A FORMER county councillor has paid tribute to the late Mike Stoddart, describing him as a “principled incredible friend” with an “encyclopaedic knowledge of the law” and an unmatched ability to expose wrongdoing.

In a personal memory piece shared with The Herald, Cllr Michael Williams said he first became aware of Mr Stoddart when he ran the Milford Mercury, recalling how some figures at County Hall appeared “fearful” on publication days because of Stoddart’s determination to “root out… dubious activities”.

Cllr Williams also recounted being threatened with libel action after raising concerns about the record and claimed successes of an external consultant hired “at considerable expense”.

He said he was contacted by a Cardiff legal firm demanding £20,000 and warning he would be sued, describing the correspondence as “frankly intimidating” and saying it left him fearing “the loss of everything”.

Cllr Williams said he sought help from Mr Stoddart, who he recalled arriving at his home with his wife Viv and spending an entire evening working through “a considerable quantity of documentation” and advising how to respond.

“Mikes encyclopaedic knowledge of the law was incredible, and he was able to offer some much-needed reassurance,” Cllr Williams wrote.

He added that he worked with Mr Stoddart on allegations involving grants and “dubious travel claims”, which he said culminated in a referral to the council’s audit committee.

Cllr Williams claimed the “taxpayers of the county were massively let down” by Dyfed-Powys Police and the Crown Prosecution Service, despite what he described as a “detailed dossier” submitted by Mr Stoddart.

Reflecting on decades in public life, he said one enduring lesson was that those who ask “awkward questions” can find themselves “shut down”, adding that bodies including the council and police could become “aggressive and intimidatory” when challenged.

Cllr Williams said he feared that without Mr Stoddart, “far less dubious fraudulent or indeed criminal activities will be exposed”.

“Mikes courage together with his sheer intellectual powers are irreplaceable,” he added.

New owners promise fresh menu, familiar standards and a warm reception for ‘furry friends’

A NEW bar and restaurant is preparing to open its doors on Milford Waterfront next month after the team behind it quietly took over the venue formerly known as Salt.

Dayne and Victoria, who took over the business in October, said they have spent the past few months working behind the scenes and are now ready to relaunch the venue under a new name — Biffy’s Bar and Restaurant.

The official opening date has been set for Friday, February 6.

In a message to customers, the owners said anyone who has visited since October will already have experienced the standard of food and service they plan to build on, adding that a new menu is on the way.

They said: “Over the past few months, we’ve been quietly working behind the scenes and we’re finally ready to start putting our own stamp on the place — which will soon be Biffy’s.

“If you’ve visited us since October, then you’ve already experienced the standard of food and service you can expect going forward — because that’s exactly what we’re building on. We’re excited to say we’ve got a delicious new menu coming your way too.”

Dog-friendly

The announcement has drawn plenty of supportive messages online — including one customer asking whether the new venue will welcome dogs.

Replying to Dympna Pettit, the business confirmed it will be dog friendly, saying: “Of course, we can’t wait to meet your furry friend.”

Others wished the owners well, with some saying they were looking forward to trying the new menu and seeing the venue return to top form.

Helen Court said she used to visit regularly before COVID, adding that she was looking forward to giving the new venture a try.

Customers who want to book a table for opening day are being asked to message the business via its social media page or book through the Tableo link.

The owners also introduced Daisy and Dexter as part of the team — describing them as the venue’s “Head of Security” and “Chief Morale Officer.”

Award-nominated family show brings puppetry and music to the Torch Theatre

A FAMILY theatre production nominated for four OffWestEnd Awards is set to visit Milford Haven this half term when The Littlest Yak comes to the Torch Theatre.

Presented by LAStheatre, the show is a musical adaptation of the award-winning children’s book and is aimed at audiences aged three and over. It combines puppetry, original songs and live performance to tell a story about confidence, growing up and self-acceptance.

The story follows Gertie, a young yak who is proud of her curly wool and sure-footed hooves but frustrated at being the smallest in the herd. Keen to grow up and be like the big yaks, Gertie soon learns that there are some things only she can do, in a message designed to encourage children to value their own strengths.

The production has received strong audience feedback during its UK tour, with reviewers praising the puppetry, music and visual design, as well as its appeal to both children and adults.

The Littlest Yak is produced by Liz Bate and performed by a cast including Megan Ashley, Isobel Horner, Charlie Limm and Eloise Richardson. The creative team includes writer and director Barra Collins, composer Joseph Hardy and designer Alison Alexander, who created the set, costumes and puppets.

The show is based on the book by children’s author Lu Fraser, illustrated by Kate Hindley.

The Littlest Yak will be staged at the Torch Theatre on Saturday, February 21, with performances at 12.30pm and 3.00pm.

Tickets are priced at £15 for adults and £12.50 for children. Further information is available via the Torch Theatre website or by contacting the box office on (01646) 695267.