News
Narberth’s old library declared ‘surplus’ and will be up for sale

NARBERTH’S old library will go up for sale following the backing of senior councillors.
At the May meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, the St James Street library was declared surplus.
The building – a former chapel – was declared surplus as Narberth is to get a new library as part of the redevelopment of the town’s former Narberth CP school site, which is expected to be handed over to Pembrokeshire County Council by local developers Andrew Rees and Charles Salmon – of Narberth Old School Developments – in early June.
Once it is handed over, the library will be fitted out ahead of its scheduled opening in early 2024.
A temporary library is currently operating in the town’s Bloomfield House Community Centre while repairs are undertaken at the St James St site.
The St James Street site – operating since the 1980s – will continue to provide library services in Narberth until the new library is completed.
Whilst a capital receipt will be generated from the disposal of the former Narberth Library, £55,000 of it will be required to fund the £55,000 budget pressure on the new library project, a report for Cabinet members stated.
At the May 22 Cabinet meeting, Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change Cllr Paul Miller described the new town library as “another good news story in my book”.
He said the new library would compare favourably with other new libraries in Haverfordwest and Neyland, as well as the forthcoming South Quay library in Pembroke.
He praised the role of all involved in the new library, adding: “This is an example of us investing in our communities”.
Cllr Miller finished, saying: “Without ‘honking on,’ three brand-new libraries in the last few years, it’s just a microcosm of going back to investing in our communities, it’s one of the many services where we are making a difference.”
The report for members said other options for the old library had been considered: “The council could decide not to dispose of the asset and instead try to repurpose. However, no service has expressed an interest or budget identified to deliver the works necessary to the property to make it suitable for any alternative use.
“The council’s Corporate Asset Management Board have considered the future of the asset and deemed it surplus. Retention of the asset would require a change of use (a planning application), substantial capital and the identification of an end user.”
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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