A GROUP of loose horses caused alarm near Pembroke Leisure Centre on Sunday (March 30), prompting a police response and reigniting concerns over the ongoing issue of fly-grazing in Pembrokeshire.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended the scene to ensure public safety and attempt to secure the animals, which had been spotted wandering in the area.

This latest incident comes amid growing frustrations over repeated occurrences of horses roaming freely on roads and public land, or on private land without the landowner’s permission.

The problem of fly-grazing—where horses are left to graze on land without consent—has become a serious issue across the county, with multiple cases reported in recent months including at St Daniels Hill in Pembroke. In that case, horses were eventually removed following a long struggle by landowner Paul Hay, who said the situation had caused significant distress and called for new legislation to protect the public.

Last month, one local resident reported her father suffered head injuries and wrote off his car after hitting a loose horse on the A477 in the dark. Despite the severity of the incident, no further police action was taken, fuelling anger among residents.

County Councillor Jonathan Grimes has been liaising with local authorities and police in a bid to address the issue, while members of the public have also come forward to share experiences of property damage and road closures.

The Herald has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for a statement about the latest incident.

Anyone with concerns about loose horses which may cause a danger to traffic or pedestrians can call the police on 101. In an emergency, always call 999.

THE FUNERAL arrangements have been announced for Matt Baker, affectionately known as ‘Mr Good Times’ of Haverfordwest.

Matt passed away on March 15 aged 49. He was the much-loved son of Phyllis and stepson to Aad, and son to the late Paul. He was a devoted brother to Reuben, his wife Cath, and Simeon, and a beloved uncle to Aston, Dylan and Axel.

Matt was well known in the local community for his cheerful nature, positive outlook and ability to bring people together. His presence will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

His funeral service will take place on Saturday, April 12 at 11:00am at Pembrokeshire College Theatre. This will be followed by interment at Freystrop Cemetery.

Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Matt, in aid of mental health causes, can be made via a donation box at the wake following the interment.

All enquiries should be directed to Roy Folland & Son Funeral Directors on (01437) 763821.

TENBY was transformed into a spectacle of steam-powered imagination and Victorian flair over the weekend, as the much-anticipated Tenby Steampunk Festival returned for its second year.

Running from Thursday to Saturday (March 28–30), the festival brought a colourful wave of eccentric costumes, quirky contraptions and community spirit to the seaside town, drawing visitors from across the UK – and even further afield.

Following its hugely successful debut in 2024, this year’s festival was bigger, bolder and even more inventive. Organisers say the event is quickly becoming a staple in the town’s cultural calendar, with national recognition already flowing in. Travel publisher Rough Guides previously hailed it as “a fabulous new festival that offers a window into British eccentricity in one of the UK’s best seaside towns.”

Crowds gathered across Tenby to take part in a host of whimsical and imaginative events, from the ever-popular teapot racing to the fiercely contested Tea Duelling championships – where biscuits met their doom in dramatic dunk-offs.

One of the weekend’s standout experiences was Tea with the Time Traveller, a theatrical nod to H.G. Wells’ classic The Time Machine, which blended storytelling with a touch of the surreal. Meanwhile, new attractions such as airship racing from the dramatic St Catherine’s Island captivated audiences with their creativity and spectacle.

The festival’s beating heart was the De Valence Pavilion, which housed a bustling Steampunk Emporium, a community art exhibition, and a packed programme of stage entertainment. A special screening of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea added a cinematic flourish, complete with a steampunk-themed introduction to transport viewers beneath the waves.

Two spectacular Peacock Parades drew hundreds to the streets on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm, weaving their way through Upper Frog Street, Tudor Square, the Harbour, and Crackwell Street in a celebration of colour, costume and community spirit.

Festival-goers also flocked to Church House to enjoy live performances, including the much-loved steampunk cabaret artist Madam Misfit. For those with a taste for the macabre, Victorian ghost walks, Scary Games and a Paranormal Experiment offered something a little darker.

The Victorian photographic parlour proved a hit across the weekend, allowing visitors to capture themselves in timeless, sepia-toned style.

Anne Draper, Tenby’s community engagement officer and the driving force behind the festival, said the energy in the town was “electric.”

“We’ve been blown away once again,” she said. “People came from all over – and the streets really came alive. Steampunk folk don’t just attend the event, they are the event.”

Organised entirely by volunteers, the festival celebrates not just steampunk culture, but the creativity and inclusiveness of Tenby’s community.

Plans are already in motion for next year’s festival, with organisers promising even more magic in 2026.