A CELEBRATION of plant-based living returned to Pembrokeshire as VegOut West welcomed visitors to Scolton Manor for its fourth annual festival.

The small, non-profit vegan festival, powered by solar energy and “good vibes”, brought together live entertainment, independent traders, workshops and a wide variety of plant-based food for a fully inclusive, family and dog-friendly weekend.

Held each year in the picturesque grounds of Scolton Manor, the event gave visitors the chance not only to enjoy the festival itself but also to explore the estate’s woodland walks, walled gardens and popular play areas.

Festival-goers began arriving on Friday evening, with camping available throughout the weekend until Monday midday, while day tickets were offered for Saturday and Sunday. Children aged five and under attended free of charge.

A packed programme of live music, comedy, talks and activities ran across the weekend, creating a relaxed festival atmosphere for visitors of all ages.

Performing on the main stage were Vegan Queen V, Mobius Loop, Dippy Bamba, Tanglemist, Hunter Bradford, Meme Detroit and Stella Paris, with entertainment continuing throughout the weekend.

Away from the stage, visitors enjoyed a varied programme of talks, wellbeing sessions and hands-on activities, including breathwork, grounding sessions, yoga, journalling, children’s story time, tie-dye workshops, bingo, tofu cookery demonstrations and food tastings.

Craft workshops, games and activities ensured there was plenty to keep families entertained, while giant Twister, Connect 4, swingball, table tennis, football and a large inflatable proved popular with younger festival-goers.

Dozens of independent stalls lined the festival site, showcasing local businesses, charities, artisan makers and vegan organisations from across west Wales and beyond.

A delicious variety of plant-based food was available throughout the weekend, with traders serving everything from burgers, macaroni cheese and salads to gelato, churros, cakes and sweet treats.

Pembrokeshire business Sup & Bloom, based in Newport, served drinks from its botanical bar alongside tea and coffee, while Ceredigion-based Nutty Cow Cakes offered an array of cakes and traditional Welsh cakes.

The festival also welcomed community groups and organisations including Little Green Pigeon, Vegan Hikers Club, Vegan Runners, Rock n Roll Vegan and Animal Freedom Network, alongside wellbeing practitioners offering massage treatments and tarot readings. Visitors could also unwind in the popular Chai, Chat & Chill tent.

Warm sunshine, with temperatures reaching around 28°C, helped create an ideal backdrop as visitors relaxed in the grounds of Scolton Manor or explored everything the festival had to offer.

While celebrating vegan living remains at the heart of VegOut West, the event has grown into much more than a food festival, combining live music, comedy, talks, craft workshops, wellbeing activities, games and community spirit in a welcoming environment for all.

As a small, non-profit event, VegOut West continues to champion sustainability, inclusivity and local independent businesses, while offering a unique addition to Pembrokeshire’s growing calendar of summer festivals.

Now firmly established as an annual event, the festival once again demonstrated how a welcoming atmosphere, great entertainment, delicious food and a stunning venue can bring together visitors from across Wales and beyond for a memorable weekend.

Danger on T-Rex Mountain promises prehistoric thrills, interactive fun and a spectacular T-Rex finale

DINOSAURS will take over the Torch Theatre this July as Dinosaur Adventure Live returns with its latest family production, Danger on T-Rex Mountain.

Now in its fifth year, the show combines storytelling, impressive puppetry and fascinating science to bring the prehistoric world crashing back to life on stage.

Audiences can expect a shadowy raptor on the loose, baby dinosaurs that need feeding and plenty of opportunities for younger visitors to stomp, roar and swish their tails along with the action.

Created by Mike Newman, the imaginative mind behind Exciting Science, the production blends humour, suspense and hands-on learning in an energetic and interactive theatrical experience.

Children are encouraged to become part of the adventure, helping the performers as the story unfolds and preparing themselves for the arrival of the show’s biggest and most fearsome attraction.

When the T-Rex finally bursts onto the stage, audiences can expect a heart-pounding finale filled with excitement, surprises and plenty of prehistoric noise.

Alongside the action, the hour-long production includes a series of entertaining “Dino-Facts”, helping younger audience members learn about dinosaurs and palaeontology without the show ever feeling like a classroom lesson.

With its combination of comedy, audience participation and just the right amount of suspense, Danger on T-Rex Mountain is suitable for committed young dinosaur experts and families looking for an entertaining summer adventure.

Dinosaur Adventure Live: Danger on T-Rex Mountain will be staged at the Torch Theatre on Thursday, July 30, with performances at 2pm and 4.30pm.

Tickets cost £15.95 and a post-show meet-and-greet will also take place.

The production is recommended for children aged four and over.

Tickets can be booked through the Torch Theatre website or by calling the box office on 01646 695267.

A CALL for a formal seasonal Pembrokeshire campsite with motorhomes camping on the site of a former scrapyard has been given the go-ahead by national park planners.

In an application recommended for approval at the July meeting of Pembrokeshire coast National Park’s development management committee, Mr A Stoddart, through agent Addison Design & Development, sought permission for a change of use of land for the formation of 11 ‘touring caravan’ pitches, tent pitches and the siting of three shepherd’s huts, partly retrospective, on land to the east of Talbenny Hall Farm, Talbenny, near Haverfordwest.

The retrospective element related to the retention of an existing storage shed and facilities building.

The application was for committee consideration as officers had recommended approval despite objections from local community council The Havens.

An officer report for members said a change of use was sought for a a former scrapyard site, “which has been remediated and more recently operated as a seasonal campsite, to provide a seasonal formal camping and glamping site”.

It added: “During the determination of the application, a significant amount of additional information has been submitted in response to consultee comments. In particular, the Local Highway Authority initially objected to the proposal on highway safety grounds pending the submission of further technical information.”

It said those concerns had been withdrawn after further information was received, the scheme before committee as it “relates to a new tourism development in the countryside, and because The Havens Community Council has maintained an objection on highway safety grounds”.

It went on to say: “The site will operate as a medium sized seasonal tourism development between March 31 and September 30 each year. The applicant has confirmed that the three shepherd’s huts will be removed from the site outside the operating season and stored within the existing onsite storage building.

“Officers consider that the previously developed nature of the site, its enclosed landscape setting, seasonal operation and the resolution of technical matters relating to highway safety, ecology and drainage demonstrate overall policy compliance with the requirements [of planning policy] and the proposal is therefore recommended for approval subject to conditions.”

At the meeting, members heard the 2023 submitted scheme had been delayed due to the applicant facing “exceptional personal circumstances”.

Concerns were raised at the meeting by objector Alison Gibbey on highways grounds, while agent Zac Addison told members the former scrapyard had been transformed into “a beautiful little haven,” the applicant not wanting to be “a nuisance to anybody”.

He said the ‘touring pitches’ would be solely used for motorhomes, with a maximum of 20 tents in the tent pitch area.

Moving approval, Cllr Di Clements reflected it was positive tourism in the county was spreading inland away from “honey pot” coastal areas, suggesting a ‘quiet time’ evening condition be included in any approval.

Members unanimously backed the recommendation of approval, Cllr Mike James commenting: “to have something like this in the rural areas, it’s really good to see this.”