Community
Whitland street food festival draws thousands for biggest event yet
Record crowds, live music and over 100 traders make bank holiday celebration a major success
THOUSANDS of visitors descended on Whitland on Sunday (May 3) as the Whitland Street Food Festival returned to Parc Dr Owen for what organisers described as its biggest and best event to date.
The annual festival, organised by Together Hendygwyn Gyda’n Gilydd CIC, brought together food traders, performers and community groups from across West Wales, with strong ticket sales suggesting attendance in the thousands.
Record scale and strong turnout
More than 30 street food vendors and over 80 market stalls filled the site, offering everything from Welsh produce and artisan goods to international cuisine, sweet treats and speciality drinks.
A large big-top tent provided covered seating for festivalgoers, while crowds gathered across the field to enjoy live music, entertainment and family attractions throughout the day.
Pre-event figures suggested over 1,300 tickets had already been sold, with some estimates rising closer to 1,800 — continuing the festival’s growth as a major regional attraction.

Music and entertainment headline the day
The event featured a full programme of live performances, culminating in a headline DJ set from BBC Radio 1 DJs Rickie and Melvin.
Local acts also played a central role, with performances from 4th Street, The Western Shires, P’tcheaow, The Home Shores and Just Dylan. Community groups including Ysgol Dyffryn Taf and Whitland & District Male Choir also took to the stage.
Visitors were entertained beyond the music, with live circus shows and interactive activities from Big Top Mania, alongside a popular hot wing challenge.
Family focus and community spirit
The festival placed a strong emphasis on being family-friendly, with a free bouncy castle, inflatable assault course and dedicated toddler area attracting younger visitors.
Across the site, a mix of families, groups and visitors from neighbouring counties created a lively and welcoming atmosphere, with many staying into the evening as entertainment continued.
Pure West Radio broadcast live from the event, interviewing traders, performers and attendees, capturing what many described as a “buzzing” and “fantastic” day.

Supporting local business and causes
Organisers said the festival was designed to celebrate local food, businesses and community spirit, while supporting independent traders and raising funds or awareness for local causes.
Charity presence on the day included Wales Air Ambulance, which hosted an awareness stand alongside the commercial stalls.
Whitland, a small Carmarthenshire town, has seen the festival grow into a key annual event, drawing visitors from across West Wales and providing a boost to the local economy.
Looking ahead
With strong attendance, a packed programme and widespread community involvement, the 2026 festival is expected to build further momentum for future events.
Organisers are likely to review this year’s success as they look ahead to an even bigger return in 2027.

Community
Man found dead near Carmarthen railway line died from hypothermia
A 32-YEAR-OLD man found dead near Carmarthen Train Station died after taking shelter on a bitterly cold night, an inquest has heard.
Edward Mark Owen, originally from Birmingham but living in Ystradgynlais, was discovered in a field beside the railway line on the approach to Carmarthen station on Saturday, January 10.
A Transport for Wales train driver had spotted what appeared to be a body lying face down near the track shortly after 8:30am.
Police and railway staff attended and found Mr Owen lying face down and topless in the field. His coat, T-shirt, phone and cigarettes were found nearby.
Police initially treated the death as unexplained.
Movements traced
The inquest heard that officers later traced Mr Owen’s movements from his home in Ystradgynlais to Carmarthen.
He had nowhere to stay in the town and had taken shelter under a bridge near the railway station during a particularly cold night.
The coroner said Mr Owen had “sadly succumbed to the effects of hypothermia”.
The fact that he had removed his T-shirt and coat was said to be consistent with a confused state brought on by hypothermia.
A conclusion of misadventure was recorded.
The coroner found that Mr Owen died sometime on January 10, 2026.
Community
Milford Haven firefighters prepare for key assessments
ON-CALL firefighters at Milford Haven Fire Station have been put through their paces as part of their weekly drill night.
The crew’s development firefighters were pictured carrying out a “drill by numbers” squad exercise ahead of upcoming assessments.
New firefighters spend their first 24 months in a development period, which is split into four stages and focuses on different operational skills and competencies.
At the end of each stage, firefighters attend a divisional training centre where their progress is assessed against the standards required by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Over the next two weeks, members of the Milford Haven crew will take part in a Stage 2 interim assessment and a Stage 4 final assessment.
One firefighter is hoping to complete the final stage and qualify as a fully competent firefighter.
The station said Wednesday nights remain an important part of training for the on-call crew, helping firefighters maintain the skills needed to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven area.
Community
Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home
A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.
The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.
The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.
Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.
The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.
Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.
The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.
Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].
The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.
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