Wales parks toast two decades with new wildlife scheme

Published

7 years ago

May 7, 2019

A PEMBROKESHIRE family which swapped farming for a flourishing future in the leisure industry is this spring celebrating 20 years of success.

Celtic Holiday Parks, which owns three multi-award winning parks in the county, has become one of Wales’s leading tourism providers.

But according to Huw Pendleton, who owns the business with his parents Vic and Ann, Celtic’s anniversary year will be marked not just by a series of fun events.

He is also drawing up a series of environmental initiatives to reinforce the reputation of his parks as some of the greenest places to take a holiday in Wales.

It was in 1999 that the Pendletons sold the family’s farm in Rhuallt, North Wales, and bought Croft Country Park in Narberth, Pembrokeshire.

Until then, Huw had enjoyed a top management career in the catering and hotels sector – but he was determined to plough his own furrow, and Croft provided the perfect opportunity.

Business blossomed, and Huw went on to apply his successful formula to two more Pembrokeshire holiday parks acquired by the family: Noble Court in Narberth, and Meadow House overlooking Amroth Bay.

The family’s parks variously provide caravan holiday homes and lodges to own and to rent, and pitch facilities for guests bringing their own touring caravan or motorhome.

£1m super-luxury glamping and lodge development at Noble Court, Narberth

The group is also a major provider of glamping facilities, and last year saw the launch of a new £1 million super-luxury glamping and lodge development at Noble Court called “Celtic Escapes”.

Now Celtic Holiday Parks, which was last year crowned the best holiday park business in Wales at the National Tourism Awards, plans to celebrate two decades with a new flourish of green initiatives.

All three of the company’s parks were named once again this year as winners of the prestigious David Bellamy Conservation Award at its top gold level.

The world-famous botanist praised the raft of initiatives put in place over the years to protect the natural environment and encourage wildlife.

Professor Bellamy highlighted the large number of high pollen-bearing flowers on the parks which provide essential foraging resources for honey bees, butterflies and other pollinators.

He said the parks had also created important additional nesting and food habitats by the planting of extensive new areas of hedging as well as hundreds of native trees and shrubs.

Now, says Huw, all three parks – which employ around 50 local people – will be taking extra new steps to ensure that their wildlife is given the same VIP treatment as holiday guests:

“Pembrokeshire is an especially gorgeous part of Wales, and home to the UK’s only coastal National Park,” said Huw.

“Given our superb location, we’ve always been keen to ensure that our parks are a perfect complement to the natural environment.

“Our staff teams are also very enthusiastic about our conservation work, and do a great job in helping us to implement our plans and coming up with new ideas.

“We all feel very privileged to live and work in this beautiful region, and its marvellous to know that our efforts are being supported by someone like David Bellamy,” added Huw.

There is more information about Celtic Holiday Parks, and the accommodation and holiday home ownership opportunities provided, at www.celticholidayparks.com

Former West Wales MS says Starmer resignation felt ‘increasingly inevitable’

Published

45 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Samuel Kurtz says public frustration has grown after two years of Labour controversies and policy decisions

FORMER West Wales MS Samuel Kurtz has said Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation felt “increasingly inevitable” after months of controversy and public frustration.

The Welsh Conservative said he watched the Prime Minister’s Downing Street statement with “genuine frustration”, adding that he wanted the UK to be respected regardless of which party was in government.

Starmer announced on Monday (Jun 22) that he would resign as Prime Minister and Labour leader, just 12 days before the second anniversary of Labour’s 2024 general election victory.

Mr Kurtz said: “As a British citizen, I sighed genuine frustration while watching this morning. Whatever the political colour of the Government, I want our country to be respected at home and on the international stage.

“But, in truth, this moment has felt increasingly inevitable as the weeks turned into months.”

He pointed to a series of controversies and policy decisions, including the Lord Alli gifts row, winter fuel allowance cuts, the Family Farm Tax, rising National Insurance, defence spending and domestic energy production.

Mr Kurtz said people “simply feel worse off”, adding that confidence in the economy remained low.

He said: “A Government should ultimately be judged on whether life is getting better for the people it serves.

“After two years marked by the controversies and a series of damaging policy decisions mentioned above, it’s difficult to argue this Government has passed that test.”

Mr Kurtz also questioned what would happen next, asking whether Labour would see an “Andy Burnham coronation”, whether Wes Streeting could build enough support, or whether an outsider could emerge.

He added that he would be watching the leadership contest “from the sidelines with interest”.

Labour is expected to open nominations for a new leader on July 9, with Starmer remaining in office until his successor is chosen.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

51 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

News

Motorcyclist dies after four-vehicle crash on A40 in Carmarthenshire

Published

2 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A MOTORCYCLIST has died following a four-vehicle collision on the A40 between St Clears and Whitland.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the crash happened at around 12:00pm on Sunday (Jun 21) and involved a grey Audi, a blue Seat, a grey Vauxhall and an orange KTM motorbike.

Sadly, the rider of the KTM died from their injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. Their next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving. He has since been released on conditional bail while further enquiries continue.

The road was closed while collision investigators examined the scene and reopened at around 8:30pm.

The latest tragedy follows two other serious motorcycle crashes in west Wales.

On Sunday afternoon, another motorcyclist was injured in a separate collision and is recovering in hospital.

Last week, a 22-year-old rider sadly died in a crash near Narberth, while his female pillion passenger was taken to hospital.

Anyone with information, or dashcam footage which could assist the investigation, is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org.

Quote reference: DP-20260621-177.