News

Haverfordwest: Last of Riverside Markest businesses relocate

Published

10 years ago

November 9, 2016

Pictured at Time Is are (left to right): Cllr Keith Lewis, Cllr Tony Brinsden, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Reg Davies, Sandra Davies and Greg Davies.

TWO long-standing businesses from the former Riverside Market in Haverfordwest are gearing up for Christmas in their new premises.

‘Time Is’ and ‘Terminal Records’ have moved to the Riverside Courtyard, near Coffee #1 at the Old Bridge.

It follows Pembrokeshire County Council’s decision to close the Riverside Market and convert it into a new county library and gallery for Pembrokeshire.

The businesses are the final traders to move from the market, having both been there since the early days.

Reg Davies runs ‘Time Is’ – which specialises in watches, clocks and engraving – with his wife Sandra and son Greg. He said although leaving the market after 33 years had been difficult, it was a ‘blessing in disguise’.

“When they told us we would be leaving it was horrendous,” he said. “But every cloud has a silver lining. We’re in a great spot looking over the river and the building itself is lovely. It’s warm, and it’s a much nicer working environment.

“We still have our established customers, and the passing trade has been great. We’re seeing new people now, because they notice us when they come over the bridge and a lot of people didn’t come into the market.”

Martin Thompson, owner of the music shop ‘Terminal Records’, was one of the first traders at the market when it opened in November 1982. He said the uncertainty over its future had been tough for the traders, and that he had sympathy for those who weren’t able to re-locate their business.

“It’s worked out all right in the end, for me,” he said. “But it’s not been easy. The market was a community hub. If you want change, it’s ok – but when it’s forced on you there is a bit of resentment.”

However, he said his business had made a promising start in its new premises, helped by the resurgence in the popularity of vinyl. The shop specialises in original vinyl records in everything from hip-hop to metal, folk, punk, reggae, jazz and blues.

Cllr Keith Lewis, Cabinet Member for Economy and Communities, said: “We know that traders have undergone a challenging period and we recognise that things have been difficult at times, but we wish them all the very best in their new premises.”

Martin and Reg also praised Tim Bullock, estates surveyor at the Council, and local county councillor Tom Tudor for their support during their move.

Cllr Tudor said: “This has been a difficult time for all the businesses that were located in the Riverside Market, but I am very pleased for Reg, Sandra and Greg from ‘Time Is’ and for Martin Thompson from ‘Terminal Records’, I am sure judging on the positive comments that the future for their businesses is looking brighter than previously and I wish them all the very best, and as the local County Councillor for the ‘Castle Ward’ I am as always readily available should they need any further help.”

Crime

Man sentenced after false stabbing claim in abusive 999 call

Published

2 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Court Reporter

Court hears intoxicated caller wasted police resources after contacting officers from Penally caravan site

A MAN has been sentenced after falsely claiming he had been stabbed and making abusive comments during a 999 call to police.

Christopher Lawrence, 43, contacted the emergency services from the Oasis campsite in Penally on June 2, saying he wanted to report a crime.

“He told police that he had been stabbed, stating: ‘You f****** don’t care,’” Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan told Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Lawrence then ended the call, but the police control room contacted him again.

He told the call handler that a man he described as “half bald” and drunk had arrived at the campsite and was threatening him.

“I’ve told the f****** police that if he comes here, I’ll go mental,” Lawrence said.

He also claimed to have suffered a stab wound to his side but said he did not require an ambulance.

When officers arrived, they found Lawrence heavily intoxicated.

“He told the officers that he had not been stabbed and had not made the call, but clearly that was not the case,” Ms Vaughan said.

Lawrence, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message to police.

His solicitor, Michael Kelleher, said the offence had been driven by Lawrence’s alcohol misuse.

“What runs throughout this case is his alcohol abuse, but he is now showing a willingness to address it,” Mr Kelleher told the court.

“This functioning alcoholic wants to get to the bottom of his problem and stop offending.

“Alcohol can heighten a person’s anxiety and their perception of what is happening. There was no issue concerning his safety on this occasion, but there had been in the past, and that was playing on his mind.

“But what he did was wrong. It was a waste of police resources, and he understands how other people could have been affected by his actions.”

Lawrence was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including a nine-month alcohol treatment programme and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was also fined £100 and ordered to pay a £114 surcharge and £85 prosecution costs.

Crime

Saundersfoot man admits attempted sexual communication with a child

Published

2 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

A 56-YEAR-OLD man has admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child in Saundersfoot.

Appearing before Haverfordwest Magistrates Court this week was Philip Williams, of Valley View, Saundersfoot.

The court was told that between July 20 and July 28, 2024, Williams attempted to engage in sexual communication with a 13-year-old child who was called Sam.

During his communication with the child, Williams requested snapchat images of the child’s bottom as well as images of her wearing running leggings or tights. This, the court, was told, was for his sexual gratification.

But unknown to Williams, the ‘child’ was an undercover police officer.

Williams pleaded guilty to the charge of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

His sentencing will take place on August 4 to enable an all options pre-sentence report to be prepared by the probation service.

Crime

Rear-seat passenger admits causing serious injury by dangerous driving

Published

2 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Sarah Jane Absalom

Court hears 21-year-old repeatedly grabbed steering wheel of moving Volkswagen Golf

A REAR-SEAT passenger has admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving after repeatedly grabbing the steering wheel of a moving car.

Joseph Lawrence Jones, 21, was travelling in the back of a Volkswagen Golf being driven by Sioned Tesni Povey, 22, along the Spring Wells to Spittal road on September 30.

Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court heard that Jones reached forward from the rear seat and pulled the steering wheel from the driver.

“He then repeated his actions, but Sioned Povey continued to drive and made no resistance to Mr Jones’ actions,” Crown prosecutor Sian Vaughan said.

“This was a deliberate decision to ignore the rules of the road.”

The court heard that Harlie-Louise Smith sustained serious injuries during the incident.

Jones, of Wesley Way, Spittal, pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Povey, of Duncan Terrace, Maenclochog, denied the same charge, maintaining that her driving had not caused Ms Smith’s injuries.

Although magistrates accepted jurisdiction to deal with the case, Povey elected to be tried at the Crown Court.

She is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on August 14, when Jones is also expected to be sentenced.

Magistrates imposed an interim driving disqualification on Jones.

Both defendants were released on unconditional bail.