News

More food hygiene ratings to be seen

Published

13 years ago

October 28, 2013

WHEN people buy their food, they want to be sure that the place they’re buying from follows good food hygiene practices.
After all, those businesses that aren’t hygienic put consumers’ health at risk, from minor cases of food poisoning to more serious, even fatal, illness.
That’s why, from November this year, a new law introduced by the Welsh Government will mean that businesses in Wales that serve or sell food will be required to display their food hygiene rating at their premises.
The scheme will cover places where people eat out, including restaurants, takeaways, mobile caterers, cafés, hotels and pubs; places where people shop for food, such as supermarkets, bakeries and delicatessens; and establishments such as schools, hospitals, children’s nurseries and residential care homes.
The statutory scheme introduced by the legislation will be based on the current voluntary Food Hygiene Rating Scheme, operated by local authorities in partnership with the Food Standards Agency (FSA)
Food outlets will be rated from 0-5 on criteria such as how the food is prepared, cooked and stored and the condition of the premises and how food safety within the business is managed. A 5 rating means hygiene standards are very good and 0 means urgent improvement is necessary.
Good food hygiene is important to consumers and food businesses too and the new scheme will benefit both consumers and food businesses.
For consumers, the rating will mean they are able to make informed decisions about where they choose to eat or shop for food.
For businesses, good food hygiene means a good hygiene rating. This could increase trade, as well as meeting food law requirements and protecting their customers from foodborne illness. Every business is capable of achieving a rating of 5 and food businesses that comply with food hygiene requirements have nothing to fear from the new law.
More than 23,000 food businesses in Wales have already received a rating under the voluntary scheme, and many have improved their rating following advice from their local authority food safety officer.
Under the current voluntary scheme, however, businesses do not have to display their rating sticker if they do not wish to do so, meaning the information is not always readily available for the consumer as they enter the business.
The new law in Wales will mean that food businesses will have to display their rating in a prominent place – such as the front door or window – and at every entrance.
The business operator and relevant staff will also have to provide the information verbally if asked, either in a face to face situation as well as over the phone.
Local authority officers will enforce the statutory scheme in their area and ensure ratings are correctly displayed and should be contacted by businesses which need advice on the display of stickers and how the legislation will apply to them.
Local authorities will issue new stickers from the end of November and businesses will be required to display these.
As well being displayed at businesses’ premises, ratings will also continue to be available on the FSA website at food.gov.uk/ratings
From November 2014, the scheme will be extended to include food manufacturers, wholesalers and transporters that supply to places where people eat and buy food.
The new scheme will put Wales at the forefront of promoting the standards of food hygiene – this has to be good for consumers and good for business, too.

Education

Haverfordwest High closes early after heat raises safety concerns

Published

29 minutes ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

HAVERFORDWEST VC HIGH SCHOOL has closed early today after extreme heat affected wall-mounted soundproofing boards around the building.

The school said several of the boards, including some positioned at height, could become unsafe and fall from the walls.

Pupils were initially moved to safe areas and placed under supervision while the situation was assessed by the school’s site management team and Pembrokeshire County Council maintenance officers.

Following discussions, a decision was made to close the school early so the boards could be removed safely.

School buses were due to arrive at 1.15pm to transport pupils who normally travel home by bus. Children attending a trip at Scolton Manor were expected to return to the school by 1pm.

Parents and carers who usually collect their children were asked to do so from 1.30pm.

Pupils who normally walk home were only permitted to leave after receiving parental permission. Parents could provide permission by sending their child a text message to show their form tutor or by contacting the school reception.

The school said it expected the affected boards to be removed today, allowing the school to reopen as normal tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14.

Parents will be updated through ParentMail if the work cannot be completed as planned.

Entertainment

Open-air theatre brings mystery and musical adventure to Carew Castle

Published

2 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SUMMER evenings at Carew Castle will be filled with mystery, music and family entertainment as two much-loved stories are brought to life in the historic castle grounds.

Audiences are being invited to pack a picnic, bring a rug or low-backed chair and enjoy professional touring theatre in one of Pembrokeshire’s most atmospheric settings.

Hot drinks and ice creams will also be available during the performances.

The first of this summer’s open-air productions takes place on Thursday, July 30, when the critically acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company presents a new adaptation of Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Featuring live music, audience interaction and inventive theatrical comedy, the production follows Holmes and Watson as they investigate the deadly secret behind the Baskerville family curse.

Suitable for all ages, although parental guidance is advised, the show promises an evening of suspense, mayhem and laughter.

The entertainment continues on Tuesday, August 4, when Immersion Theatre brings its trademark energy to a musical adaptation of The Jungle Book.

Packed with original songs, audience participation and larger-than-life characters, the production follows Mowgli, Baloo and Bagheera on a fast-paced jungle adventure.

The story features cheeky monkeys, a slithering snake and the fearsome tiger Shere Khan.

Recommended for children aged four and above, the show promises a funny, exciting and entertaining evening for the whole family.

Daisy Hughes, manager of Carew Castle, said: “What works so well about outdoor theatre at Carew Castle is the relaxed, sociable feel of it.

“People can bring a picnic, settle in with family and friends, and enjoy professional touring theatre without the formality of a traditional auditorium.

“This year’s productions offer two very different experiences, from the suspense and humour of Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles to the colour, music and energy of The Jungle Book.

“They are exactly the kind of performances that work beautifully outdoors, with plenty for families and theatre fans to enjoy.”

Gates will open at 5.30pm for Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles, with the performance beginning at 6.30pm.

The show will run for approximately two hours, including an interval.

For The Jungle Book, gates will open at 4.45pm and the performance will begin at 5.30pm.

The show has an approximate running time of one hour and 25 minutes, with an interval between acts.

Tickets cost £16 for adults and £12 for children aged between three and 16.

A family ticket, covering two adults and two children or three adults and one child, costs £50.

Booking is essential through the Carew Castle website.

Tickets are non-refundable and performances will go ahead in wet weather. Visitors are advised to wear warm, waterproof clothing and bring a torch.

Caption: Live theatre returns to Carew Castle this summer, bringing stories, songs and suspense to the historic grounds.

Crime

Operation Lion returns to tackle summer antisocial behaviour in Tenby

Published

2 hours ago

July 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A JOINT policing operation aimed at tackling antisocial behaviour in Tenby and across Pembrokeshire will return during the busy summer holiday period.

Operation Lion brings together Transport for Wales, Dyfed-Powys Police and British Transport Police to provide an increased visible presence in the area as visitor numbers rise.

The annual operation, first launched in 2015, will run throughout the six-week school summer holidays, with dedicated patrols every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

British Transport Police officers will patrol Tenby and the surrounding area, working alongside Dyfed-Powys Police to respond to incidents and reassure residents, businesses and visitors.

Transport for Wales security teams will also patrol train services between Tenby and Pembroke Dock, while additional cover will be provided on the final service to Carmarthen.

The operation aims to reduce antisocial behaviour, public disorder and vandalism, while improving public safety through a visible police and security presence.

Organisers say the initiative has helped reduce summer incidents in previous years and has received positive feedback from businesses and communities in Tenby.

Transport for Wales security manager Simon Turton said: “We’re proud to once again support Operation Lion alongside our colleagues from British Transport Police and Dyfed-Powys Police.

“This initiative is a great example of partnership working in action. Through a proactive, community-focused approach, we have helped reduce antisocial behaviour in Tenby and across Pembrokeshire over the years, and we are committed to building on that success again this summer.

“Our aim is simple: to ensure that residents and visitors can enjoy everything these fantastic areas have to offer in a safe and welcoming environment.”