News
First Pembrokeshire beach-side Changing Place facility opened

AN IMPORTANT facility supporting disabled access to Pembrokeshire’s Blue Flag beaches has been opened in time for the summer season.
As part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s commitment to improving facilities and access to opportunities across the County, a Changing Place and Family Room has been developed at Whitesands beach, St Davids.
This will improve inclusivity at this popular destination and allow those who may otherwise not be able to visit due to lack of facilities to accommodate their needs to enjoy the area.

A Changing Place facility has more space and essential equipment including a height adjustable, adult-sized changing bench, a peninsular toilet, privacy screen and ceiling hoist.
Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett said: “Many people, and especially adults, with disabilities cannot use standard accessible toilets because they require specialised equipment and extra space for themselves and their carers. This means inadequate toilet provision can often be a barrier for days out and limits opportunities to enjoy places in the same way as non-disabled individuals.
“The installation of a Changing Place facility at this location will ensure a fully inclusive opportunity is available for all. It will enhance and expand on the current offering for those persons with a disability at this designated easy access beach, which currently includes a standard accessible toilet and a beach wheelchair hire scheme in the summer.
“This is Pembrokeshire’s first beach-side Changing Place facility, we hope that if this is successful we can identify other areas which would benefit from such a development.”
Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority Beach Wheelchair and Outdoor Mobility Co-ordinator, Angela Robinson added: “The Changing Place facility is going to make a huge difference to the local community and tourism as we move forward in making the Pembrokeshire Coast more accessible for all.
“The new facilities are a welcome step in the right direction and complement the beach wheelchair and rollator, which are available to hire for free at Whitesands.”

The Family Room is a first for Council owned or managed public convenience sites and recognises the difficulties families can experience using toilet facilities. The room provides a standard size toilet as well as a smaller one aimed at younger children, a baby changing unit and a large space to accommodation pushchairs.
The redesign and redevelopment of the existing building also includes enhancements to the interior and exterior and installation of a water refill station.
Access to the Changing Places toilets is available for those who require the use of this specialised equipment. A key card can be collected from Whitesands Beach House Café, the Car Parking Attendant on site or Oriel Y Parc Visitor Centre in St Davids, during operational hours.
The project has been part funded by the Welsh Government’s Brilliant Basics Fund 2022-2023 to improve the visitor experience across Wales and match funded by Pembrokeshire County Council.
Deputy Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Dawn Bowden, said: “The projects supported through the Brilliant Basics fund make a real difference. Local tourism amenities have a big part to play in making a trip a memorable one. These facilities often go unnoticed, but they are an important part of a visitor’s experience and also benefit those who live in the area.”
More about beach wheelchairs and the other mobility equipment that is available to hire for free can be found online at Pembrokeshire Coast.
Crime
Reform candidate co-opted to town council — graffiti appears days later

A MAN who recently lost a by-election standing for the Reform UK party has been co-opted onto Haverfordwest Town Council — just two days before political graffiti appeared at Withybush Retail Park.
Scott Thorley, who stood for Reform UK in the Prendergast by-election earlier this year, was appointed to Haverfordwest Town Council during a co-option meeting on Thursday (Apr 17).

Mr Thorley came fourth in a closely fought six-way contest for a seat on Pembrokeshire County Council, securing 71 votes. The by-election, held on Tuesday, February 11, was triggered by the resignation of former Conservative councillor Andrew Edwards, who stepped down following widespread backlash over racist comments attributed to him.

Independent candidate Alun Wills ultimately won the seat with 199 votes (31.6%), ahead of Kaleb Jenkins (Welsh Liberal Democrats, 160), Mike Mathias (Welsh Conservative, 136), Scott Thorley (Reform UK, 71), Alison Tudor (Welsh Labour, 57), and James Henry Purchase (Wales Green Party, 8).
But on Saturday morning (Apr 19), just two days after Mr Thorley’s co-option, residents and shoppers were greeted with a string of large political slogans sprayed across walls and walkways at Withybush Retail Park. Messages included: “KEIR STARMER OUT, REFORM IN! GOD SAVE US” and a separate large slogan reading: “VOTE REFORM” — all daubed in white capital letters.
The incident has since been reported to Dyfed-Powys Police.
Speaking to The Pembrokeshire Herald, new town councillor Scott Thorley said: “Whoever has done this, it is vandalism plain and simple.”
Mr Thorley, who works at the retail park himself, said he did not notice the graffiti when arriving at work and was only made aware after a colleague sent him photos by phone.
He added: “The phrase ‘God Save Us’ doesn’t really sound like something a younger person would write — maybe it’s someone older. But whoever it was, this was not done by Reform. It does not help us — it’s embarrassing.”
Mr Thorley also noted the timing of the incident, saying: “It’s a bit fishy this happened less than two days after I was accepted onto the town council.”

Haverfordwest county councillor Thomas Baden Tudor told The Herald: “Damage to public or private property is completely unacceptable, and if anyone has any information on who carried out this act of vandalism, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously — online at crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111.
“They’ll ask questions about the crime but won’t ask about you.
“Antisocial behaviour is not tolerated or acceptable in Haverfordwest.”
He added: “Alternatively, anyone with information can also call Dyfed-Powys Police on 101.

The Pembrokeshire Herald contacted new county councillor Alun Wills by telephone for a comment. He said: “I have not seen the graffiti yet, I have just come back from work.” Cllr Wills said he had seen a media post about the incident, believed to be on The Herald’s Facebook page.
At the time of going to press, we are awaiting Cllr Wills to come back to us with a further comment.
The police have been contacted for a statement.
News
Renovation of historic Tenby hotel given the green light

WORKS to a prominent listed Pembrokeshire hotel have been given the go-ahead by national park planners.
In an application to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Simon Fry, through agent Asbri Planning, sought listed building consent for works to the Grade-II-listed 1-2 Royal Lion Hotel, High Street, Tenby, said to be one of the oldest hotels in the town.
The works included replacement windows, replace window with original door opening, works to existing parapet, blocking up of windows, render front elevation, blocking up of existing windows, retain existing signage, remove and rebuild existing chimney stack and other minor ancillary works.
The proposals were supported by Tenby Civic Society: “We welcome the scheme, being done very much in character with the original and will complete a very welcome refurb enhancing this prominent point in the town”
It had requested some “minor corrections,” including “retaining the ‘stage door’ stained glass window on the rear door onto Upper Frog Street”.
Tenby Town Council also supported the scheme, saying it was “a much-desired enhancement of a Grade-II-listed building within the Conservation Area”.
A supporting statement for the application said: “In terms of the replacements and overall works these would be of sympathetic materials appropriate to its setting, ensuring the existing character of the building is preserved. The intention is to replace on a like-for-like basis where possible, although the new replacements will be double glazed.”
It added: “The works are necessitated following the previous structural survey undertaken on the two ground floor bays which revealed they are in poor condition and are in need of reinstatement as soon as possible in the interests of the integrity of the listed building and for public safety.
“The replacement of the other bay structures and windows on the front and northern side elevations were also necessitated given their deterioration over time which has led to an adverse visual impact on the listed building and surrounding area.
“Given the previous state of the bays and windows, the works that have been recently undertaken are a significant betterment to the existing situation, and the works the subject of this application would further enhance the quality of the listed building, avoiding further dilapidation.”
Last year, an Urgent Works Notice was served for works on the hotel by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, with an application for those works later granted.
The latest application added: “The building in question is of great significance to the town of Tenby and its Conservation Area. It stands as one of the oldest hotels in Tenby and as identified above, holds great historic and heritage merit.”
News
Motorboat rescued off Newgale beach after capsizing scare

A MOTORBOAT that got into trouble off Newgale beach on Thursday afternoon (Apr 17) was brought safely ashore thanks to the quick response of St Davids RNLI.
The alarm was raised at around 3:40pm when HM Coastguard received reports of a 12-foot motorboat with two people onboard that had capsized off the popular Pembrokeshire beach.
St Davids RNLI launched their inshore lifeboat, the Alan and Marian Clayton, and quickly located the stricken vessel.
After assessing the situation, lifeboat volunteers decided to escort the motorboat to Porthclais Harbour, as it still had power. However, part-way through the journey the vessel ran out of fuel, leaving the crew stranded.
A tow line was set up, and the lifeboat took the boat under tow to ensure the safety of those onboard.
The motorboat was brought ashore safely at Porthclais just before 6:20pm, and the lifeboat returned to station where it was refuelled and made ready for the next callout.
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