PEMBROKESHIRE’S Bluestone National Park Resort is set to make history by becoming the UK’s first fossil fuel free luxury family holiday park in 2025.

The resort, located near Narberth, has unveiled ambitious operational plans to eliminate fossil fuels from all aspects of its operations. Bluestone will purchase only renewable electricity through its partnership with Ecotricity – widely recognised as Britain’s greenest energy provider – while replacing traditional fuels with sustainable alternatives. These include bioLPG in place of mains gas, and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) instead of diesel and kerosene. Solar power generated by the resort’s on-site 3.2MW solar park already meets a third of its annual electricity demand.

Bluestone has long demonstrated a commitment to sustainable practices. In 2008, it became one of the first in the world to heat a water park – the Blue Lagoon – entirely without fossil fuels. Since then, the resort has continued to reduce its carbon footprint, and the completion of the solar park in 2024 marked a major milestone on its journey.

The resort’s approach extends beyond its own operations. Two external grounds maintenance contractors working on-site have also now transitioned to using electric machinery and HVO fuels in support of the wider sustainability mission.

In 2024, both Bluestone and Ecotricity received top-three rankings in their sectors by Which?, with Bluestone recognised as one of the UK’s best holiday resorts, and Ecotricity ranked among the leading eco energy providers.

The partnership supports Bluestone’s efforts to eliminate all fossil fuels across its scope one and two emissions – those generated directly by the resort and through purchased energy. The resort is also aiming to become entirely self-sufficient in renewable electricity generation within the next decade.

Marten Lewis, Bluestone’s Sustainability Director, said:
“Bluestone’s partnership with Ecotricity showcases there is another way forward. There’s a genuine synergy between our two companies, shaped by visionary founders who believed in putting people and the planet at the heart of business. In 2004, Bluestone’s founder, William McNamara, began the regenerative tourism movement here in Wales by transforming a 500-acre dairy farm into a pioneering, sustainable resort – a vision laid out in his original green book the same year the UN coined the term ESG.”

Mr Lewis added that Bluestone’s solar park project includes a long-term partnership with Swansea University to monitor biodiversity at the site, with the goal of producing influential academic research over the coming years.

“Bluestone doesn’t aim to have zero impact – we want to have a positive impact with everything we do,” he said.

Ecotricity founder Dale Vince said:
“Big congrats to Bluestone. From ditching intensive farming in favour of regenerative tourism to building a new solar park – this is a holiday park that fits with our values. I’m pleased Bluestone has chosen Ecotricity to provide the balance of green energy they need to go fossil free. We’re looking forward to helping them bring their green ambitions to life.”

More information about Bluestone’s sustainability journey and bookings can be found at: bluestonewales.com

A BRAND-NEW 12-hole crazy golf course has officially opened at Caban Pendine, bringing fun and adventure to the heart of Pendine Sands.

The course was unveiled at a special launch event held at 2:00pm on Friday (April 11), with families, residents, and visitors among the first to enjoy the colourful and creative course. The attraction features imaginative obstacles, bold designs, and plenty of twists and turns—offering a light-hearted challenge for players of all ages.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Pendine Sands, the new course adds to the area’s growing reputation as a leisure and tourism hotspot.

Cllr Hazel Evans, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture & Tourism, said:
“We are delighted to officially open the Crazy Golf course at Caban in Pendine. It’s been fantastic to see so many people enjoying themselves and getting into the spirit of friendly competition. This new addition enhances our leisure offering and provides a great activity for families, friends, and visitors of all ages.”

Course now open daily

The Caban Crazy Golf Course is now open every day between 11:00am and 5:00pm, offering an affordable and entertaining experience. Whether you’re planning a day out with the kids, a casual game with friends, or just looking for something different, the course promises plenty of fun and laughter.

Visitor information

Location: Caban Pendine, Pendine Sands
Opening hours: 11:00am – 5:00pm daily
Admission: Adults £5, Children £4, Concessions £4

For more information, visit www.cabanpendine.wales or follow @CabanPendine on social media for updates, events, and special offers.

WALES’ LARGEST Specsavers store is celebrating a series of individual long service milestones, with nine team members collectively marking a century of long service in 2025.

At the heart of the celebrations is Andy Britton, ophthalmic director at Specsavers Haverfordwest, who has worked at the company for 20 years.

Since becoming a partner in 2006, Mr Britton has overseen the store’s transformation from a small site with just four test rooms to a state-of-the-art £1.2 million premises at 21 Riverside Quay. The enhanced store now boasts 14 test rooms equipped with cutting edge technology and a significantly larger team, growing from 11 to 45 employees.

Haverfordwest residents benefit from Mr Britton’s clinical expertise – he holds multiple postgraduate diplomas that allow him to prescribe medication directly to customers, helping to ease pressure on local GP surgeries and hospitals. He has also led the introduction of enhanced services, including glaucoma monitoring, ensuring more people can access specialist care closer to home.

Reflecting on his career, Mr Britton says: ‘It’s been a privilege to serve the Haverfordwest community over the last 20 years. I’m proud of the team we’ve built and the progress we’ve made – all with the aim of delivering the best possible care for our customers.’

Mr Britton’s anniversary was celebrated alongside colleagues Elise Evans, Gareth Riley and Carrie Lewis-Jones – each marking 15 years with Specsavers – as well as other team members celebrating 10 and five-year milestones.

Fellow director, Wayne Jones, was among those celebrating five years with the business, after joining the Haverfordwest store in 2020. He was named a finalist for Optometrist of the Year at the Optometry Wales Awards in 2023 and then in 2024, joined forces with Mr Britton as retail director of the store.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr Jones says: ‘Our team’s experience and dedication are what makes Specsavers Haverfordwest so special. Reaching 100 years of individual long service milestones in 2025 is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s a real testament to the commitment of our colleagues, and we look forward to many more successful years ahead.’

To mark the occasion, the directors hosted an in-store awards ceremony, presenting certificates and bottles of champagne to the nine long-serving team members celebrating.

Specsavers Haverfordwest is open seven days a week. To find out more information about Specsavers in Haverfordwest, request an appointment or browse the online store, visit https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/haverfordwest.

Additionally, to make eye health accessible to all, the store offers a Home Visits service for those unable to leave their homes unaccompanied due to disability or illness.