultures and one Lappet-Faced Vulture, all listed as endangered or critically endangered – were poisoned in the Kruger National Park.

Poachers increasingly use agricultural toxins to target high-value species – not just vultures, but also lions whose body parts are in growing demand for traditional medicine.

The UK’s only dedicated vulture breed for release conservation charity, The Horstmann Trust is home to some of the world’s largest known captive populations, including Hooded, Egyptian and bearded vultures and Andean condors.

The trust focuses on conservation breeding of vultures and scientific research into their health and incubation. Its work directly supports other vulture conservation organisations around the world.

Vultures are the ultimate agents of balance in the ecosystems and are nature’s waste disposal experts. They clean up animal carcasses quickly and efficiently to limit the spread of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens including rabies, anthrax and cholera.

The direct and indirect actions of people are the largest single contributing factor to the dramatic decline in vulture numbers. Poisoning, poaching, powerlines, use in faith based medicine and loss of habitat are just a few examples.

Poachers often poison vultures because they signal to rangers when an elephant, rhino or lion has been illegally killed.

Barry and Luce are collaborating with the Horstmann Trust, who manage the European Endangered Species Program (EEP) for Hooded vultures, and hope that their pair and future offspring will play an important role within that programme.

“We have been aware of the persecution of vultures for years, but the situation has become much more critical,” explained Barry. “If it deteriorates to a point where these vultures are almost extinct in Africa, then the birds bred in captivity will be the only population to help the breed recover.”

Falconry Experience Wales has raised more than £5,000 to pay for GPS trackers to be attached to four Hooded Vultures in West Africa, so that researchers can monitor their movements for up to five years. They continue to raise funds for up-to-date surveys, ongoing vital research and poison response action kits.

The specially made trackers are attached to a harness on the birds and Barry plans to fly to Africa with a Spanish colleague, hopefully early next year, to fit them on the host Hooded Vultures.

Despite the crisis in Africa, he says there is hope. Asia saw a 99% decline in the vulture population a few years ago, as a result of a drug given to cattle which poisoned the birds when they fed on carcasses.

The loss of vultures is believed to have directly contributed to the deaths of half a million people due to the spread of diseases. However, the Asian vulture population is recovering now that people understand their vital eco-cleansing role.

Replacing vultures in the wild is not a quick fix. Barry explained that vultures don’t begin breeding until aged five to seven years and only raise one chick if successful.

“We have never bred birds before at Falconry Experience Wales, so this will be a new venture for us,” he added. “It’s only because of the threat of extinction that we have become involved.

“Our pair of Hooded vultures were bred in captivity in the UK but their ancestry is Guinea in West Africa.”

In addition to the vultures, Barry and Luce have also recently welcomed a Steller’s Sea Eagle, one of the world’s largest eagles which is classified as vulnerable by The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list.

The declining population is believed to be between 3,600 and 4,670 mature individuals, including 1,900 breeding pairs. The Steller’s Sea Eagle breeds in Russia and over-winters in Northern Japan.

Falconry Experience Wales is a member of MWT Cymru, an organisation representing more than 600 tourism and hospitality businesses across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Snowdonia).

Picture at top of page:

Luce Green with Hooded Vulture Togo at Falconry Experience Wales