Community
Death of the book shop in Pembrokeshire?
It is no secret that independent bookshops have long been under threat. In 2012 Amazon announced that e books had overtaken the sales of print books on their website.
Take a walk down your local high street and it is difficult not to find an empty building that used to be a book shop. Or a bookshop you never realised was there because you choose to buy your literature elsewhere because it’s cheaper or more convenience. In the last few years several independent Bookshops in Pembrokeshire have closed, those left belonging to chains such as WHsmith and Waterstones. Bethan Davies is book buyer for Victoria Bookshop in Haverfordwest and claims although sales have decreased, people recognise ‘if they don’t use us they will lose us.’ Marley Davies purchased the bookshop in 1981 at 5 Victoria Place, the birthplace of Pembrokeshire artist Augustus John. Augustus’s father was a stationer and bookseller but it is unknown if there’s a link between the family and early history of the shop which dates back to around 1891. In 1996 it moved to its current location in Bridge Street. Today the shop stocks ‘any local interest/author and any book that customers would like to see on our shelves. Our main aim is customer interaction that you don’t get online. We all recommend books that we have read and we also offer a loyalty scheme.’ They have a website through hive which supports local businesses by ensuring money from online sales goes back to the bookshops. Here customers can find information and order books online. There is also a signed copies section with books available at no extra cost to the cover price. Victoria bookshop regularly holds events and book signings by local authors. When asked her thoughts on the many bookshops closing their doors, Bethan said ‘It’s very sad. There will only be a future if local people continue to support us.’ Until recently, Victoria Bookshop was the only independent bookshop left in Haverfordwest. In April 2014, The Book Cellar opened, behind the town castle offering new and second hand books for sale as well as the sourcing of books for customers. Anna Cartwright, the shop owner and local to Haverfordwest says she saw a niche in the market for a bookshop offering both new and old books. ‘I’ve received positive feedback from locals and tourists who have thoroughly enjoyed rummaging through my shelves.’ The Book Cellar advertise through their website and are proud of their 5 star rating on Facebook. They regularly hold events for children and book signings. When asked about the risks of opening a bookshop in the current climate, Anna added ‘It will never make me a millionaire but I do it for the love of books…A real book won’t run out of battery or be stolen on holiday. E books have no character, no smell and no history!’ Talking about the future of independent bookshops, Anna said she would like to see ‘larger publishers offer better deals to independents, for independent businesses everywhere to have better prices for renting premises and for more support from local authorities.’
Community
Homeless people in Pembrokeshire at risk as heatwave continues
HOMELESS people in Pembrokeshire are being offered extra support as Wales continues to face extreme heat.
The Wallich, which runs rough sleeping outreach and drop-in support in Haverfordwest, said people sleeping rough, living in cars, or staying in poor quality temporary accommodation are among those most at risk during the heatwave.
Outreach teams are helping people stay safe by offering water, sun cream, hats, wet wipes and other essentials.
Jamie-Lee Cole, Strategic Communications Lead for The Wallich, said: “People on the streets and living in poor quality or temporary housing are the most affected by climate change.
“They are the most exposed to extreme weather events like a heatwave, as well as heavy rain and cold in the winter.”
The charity said it is also offering advice on dehydration, sunstroke, worsening health conditions, wounds, and the added risks of drug and alcohol use during hot weather.
People are being encouraged to use cooler public spaces, such as libraries and support centres, during the hottest parts of the day.
The Wallich said some councils in Wales have activated Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, but called for all local authorities to include specific heatwave plans.
Ms Cole added: “It’s a sign of the times unfortunately that extreme heat will feature year on year, and we must make sure there are adequate and cool daytime spaces for people experiencing homelessness to access.”
The charity is also supporting people sleeping in cars, warning that vehicles can become dangerously hot.
Members of the public in Pembrokeshire are being urged to check on anyone they are worried about.
Ms Cole said: “If someone looks unwell and you feel safe to approach them, ask if they’re okay.
“Encourage them to move into shade or a cooler space. Alert emergency services if you think someone needs help in the heat.
“Offer people experiencing homelessness a cold drink and a chat, just like you would anyone else in your community.”
Community
Local engineering student wins £5,000 South Hook scholarship
A FORMER Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi pupil has been awarded a £5,000 scholarship by South Hook LNG.
Henry Raymond, who is in the second year of a five-year Chemical and Environmental Engineering degree at the University of Nottingham, is the latest recipient of the company’s annual scholarship award.
South Hook said Henry had shown strong academic performance, a clear work ethic, and a keen interest in the role of engineering within the energy sector.
The scholarship is aimed at supporting local students as they progress in higher education, particularly in engineering, science and business-related subjects.
Applicants are assessed through a written application and an informal interview, with the award forming part of South Hook LNG’s wider commitment to supporting education and young people in the local area.
Henry was invited to South Hook earlier this year, where he was presented with a certificate and the £5,000 award. The funding will help with student costs over the remainder of his studies.
Henry said: “I’m very grateful to South Hook to have received this award. The financial support will make a huge difference to life as a student, and it’s incredible to have this kind of backing from a major player in the energy industry.”
South Hook LNG’s General Manager, Hamad Al Samra said: “We are pleased to have once again received applications from so many committed and capable young people.
“The team involved in the selection process at South Hook were particularly impressed by Henry’s dedication and commitment to his chosen subject.
“We are pleased to offer our support and wish him the very best in his future studies.”
South Hook LNG’s Scholarship Programme encourages applications from local students seeking higher education in engineering, science or business-related disciplines.
Details of how to apply for the 2026/27 award will be available on the company’s website during September.
Scholarship success: Henry Raymond, South Hook LNG’s 2026 scholarship recipient, with members of the South Hook team involved in assessing the applications.
Community
Council ‘did not request or give direction’ to cancel Tenby Summer Spectacular
PEMBROKESHIRE County Council has stressed it has not “requested or given direction” that Tenby’s much-loved Summer Spectacular should be cancelled after fears have been raised it may not go ahead.
Earlier this week, organisers Tenby Round Table said it was “with enormous sadness,” announcing that the Tenby Summer Spectacular events, scheduled for August 16 and 30, are cancelled until further notice.
The events, which have been a staple in Tenby’s summer calendar for many years, but the Round Table says negotiations with Pembrokeshire County Council have failed to produce a clear, workable agreement on temporary restrictions for pedestrian access during the event.
Without that, they say, they cannot legally or safely control crowd numbers.
A spokesperson said that legal and logistical uncertainty from the council meant organisers could not commit to running such a large-scale event this year, adding the situation has not improved despite months of requests, meetings, and professional safety consultations.
In a statement issued earlier this week, Tenby Round Table said: “We have done everything a responsible event organiser can do.”
It claimed: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”
The group maintains that similar crowd management techniques are standard elsewhere in the country and vital for safety.
The Round Table added: “Given the lack of clarity and the time needed to arrange these events, we cannot commit to running events for thousands of people based on a legal position that PCC’s own officers have admitted is still not settled.”
It has stressed the cancellation is provisional, giving the council “a final deadline of June 25 to provide a clear, accurate, and legally grounded answer,” adding: “If they do, we will do everything in our power to reinstate the events.”
It said it was still working with relevant authorities ahead of a council licencing committee meeting in July, which will decide on whether a licence to host the events is renewed.
Responding, Pembrokeshire County Council Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller said the council supports the Spectacular and “has not requested or given direction that the event should be cancelled”.
He added: “The Spectacular is a much-loved event with significant number of attendees. As a result, we have an important duty to make sure the event can take place safely to address the concerns formally raised by the responsible authorities under the licensing act, which include the blue light services.
“Tenby Harbour is a working harbour and a key community asset – and just as every year this event needs to be licensed, and the organisers need to provide important information on how they plan to safely manage the event.
“As a council, we very much want this event to go ahead, but we have to make sure the event is safe for the public, with the right safety measures in place.
“Once the organisers provide the required information, the licensing sub-committee (currently scheduled for July) will consider the event application, in exactly the same way they consider the large number of other events which occur across Pembrokeshire each year.”
Local Member, Cllr Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, added: “I want to see the Spectaculars go ahead. It is important for locals and visitors alike to celebrate Tenby, have fun and raise money for worthy causes.
“I am really encouraged from meetings that I have had with senior officers that everyone is ready to do all that they can to enable these events to go ahead.”
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