News

The Druidstone Hotel receives backlash after charging a £200 membership fee

Published

4 years ago

September 21, 2021

Mr Bell said he had been left struggling to cope after the bar was overrun with visitors.

OWNERS of Pembrokeshire Hotel based in Haverfordwest have been labelled as “elitist” after introducing a £200 membership fee to their members-only bar.

Angus Bell, the owner of The Druidstone Hotel claims the hotel have been overwhelmed since tourists that have been staying in nearby caravan parks and airbnbs have filled the hotel in attempts to take images of the sunset on the hotel’s clifftop balcony to post to Instagram.

Mr Bell said he had been left struggling to cope after the bar, overlooking St Brides Bay, was overrun with visitors.

“It just got too much,” he said.

“My guests were having to wait 45 minutes at the bar to get a drink and a lot of the local people would avoid us in the summer because we were too busy.

“We could have gone down the route of having a second bar, but we don’t want to be a pub and I didn’t like walking into my garden to find 60 people there that I didn’t know.”

Mr Bell said that the criticism had not changed his mind, and he now had time for his staff and guests after introducing the system.

“I’ve made my life better – even though someone might be a bit upset that they can’t pop in for a cup of tea,” he said.

The former Victorian home was transformed into a 10-bedroom hotel by Mr Bell’s parents, Rod and Jane Bell in 1972.

Mr Bell, who took over the hotel after his parents died, said the membership, which can increase to £400 a year with extra advantages, for example; an increased bar tab facility, was rolled out to try and “control numbers” and make it a nicer place to live and stay.

Mr Bell, who currently runs the hotel with his partner Beth Wilshaw, says that his parents had previously run the hotel as a members-only club.

He has said that non-members are still able to book rooms at the hotel, or a table at the restaurant. The membership only affects the bar.

Some people have described the change as “elitist” and that it was “barring” visitors and locals from visiting the hotel. Several people have taken to TripAdvisor to voice their concerns.

One person has wrote: “So disappointing to have such a lovely place turned into an elitist members-only clique where you can only drink if you’re staying there or pay £200+ a year.”

One reviewer wrote they would no longer be able to go to the Druidstone after going there for food and drinks for over 40 years.

However, in a note on the hotel website, they say they “know there are people who really love this place but for whom £200 annually just will not be possible,”

Adding: “We don’t want to price people out of The Druidstone. So talk to Angus and Beth.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

15 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.