Founder Kayleigh Salmon thanks loyal customers after building beloved bakery from home kitchen at just 17

A MUCH-LOVED Pembrokeshire cake business has closed its doors after an emotional final day that left customers, friends and supporters sharing messages of thanks and sadness.

St Davids Cake Co announced the end of an era this week, with founder Kayleigh Salmon thanking the local community that helped turn a teenage dream into a successful small business.

In an emotional social media post, Kayleigh said she was overwhelmed by the support shown during the final day of trading.

She wrote: “Just WOW, honestly today was absolutely amazing.

“I can’t believe this amazing small community we built from starting in my home kitchen at the age of 17.

“I never believed little me could achieve this.”

Photos shared by the business showed bouquets of flowers, cards, gifts and a bottle of fizz from well-wishers, while friends gathered in the shop for a heartfelt send-off.

Kayleigh paid tribute to her close friend Ells, who supported her both during childhood and throughout the business journey.

She said: “I just want to thank my great friend Ells, for all the help, support and encouragement over the last 10 years.

“For her to help me so many years later in my shop it was a real pleasure to have her alongside me for our final day. I’m forever grateful for our friendship.”

The closure prompted an outpouring of affection from customers, many describing the bakery as a treasured part of visits to St Davids.

Jenny Pearson said: “Really going to miss your fabulous cakes. Even though I’m gluten intolerant and shouldn’t have eaten them, they were well worth it.”

Bethan Mayer wrote: “Gutted I couldn’t get to you, will miss your cookies.”

Another customer, Sara Hawkridge, described the bakery’s treats as “the BEST”, adding: “You should be very proud.”

Others wished Kayleigh luck for “whatever you do next”, with many encouraging her to enjoy some well-earned time off after years of hard work.

While the closure marks the end of St Davids Cake Co, the reaction online suggests Kayleigh’s cakes — and the community she built around them — will not be forgotten anytime soon.

A WELL-KNOWN independent veterinary practice in Pembrokeshire has announced a change of ownership after nearly two decades of caring for local pets.

All Pets Vet Care revealed that founder Billa will soon hand over the reins after 17 years, with experienced local vets Alice Richards and Pete Howe set to become the practice’s new owners.

The practice said both Alice and Pete share Billa’s commitment to maintaining the independent, friendly and community-focused ethos that has helped make the surgery a trusted name among pet owners across Pembrokeshire.

Alice and Pete are both highly experienced vets who have worked in Pembrokeshire for more than ten years, meaning many clients may already know them.

The team stressed that there will be no change to the care provided, with the practice continuing to offer the same personal service and out-of-hours care for registered clients.

In a message to customers, the practice said: “Nothing about the care you receive is changing – it will still be the same personal, friendly service.”

The new owners said they are looking forward to meeting clients and their pets in the coming weeks.

Pet owners will also have an opportunity to meet Pete at the practice’s Open Day on Friday, June 27. Alice will be unable to attend due to a long-planned charity bike ride, although the team said she would “be there in spirit.”

Photo caption:

New chapter: Local vets Alice Richards and Pete Howe are taking over ownership of All Pets Vet Care after 17 years under founder Billa (Pic: All Pets Vet Care).

CENTURIES-OLD CEREMONY DRAWS FAMILIES TO THE RIVERSIDE

HAVERFORDWEST’S historic Beating of the Bounds returned on Sunday (Jun 14), with boats, music and crowds gathering along the riverside for one of the town’s most distinctive civic traditions.

The ceremony saw the Mayor of Haverfordwest and Admiral of the Port, Cllr Randell Thomas-Turner, lead a water-borne procession along the Western Cleddau to the White Stone, the painted boundary marker of the Borough and Port of Haverfordwest.

He was joined by Deputy Mayor Cllr Adam Benson-Davies, Town Sheriff Cllr Dani Thomas-Turner, Deputy Lieutenant Patricia Porter OBE and her daughter, the Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, the Chairman of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society, Reverend Sophie Whitmarsh, Andrew Merfyn Phillips the High Sheriff of Dyfed, and other invited guests.

A flotilla of boats from Neyland, Milford Haven and other parts of the Haven made its way upriver for the ceremony, with civic leaders and dignitaries travelling out to the White Stone.

Upon reaching the marker, Reverend Sophie Whitmarsh, the Mayor’s Chaplain, gave a blessing as the boats gathered around the painted white rock.

Cllr Thomas-Turner then delivered the traditional proclamation, formally reaffirming the town’s ancient boundaries and rights.

He declared: “Let it be known that I come to the White Stone and do this day acknowledge and maintain the ancient bounds and privilege of the Borough and Port of Haverfordwest.”

The ceremony was accompanied by a busy family event at the Quayside Car Park, where Pure West Radio broadcast live from the riverside and crowds enjoyed face painting, bouncy castles, ice cream and food stalls.

Local artist and musician Steve Bartram performed during the afternoon, while children from Vision Arts entertained the crowd with songs from Disney films and musical theatre, including I’ve Got No Strings from Pinocchio.

Milford Haven Town Band also performed, adding a traditional soundtrack to the occasion as the historic ceremony unfolded on the river.

With the Bristol Trader open and people sitting out on benches along the river enjoying the evening atmosphere, the event brought a relaxed summer feel to the town centre.

Security for the event was provided by RM Training and Security Solutions, helping ensure the celebrations ran safely for families and visitors.

First aid cover was provided by St John Ambulance Cymru, with four team members on site throughout the event.

Beating the Bounds is an ancient civic custom, once used to mark and remember parish or town boundaries before modern maps and records. In Haverfordwest, the tradition survives in a particularly distinctive form, with the Mayor travelling by boat to the White Stone to acknowledge the historic bounds and privileges of the borough and port.

This year’s event combined formal civic ceremony with music, family entertainment, river activity and a strong community turnout, helping to keep one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known traditions alive for another generation.

Photos by The Pembrokeshire Herald, Aad Oostermeijer, Cllr Thomas Tudor and Darthy Media