Community
Have your say – Help shape Haverfordwest Castle!
Haverfordwest Castle is being transformed – and it’s time for you to have your say!
PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL in partnership with Haverfordwest Castle CIO are planning a brand new visitor experience across three floors of the old County Gaol that sits within the Castle’s grounds; sharing the stories of Pembrokeshire’s past, present and future.
Funding for this stage of the project is from The National Heritage Lottery Fund.
We want to hear what you would like to see and do at the Castle.
You can find the questionnaire at www.haverfordwestcastle.wales or pick up a paper copy of the questionnaire at the reception of County Hall, Pembrokeshire County Council in Haverfordwest.
Spend just five minutes sharing your thoughts, memories, and stories from across Pembrokeshire.
While Haverfordwest Castle will be central to the experience, the stories told there will reflect the whole county — its people, places, past and future. Whether you grew up in the shadow of the Castle, have family roots in another part of Pembrokeshire, or simply care about preserving and sharing our shared heritage and highlighting Pembrokeshire’s uniqueness today – your insight is invaluable.
We want to create something distinctive, authentic, and deeply rooted in Pembrokeshire’s heritage and present day — not just a story about Haverfordwest Castle, but a story told through it.
Within the county’s old Goal, we wish to build an experience that resonates with people across the county and with visitors from further afield. Whether your connection is to the Castle or a corner of Pembrokeshire miles away, your stories, ideas, and memories will give this new attraction its heart.
The project has been in the making for almost 10 years and has been developed in conjunction with an active group of community stakeholders. When open, the attraction will be run by Haverfordwest Castle CIO, an independent charitable organisation that has emerged from the stakeholder group.
Work is currently underway for the first stage of the project to restore to the Castle and the old Gaol, funded by LUF to a state ready for the fit out of an exciting exhibition.
Community
Woman rescued from coast path after ankle injury
Coastguard teams called to Dinas Island near Pwllgwaelod
A WOMAN was stretchered from the coast path near Pwllgwaelod after suffering an ankle injury.
HM Coastguard Fishguard was tasked at 5:22pm on Friday, June 27, alongside HM Coastguard Teifi, to assist the casualty on Dinas Island.
The teams attended the scene near Hendre Farm Campsite and Cottages and, with help from the landowner, were able to quickly locate the injured woman.
Her injured limb was immobilised before she was carried by stretcher to her nearby car, where family members were able to take her on to hospital.
Fishguard Coastguard thanked the landowner for their help.
Community
Civic service brings Pembrokeshire towns together in Haverfordwest
A CIVIC service has been held at St Mary’s Church in Haverfordwest, bringing together civic leaders, councillors, cadets and community representatives from across Pembrokeshire.
The Mayor’s Civic Service took place at 11:00am on Sunday, 28 June 2026, at the historic High Street church, one of the county town’s most familiar landmarks.
The service was hosted by Haverfordwest Town Council and attended by the Sheriff of Haverfordwest, Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, Deputy Lord Lieutenants, the mayors of Pembroke, Pembroke Dock, Neyland and St Davids, members of the Guild of Freemen, the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet and the Mayoral Cadet.

St Mary’s Church has stood at the heart of Haverfordwest for more than 800 years. Built in about 1200, its size and position have made it one of the town’s dominant historic buildings.
Cllr Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner said the occasion had been “truly special and humbling”.
He said: “It was an honour to gather in one of our town’s most historic and beautiful buildings, a church that has stood at the heart of our community since the 12th century, bringing people together in faith, service and reflection.”

Cllr Thomas-Turner and the Sheriff thanked all those who attended, saying the presence of civic representatives from neighbouring towns reflected the “strong spirit of friendship and partnership across Pembrokeshire”.
They also paid tribute to fellow town councillors, the Guild of Freemen, and the cadets who supported the service.
Cllr Thomas-Turner added: “Days like today remind us that civic life is about more than titles and chains of office. It is about service, community, friendship and working together for the good of our towns and our county.”
He said the event had been a proud day for Haverfordwest, adding: “Haverfordwest truly is the Best in the West.”
Community
Thousands line Cardigan streets for Lord Rhys homecoming parade
THOUSANDS of people lined the streets and quayside in Cardigan on Saturday as the town marked 850 years since Lord Rhys held the first recorded Eisteddfod at Cardigan Castle.
The spectacular procession formed the finale of the Journey of Lord Rhys, a week-long celebration which has travelled across west Wales before returning to Cardigan, where the story began in 1176.

At the centre of the event was a 5-metre-tall puppet of Lord Rhys, created as part of the Carreg Filltir Las project to celebrate the origins of the National Eisteddfod.

Crowds gathered around the castle, quayside and town centre as music, performance and pageantry brought the story of the first Eisteddfod back to life.
One of the most striking moments saw George, one of the Gentle Giants Shire Horses, given the honour of carrying this year’s Eisteddfod Chair to Cardigan Castle, 850 years after chairs were first awarded there for poetry and music.
The first recorded Eisteddfod was hosted by Lord Rhys ap Gruffudd at Cardigan Castle in 1176, with poets and musicians competing in what is widely regarded as the foundation of the modern Eisteddfod tradition.
This year’s National Eisteddfod, Eisteddfod y Garreg Las, will be held at Llantood from August 1 to 8. The location is less than four miles from Cardigan Castle, creating a direct link between the first recorded gathering and the modern festival.
The Eisteddfod has described the anniversary as a chance to celebrate 850 years of tradition while inspiring new audiences across Wales.
Saturday’s homecoming brought that history into the streets of Cardigan, with families, visitors and local residents turning out in large numbers for one of the most significant cultural moments in the town’s recent history.
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