News

Crabb launches campaign with promise to “keep putting Pembrokeshire first”

Published

2 years ago

May 30, 2024

WITH the UK Parliament now dissolved, Stephen Crabb has launched his election campaign in Mid & South Pembrokeshire with a promise to “keep putting Pembrokeshire first”.

Stephen Crabb previously served as MP for Preseli Pembrokeshire, having been successful at the last five general elections. For this election, the boundaries of the constituencies have been redrawn and a new Mid & South Pembrokeshire seat has been created which stretches from St Davids to Amroth, and from Dale to Llandewi Velfrey.

Commenting on the start of the campaign, Stephen said: “As a local man who lives and was raised in the heart of Pembrokeshire, I’m committed to providing a strong voice for our County. It has been an incredible honour to have served as the MP for my home constituency since 2005. I am pleased to have helped thousands of individual residents with casework over the years – always trying to get the best result for local people.”

“When I first visited Parliament as a sixth former at Tasker Milward School in Haverfordwest during the summer of 1990, I would never have imagined that 15 years later I would return there as the local MP. Back then it wouldn’t have even occurred to me that it would be possible to one day have that opportunity. Every day since has been a total privilege. My promise from the very start was always to do my very best for local people, and to always put Pembrokeshire first.”

“I want to continue to work hard for the people of Pembrokeshire. During the campaign I look forward to demonstrating why a vote for me is a vote to keep a strong local MP, who understands the needs of our community, and has a trusted track record of delivering on our priorities for Pembrokeshire.”

Stephen will also use this campaign to shine a spotlight on the Welsh Labour’s involvement in the Withyhedge landfill scandal, and the lack of progress in tackling the pollution at the site.

Stephen said:

“I am the only candidate at this election who has fought against Vaughan Gething’s Withyhedge landfill scandal which has ruined the quality of life of thousands of Pembrokeshire people. This election is an opportunity for local people to send a message to Welsh Labour that Pembrokeshire must not be turned into a dumping ground.”

Comment from Paul Davies MS, Member of the Senedd for Preseli Pembrokeshire: “Stephen has been an outstanding local MP. We worked together on the campaign to defend Withybush Hospital and local health services. I’ve had the privilege of working with Stephen for many years now and his commitment to the people of Pembrokeshire is second to none. He’s a man of Pembrokeshire, who fights for Pembrokeshire – and he has worked tirelessly over the years to support local people, businesses, and organisations.”

Comment from Samuel Kurtz MS, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire: “I have worked alongside Stephen for the last eight years and I know just how dedicated he is. He is passionate about seeing new jobs created for local people, and is widely respected by the business community in Pembrokeshire and across Wales. Stephen’s leadership on the Celtic Freeport was essential, and he’s been a strong champion for our local energy industry. We need him to stay on as our local MP.”

Local Government

Tessa Hodgson elected leader of Pembrokeshire County Council

Published

10 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

TESSA HODGSON has been elected as the new leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, becoming the first woman to hold the role.

Cllr Hodgson, who represents Lamphey, was chosen at the council’s annual general meeting on Friday (May 15). She succeeds Cllr Jon Harvey, who did not seek re-election as leader.

Following her election, Cllr Hodgson said: “It is a great honour to have been elected leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.

“I thank Cllrs Tinley and Clements for also putting themselves forward and Cllrs Alderman and Williams for proposing and seconding me.

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

“I am prepared to work with everyone across the chamber for the benefit of every resident and community of Pembrokeshire, and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.”

Cllr Hodgson was first elected in 2012 and is not affiliated to any group on the council.

She previously served as Cabinet Member for Social Services and Safeguarding from 2017, and most recently held the adult social care and safeguarding portfolio.

Before entering local government, Cllr Hodgson worked in marketing and business and ran several hospitality and tourism enterprises.

She is expected to announce her Cabinet shortly.

Business

Cod price crisis puts Pembrokeshire chip shops under pressure

Published

30 minutes ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CHIP SHOP owners in Pembrokeshire say soaring costs are forcing up prices, changing customer habits, and putting pressure on young staff facing questions from customers.

Speaking to the BBC this week, Rhys McLoughlin, co-owner of Môr Ffres in Dinas Cross, said he is installing self-service tills partly to protect staff from being put on the spot over rising prices.

Mr McLoughlin said cod, once his biggest seller, is being overtaken by cheaper options such as chicken chunks as families look for ways to keep costs down.

Prices keep rising

He said: “There are lots of questions being asked. Incoming prices are going up and up.

“We have no control over that, so either we work for no money, or we follow the price increase and pass it on.”

The average price of takeaway fish and chips rose to £11.17 in March, compared with £6.48 in 2019.

Mr McLoughlin warned that cod prices could rise further by September, saying: “If these prices continue to go up, who’s going to buy fish and chips for £21? Who can afford that?”

Staff under pressure

He said the planned digital kiosks would help manage queues in the small shop during the busy summer season, but would also reduce the pressure on young staff.

Mr McLoughlin said: “We have got young staff working here and sometimes this is their first stepping stone out of school.

“It’s no fun for a boy or girl to come to work to be asked pretty abrupt questions on the spot with 20 people in the chip shop.

“We have actually lost a few members of staff through that.”

Seaside favourite

In Saundersfoot, Sy Crockford, of Marina Fish & Chips, said keeping the traditional seaside meal affordable had become increasingly difficult.

He said cod alone had risen by around 50 per cent, adding: “One thing we don’t want to do is out-price fish and chips.

“It’s nostalgia, it’s romance, to come to the beach and have fish and chips. We definitely don’t want to outprice.”

Mr Crockford said cod and haddock were becoming “a luxury, not a necessity”, and suggested more sustainable and affordable fish options may become more common on chip shop menus.

Rural shops hit

At Cegin-24 in Crymych, owner Sioned Phillips said the price of a box of cod had risen from around £36 to between £50 and £60.

She said: “When I opened, it was £6.95 for a piece of cod. I’ve had to raise it to £9, and that’s being quite reasonable.

“If I wanted to make a normal amount of profit, it should be about £11 or £12 for a piece of cod.

“For me, in such a rural community area, to justify charging elderly people and local people so much for a piece of cod is absolutely ridiculous.”

Ms Phillips said some customers were still sticking with cod despite cheaper alternatives being offered, but were cutting back elsewhere by sharing portions of chips.

The National Federation of Fish Friers said cod price rises were linked to reduced quotas in the Barents Sea, sanctions on Russian fish, and wider cost pressures.

President Andrew Crook said many customers understood fish was a premium protein, but added that higher prices had affected visit frequency and footfall in many shops.

Entertainment

Circus Mondao returns to Tenby and Pembroke Dock with spectacular new show

Published

1 hour ago

May 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CIRCUS Mondao is returning to Pembrokeshire by popular demand, bringing its traditional big top show to Tenby and Pembroke Dock.

The family circus promises a packed programme of international performers, comedy, daring stunts, showgirls, ponies and high-energy circus acts.

This year’s show includes award-winning Chilean clown Kikin, Miss Madalane’s ponies, glass balancing with Fairy Talula, fast-paced juggling from Brazil, and the Agazian Brothers from Ethiopia.

Audiences can also expect one of the most daring line-ups ever presented by Circus Mondao, including the Wheel of Death, Russian swing, Icarian games, Russian bar, chair balancing and the South American Crazy Brothers.

Organisers said the show keeps alive the atmosphere of a traditional circus while also using modern lighting, music and production.

A spokesperson for Circus Mondao said: “This is a show not to be missed. We are delighted to be returning to Tenby and Pembroke Dock with amazing artistes from around the world, including performers from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba, Morocco, Chile, Spain, Ethiopia, Wales and the UK.”

The circus will be at Marsh Farm, Marsh Road, Tenby, SA70 8DU, from Wednesday, May 27 to Sunday, May 31.

Performances in Tenby will take place at 5:00pm and 7:30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 2:00pm and 5:00pm on Saturday, and 2:00pm only on Sunday.

Circus Mondao will then move to Harlequins RFC, London Road, Pembroke Dock, from Wednesday, June 3 to Sunday, June 7.

Performances in Pembroke Dock will follow the same times: 5:00pm and 7:30pm on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 2:00pm and 5:00pm on Saturday, and 2:00pm only on Sunday.

Special offers include all seats for £8.50 on Wednesdays, buy one get one free on Thursdays, four seats for £45 on Fridays, children going free on Saturdays with each full-paying adult, and family tickets on Sundays for two adults and two children priced at £45, £55 or £60.

Terms and conditions apply to all offers, and they cannot be used with any other offer.