Community

Get the most from the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park this summer

Published

1 year ago

July 19, 2024

FROM local craft markets to artist-led workshops, bat walks and a planetarium session, residents and visitors can look forward to a delightful variety of ways to enjoy Britain’s only truly coastal National Park this summer.

Situated just a stone’s throw away from St Davids Cathedral and stunning beaches, Oriel y Parc National Park Discovery Centre is the perfect starting point for any summer holiday adventure. Free to enter, it offers a wealth of information on where to find your best experiences in the National Park – along with the chance to hire an e-bike and explore the picturesque but hilly St Davids countryside with the aid of an electric motor. The Centre is also home to Amgueddfa Cymru in Pembrokeshire and features a changing programme of exhibitions, along with a packed schedule of activities and events throughout the school holidays.

The main exhibition during this period will be Courage and Community – RNLI 200, celebrating 200 years of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution saving lives at sea. As well as plenty of exhibition games and activities for the whole family, Courage and Community also features an Arancia-class inshore rescue craft and some RNLI equipment to offer a taste of a rescue at sea.

For an extra charge, younger visitors can participate in a Legends of the Sea Trail, where they’ll become a member of the RNLI crew and complete the missions on the islands and sea around Oriel y Parc to rescue those in danger and earn a reward.

Discover a unique array of handmade crafts at Oriel y Parc’s Summer Craft Market on Saturday 10 August between 10am and 3pm, or at one of the Handmade Craft Fairs, hosted by Makers Bizarre. The Handmade Craft Fairs will take place in the courtyard every Tuesday, from 23 July to 27 August, between 10.30am and 4.30pm. Perfect for adding a touch of local charm to your home or finding one-of-a-kind gifts, entry to all markets is free.

Wednesday Club! sessions will run throughout the summer holidays, offering a wide variety of art and craft activities for creative young minds.

The first is scheduled for Wednesday 24 July, with a drop-in Make your own Sea Trinket Workshop between 10am-3am. The next four sessions will be led by local artists and include: Ocean Navigation Chart Making with Hannah Rounding on 31 July; a Stars & Story Stones Workshop with Kerry Curson on 7 August; Fantastical Boat Collages with Kate Evans on 14 August; and a Beach finds – Drawing and Mark Making session with Kate Freeman on 21 August.

All artist-led Wednesday Club! sessions take place between 11am – 12pm and 1.30pm – 2.30pm and booking is essential.

The final Wednesday Club! workshop of the holidays will be a Seaweed Printing Workshop. This is a drop-in event and booking is not required.

Further information about Oriel y Parc’s exhibitions, summer activities and e-bike rentals can be found at www.orielyparc.co.uk.

There will be plenty of opportunities to learn about different areas and aspects of the National Park through the Authority’s exciting programme of summer events.

Tickets are still available for three Ranger-led walks through the spectacular Preseli Hills, taking in the history, legends and wildlife of this magical landscape.

The Craig Talfynydd Walk to the heart of the Preseli Hills will take place on Wednesday 24 July and Tuesday 13 August, and there are still places to join the Carningli Circular on Friday 23 August. Anyone interested in ancient history should consider joining the Foel Drygarn Walk, which takes place on Friday 9 August and Tuesday 27 August and visits one of the best archaeological sites in the Park.

Some fabulous historical walks with knowledgeable guides are also scheduled for the summer, providing opportunities to learn more about your favourite places – or discover new ones. A Nevern – Castles and Pilgrims walk will take place on Friday 16 August, while on Friday 30 August, the Porthgain, One Village, Three Industries walk offers the chance to explore one of Pembrokeshire’s most iconic stretches of coastline.

The Park Authority’s popular Bat Walks will continue at various locations throughout July and August, which is generally the best time of year to observe these fascinating nocturnal creatures. The availability of bat detectors is guaranteed to make this a memorable experience.

At Manorbier’s Giraldus Centre, visitors will be able to enjoy a unique opportunity to explore the night sky in the middle of the day on 10 and 11 August. Several Planetarium Shows are scheduled over the two days in a state-of-the-art, high-resolution 360° planetarium. Those attending will be able to embark on a virtual journey through the solar system, land on other worlds, fly through Saturn’s rings, and marvel at Jupiter’s Great Red Spot. Each 45-minute show features expert commentary and is suitable for visitors aged 5 and up.

Please note that booking is essential for all walks and activities around the Park. Further information is available at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/events.

Angharad, the Park Authority’s Summer Ranger will also be out and about throughout the holidays, with plenty of advice and information about places to visit and things to do. If you’re looking for some activities for the children this summer, Angharad will also be delivering some family favourites such as rock pooling and bug hunt sessions. Why not stop and say hello?

Community

Crowds line streets as tractor run hailed a festive success

Published

8 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CROWDS lined streets and pavements across Pembrokeshire on Saturday evening (Dec 20) as Clarbeston Road AFC’s illuminated Christmas tractor run was hailed a resounding success.

More than 200 tractors took part in the event, travelling through villages and towns including Newmoat, Maenclochog, Llys-y-frân, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Wiston, Newbridge, Poyston Cross, Crundale and Haverfordwest, where large crowds gathered to watch the festive convoy pass through.

Families, children and residents wrapped up against the cold to enjoy the sight of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays, with applause and waves greeting drivers as they made their way through built-up areas and rural roads alike.

The convoy set off from the Clarbeston Road AFC Knock Playing Fields at 5:30pm and concluded at the County Showground in Haverfordwest later in the evening. At the end of the run, refreshments were available and the raffle draw took place at the Park House building, which was open to the public.

Organisers said the turnout from both drivers and spectators exceeded expectations, with the event once again bringing communities together while raising funds for local causes, including The Catrin Vaughan Foundation, In It With Isaac, and Wales Air Ambulance.

Clarbeston Road AFC thanked tractor drivers, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public for their support, as well as residents and road users for their patience while the convoy passed through.

The illuminated tractor run has become a firm fixture in the local festive calendar, with Friday night’s event described by many spectators as one of the best yet.

Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

Published

9 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

Community

Cilgerran school could be discontinued as consultation launched

Published

22 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CONSULTATION on proposed changes for a north Pembrokeshire school, which attracted a near-400-strong petition in opposition to the council, has been launched.

At its May meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

“In particular, the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population,” the council in its consultation on proposals for discontinuation of Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School has said.

A later July meeting of the council, following May’s agreed consultation with St David’s Diocese, backed a general consultation to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to establish it as a 3-11 community school.

The consultation was launched on December 16 and runs to January 30.

Hundreds have opposed the proposed changes, with a petition, on the council’s own website opposing the changes recently closed after gaining 391 signatures.

Any petition of between 100 and 499 signatures triggers a debate at one of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and any over 500 a debate at full council, meaning this petition will be heard by committee members at a later date.

The proposals for Cilgerran are part of a wide range of potential education changes in the county.

Two petitions, opposing the potential closures of Manorbier and Ysgol Clydau schools, were recently heard at full council and a further petition opposing the potential closure of Stepaside School has recently been launched.

The Cilgerran e-petition, created by Louise Williams, raised concerns including the school could become part of a federation, a loss of permanent head teacher on site, a shared head teacher would have to oversee several schools, loss of funding control and the ability to maintain the school’s current healthy and stable funding, and a loss of commitment to the church, in turn could impact on the school’s and pupils values, beliefs and cultural beliefs.

It said: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.

“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.

“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the Children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”