News

Mounting rubbish piles on Milford estate: Time for action say residents

Published

2 years ago

August 25, 2024

THINGS are getting worse on the Mount Estate say residents, with no end in sight to the mounting rubbish littering the area.

On Thursday, a worried father contacted The Pembrokeshire Herald, expressing alarm after his young son picked up a hypodermic needle near their home. This distressing incident is just one of many that highlight the deteriorating conditions.

Residents have reported that overflowing rubbish bins and piles of waste have become a common sight, creating an eyesore and posing significant health hazards. The accumulation of waste has led to an increase in vermin, with rats reportedly the size of cats scavenging among the refuse. The stench of decomposing food and the sight of litter scattered across the streets have made living conditions unbearable for many.

One resident shared, “Years ago, the council used to come regularly to clean up the estate, but now the bins are only emptied every three weeks. This has led to confusion over collection schedules, and as a result, many people leave their rubbish bags out on the street, where they are torn apart by seagulls and other animals.”

The situation has escalated to the point where some residents are considering starting a petition to demand action from the local authorities. “We live in small flats with limited space to store waste. The council needs to do something—this is no way for anyone, especially children, to live,” said a frustrated local.

The issue of waste management on the estate has been compounded by the council’s push to enforce recycling. While this is a commendable effort, the lack of proper facilities and space has made it difficult for residents to comply. “Recycling is important, but without the infrastructure to support it, the situation is only getting worse,” added another resident.

Local authorities have been urged to take immediate action to address the growing concerns on the estate. The presence of hazardous waste, like needles, in public areas is particularly alarming and underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive solution to the rubbish issues on Mount Estate.

As we have previously reported: In late 2019, Pembrokeshire introduced a colour-coded kerbside waste recycling system, with coloured different bags for different types of waste. However, some flats and estates in the county were initially exempt from the new, more complicated system, sticking to the previous options of orange recycling bags and black/grey normal waste bags.

In a submitted question to council, Cllr Carey said: “Since the introduction of the kerbside collection policy, the majority of Pembrokeshire residents have done their part to fulfil their end of the deal.

“As far as I am aware, Mount Estate is not required to put the same effort into their recycling as the rest of the county”, Cllr Carey said.

The Local Authority have now obviously made efforts to change that, but will it work?

Pembrokeshire has been named as the best recycling county in the whole of Wales.

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman, said: “As part of the roll-out of the final phases of the kerbside sort recycling scheme in Pembrokeshire, the Mount Estate was moved onto the Kerbside Sort Recycling system in March 2024.

“Each household was provided with the appropriate recycling containers, calendars of collections and literature surrounding the system in addition to a campaign of educational door knocking visits by our Environment Advisors to support households with the changes.

“A large number of properties at the Mount Estate, as per the rest of Pembrokeshire, are presenting their waste and recycling correctly which has resulted in Pembrokeshire being one of the top performing recycling authorities in Wales. This is something we are extremely proud of and thankful for.

“However as the image taken the day before collections show there are some isolated areas which are not fully participating in the recycling scheme at present.

“We are continuing to work with the residents and the housing team surrounding their waste and recycling provisions and to ensure appropriate storage facilities are in place for households.

“We are also taking appropriate action when evidence of fly tipping or non-compliance is found.”

Business

Llangwm brewery closes after entering liquidation

Published

10 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SMALL Pembrokeshire brewing company has been formally wound up after its owners concluded the business could no longer continue.

Black Tar Brewing Co Ltd, which was registered in Llangwm, entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation following a meeting of company members on February 27, 2026.

The meeting was held at the Swansea offices of Stones & Co Insolvency Practitioners, where Gareth Stones was appointed to oversee the closure.

The company’s registered address was at Gail Rise in Llangwm, near Haverfordwest, and official records listed its activities as beer manufacturing.

No public details have yet been released about the size of the business, the value of its assets or the amount owed to creditors.

As liquidator, Mr Stones will now take control of the company’s affairs, identify any remaining assets and determine whether funds are available for those owed money.

Creditors are expected to receive further information as the process develops.

The liquidation was initiated by the company rather than through a court order, meaning its members voted to bring trading to an end and place its finances in the hands of an insolvency practitioner.

A public notice connected to the closure directs creditors and other interested parties to Stones & Co for further information.

The winding-up brings an end to the Llangwm-registered brewery, although the company’s recent level of trading and the number of people connected to the business remain unclear.

Crime

Murder investigation launched into death of Pembrokeshire man in 1991

Published

12 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A 67-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after new potential evidence emerged in connection with a death more than three decades ago.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a murder investigation into the death of 58-year-old Bentley Mathias, who died in hospital in 1991.

Mr Mathias died at Morriston Hospital on November 19, 1991, with his cause of death recorded at the time as a brain haemorrhage.

His death was not initially treated as suspicious. However, police said new potential evidence had since come to light, prompting the case to be investigated as a murder enquiry.

On Wednesday, July 22, officers arrested a 67-year-old man from the Llandewi Velfrey area of Pembrokeshire on suspicion of murder.

He has since been released on police bail while enquiries continue.

Dyfed-Powys Police said officers were not looking for anyone else in connection with the investigation.

The enquiry remains ongoing.

Education

Haverfordwest pupils impress judges with eco-friendly cleaning business

Published

13 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Ysgol Preseli also represented Pembrokeshire among five finalists at an all-Wales green skills competition

A TEAM of Haverfordwest pupils has earned national recognition after developing a range of environmentally friendly cleaning products aimed at hotels and tourism businesses.

The Sustainables, from Haverfordwest High VC School, presented their idea to business leaders, Welsh Government representatives and sustainability experts at the Tomorrow’s Changemakers Hackathon 2026.

The pupils gave a live demonstration of their product and explained how it could be priced and marketed to businesses across the hospitality sector.

Their combination of environmental thinking and commercial awareness impressed the judging panel, which awarded the team a Highly Commended prize.

Pupils from Ysgol Preseli also reached the final, meaning Pembrokeshire was represented by two of the five teams selected from across south and west Wales.

The competition, held at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen, challenged Year 8 pupils to find practical solutions to environmental problems affecting tourism, hospitality and the built environment.

The overall winners were the Green Guardians from Llangatwg Community School in Neath Port Talbot.

Their design for a more sustainable school included an outdoor learning centre which could also operate as a pupil-run garden café.

The hackathon marked the end of a year-long programme in which pupils worked alongside teachers, employers and community organisations to research problems, develop ideas and present their solutions.

More than 1,000 Pembrokeshire pupils have taken part in the Tomorrow’s Changemakers programme since it was introduced in the county in 2023.

The Port of Milford Haven is the programme’s main partner in Pembrokeshire.

Anna Mullarkey, the Port’s stakeholder engagement and communications manager, said: “The creativity and innovation shown by these learners is truly inspiring.

“They transformed their ideas into practical solutions that could help build a more sustainable future.

“We’re proud to support young people in reaching their full potential and delighted to see schools across Pembrokeshire creating environments where ideas and talent can flourish.”

The programme has now worked with more than 3,000 young people across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Neath Port Talbot.

It is due to expand further from September, with Ysgol Harri Tudor and Ysgol Caer Elen joining the Pembrokeshire programme alongside schools in Swansea, Powys and Bridgend.

Cymbrogi Futures founder and chief executive Liza Lort-Phillips said Pembrokeshire remained at the heart of the initiative.

She said: “The county has extraordinary young people with bold ideas about the future of their communities.

“Our job is to give them the space, the tools and the confidence to act on those ideas.”