News
Leisure centres and libraries to close across Pembrokeshire
ALL Pembrokeshire County Council leisure centres and libraries will close at 3.15pm on Friday, 20th March until further notice.
The Pembrokeshire Archives and Local Studies ceased its front-line service at 5pm last night (Wednesday, 18th March).
At Scolton Manor, the Museum, Tea Room and Visitor Centre will close at 3.15pm on Friday, but the grounds and play areas will remain open.
The closures are as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the need to increase social distancing and the requirement to redeploy staff.
Leisure
Leisure centre users have been reassured that all existing memberships will be frozen and no further deductions taken from direct debits during the closure period.
Club and pre-paid bookings / will be refunded or alternatively be moved to other suitable, future dates.
Libraries
The libraries closure includes the Mobile Library service.
All existing items on loan from the library service will be extended for the period of closure.
There will be no need to return items during the closure period and there will not be any overdue fines for these items once normal service is resumed.
Library users can access ebooks, audio books, emagazines and ecomics online, 24-7 at www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/using-library-services/24-7-e-library
Archives
The research room has closed until further notice.
However, the service will continue to respond to remote enquiries and correspondence, although responses may be delayed.
Archives users are encouraged to keep in contact via the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PembsArchives/
Paul Miller, the Cabinet Member for Economy, Tourism, Leisure & Culture, said: “I have today, based on the best advice available to me, agreed to the closure of the county’s libraries, leisure centres, and the Manor House museum at Scolton with effect from 3.15pm on Friday 20th March.
“In addition, I have also agreed to the closure of the archive search room from 5pm Wednesday 18th March.
“This has been done firstly to minimise the risk in relation to the spread of the coronavirus and secondly to enable us to release non-critical staff to support the Council’s wider response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
“All leisure members will have their direct debits frozen (we will not collect payment for services that are not available) and these will resume when service is restored. For those customers who have paid for an annual membership, an extension to that membership in line with the closure period has been agreed. We will also refund any payments for bookings which will not now take place.
“These closures will be reviewed regularly and services will resume once the advice suggests it is safe to do so.
“We will continue to do all we can to keep our communities safe.”
Crime
Fence posts thrown into field damage farming equipment
POLICE are appealing for information after fence posts were removed and thrown into a field between Croesgoch and Llanrhian.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the alleged criminal damage happened sometime between Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3.
The posts, which were next to woodland between the two villages, were removed from the ground and thrown into a nearby field.
They later became lodged in farming equipment, causing significant damage.
Police said the area is only accessible via a footpath.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.
Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
Quote reference: 26*366788.
News
Claire Archibald vows to ‘stand up for rural Wales’ after Senedd election victory
New MS says every constituent enquiry will be taken seriously as she opens doors to public
NEWLY elected Senedd Member Claire Archibald has pledged to be “available to all constituents” across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion after formally taking up her role representing the region.
Archibald, who was elected earlier this month, said she was “deeply grateful” to everyone who had placed their trust in her and promised to work hard on behalf of communities across west Wales.
In a statement issued following her election, the new MS said she intended to keep her offices open and accessible, with a focus on helping residents with day-to-day concerns.
Claire Archibald said: “I am honoured to have been selected as a representative for Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me.
“I want to be available to all constituents who need my support. My offices will be open, and every enquiry will be taken seriously. I will do my very best to help every single person here in our beautiful corner of Wales.”
Archibald said she entered politics because she believed Wales was “heading in the wrong direction” and wanted to help protect communities, family values and frontline services.
She added: “Above all, I want to make sure Cardiff Bay understands that rural communities matter too.”
Her comments are likely to resonate with many voters in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, where issues including healthcare access, farming pressures, transport links and cost-of-living concerns featured heavily during the Senedd election campaign.
Archibald joins the new intake of representatives following the first election held under Wales’ expanded Senedd system, with Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion now represented under the larger multi-member constituency model.
Taking office: Claire Archibald MS after being selected to represent Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion in the Senedd (Pic: Supplied).
Local Government
Pembrokeshire County Council welcomes new chairman
CLLR DELME HARRIES has been elected chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council for the coming municipal year.
Cllr Harries, who was elected in 2022 to represent the Bro Gwaun ward, is a member of the Independent Group.
He has worked for the NFU for many years and has extensive experience in agriculture, governance and community leadership.
Within the council, he has held several key roles, including chairman of the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He is also the council’s Members’ Champion for the Welsh Language and for Children and Young People.
Cllr Harries is deeply involved in education and youth development. He serves as a local authority governor at Ysgol Ger y Llan and Ysgol Casmael a Llychllwydog, and is club leader of Llysyfran Young Farmers Club.
He also chairs the POINT Youth Project in Fishguard, where he is a trustee.
Young Farmers background
Cllr Harries has held numerous senior leadership roles within the Young Farmers’ movement at county, national and international level.
These include chair of the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs from 2019 to 2024, chair of Wales Young Farmers Clubs, chair of European Young Farmers, and chair of Pembrokeshire YFC.
In recognition of his contribution, he has been awarded honorary life memberships and vice-presidencies within Young Farmers organisations at county, national and UK level.
He is also a director and trustee of Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society.

Upon taking the chains, Cllr Harries thanked outgoing chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen.
He said: “I am truly humbled and honoured to have your support in appointing me as Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council for the coming year.
“When I was elected to represent the Bro Gwaun ward in 2022, this role was certainly not on my list of expectations. To now stand before you as your Chair is something I feel deeply privileged to do, and I am extremely grateful for the confidence you have placed in me to serve as the civic leader of this authority.
“I am particularly proud to serve as Chair in a year when Pembrokeshire will welcome the National Eisteddfod. This is a moment of huge significance for our county, and I hope we will all embrace this wonderful event, which promises to be one of the very best.
“I look forward to seeing many of you in Llantood this August as we celebrate our language, culture and heritage together.”
Cllr Nick Neumann was elected vice-chairman for the coming year. He was nominated by Cllr Di Clements and seconded by Cllr Mark Carter.
Caption:
New chairman: Cllr Delme Harries with new vice-chairman Cllr Nick Neumann, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed Meurig Raymond, High Sheriff of Dyfed Andrew Phillips, Presiding Member Cllr Simon Hancock and outgoing chairman Cllr Maureen Bowen.
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