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Pembrokeshire ranks second in UK for noise complaints, new study reveals

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Residents kept awake by barking dogs and noisy animals

PEMBROKESHIRE residents are among the most sleep-deprived in the UK, according to new figures released by sleep specialists at Mattress Online.

A total of 4,290 noise complaints were submitted to Pembrokeshire County Council in 2024 – the second highest number across the entire UK. Only Fife in Scotland recorded more complaints, with 5,232 logged during the same period.

The figures were obtained through Freedom of Information requests to every UK council and analysed to determine where people are struggling most with disturbed sleep.

In Pembrokeshire, animal-related noise made up a staggering 58% of all complaints. The worst month for disturbances was July 2024, indicating that the summer period may be particularly difficult for residents seeking a peaceful night’s rest.

Other high-complaint areas included South Lanarkshire (2,509), Portsmouth (2,427), and Cardiff (1,484), while Swindon reported just six complaints all year – making it the quietest place in the UK.

Sleep expert Hannah Shore, Head of Sleep Science at Mattress Online, warned that repeated noise disruption can have serious effects on people’s health. “Disturbed sleep doesn’t just mean fewer hours – it can impact the quality of sleep, preventing the deep, restorative rest that bodies and minds need to function well,” she said.

Shore recommends a number of simple steps for those affected by noise: “Investing in earplugs, rearranging bedroom furniture to block sound, or even using podcasts to drown out background noise can help. If the problem is ongoing, speaking to your neighbour might be necessary – they may not realise how disruptive they are.”

The data also showed that searches for ‘noise complaints’ have risen 8% in the past three months, with an 81% increase in searches for ‘can’t sleep’, reflecting growing frustration across the UK.

Mattress Online, a major online retailer based in Yorkshire, said the study was part of a wider campaign to help people improve their sleep health and take control of environmental factors keeping them awake.

Top 5 UK council areas for noise complaints in 2024:

Fife – 5,232 complaints

Pembrokeshire – 4,290 complaints

South Lanarkshire – 2,509 complaints

Portsmouth – 2,427 complaints

City of York – 2,011 complaints

At the other end of the scale, Swindon, West Lothian, and Orkney reported the fewest noise-related issues, with just 6, 19, and 22 complaints respectively.

 

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

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A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

 

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Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

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Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

 

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Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

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A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

 

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