News

Pembrokeshire opticians to remain open to help take strain off NHS

Published

6 years ago

April 27, 2020

TWO SPECSAVERS stores in Pembrokeshire have been nominated by the Hywel Dda University Health Board to stay open as eye care hubs to help take pressure off the NHS.

Specsavers in Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock will remain open for urgent care only, as directed by the Welsh Government, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Eye care hubs are being set up across all the different health boards in Wales where optometrists will manage patients without having to refer them to a GP or hospital for many conditions.

Andy Britton, director of the Haverfordwest store, says: ‘These are testing times for everyone so it’s more important than ever to help ease the pressure off our amazing NHS and support our local community. This is a fantastic initiative set up by the Welsh Government and the health boards, which will, no doubt, save a great number of visits to a GP or the hospital.’

All Specsavers’ teams are classed as key workers to provide urgent and essential eye care to those who need it. This includes supporting other key workers who otherwise couldn’t work or function without their help, and people who would come to harm without care, especially where the usual hospital services and NHS facilities are being prioritised for the fight against COVID-19.

Mr Britton continues: ‘We’re prioritising key workers and people with urgent and emergency eye care needs and the team has been going above and beyond for our customers.

‘We want the local community to know that, while we are closed for routine appointments at the present time, we are still very much here to support people with their essential eye care needs – so please give us a call if you need us.’

The team has already supported a number of locals, including a vulnerable customer, who called the store after noticing a shadow in his left eye. He was found to have a retinal detachment, a condition which, left untreated, can lead to blindness, and had sight-saving surgery the next day at Glangwilli Hospital.

Optometrists in the store have also been conducting some examinations such as red eye over a video calling, saving the customer from leaving the house completely.

Mr Britton adds: ‘Eye health really matters, and this shows just how much urgent access to an optician can make a difference.’

Customers must call the stores if they need urgent support with a visual problem, or if they have issues with their sight, glasses or contact lenses. If anyone is required to attend the store, they will be asked to do so. Any face-to-face contact will be minimal, and will be handled in line with current government guidelines.

Community

Lower-cost family days out at Park Authority attractions this summer

Published

2 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Cerys Lafferty

FAMILIES planning a summer visit to Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, Castell Henllys and Oriel y Parc will benefit from reduced prices on selected tickets, events and children’s lunch boxes from June 25 to September 1.

The temporary reduction follows the UK Government’s decision to reduce VAT from 20 per cent to 5 per cent on eligible children’s menu meals and family leisure activities during the summer period.

Eligible child and family day tickets at Carew Castle and Tidal Mill and Castell Henllys will be included, along with selected events such as open-air theatre, concerts and Carew’s Grand Medieval Joust. Young Squires lunch boxes from Nest Tearoom at Carew Castle will also be reduced.

Discounts will be applied automatically at the till point, or at the online checkout for eligible event bookings.

James Parkin, Director of Nature and Tourism at Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said: “The summer holidays are an important time for families to enjoy days out together, but we know that costs can quickly add up.

“This temporary reduction will help make selected visits, events and children’s meals more affordable at the attractions run by the Authority. Our hope is that this will give families more opportunities to enjoy the National Park this summer.

“Carew Castle, Castell Henllys and Oriel y Parc each offer something different, from heritage and hands-on history to family events, exhibitions, food and outdoor space, and we look forward to welcoming visitors over the coming weeks.”

To find out what’s on across the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park this summer, visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/events.

Community

Woman rescued from coast path after ankle injury

Published

15 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Coastguard teams called to Dinas Island near Pwllgwaelod

A WOMAN was stretchered from the coast path near Pwllgwaelod after suffering an ankle injury.

HM Coastguard Fishguard was tasked at 5:22pm on Friday, June 27, alongside HM Coastguard Teifi, to assist the casualty on Dinas Island.

The teams attended the scene near Hendre Farm Campsite and Cottages and, with help from the landowner, were able to quickly locate the injured woman.

Her injured limb was immobilised before she was carried by stretcher to her nearby car, where family members were able to take her on to hospital.

Fishguard Coastguard thanked the landowner for their help.

Entertainment

This Ain’t Texas organisers admit Carmarthen festival ‘didn’t go exactly as planned’

Published

15 hours ago

June 28, 2026

Tom Sinclair

ORGANISERS of a country music festival held in Carmarthen have thanked visitors for their support while admitting that parts of the event “did not go exactly as planned”.

This Ain’t Texas Festival took place at the United Counties Showground on Saturday (Jun 27), promising live country music, line dancing, American BBQ, street food, western-themed stalls and family-friendly entertainment.

The event was part of a UK-wide tour, with the Carmarthen date promoted as a Nashville-style day out for families and country music fans.

But after the event, a number of attendees took to social media to raise concerns about queues, parking, food options and the overall organisation of the day.

In a statement posted online, organisers said: “Thank you, Carmarthen. What a day.

“Firstly, we want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came out and made this event so special. The support, energy, and positive feedback we’ve received across the country has been incredible, and we’re truly grateful for every single one of you.

“That said, we also know that not everything went exactly as planned. We’ve received some constructive feedback from attendees, and we want you to know that we’ve listened carefully.”

Some visitors said they had enjoyed the atmosphere, music and line dancing, while others said the event had fallen short of expectations.

One attendee said the day had been “very disappointing” after booking early-bird tickets and looking forward to the festival for months.

Another visitor said the bar queue was long, adding that they had queued for more than an hour, although they still felt the ticket price had been good value.

Others called for more food choice, including vegetarian options, and said parking and space on site would need to be reviewed if the event returned on a larger scale.

There was also praise for the local line dancing element, with one attendee saying it had “definitely added to the experience”.