Business
What is natural burial? Why not go and find out?

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WHEN people talk about burials they often think, headstones, grass trimmed within a few centimetres and pots of cut flowers. They are a place that focuses on the fact people have died, rather than the fact they have lived. However, at a natural burial ground, there is a very different feel to your traditional burial ground. There are no headstones to tend. Wildflowers buzzing with bees greet you, and the grass waving in the wind chirps with the sound of grasshoppers. It is a place that focuses on life and good memories, not death.
We got to experience this when we visited Pembrokeshire Natural Burial Ground who are celebrating their first year of offering natural burials in our beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside. As they prepare for their open day on the 14th of August 2021 it got them thinking about what people may like to know about their natural burial ground. How it works and how they can help those who wish to choose eco-friendly choices whether they opt for cremation or burial. They have explained a little bit more to us about who they are, what they can offer and how they can help families to create personal, unhurried funerals.

Pembrokeshire natural burials sit within the heart of Pembrokeshire by the village of Keeston. They are about 5 minutes from Haverfordwest and Newgale and are the first natural burial ground in Pembrokeshire. As you arrive at the meadow you are greeted by easy parking and new native hedgerows that are filled with wildflowers in the spring and summer. Venture slightly further and the breathtaking view of the Preseli Mountains in the distance welcomes you into the meadow.

Sarah said that the natural burial ground works on an eco-friendly ethos, ‘we put back into the ground what we take out of it. It’s about offering something personal to the families that use us while supporting native habitats’. At the natural burial ground families can have a meadow burial and sprinkle native wildflowers. They also have a corner where they are offering new native woodland plots. Ashes can be interred in plots or as part of a natural burial. There is also the option to include pets ashes as part of natural burial as they understand this is important. While they have a designated area for natural pet burial and pets ashes.

Natural burial is often a choice for those who love nature and being in the countryside and we can see why. Sarah explained to us that they work with nature. During the summer the wild grasses and wildflowers grow, when autumn approaches they mow the meadow ready to welcome next year’s wildflowers. In the summer months mowed winding paths lead you through the wild grasses to areas where funerals can gather. These are managed in a very sympathetic way to fit in with the natural surroundings. Around the meadow, you can wander the permissive walk, while people are welcome to visit from dawn to dusk throughout the year.

Managing the natural burial ground in this way also allows the land to be used sustainably and in current times we have realised the importance of sustainable development. It is something that we are starting to consider in everyday life. Why should the same not be said for the choices we make when we die? On occasion, you may even find the natural lawn mowers grazing the lower part of the meadow. Sarah said, ‘natural burial allows us to leave the lightest of footprints when we are gone.’

Memorials are not placed on graves to allow the natural burial ground to be managed sustainably and remain as natural as possible, however, there is a beautiful welsh oak memorial frame in the meadow. This houses simple welsh slate memorials for those who wish to have a memorial in the meadow. The natural burial ground also offers memorial trees and dedications for those who wish to have a tree in honour of a loved one.
You will find a few places in the meadow where you can stop, sit, remember and reflect but these are natural and down to earth. They include reused logs and a recycled water trough that was discovered when they were re-establishing the meadow. When the meadow was first purchased in 2019 it was very overgrown. Re-establishing the meadow has now encouraged wildlife-rich habitats. The natural burial ground also has plans that include re-establishing their wetland and building a memorial shelter. It is very much a work in progress and has already created a wonderfully wild meadow, full of birds, bees and the love of all those that have found a haven there. But take our word for it, if this is something you are interested in go and have a look for yourself.

Pembrokeshire Natural Burials is hosting its first open day on Saturday the 14th of August 2021. Sarah said that all are welcome, there will be coffee and cake. You can find out more about natural burial, eco-friendly funeral ideas and their nature projects. There is even a nature hunt inspired by their 7-year-old nature lover Jesse. Dogs are welcome too if you want to go and explore their permissive walk. If you are not free on this day you can always pop by in your own time or arrange a visit with Sarah at another time.
If you want to see what natural burial is about for yourself they are hosting an open day at Pembrokeshire Natural Burials. This is on Saturday the 14th of August 2021 between 10 am and 4 pm. You can pop along, grab a coffee with them. You can even take the dog for a wander around their permissive walk and get involved in a nature hunt around the meadow.
www.pembrokshirenaturalburials.co.uk
Pembrokeshire Natural Burials, Bridge Lane, Keeston, SA62 6EE
Contact Sarah: 07780 764 715 / [email protected]
@pembrokeshirenaturalburials
TO FEATURE YOUR BUSINESS ON THE PEMBROKESHIRE HERALD WEBSITE CALL 01646 454545
Business
Thai massage clinic opens bringing authentic therapy to Milford Haven

A NEW traditional Thai massage clinic has opened in Milford Haven, offering specialist treatments for chronic pain, mobility issues, and stress relief — with a strong focus on therapeutic results.
Cosmic Thai Massage, based at 7 Pill Road, is run by Lisa, a qualified therapist originally from Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand. Having lived in the UK for over a decade, Lisa has recently opened the business during her second week of trading and is already earning praise from early clients for her warm manner and clinical skill.

A single mother raising her young daughter, who attends a local primary school, Lisa has invested everything into launching her new venture. She is fully certified in medical massage by the Thai Ministry of Public Health, meaning she is trained not only in traditional Thai and oil massage, but also in treatments for conditions such as lymphoedema, back and neck pain, and muscular inflammation.
One recent visitor said the treatment helped with both lymphoedema and ankylosing spondylitis, noting that while parts of the session were painful due to the nature of the condition, “Lisa treated me with care, professionalism, and real compassion throughout.”
The business operates in a newly refurbished premises with a peaceful and hygienic environment. Clients are required to sign a medical consent form, and treatments are tailored to individual health conditions, with Lisa taking time to understand each client’s needs.
Services offered include:
- Traditional Thai massage
- Thai oil massage
- Deep tissue therapy
- Circulatory and lymphatic drainage
- Pain relief and mobility support for medical conditions
With many local residents struggling with access to NHS physiotherapy and long-term pain management options, businesses like Cosmic Thai Massage are filling a valuable gap in complementary healthcare.
Lisa told The Herald: “I want to help people feel better and bring Thai healing to Milford Haven. I’ve worked hard to make this space welcoming, and I’m so grateful for the support from the local community.”
Appointments can be booked online via:
👉 Fresha – Cosmic Thai Massage


Business
Headline sponsor announced for Wales Business Awards 2025

BEVAN BUCKLAND LLP, Wales’ largest independent accountancy firm, has been announced as the headline sponsor of the Wales Business Awards 2025.
The awards, organised by Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, celebrate the best of Welsh business. Winners across 12 categories, plus the Wales Business of the Year, will be announced at the ceremony which takes place on 12 June at Holland House Hotel, Cardiff and sees broadcaster Andrea Byrne return as host.
As headline sponsor of the event, Bevan Buckland will have a notable presence at the ceremony and drinks reception, as well as opportunities to connect with dignitaries, finalists and the Welsh business community.
With a history spanning over 125 years, the firm is a familiar fixture of the professional services sector across Wales, operating from offices in Carmarthen, Cowbridge, Haverfordwest, Pembroke and headquartered in Swansea.
Bevan Buckland has grown rapidly over the past few years, employing 140 staff and providing a full range of services. Using their extensive experience and expertise, the team at Bevan Buckland provide top level accountancy, audit, tax, corporate finance and financial planning services for individuals, businesses and not-for-profit organisations to help them achieve their goals.
The firm works with a diverse range of sectors including construction and property, charity and not-for-profit, creative industries, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and ecommerce, and small businesses and startups.
Alison Vickers, Managing Partner of Bevan Buckland LLP, said: “We are thrilled to be the headline sponsor of the Wales Business Awards, celebrating the remarkable achievements of Welsh businesses. Here at Bevan Buckland, our strong connection to Wales drives our passion for supporting the local business community. Witnessing the remarkable growth and success of so many Welsh businesses is truly inspiring. We are committed to celebrating their achievements and driving forward the entrepreneurial spirit and the continued excellence and ambition that define our region.”
Gus Williams, interim CEO at Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: “We’d like to thank all of our sponsors for their invaluable input, expertise in judging and support of the Wales Business Awards, and particularly extend our thanks to our headline sponsor Bevan Buckland. As we mark the successes of businesses in Wales, it’s fantastic to have the backing of a firm which is dedicated to helping businesses and organisations grow and thrive. It’s going to be an incredible ceremony!”
Business
Stepaside dog salon that opened illegally allowed to stay

A CALL to allow a Pembrokeshire village dog grooming salon to keep running as the applicant didn’t realise he needed planing permission, has been backed by county planners.
Andrew Bird, in an application to Pembrokeshire County Council through agent Matthew Hitches Architectural Services, sought permission for a retrospective change of use of a domestic outbuilding at Roslyn Hill, Stepaside, to a dog-grooming salon, along with access alterations.
The change of use was completed last October.
Amroth Community Council has raised no objection to the scheme, other than concerns about its retrospective nature, and has welcomed the access improvements proposed, having previously raised concerns about road safety in the immediate area.
A supporting statement accompanying the application for the part-time business said: 2The applicant has been using the building for this purpose for several months and was unaware of the need to apply for planning permission, as the business is located within an existing outbuilding on the property.”
It added: “The salon is currently used on a part time basis, three days per week. The salon has just one appointment in the morning and one in the afternoon. So, the maximum number of visitors to the property would be six per week. The applicant has no intention of expanding the business any further.
“The vast majority of the applicant’s current clients live within Stepaside and Pleasant Valley and most will journey to the salon on foot. Although the business is situated within the countryside, it is considered essential that this business be situated in this location as it offers a valuable service to the local community.
“If the business were to be located elsewhere, this would mean local residents would need to travel by car to use such services. The number of customers arriving by car is minimal and there is considerable space for parking and turning within the property, if needed. It is therefore considered there will be no detrimental effect on highway safety.”
An officer report recommending approval said: “Whilst the proposal would not derive inputs from the land and would not be an enterprise for which a countryside location is essential. It is considered that due to the re-use of an existing building, associated noise effects a countryside location away from an urban environment would be acceptable.
“Furthermore, it can be considered that an urban/industrial setting is considered to be counterintuitive to the welfare of dogs could result in additional noise. As such, in this instance in can be considered that a countryside location may be acceptable subject to the acceptability of detailed considerations.”
The application was conditionally approved by county planners.
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