News
The Torch Theatre is temporarily closed ‘until May’ due to coronavirus

THE TORCH THEATRE has announced that it will close until May due to the coronavirus.
Management have said that this puts the venue in a “very precarious financial situation”.
As the theatre is reliant on the income from tickets to operate as a business, the closure is likely to have a “devastating impact on the organisation”, the official statement said:
The full statement from the Torch Theatre management is as follows:
“In response to the to the Government announcement that people should avoid public spaces such as pubs, clubs and theatres, and under advice from UK Theatre (the UK’s professional performing arts membership organisation), we regret to inform you that we have temporarily closed the Torch Theatre to the public. This takes place with immediate effect and whilst the advice for closure is currently undefined, we anticipate being closed until at least Thursday, 30th April 2020.
“Public health is the first priority
“This has been a very difficult decision to make but the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic is now at heightened levels and the health and safety of our audiences, customers, staff, volunteers and performers is the number one priority. We believe that to temporarily close to the public is the best decision based on the advice at hand.
“Please do not contact box office
“A number of touring companies have already asked to postpone their performance date(s) here. We are now in the process of contacting the performers and production companies who are due to perform at the Torch Theatre during this period of closure, with the intention of rescheduling the shows to a date later in the year. If you have a ticket(s) for a forthcoming performance our Box Office team will be in contact with you. Please be patient and bear with us, there are a high number of customers to contact and our team are working at full capacity under difficult circumstances.
“Help protect and secure the future of the Torch Theatre
“As a registered charity, this closure and the decline in business over previous weeks has placed the Torch Theatre in a very precarious financial situation. We are reliant on the income from tickets to operate as a business and this closure is likely to have a devastating impact on the organisation. We really need your help to secure the future of the theatre and all the work we do in the community. We ask that if you can afford to do so, that you donate the value of your ticket(s) to the Torch Theatre. Those who are unable to donate their tickets will be offered credit to be used at a later date.
“Stay well and we look forward to welcoming you back
“We appreciate that these are very difficult and uncertain times. The news is changing daily on COVID-19, and we will keep you updated on any further news and developments through our social media channels and website. For the meantime, we urge you to remain safe and look after one another. We are determined to be back delivering an exceptional experience to our patrons as soon as is safe and look forward to welcoming you back to the theatre then.
News
A40 closed after serious crash near Wolfscastle

AIR AMBULANCE LANDS AT SCENE AS TRAFFIC DISRUPTED
THE A40 between Wolfscastle and Haverfordwest was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon (Apr 11) following a serious road traffic collision.
The crash, which was first reported at 12:10pm, prompted a significant emergency services response, including Dyfed-Powys Police and the Wales Air Ambulance, which was seen landing at the scene shortly after the incident.
AA Roadwatch confirmed that the road was shut in both directions, with slow-moving traffic and congestion reported in the surrounding area for several hours after the collision.
Police urged motorists to avoid the area and to seek alternative routes while emergency crews dealt with the incident.
At the time of writing, no official update has been given on the number of vehicles involved or whether there were any injuries. Dyfed-Powys Police have been approached for comment.
Traffic disruption remains ongoing, with live road maps showing long delays approaching Haverfordwest from the east.
More updates will follow as information becomes available.
Crime
Police investigate alleged assault at Milford Haven property

OFFICERS from Dyfed-Powys Police have been maintaining a presence at a property on Marble Hall Road, Milford Haven, as part of an ongoing investigation into an assault.
The Herald understands that the front door of the property has been boarded up with plywood, prompting concern and speculation from local residents.

A spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police said: “Officers have been undertaking scene preservation in relation to an investigation of assault.”
No further details have been released at this stage, and it is not yet known whether any arrests have been made.
Residents told The Herald they noticed police activity at the address earlier this week, with officers attending the property and cordoning off the area.
The Herald will provide further updates as more information becomes available.
Business
Haverfordwest opticians celebrate 100 years of long service

WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.
At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.
Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.
Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.
Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’
Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.
Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.
Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’
To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.
Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.
Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.
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