Community

Haverfordwest man organises annual pub walk in memory of late father who had Parkinson’s

Published

4 years ago

May 16, 2022

Bob Ratcliffe is organising the annual Haverfordwest ‘Pub Walk’ for Parkinson’s UK on Saturday, June 11

A HAVERFORDWEST man is organising the annual Haverfordwest ‘Pub Walk’ for Parkinson’s UK on Saturday, June 11, in memory of his late father who had Parkinson’s.

Bob Ratcliffe’s father had Parkinson’s for many years, and insisted that after his death, his brain and spinal column went to Parkinson’s research. He passed away in June 2010.

The first pub walk Bob organised, which raised just over £700, took place in Nottinghamshire in 2011 and has since grown each year. In 2020, it raised £6,500 with a record 204 walkers taking part in the walk. The event is now part of the local ‘social calendar’.

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, and currently there is no cure. It affects around 145,000 people in the UK, including 7,600 in Wales. There are over 40 symptoms, from tremor and pain to anxiety.

Bob said: “Since my father passed away in 2010, we’ve been fundraising for Parkinson’s UK and the great work they do. After three Great North Runs, we decided to organise a less strenuous and more enjoyable activity which could be inclusive for all and so the annual ‘Pub Walk for Parkinson’s’ was established in 2011.

“Traditionally, it was always held on the Saturday nearest to my father’s birthday in March. The 2020 walk had 204 walkers and we raised about £6,000. I’m delighted that the walk back in Nottinghamshire continues with new organisers as it has become a part of the social calendar there. Having moved to Haverfordwest in January 2021, my wife Jane and I have planned a similar walk here on Saturday 11th June. It’s a circular 7.5 mile route from the Cricket Club on Dale Road with suitable stops arranged around the town to replace lost fluids! There will also be a large raffle in the cricket club after the walk.’’

Parkinson’s UK is the largest European charitable funder of Parkinson’s research, leading the way in driving better care, treatments and quality of life for those with the condition.

Ann Rowe, Head of Regional Fundraising at Parkinson’s UK, said: “We are so grateful to Bob for organising this walk for Parkinson’s UK.

“With more than 40 potential symptoms, Parkinson’s can devastate lives. We’ve made huge breakthroughs in the last 50 years, but there is still no cure and current treatments are not good enough. Fundraisers like Bob help us to drive forward the groundbreaking research we need to transform the lives of people affected by the condition.”

Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/haverfordwest-pub-walk-for-parkinsons-2022-tickets-260324596877

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

19 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.