LOCAL residents and visitors are up in arms after discovering that several key attractions at Oakwood Theme Park were closed during a recent visit, despite the park charging full admission prices. James Peniket, a visitor, sparked the debate with a Facebook post expressing his frustration over the situation, which quickly garnered numerous supportive comments from others who had similar experiences.

Mr Peniket’s post stated, “How can you charge full price when at least 5 of your main rides are closed? You only had a notice on your website for one of the rides being closed… £45 for a 13-year-old child to go and see a theme park full of closed rides… absolute shambles of a place… Robbing the public of money!”

The reaction was swift, with many people sharing their own stories and grievances about the park. Andrew Graham Feetham echoed the sentiment, calling the situation “unsafe” and the supervision “horrendous.” He added, “£20, fair enough, but £45 for half a theme park is robbery.”

Darren Briggs, a former employee of the park, reminisced about its glory days in the late 1980s. “Back in the day, we would regularly see attendance figures over 12k people a day. Yesterday was probably less than 3k. Very sad. Staff looked totally unhappy and disengaged,” he commented, highlighting the park’s decline and lack of investment.

The closure of multiple rides without prior warning was a common complaint. Alanda Williams and Andrew Morse also joined the conversation, suggesting alternative attractions such as Hangar 5, where all trampolines are open and operational. Joshua J Peniket quipped, “Should have gone to Hangar 5 then. All trampolines are open,” reflecting the public’s disillusionment with Oakwood.

The underlying issue appears to be a lack of transparency and investment. Several commenters, including George Coles, pointed out that the theme park had been sold to new owners, Aspro-Ocio S.A., a Spanish company known for operating water parks. Despite this change in ownership, there has been no noticeable improvement in the park’s conditions.

Visitors like Wayne Scourfield, who had pre-booked tickets for their families, expressed their frustration and disappointment upon learning about the closed rides. “I’ve booked to bring family on Thursday… they’re so looking forward to it,” he lamented, highlighting the broader impact on families planning visits during the school holidays.

In response to the public outcry, Oakwood Theme Park has issued refunds to some visitors, including Mr Peniket, who confirmed receiving an email from the park regarding his refund. However, this measure seems to be a case of too little, too late for many disgruntled customers.

The recurring theme in the comments was a nostalgic longing for the park’s past and a call for significant investment to restore its former glory. As Louise Burgin reminisced, “It used to be amazing when we were kids. It was such a treat to go. You knew you’d spend all day having fun, and it was value for money.”

Oakwood Theme Park, once a beloved local attraction, now faces mounting pressure to address these issues and restore public trust. Without immediate and substantial improvements, the park risks losing its place as a cherished destination for families in Pembrokeshire and beyond.

THE HAVERFORDWEST Model Railway Club, founded in 1972 and originally known as the Pembrokeshire Model Railway Club, is thrilled to announce its move to a new location.

The club’s journey began in the 1970s with meetings behind the Milford Arms, where members set up a classic Hornby Dublo 3 Rail layout.

Following a change in ownership at the Milford Arms, the club relocated to the education centre behind the original Pembrokeshire College library. Here, members constructed a new layout in an old garage building, recreating Haverfordwest’s station and surrounding railway line. However, this setup was dismantled when the building was repurposed.

Undeterred, the club temporarily moved to a local church hall, where they built several exhibition layouts over the years. Just before the pandemic, the hall’s floors were condemned, once again leaving the club without a meeting place.

In December 2023, the Haverfordwest Model Railway Club secured a new meeting place upstairs in the Menshed, Haverfordwest. This marks a significant milestone in the club’s history. The new OO Gauge Finescale layout was handmade by a local enthusiast from Carew.

On Sunday, August 11, the Haverfordwest Model Railway Club will participate in the West Wales Model Railway Exhibition in Llwyncelyn near Aberaeron. They will showcase a small layout created by the club’s Treasurer, Ron Weatherall, featuring a 1970s stretch of railway from the National Coal Board.

The club meets every Wednesday, from 7.15pm to 9pm during the summer and 1.30pm to 4pm in the winter. Meetings are held upstairs in Menshed, Haverfordwest, SA61 2AA, easily accessible from the bottom of the Lake Car Park.

The club is now eager to grow and engage with local model railway enthusiasts. Anyone interested in model railways, whether experienced or new to the hobby, is welcome to join. For more information, call Treasurer Ron Weatherall at 07519 012654 or Chairman Steve McDonald at 07786 170856, email [email protected], or find the club on Facebook.

AN INSURANCE expert is calling on residents across Wales to protect their homes against damage caused by nesting squirrels – a risk not typically covered by standard home insurance policies.

Freddie Hamilton-Russell of insurance broker Lycetts has issued his warning during the summer nesting season.

With animal infestation claims at an all-time high, Hamilton-Russell emphasised the importance of preventative measures, explaining that most home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by small pests and rodents, as these are issues that are deemed preventable.

“Squirrels are notorious for causing costly damage to electrical wiring, pipes, cables and insulation in attics and converted roof spaces where they make a home for their young,” said Hamilton-Russell.

“They are even capable of moving roof tiles, coming down chimneys or causing damage to guttering and fascia boards.

“Preventative measures are the best course of action. Homeowners should repair any roof damage immediately and trim branches that could provide easy access to their roofs.”

He also recommended using strong wire mesh to block obvious access points once it is established that there are no squirrels inside.

“The best times to do this are mid-morning and mid-afternoon when grey squirrels are typically out foraging,” Hamilton-Russell advised.

Furthermore, Hamilton-Russell pointed out that gardens with decking are particularly vulnerable to squirrel damage.

“It’s crucial to make your garden less attractive to squirrels by removing trees or branches with uninhabited nests, covering bulbs with wire mesh, and using squirrel-resistant bird feeders instead of loose food,” he said.

“I also urge homeowners to purchase approved squirrel repellents to prevent costly damage to their homes and gardens.”