Community

Pembroke Horse Fair to go ahead despite council permission row

Published

8 months ago

August 27, 2025

Charlie Price reassures locals at packed public meeting in Monkton, but says: “Not even the Prime Minister himself could stop this event”

A PUBLIC meeting was held at Dezza’s Cabin Community Centre in Monkton on Wednesday evening (Aug 28) as organiser Charlie Price sought to address growing concern about the upcoming Pembroke Horse Fair, due to take place this Saturday (Aug 30).

The meeting followed a press release issued by Pembrokeshire County Council earlier this week which stated that the event had not been granted formal permission. The announcement was picked up by multiple local media outlets and caused unease among residents living near the proposed site, which lies on council-owned land in Monkton.

Welsh Tik-Toker Sophie Julie Valencia, who has over 100,000 followers has been pushing the event for weeks.

***There will be a hundred or more horses at the event in Monkton on Saturday, August 30.***

Price, who called the meeting to reassure locals, spoke to around 40 people in attendance. The event began at 7:15pm after a brief delay while attendees waited for a police representative who ultimately did not arrive. Local councillor Jonathan Grimes also did not attend, having previously sent apologies due to a diary clash related to candidate selection for the upcoming Senedd elections.

Addressing this, Price expressed frustration at the councillor’s absence: “He is our councillor and he is paid to represent us,” he said. He then quipped: “I will stand for council and take his seat if he doesn’t help the community.”

Despite the uncertainty around permissions, Price was adamant that the council had been actively assisting with preparations: “Why do you think the council have been here in their trucks, helping us this morning?” he said, gesturing towards the double doors of the community hall. He explained that fencing had been delivered and installed on the site, and that he had held multiple meetings with council representatives in recent weeks.

***The organisers said council has assisted organisers with safety barriers for the event***, ***these yellow barriers are from Wales & West Utilities***

Police and safety arrangements

Price also addressed policing and public safety, stating that he had met with a high-ranking officer who confirmed that police were aware the event was going ahead and were cooperating. “They’ve said they’re willing to work with us, and we’ve got stewards and marshals in place,” he said. Several of the marshals were present at the meeting.

He further confirmed that there would be no road closures and that access to local roads — including Back Lane — would be maintained throughout. Emergency vehicle access had also been considered, he added.

Parking would be available for a £5 fee, with all proceeds going to charity. The event is covered by public liability insurance through Dezza’s Cabin.

***Horse fairs have a long tradition in the Gypsy and Traveller community***

Family-friendly event, not-for-profit

Price was keen to stress that the fair is not a commercial venture: “This isn’t for personal profit — it’s a charity event for the community,” he said. He added that around 100 horses were expected, along with a variety of stalls, children’s activities such as bouncy castles and face painting, and food vendors. “There’ll be no alcohol on site — I want this to be a family event,” he said.

Price said the fair would run from 9:00am to 6:00pm on Saturday, with some people arriving the day before to set up. He gave a personal assurance that the site would be cleared by Sunday: “I need the field back for my horses,” he joked, drawing laughter from those present.

Mayor invited to open the event

At the close of the meeting, Price told the room he had invited the Mayor of Pembroke to open the fair. “He said he would have loved to but he has a family engagement party to attend on the same day,” Price explained.

“We are looking for someone to open the event,” he said.

Community support

Many locals who attended left reassured by the open and direct approach. Price had already been knocking on doors earlier in the week to speak with residents face-to-face and address concerns. The event ended with a round of applause and a sense of cautious optimism that the fair would proceed smoothly.

Price closed the meeting by expressing his hopes for the future: “This isn’t just for the travelling community — it’s for Monkton. Monkton is a strong community where everyone supports each other,” he said. “I want this to be an annual event. I want to see it grow and bring everyone together.”

Council statement

In a statement on Tuesday, Pembrokeshire County Council said: “We are aware of the proposed horse fair to be run on August 30 at Monkton.

“No permission has been granted for this event to take place on Council land.

“We have written to the organiser setting out our concerns and making clear that they must ensure any event is managed safely and responsibly.

“We will monitor the situation closely and work with our partners to minimise disruption to the community.”

It seems now however that the council has conceded the event is going ahead is now doing everything it can to cooperate with the organisers to ensure it is safe and runs smoothly.

Community

Free naloxone training session announced for Pembroke Dock

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FREE life-saving training session is set to take place in Pembroke Dock next month, giving people the skills to respond to suspected drug overdoses.

RM Training and Security Solutions has confirmed it will host a naloxone (Naxoline) training course at The Cricketers in Pembroke Dock on Tuesday (June 9) from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

The session is being delivered in partnership with the Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) and is open to anyone, including security staff, venue teams, event workers and members of the public.

Organisers say the training is designed to be quick, practical and accessible, equipping attendees with the knowledge and confidence to act in an emergency.

Those taking part will learn how to recognise the signs of an overdose, what to do in a critical situation, how to safely administer naloxone, and gain an understanding of basic harm reduction.

Naloxone is a medication used to reverse the effects of opioid overdoses and can be administered via a nasal spray.

RM Training and Security Solutions said the session forms part of a wider effort to improve safety across communities, particularly in nightlife and public-facing environments.

Places are limited, and early booking is advised. Those interested can book via the company’s website or contact the organisers directly for more information.

Photo caption:

Life-saving skills: Free naloxone training will be held at The Cricketers in Pembroke Dock on Tuesday (June 9).

Community

Security firm meets councillors over town safety concerns

Published

2 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MEETING has been held at Haverfordwest Town Council offices to discuss community safety and security concerns in the town.

Councillor Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner welcomed RM Training and Security Solutions for what he described as a “productive and forward-thinking” discussion.

He was joined by Deputy Mayor-elect Cllr Adam Benson Davis and the Sheriff of Haverfordwest, Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, for the meeting with Ryan Mayne and Matthew Davis of RM Training and Security Solutions.

The discussion focused on concerns facing the community, including public safety, anti-social behaviour and the need for practical partnership working to help support residents, businesses and visitors.

Cllr Thomas-Turner said the meeting was open and honest, with all parties keen to look at constructive ways of improving safety and confidence in the town.

Further discussions are expected as councillors continue to explore possible community-led solutions.

Photo caption:

Town safety talks: Councillors met with representatives of RM Training and Security Solutions at Haverfordwest Town Council offices.

Community

Port invests almost £500,000 in Pembrokeshire communities

Published

3 hours ago

May 1, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people, water safety projects and environmental schemes across Pembrokeshire benefited from almost half a million pounds of support from the Port of Milford Haven during 2025.

The Port said its investment reflected another year of commitment to strengthening local communities, building confidence among young people, improving access to the Milford Haven Waterway and supporting environmental resilience across the county.

Its community support focused on three main themes: a safe, inclusive and enjoyable Waterway; a skilled and confident community, with a particular focus on young people; and a sustainable and resilient environment.

Water safety projects delivered with Windswept, Paddle West and Blue Horizons CIC helped more people access the Waterway safely, including skills sessions and boat trips for people of all abilities and backgrounds.

The Port also supported Tenby Surf Life Saving Club and Porthmawr Surf Life Saving Club, helping provide training and safety equipment for volunteers carrying out lifesaving work.

Youth support

long-standing partnerships also remained central to the Port’s community investment.

Its continued work with Milford Youth Matters supported initiatives including Under the Bridge and the Winter Warmers scheme, providing safe and warm spaces for young people during the colder months.

Support for Megan’s Starr Foundation funded more than 300 hours of counselling for young people, helping improve mental health and wellbeing.

The Port also worked with Pembrokeshire County Council and Milford Haven Town Council to help keep a vital library resource open.

Support continued for the Torch Theatre, which delivered opportunities for young people outside traditional academic or sporting settings and won an award in 2025.

In partnership with the SPARC Alliance, the Port also helped encourage young women to explore careers in STEM, with 172 girls enrolled in the programme.

Environmental work

The Port said it remained proud to support the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC Officer post, recognising the importance of protecting and sharing the county’s special marine environment.

It also highlighted its role with the Milford Haven Waterway Environment Surveillance Group, which has monitored the Waterway’s habitats and wildlife for more than thirty years.

The Port has also supported Cymbrogi Futures in delivering the Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon programme for schools across Pembrokeshire.

Anna Malloy, Communications and Marketing Director at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Our community investments are some of the most rewarding ways we support people across Pembrokeshire.

“Every year we see incredible dedication from local groups working to make our communities safer, more inclusive, and more inspiring, especially for young people.

“We are particularly proud that in 2026 the fund will be focusing further on supporting projects that help young people gain skills and grow in confidence.

“Our investment in people today helps create a stronger, more inclusive and ambitious generation tomorrow.”

The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port, handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Waterfront.

Photo caption: Water safety projects delivered with Windswept, Paddle West and Blue Horizons CIC helped more people access the Waterway safely.