A DECISION on whether to grant a license for Tenby’s Summer Spectacular events, which have been cancelled this year, is expected in a few days, councillors hearing claims the current arrangement is “a disaster waiting to happen”.

Tenby’s Summer Spectacular is held every year in August and the events have been a summer highlight in the resort for many years.

Tenby Round Table are the organisers of the Tenby harbour-based events which feature food, drink and live music entertainment, culminating in a popular fireworks display.

Late last month, Tenby Round Table said that the two spectaculars scheduled for this August were provisionally cancelled, pending a deadline of Friday, June 26, given to Pembrokeshire County Council.

The round table volunteers have said negotiations with Pembrokeshire County Council’s public realm department have failed to produce a clear, workable agreement on temporary restrictions for pedestrian access to the harbour and its beach during the event.

Without that, they say, they cannot legally or safely control crowd numbers.

The licence covers Tenby Harbour car park and extends to the top of Penniless Cove Hill, with a stage area, stalls, stands and a refreshment area including a bar selling soft and alcoholic drinks in cans. The sale of alcohol is authorised by way of a temporary event notice rather than as a licensable activity on the Premises Licence.

It is an open-air event with no fences or barriers and customers wishing to enter the licensed area can make a voluntary donation to the organisation, there no ticketing or charge for entry.

The July meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing sub-committee considered an application for a review of the premises licence for the Spectacular, submitted by Dyfed Powys Police, which said the current license is “no longer fit for purpose”.

At the meeting a representative for Dyfed-Powys Police, who invited the committee to revoke the current licence, said it was “a disaster waiting to happen” in its current format, the police expressing concerns about public safety and overcrowding, with a danger of “crowd surging” and limited escape routes at an event emergency services say should have a maximum capacity of 1,600 people in the harbour area rather than the estimated 3,000 attracted.

While stressing the police were not against the event, he said it “has evolved from a family event to a large-scale drinking environment”.

Concerns were raised by other emergency services; the ambulance service raising concerns about access, and the fire service raising concerns about public safety.

Members heard the event had become “a victim of its own success,” with ever greater crowds attracted.

Pembrokeshire County Council Lead Licensing Officer Geraint Griffiths said the current event was “very dangerous,” and an “incident waiting to happen,” any surge of the crowd being potentially devastating.

Tenby Round Table disputed some of the figures produced by the emergency services about incidents in previous years, saying they were not connected to the event.

The ‘Table members present stressed they had tried to address the issue of access to the licensed area: “This year’s event has been cancelled, it arose from the sheer volume of people visiting Tenby creating a question we have tried to get answered for the best part of a year; without a clear answer we couldn’t finish our licensing plan and couldn’t responsibly hold our events.”

Committee member Cllr Mark Carter suggested the event had become “too successful,” and may have “outgrown its current location,” the Round Table saying any move, while still keeping fireworks at the harbour would be logistically difficult.

Cllr Carter said access to the event from the nearby beach was “the elephant in the room,” hoping the organisers would present a robust scheme to deal with that issue.

Members were given four options about how to proceed with the licensing, including revoking it or amending it.

Chair Cllr Tim Evans closed the meeting saying the committee would deliberate, a decision expected to take a day-plus, with a decision in writing expected within five working days.

FAMILIES are being invited to celebrate the start of the school holidays with a free outdoor screening of Disney-Pixar favourite Finding Nemo at Milford Waterfront.

The Torch Theatre will launch its 2026 Sunset Cinema season at Mackerel Quay on Friday, July 17, with the marina and Milford Haven Waterway providing the backdrop.

Sponsored by Milford Waterfront, the family screening will be shown on the Torch Theatre’s new outdoor LED cinema screen. Gates will open at 1pm, with the film beginning at 2.30pm.

Admission is free, although tickets should be booked in advance through the Torch Theatre.

The entertainment will continue into the evening with a screening of the 1980s classic Back to the Future at 7pm.

Tickets for the evening film can also be purchased through the Torch Theatre website. Audiences are encouraged to arrive from 6pm and bring their own chairs and blankets.

A selection of food and drink vendors will be available throughout the afternoon and evening.

Lucy Wonnacott, Head of Communications and Marketing at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Summer starts here. We’re delighted to kick off the Torch Theatre’s 2026 Sunset Cinema season and the school holidays with a free waterside screening of Finding Nemo.

“Then, as the sun goes down, film fans can buy tickets to join us for the ultimate time-travelling adventure, Back to the Future.

“There’s something special about watching a great film by the water, and we’re looking forward to welcoming families, friends and visitors for a day of cinema, community and summer memories at Milford Waterfront.”

Chelsey Gillard, from the Torch Theatre, added: “We’re incredibly pleased to be partnering with Milford Waterfront to offer this special Sunset Cinema screening completely free for our community.

“Watching Finding Nemo on Mackerel Quay is going to be absolutely magical. Bring a deckchair, gather the family and join Nemo, Dory and Marlin for an unforgettable adventure on the big screen.

“Let’s just hope Bruce the shark doesn’t decide to make an appearance. What a fantastic way to celebrate the end of term and kick off the summer holidays.”

Tickets for both screenings should be booked in advance through the Torch Theatre booking office.

Further details about events taking place at Milford Waterfront this summer can be found on the Milford Waterfront website.

Photo caption: Families can enjoy a free outdoor screening of Finding Nemo at Milford Waterfront on Friday, July 17.

ASHMOLE & CO, one of mid and west Wales’ largest bilingual accountancy firms, is delighted to be supporting Wales YFC by sponsoring its dance competition at this month’s Royal Welsh Show.

The firm has worked closely with the Welsh farming community since it was established in 1897 and remains deeply committed to the agricultural sector.

Many of Ashmole & Co’s partners and staff are past or present members of Wales YFC and have benefited personally and professionally from their involvement with the organisation.

Supporting the next generation of farmers and rural leaders is therefore of great importance to the firm.

The Royal Welsh Show is one of the highlights of the year for YFC members, with competitions including shearing, dancing, stock judging and flower arranging.

The dance competition sponsored by Ashmole & Co will take place on the main YFC stage on Tuesday, July 21, from 1pm.

Ceri Llwyd, a partner at Ashmole & Co’s Llandovery and Llandeilo offices, said: “As the auditor of Wales YFC, we understand the importance of this bilingual rural youth organisation in helping young people become successful farmers, confident individuals, effective contributors and responsible citizens.

“It has been an honour to work with Wales YFC over many years. We have developed an excellent working relationship, and I very much hope this will continue for many years to come.

“We would like to wish everyone competing at the Royal Welsh Show the very best of luck and hope they enjoy the tremendous experience.

“I will be there on Tuesday to watch the competition and show my support.”

Wales YFC is a vibrant organisation that encourages young people to take responsibility and play an active role in their communities while developing their skills through a wide range of member-led programmes and activities.

The organisation has more than 5,000 members aged between 10 and 28, as well as thousands of supporters, volunteers, parents and friends.

Mared Rand Jones, chief executive of Wales YFC, said: “The Royal Welsh Show is the pinnacle of the year for YFC members, and we look forward to seeing them once again representing their counties and competing in a wide variety of competitions.

“Wales YFC will be showcasing the very best of its membership, and the public will be entertained throughout the four days of the show.

“We thank Ashmole & Co for its tremendous support. As a charity, we depend on generous sponsorship to provide activities and competitions for our members.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to the Wales YFC Centre during the show.”

The 2026 Royal Welsh Show will take place from Monday, July 20, to Thursday, July 23.

Widely regarded as one of the leading events in the British agricultural calendar, the show will feature four days of livestock and equine competitions, forestry, horticulture, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, food and drink, alongside a packed daily programme of entertainment, attractions and displays.