Late councillor Mike Stoddart helped hold power to account for decades — now his daughter Tessa Hodgson leads the council he scrutinised

CLLR TESSA HODGSON’S election as Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council is historic for more than one reason.

Not only has the Lamphey councillor become the first woman to lead the authority, but her appointment also represents a remarkable full-circle moment in Pembrokeshire public life.

Cllr Hodgson is the daughter of the late Cllr Mike Stoddart — known to many readers as Old Grumpy — the fiercely independent councillor, campaigner and former journalist who spent years holding County Hall to account.

For decades, Mike Stoddart became one of the most recognisable and uncompromising figures in Pembrokeshire politics. Through forensic scrutiny of council spending, persistent Freedom of Information requests, and an unrelenting willingness to ask difficult questions, he built a reputation for challenging administrations of every political stripe.

Yet politics was only part of the family story.

Long before County Hall, the Stoddarts were newspaper people.

During the 1990s, Mike and his wife, Cllr Viv Stoddart — who still serves as a county councillor — were involved in running The Milford Mercury, the family newspaper business, where local journalism and public accountability went hand in hand.

The family earned a reputation for shining a light on local issues and asking awkward questions of those in power — an approach Mike later carried into council chambers with trademark determination.

In a twist few could have predicted, the daughter of one of Pembrokeshire County Council’s sharpest critics now finds herself leading the authority.

Cllr Hodgson was elected leader at the council’s Annual General Meeting on Friday (May 15), succeeding Cllr Jon Harvey, who did not seek re-election.

Following her appointment, she said: “It is a great honour to have been elected Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.

“It is an important moment for the Council to elect the first woman to this position, but now the hard work begins.”

First elected in 2012, Cllr Hodgson has previously held Cabinet responsibility for social services, adult social care and safeguarding, and is expected to unveil her Cabinet in the coming days.

Her leadership will ultimately be judged on results rather than heritage.

But for many who remember the days of The Milford Mercury, and Mike Stoddart’s relentless battles with authority, there is something striking about the moment.

Pembrokeshire’s first female council leader comes from a family that spent decades questioning the people in charge.

Now, one of their own is in the hot seat.

A FREE community festival celebrating the sea, local food, seaweed and Pembrokeshire’s coastal environment will take place at Saundersfoot Harbour this summer.

Saundersfoot Seafest will be held on Saturday, July 11, offering a full day of activities, entertainment and hands-on experiences for residents and visitors.

The event will celebrate the area’s connection with the sea, coastal heritage and locally sourced food, with live cooking demonstrations, food sampling and interactive activities exploring Pembrokeshire’s shoreline.

There will be plenty for all ages, including guided seashore safaris, sandcastle building competitions, crabbing contests, and “seaweed and chips” sessions.

The festival will also feature pirate and dog fancy dress competitions, along with interactive exhibits, retail stalls, local produce, crafts and coastal-themed displays.

Boat trips and kayaking experiences will also be available, although a small charge will apply for these activities.

Sue Latham, Coordinator of Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership, said: “Saundersfoot Seafest is a celebration of our coastline, our communities, and the incredible food and culture that comes from living so closely connected to the sea.

“We are delighted to welcome people of all ages to join us for a free, fun-filled day by the harbour.”

The event is supported by the Welsh Government, Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership, Pobl Tir Môr, Saundersfoot Harbour, Saundersfoot Rotary Club, WWF Cymru and Wales Festival of Seaweed.

The Wales Festival of Seaweed will also take place in St Davids from September 10 to 13.

LOCAL FOOD PRODUCERS GIVEN NEW MONTHLY PLATFORM

A NEW monthly farmers’ market is set to launch in Narberth next month, giving Pembrokeshire producers a regular space to sell and showcase food grown, reared and made in the county.

Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership is launching the market at the Queen’s Hall, Narberth, on Saturday, June 13. It will then run monthly from 10:00am to 2:00pm.

The market has been developed in collaboration with local growers Rufus and Ffion, of Hael Natural Produce, based in Clunderwen.

Organisers say it will bring together a wide range of local food and drink producers, with stalls expected to include fresh seasonal produce, artisan foods, baked goods and speciality items.

Among those taking part are Spirit Wood Wales, Big Green Elephant, Foxhill Preserves and Pencw Cheese.

Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership will lead on marketing and subsidise stall costs for the first three markets, in a bid to encourage strong early participation and reduce barriers for small and emerging producers.

The launch will also see Rufus and Ffion introduce a new local veg box scheme through Hael Natural Produce.

Rufus said: “I’m really excited to be launching my new veg box scheme at the farmers’ market.

“It’s a great opportunity to get fresh, locally grown produce directly to people in the community and to build something that connects people more closely with where their food comes from.”

Sue Latham, Coordinator of Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership, said: “We are looking forward to creating a regular space in Narberth that supports local producers and gives the community consistent access to high-quality, local food.

“This market is about strengthening those connections and building something that can grow over time.”

Organisers are encouraging residents, visitors and food lovers to attend the launch and support the new initiative, which forms part of Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership’s wider work to strengthen local food networks across the county.

Further information is available from Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership at www.plfp.org.uk or by emailing [email protected].

Pic: Pembrokeshire Local Food Partnership.