Community
Wolfscastle Council’s AGM highlights challenges and achievements
THE WOLFSCASTLE Community Council convened for its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday, July 9, at Treffgarne Village Hall. The meeting, chaired by Councillor Gerwyn Williams, was attended by several councillors, including Brian John, Gerallt Miles, and Barrie Griffiths, alongside Pembrokeshire County Councillor Michelle Bateman and Clerk Geraint Harries. Apologies were received from Councillors Suzanne Jenkins, Peter James, and Brynmor Harries.
Chair’s Remarks and Resignations
Councillor Williams opened the meeting by welcoming attendees and expressing his relief at seeing Clerk Geraint Harries recovering well from his recent illness. He extended well-wishes for the speedy recovery of Councillors Brynmor Harries and Peter James. The chair then announced the resignation of Councillor Suzanne Jenkins, a decision made after thorough discussion and ultimately accepted. Councillor Jenkins’ departure was acknowledged as a significant loss to the council, with her contributions, including her time as a stand-in Clerk earlier this year, being greatly appreciated.
A Year of Transitions and Community Engagement
The Treasurer’s report outlined a challenging year for the Council, beginning with the resignation of former Clerk Carol Williams in May 2023. Williams was praised for her diligent work, including securing various grants for the community. Following her departure, Natalie Williams was appointed as Clerk in July 2024, only to resign in October. The subsequent months saw the Council continue its community engagement efforts, with successful Coronation celebrations in both villages and the long-awaited installation of Christmas tree lights, marked by a celebratory event in October.
The Council also played a role in local remembrance events, attending services at Wolfscastle School and Letterston in November. Despite the challenges, including winter road conditions, the Council ensured the installation of four new salt bins in preparation for the coming year.
Financial Overview
The Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2024 was presented, with income totalling £15,286.14 and expenditures amounting to £11,614.78, leaving a balance of £3,671.36. However, the Council noted that the Clerk’s salary had not been deducted, and PAYE issues were yet to be resolved, necessitating a back payment in the next financial year.
Matters Arising and Community Issues
The meeting addressed several ongoing concerns, including the repositioning of a misplaced salt bin and the need for better dog fouling signage, which was discussed with County Councillor Michelle Bateman. A site visit by an access officer was also discussed to address accessibility issues.
The Council expressed gratitude to GD Harries for promptly addressing a car park clean-up and acknowledged the satisfactory repair of potholes by Pembrokeshire County Council. The issue of road closures and unsuitable detour routes was also raised, with Councillor Bateman seeking an audit to identify problematic roads in advance.
Correspondence and Future Planning
The Council received several thank you letters from charities for donations made earlier in the year. Discussions also covered the renewal of membership with One Voice Wales, ongoing PAYE setup, and future website plans as the current system is set to be discontinued in March 2025.
A notable topic was the Boundary Commission’s consultation, proposing the amalgamation of the Wolfscastle and Treffgarne areas with Hayscastle, to form the Hayscastle and Wolfscastle Community Council. An extra meeting was scheduled for 20th August 2024 to discuss this significant change.
Councillor and County Councillor Reports
In her report, County Councillor Michelle Bateman highlighted ongoing reviews by Pembrokeshire County Council, including a school reorganisation review and plans to support the National Eisteddfod, which may be held in Llantood near Eglwyswrw in August 2026. She also mentioned the tendering process for new bus routes by Transport for Wales and a consultation on phosphate levels in new developments.
The meeting concluded with plans to address various community concerns, including parking issues near the Wolfscastle Chapel and the placement of a mobile home on land at Brynawelon. Councillor Bateman assured the council she would follow up on these matters with the relevant departments.
The next meeting, focused on the Community Boundary Review proposals, is scheduled for 20th August 2024 at Penybont Vestry.
Community
Lord Nelson Hotel refunds lucky couple the full cost of their wedding day
WHAT an amazing Christmas present!
In an extraordinary gesture of generosity, the Lord Nelson Hotel delighted one lucky couple by refunding the full cost of their 2024 wedding. Abby and Simon Hooper, who tied the knot at the historic venue on August 3, were thrilled to learn they were the winners of this year’s giveaway.
The initiative was part of a special promotion open to all couples who celebrated their weddings at the Lord Nelson in 2024. The winners were selected through a random draw using a fair generator system, with the Hoopers emerging as the fortunate recipients.
The hotel has announced plans to continue the tradition in 2025, offering next year’s couples the same opportunity to win their wedding costs back.
A spokesperson for the Lord Nelson Hotel said: “If you’re planning to get married in 2025, it’s not too late to book with us and secure your spot in next year’s draw.
“We are thrilled to celebrate love and create moments to cherish, and this is just one of the ways we give back to our incredible couples.”
Known for its elegant venue spaces and exceptional wedding team, the Lord Nelson Hotel remains a top choice for couples seeking a perfect wedding day. This annual giveaway further cements their commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences.
Abby and Simon Hooper shared their gratitude after their special day: “From start to finish, the team at the Lord Nelson Hotel was incredibly helpful, and nothing was too much to ask.
“The day went smoothly, the food was fantastic, and the staff were polite, hardworking, and attentive. Mia and Jenna, in particular, stood out for their thoughtfulness and attention to detail.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better experience.”
Business
Derelict Cilgerran house to be transformed into cafe
PLANS by a village shop owner to convert a house “in a state of disrepair” to a café to “improve the variety of community facilities” locally have been given the go-ahead.
Mrs Morris, through agent Harries Planning Design Management, sought permission from Pembrokeshire County Council to convert The Old Post House, High Street, Cilgerran, currently a four-bed dwelling, to a ground floor café, along with a first-floor flat.
The application received five letters of support, saying it would provide local jobs, support the community, promote Welsh and local food, and provide a local community hub, with three letters of objection, raising concerns about parking and traffic, and potential odours from the premises.
A supporting statement, through the agent, said: “The proposed site is currently a dwellinghouse, in current need of modernisations and renovations throughout. The site is under the same ownership as the neighbouring village stores Siop Y Pentre,” saying the proposal “can be read as an extension to the existing Siop Y Pentre”.
“Siop Y Pentre is a thriving local community village shop which acts as a village hub. The shop provides local residents with day-to-day necessities, with a focus on local, sustainable and minimal waste products,” the statement says, adding the dwelling it seeks to convert “is in disrepair and in need of internal works to make suitable for modern living”.
It went on to say: “The proposed café seeks to retain its focus on local and seasonal produce with minimal waste and would provide a welcomed opportunity for socialising, especially during the daytime. The café will also seek to employ local staff retaining a community feel throughout. As such, the principle of the café adjacent to the existing village store is considered acceptable. The site seeks to encourage a sustainable community, with development of an appropriate scale and nature.
“Further to this, the location of the development is within the settlement boundary and seeks to fulfil a need for day-time socialising environments currently lacking within Cilgerran.”
The application was conditionally approved by county planners.
Community
Emergency call outage affected Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire
RESIDENTS in parts of Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire faced difficulties contacting emergency services via the 999 landline number on Sunday (Dec 17) due to a temporary outage.
Dyfed-Powys Police issued alerts on social media, warning residents of potential issues when trying to dial 999 from landlines in affected areas. Locations impacted included Pembroke, Manorbier, Carew, and surrounding areas.
In a statement, police advised: “You may have faced problems calling 999 from a landline in the Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire area. Places likely to have been affected were Pembroke, Manorbier, Carew. Please try calling from a mobile phone as mobile networks may have been working normally. Normal service will be restored as soon as possible. Non-emergencies can be reported online. Please look out for further updates.”
Later in the day, an update confirmed that the 999 landline service had been restored in the Llangrannog and Llanteg areas.
The temporary disruption raised concerns about access to emergency services in rural areas, where mobile coverage can sometimes be unreliable.
Authorities urged residents to remain vigilant and use alternative communication methods in the event of future disruptions. Further updates are expected as investigations into the cause of the outage continue.
For non-emergency issues, residents can continue to report incidents via the Dyfed-Powys Police website or contact their local police station directly.
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