News

Former Swales Music Centre is part of new project

Published

9 years ago

March 20, 2017

A building which housed one of Haverfordwest’s best known businesses is being restored.

Numbers 2 – 6 High Street – once better known as Swales Music Centre – is the latest property in the town to be renovated under the Haverfordwest Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

The building is being brought back into productive use as three retail units with accommodation above.

The work will entail extensive work to the internal timber framing and complete rendering to the front elevation using traditional lime render

Pembrokeshire County Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Communities, Keith Lewis, said: “It’s wonderful to see signs of real regeneration in Haverfordwest.

“We are fortunate to have grant money available under the THI and I would encourage other property owners to take advantage of this scheme.”

Former Swales Music Centre: High Street, Haverfordwest

The local County Council Member, Thomas Tudor, emphasised the importance of investing In Haverfordwest as Pembrokeshire’s county town

Mike Woods from R K Lucas and Son said his company was delighted to be appointed project managers for the renovation work.

He explained: “Swales is remembered as an iconic part of the townscape and not just by music lovers. The name itself will be recalled fondly by generations across Pembrokeshire.

“Having our own business roots dating back to the late 1700s, this was a project we were keen to be involved with.

“The Townscape Heritage Initiative has played a vital part in the viability of this project and I would like to thank the Council for their co-operation in the development of the scheme.

“With their financial assistance and our professional guidance, we look forward to the successful completion of the restoration of some wonderful buildings in our town providing much needed quality accommodation and commercial space.”.

The grant funders to the scheme are Pembrokeshire County Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Cadw.

Said Councillor Lewis: “This is a last call for owners to come on board for the THI as all grant offers need to be in place by August, with work complete by March next year.”

News

Hakin motorist banned after driving 14 times over drug limit

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A HAKIN motorist has been banned from driving for three years after being caught behind the wheel with cocaine and benzoylecgonine in his system.

Mark Briskham, 53, of Waterloo Square, Wellington Road, Hakin, was stopped by police on January 5 as he drove a Ford Kuga along Steynton Road, near Milford Haven.

Blood tests carried out at the police station showed he had 800mcg of benzoylecgonine in his system. The legal limit is 50mcg.

He also had 64mcg of cocaine in his system. The legal limit is 10mcg.

Briskham pleaded guilty to two drug-driving charges when he appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

Magistrates disqualified him from driving for three years, taking into account a previous drug-drive conviction from 2020.

He was also fined £120 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £48 surcharge.cr

Crime

Begelly man remanded over alleged May Day assault

Published

11 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been remanded in custody following an alleged May Day assault against a woman in Begelly.

Tomas Baker, 34, of Ty Dee, New Road, Begelly, is accused of assaulting the woman, causing actual bodily harm, at an undisclosed location in Begelly on May 1.

Baker appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week by video link from Swansea Prison.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

His trial will take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on June 22.

Crime

Waterston man denies child rape and sexual assault charges

Published

12 hours ago

June 9, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WATERSTON man has appeared before magistrates charged with 13 sexual offences against children, including three allegations of raping a girl under the age of 13.

Chaisee Price, 25, of Biggins Hill, Waterston, Milford Haven, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week.

He faces three charges of raping a girl under 13, eight charges of sexually assaulting girls aged between five and eight, and two charges of intentionally inciting girls under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2014 and 2019.

Price denied all charges.

Because of the seriousness of the allegations, magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case will now proceed to Swansea Crown Court on July 10.

Price was released on conditional bail.

The conditions include a daily electronically monitored curfew between 6:00pm and 6:00am, no contact with the prosecution witness, no unsupervised contact with children under 18, and a requirement to surrender his passport to police.