A CALL for clarity on if and when “long overdue” works on Fishguard Leisure Centre’s astroturf surface will take place is to be heard by councillors.

In a submitted question to be heard at the May 14 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council, Bro Gwaun county councillor Delme Harries will ask: “I have received representations regarding the condition of the astroturf surface at Fishguard Leisure Centre which is reported to be a heavily-used facility supporting a range of local sports clubs and community activity.

“Concerns have been raised that the surface is now approaching 20 years old, and that resurfacing is now considered long overdue.

“In light of the council’s recent reviews and investments at other leisure centres in the south of the county, which are much welcomed, can the Cabinet Member please clarify: What formal assessments have been carried out on the condition and remaining lifespan of the astroturf at Fishguard Leisure Centre?

“How this facility is currently prioritised within the council’s wider leisure and sports investment programme?

“What consideration has been given to future upgrade or replacement at Fishguard, particularly in comparison with leisure facility investments made elsewhere in Pembrokeshire?”

Cllr Harries’ question is expected to be answered by the appropriate Cabinet member.

At the March meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet, members backed a leisure investment programme including feasibility funding for new leisure centres in Pembroke and Milford Haven, along with works at Tenby leisure centre, with the aim of extending the lifespan of the trust-run swimming pool by at least 10 years.

For Pembroke this includes a detailed feasibility study for a new-build Leisure Centre in Pembroke, on the current school site, providing a feasibility budget of £195,000 from reserves.

For Milford Haven, members backed £1.2m (at risk) in the capital programme to develop a high-level leisure brief into the tender of the new English Medium primary and secondary school project in Milford Haven, and the pre-construction services to develop the project designs (to RIBA 4, Detailed Design) for a new leisure centre at the same time as the school.

For Tenby, members backed a grant of £4,606,667 to the Tenby and District Swimming Pool Association, as owner of the asset, for works to extend the lifespan of the current swimming pool by at least 10 years.

Members also backed other recommendations including £50,000 from reserves to procure external funding consultants to identify and secure as much funding as possible towards the delivery of the investment programme, and to establish a leisure operations review board to undertake a formal review of the leisure services operating model.

Major project will create new visitor attraction, events space, museum and improved town links

HAVERFORDWEST Castle is on course to reopen in 2028 following a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the historic site into a high-quality visitor attraction.

County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, recently visited the site to see the progress being made.

He said: “As County Councillor for the Castle Ward in Haverfordwest, it was lovely to visit the Haverfordwest Castle Redevelopment Project and see the progress that has been achieved.

“I am very much looking forward to the Castle reopening in 2028.”

The project will see the mediaeval castle conserved for future generations, while the Inner Bailey has been landscaped so it can host events for up to 500 people.

These could include concerts, plays, craft fairs, Christmas markets and other community events.

The wider castle grounds are also being improved, with new interpretation explaining the history of the site, as well as family-friendly activities.

The building which houses Haverfordwest Museum, the Governor’s House, is being conserved, while the museum exhibition inside will be completely refurbished and modernised.

The former gaol building will also be transformed into a visitor attraction telling the story of Pembrokeshire’s past and future in an interactive and family-friendly way.

The attraction will include a café, shop, community spaces and exhibition areas.

Work is also taking place to improve the physical route between the castle and the town centre at Castle Back, with better signage planned to help visitors find the castle and navigate Haverfordwest more easily.

The castle is expected to reopen in 2028.

FOLLY Farm has joined animal attractions across the UK in celebrating Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, with school visits, staff quizzes, new conservation signage and even a newborn alpaca named in his honour.

The much-loved broadcaster turns 100 on Friday (May 8), and the Pembrokeshire attraction said his lifelong work had inspired many of its own keepers and staff to care about endangered species and habitats.

As part of the celebrations, Folly Farm welcomed pupils from Monkton Priory CP School in Pembroke, who spent time with conservation officer Jack learning about endangered and vulnerable animals, including lions, penguins and rhinos.

The pupils also gathered to sing Penblwydd Hapus to Sir David.

The attraction has also installed a new sign at the entrance to its zoo featuring one of Sir David’s best-known conservation messages: “No one will protect what they don’t care about, and no one will care about what they haven’t experienced.”

Folly Farm said one of its favourite tributes was the naming of a newborn alpaca cria, born on World Earth Day, April 22. The new arrival has been named David Alpacanborough.

The zoo also held staff quizzes, created photo areas with a life-size cut-out of “Sir Dai”, and joined other BIAZA zoos and animal attractions in marking the milestone.

Folly Farm said: “Marking Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday is about more than photos and quizzes. It’s about acknowledging what his life’s work has achieved.

“Every time a child meets an animal up close, asks a question, or sings Penblwydd Hapus to a conservation hero, a seed is planted.

“Every time a keeper chooses this career path because of a documentary they watched growing up, that influence is still working quietly in the world.”

The Pembrokeshire celebrations come as the RSPCA urges the public to mark Sir David’s birthday by taking part in its Summer of Kindness campaign.

The charity is encouraging people to carry out seven simple acts to help animals, including planting flowers for pollinators, making bee drinking stations, feeding hedgehogs, helping pets in hot weather, organising litter picks and creating a basic rescue box for injured small wildlife.

The RSPCA said summer can be a difficult period for animals, with cruelty reports often rising during the warmer months. Last summer, the charity received 34,401 cruelty calls to its emergency line, up by a third on the previous year.

RSPCA wildlife expert Rebecca Machin said: “Sir David Attenborough has inspired generations to fall in love with animals and he has been a lifelong advocate for wildlife.

“His passion, care and voice for conservation has encouraged millions of people, including many across the RSPCA, to dedicate their lives to helping animals.

“As Sir David celebrates this milestone birthday, we’re also celebrating his legacy in changing the way the world sees wildlife, and the importance of animal welfare.

“By taking on seven kind acts for animals as part of our Summer of Kindness, people can give David the best birthday present, by helping animals of every kind, and helping us build a better world for every animal.”

The campaign has particular resonance in Pembrokeshire, where wildlife is central to the county’s identity, from Skomer’s seabirds and coastal habitats to garden birds, hedgehogs, pollinators and farmland species.

The RSPCA’s suggested acts include planting nectar-rich flowers such as lavender, sunflowers and wildflowers, avoiding pesticides, leaving wild patches of grass, putting shallow water dishes out for bees and wildlife, and never leaving pets in cars on warm days.

Rebecca Machin added: “Positive change often starts with simple, everyday actions.

“From helping keep local communities clear of litter, to providing water and safe food for visiting wildlife, we can all get involved in making a big difference for animals.”

Folly Farm added: “If we can keep that sense of awe alive, keep telling the stories of endangered species, and keep making small, steady changes to protect the environment, then we’re doing our bit to carry his legacy forward.

“So, from all of us here, to the man who brought the natural world into our living rooms and into our hearts, happy 100th birthday, Sir David. Thank you for everything.”