I would like to begin this report by highlighting how wonderful our village has looked throughout the festive season. Saundersfoot has always taken pride in its appearance year-round, with great effort put into maintaining and enhancing the village. This year also highlighted the challenges that followed years of inactivity after the break-up of the Chamber for Tourism, which had supported many activities and events in the village for over twenty years. It became clear that festive cheer does not simply appear on its own,  it comes from the dedication and hard work of local people who have now taken up the mantle to deliver for the village.

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who volunteered their time, often in challenging weather conditions, to organise teams and decorate the village with lights and Christmas trees. Local businesses fully supported this new initiative, and the village display felt like exactly what was needed after several years of inactivity. It was encouraging to see such strong community spirit, with everyone working together towards a shared goal. This was also reflected in other positive developments, including the sensory garden and the Saundersfoot BIG Coastal Christmas Switch-On held on 5 December.

The Switch-On was a major success, with large numbers of people coming into the village. The Christmas atmosphere was evident throughout, with late-night shopping, hospitality businesses fully engaged, live music across local venues, and special appearances from Santa and his elves. It was particularly special to have Cor Y Môr and Saundersfoot School children adding to the celebrations with festive singing following the Lantern Parade, as the sleigh travelled from the Strand through the village.

Saundersfoot also saw the welcome return of the Christmas Market and Santa’s Grotto, which ran throughout the weekend on the harbour. To round off the festivities, the village hosted its first Elf Run, which proved to be a huge success. This event brought families together and has the potential to grow into a much-loved annual tradition. Another tradition is Maggie’s memory tree, which is situated on Saundersfoot Harbour, this is a special place to remember loved ones at Christmas.

Well done to everyone involved in organising and supporting these events. The enthusiasm, teamwork, and community pride shown throughout the festive period clearly demonstrate what can be achieved when the village pulls together. I hope this momentum continues and that the community can build on this positive spirit moving forward in 2027.

The Christmas period limited the number of formal meetings that normally take place, however, there were a number of issues and actions to follow up on over the past month.

I held a meeting with the local PCSOs to discuss several ongoing concerns, including pavement parking. This issue has been raised previously, and I provided details of locations where obstructions are common. I requested that the PCSOs speak directly with the relevant property owners to ensure that pavements remain clear and accessible. While I appreciate that parking layouts are not always straightforward, it is not acceptable for residents, particularly those with assistance dogs, to be forced into the road due to blocked pavements. Since this intervention, there has been a noticeable improvement, and I welcome residents continuing to raise these concerns.

Several potholes on Sandy Hill Road were reported after the road surface deteriorated. These have recently been filled by Pembrokeshire County Council; however, one pothole has already broken up again and has been reported for further attention.

Fly-tipping from holiday accommodation remains an ongoing issue. Prior to the festive period, I challenged two individuals who were depositing large volumes of glass into the recycling bin at the top of the slipway. One of the properties involved is registered under business rates, meaning the owner is required to have a trade waste agreement in place. It is unacceptable for such properties to place the burden on PCC and local taxpayers, particularly as PCC does not receive funding for business waste.

The second situation highlighted the lack of adequate recycling facilities at some holiday properties. In this case, the individual involved was frustrated and clearly wanted to recycle responsibly. Many visitors are accustomed to recycling where they live and are keen to do the right thing. The issue lies with property owners failing to provide suitable recycling facilities for their guests. I have asked PCC to pursue this matter to ensure compliance and appropriate waste arrangements are in place.

There is currently only limited glass recycling in this area, and when it becomes full, glass is often left nearby or contaminates the other waste recycling bins, creating additional problems. While relocating the bin might appear to be a solution, a site meeting with PCC confirmed that its current location supports Blue Flag criteria. It was therefore agreed that the bin will remain in place, and options will be explored to improve the area and reduce fly-tipping.

While addressing waste issues, I also carried out an early-morning litter pick covering the Fan Road area, from the top of Ridgeway to the Pentlepoir junction, a distance of approximately one mile. I took six bags and unfortunately filled all of them. This area had not been picked for around seven weeks, and the volume of waste collected was frustrating. Items included cigarette packets, vapes, plastic bottles, cans, McDonald’s packaging, and branded takeaway waste from within the village. All information has been passed to the Saundersfoot Wombles, who collate data for Saundersfoot and Wales in Bloom.

During this activity, I noticed several black bags and other waste dumped on Moreton Road near the railway bridge. Due to safety concerns, I was unable to stop and collect the waste, as it was spread across the carriageway. This was reported to PCC, and I would like to thank the waste team for removing it the following day. However, this type of fly-tipping is a complete waste of resources, and PCC staff should not be diverted from other essential duties to clear illegally dumped waste.

A further fly-tipping incident was reported in Sardis, where waste had been dumped in a remote location. Images were provided, and I again thank the PCC team for responding promptly. As with previous incidents, this represents an unnecessary drain on PCC time and resources.

There remains an ongoing issue with lighting at the Regency Car Park. This has been formally identified and is on the list for completion as soon as resources allow.

During the recent icy conditions, I received multiple emails regarding vehicles becoming stuck and requests for grit boxes. These were chased immediately. I would like to acknowledge that grit boxes are provided by Saundersfoot Community Council. Two locations have expressed interest, and details have been provided for one resident to take responsibility for a box. This matter is ongoing, and I will follow up with Saundersfoot Community Council to ensure all necessary information is in place before boxes are installed.

I also reported a lamppost that had been struck by a vehicle. The street lighting team inspected the post to ensure it was safe, and a replacement will be installed in due course.

Active travel concerns raised by residents have been followed up, and I hope to provide further updates on these locations in my next report.

In Pennant Avenue, a persistent issue with a damaged downpipe has been reported by two residents. The issue has been inspected, confirmed, and contractors have now been notified to carry out the necessary repairs. While in Pennant Avenue, I also requested that guttering at a PCC-owned property be cleared, as significant vegetation buildup is causing issues for the property below.

Finally, I reported a small rockfall near Pharmacy Court. I welcomed the swift response from PCC, who cleared the area promptly. Barriers are now in place, as there is a possibility that further stones may still fall.

There will be a Temporary Prohibition of Vehicular Traffic (Road Closure) – Starting on Thursday 22^nd of June 2026 for two days between 0800 hrs and 17.00 hrs at Ragged Staff, Saundersfoot – from its junction with Stammers Road, northwest to its junction with Lawnswood. This will be to assist Telcom poling works in this vicinity. Reference number 2025/833.

It is intended that these works are completed within the time period stated above. However this notice may continue in force for a maximum duration of 5 days. The restrictions imposed by this notice will not apply to those vehicles associated with the works, emergency service vehicles or vehicular access to affected properties where practicable and will only apply during such times and to such extent as indicated by traffic signs. Ragged Staff is a no through road serving a number of properties. Access will be maintained subject to long delays.

Record turnout at Saundersfoot’s New Year’s Day Swim, the UK’s biggest festive charity swim

The Saundersfoot Festivities Committee would like to highlight that planning for this year’s New Year’s Day Swim has been ongoing throughout the year. Organising an event of this scale requires an enormous amount of time, coordination and commitment. The committee is made up entirely of volunteers who give their time freely to deliver this truly special and much-loved community event.

A significant part of the planning process centres around safety. We work closely with professional teams who are responsible for key decisions on the day. Long-range weather forecasts are monitored, alongside tide times, wind direction, sea and land temperatures, with daily assessments leading up to 1 January.  The tragic incidents that occurred on Christmas Day in Budleigh Salterton serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with cold-water events and our thoughts remain with all those affected.  Organisers continue to work closely with neighbouring events in Tenby and Porthcawl, sharing best practice and learning from one another. Saundersfoot is now widely recognised as the largest festive “dash and splash” in the country, and is supported by professional water safety teams, and dedicated professional teams on land. Saundersfoot Beach was once again the place to be to welcome in the New Year in style. An incredible number of  3323 registered swimmers braved the icy waters, while thousands of spectators lined the beach and village to support the 40th annual Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim, the largest festive dip in the UK.

Organisers would like to thank everyone involved in the running and support of the event.

The charitable event continues to grow year on year, with an estimated crowd of over ten thousand people gathering for the swim. Entertainment on the beach included Linda Lloyd’s, Pembrokeshire Boot Scooters, who kicked off the warm-up for our 40th anniversary swim, dancing to House of Bamboo with our mascot Charlie Shivers joining thousands of swimmers dancing on the sand. Sam Hughes and Jo, along with dancers from Escape Youth Musical Theatre, led the warm-up, while the crowd joined together for a powerful rendition of Status Quo’s Rockin’ All Over the World.

The swim countdown was started with a firework launch, courtesy of Westcoast Fireworks, who have continued to support and sponsor our event, we are extremely grateful.

The swimmers certainly did not disappoint with their fancy dress outfits. Janine Lewis and Martyn Williams had the very difficult task of judging both the group and individual fancy dress competitions. Thanks to Harbwr Bar and Kitchen for kindly donating vouchers for the prizes. With such a high standard of costumes, judging was no easy task, winners of the group fancy dress went to Saundersfoot Trotters while Mick Booth  won the best individual award.

All swimmers were captured on camera by local photographer Gareth Davies, who has attended every Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim since the event began. Photographs can be obtained from Gareth Davies Photography. Gareth continues to play a vital part in our swim.

Saundersfoot Festivities Chairman Chris Williams said: “The village and wider community have done us proud once again. Forty years ago, we could never have imagined that this event would grow into something of this scale and national recognition. Our driving force has always been the many fantastic charities that benefit from the swim. Four decades on, the event continues to evolve and grow, raising thousands of pounds for good causes. The support from Saundersfoot, surrounding areas and visitors from much further afield has been incredible. The numbers in the village over the last few days has been staggering and has provided a welcome boost to local businesses. We sincerely hope this wonderful tradition continues for many years to come.”

The swim continues to evolve, and this is the third year that online registration and ticketing has been in place. This has helped manage swimmer safety and cover the many hidden costs associated with delivering such a large-scale event. Particular thanks go to Vicky, Simon and Charlotte for managing social media and registrations, with Charlotte capturing the build-up and the event itself. The committee has also worked with Gareth Hurlow of Taf Valley coaches who provided a park & ride from Kilgetty from 10am for those wishing to visit the event. This was very much appreciated and thank you Taf Valley for their sponsorship.

Thanks also go to Cor Y Môr ladies’ choir, who presented medals to the swimmers and it was fitting for Delwyn Williams to officially start the swim in its 40^th year,  along with past and present members of Saundersfoot Community Council. Thank you to Wheelers for their design and support of the new swim medal.

As costs have increased year on year, it has become increasingly difficult to host an event of this size free of charge. The introduction of online ticketing has helped secure the future of the swim while also generating additional funds for the many charities and worthwhile causes that benefit.

This event would not be possible without the dedication of the committee, safety marshals, bucket collectors and the many volunteers who give their time on the day. Their support is invaluable.

We would also like to thank all sponsors and local businesses for their continued and generous support. Some sponsors have been with us for over 25 years, with many others supporting the event for 15 to 20 years. We are extremely grateful for their loyalty and commitment to the Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim.

Our thanks also extend to our event safety partners: South Wales Water Safety, Pembroke Paddlers, Saundersfoot Sailing Club, HM Coastguard, The RNLI, St John’s Ambulance, Tenby Fire Brigade, Dyfed-Powys Police and Pembrokeshire County Council.

A Special thanks go to, Salt on the Strand, Dan Roach and Partners Saundersfoot Beach, Hean Castle Estate,  Saundersfoot Harbour, Andrew Evans, Anthony Phillips, Dan Edison, Benny Bond, Rhodri Lewis and Sion Brace of Caldey Construction, who all play a significant role in the swim.

This year, we also worked with venues across the village to provide welcoming spaces for families and residents and thanks go to Tony Jones and Kathy at the Sands, Saundersfoot for making their venue available from 12.30pm onwards, with 80s-themed music to mark our return to the decade when the swim began.

Finally, thank you to the residents and businesses on the Strand for their support of the road closure. This is essential to ensure the safety of the swimmers and spectators attending. We are grateful to Ron Skinner and Son for providing a vehicle for mitigation at the entrance to the Strand and for their continued support.

Thank you to everyone who registered this year and completed Sponsor forms can be handed in at Salt on the Strand. We will be in touch with swimmers after the event regarding photos, fundraising totals and charity promotion, with further details of a presentation event to follow by the end of January. Plans have already started for the 2027 swim.

For further information, please visit
www.saundersfootfestivities.co.uk/nyds

Pictures included are NYDS committee members  Antony & Helen with Carol Davies of Huntington’s Disease advisor. Also present is Ben,Liam with their mother Maryssia Pugh, raising funds for Robotic assisted surgery in memory of Terry Pugh.

In December, I met with the doctors and business staff at the Medical Centre, alongside Councillors Alec Cormack (Amroth and Saundersfoot North) and Alistair Cameron (Kilgetty and Begelly). We discussed the ongoing challenges facing the centre, including the impact of flu and other winter illnesses on local surgeries and hospitals.

We also addressed the difficulties some patients experience when trying to contact the centre to book appointments. We fully understand how frustrating this can be and were pleased to learn that the Medical Centre has introduced a new telephone answering system. This system is now live and should make it easier for residents to get through, including for booking appointments. Where possible, patients are encouraged to book online as this reduces pressure on the phones, but we recognise that many patients do not have a computer and still need to call.

There are still flu jabs available at the Medical Centre, and patients are encouraged to have a jab if they have not already done so.

During the meeting, we also highlighted concerns regarding patients, particularly elderly residents, who are unable to access the NHS Wales App or do not regularly use smartphones and email. Restricting early and same-day appointments to digital channels creates significant barriers for these patients and disproportionately affects those who find digital access difficult. Many older patients rely on traditional communication methods and may not have the confidence or means to navigate digital systems. Requiring a unique email per patient also presents unnecessary obstacles for couples and families who have historically shared accounts.

We discussed ways the surgery can make early and same-day appointments accessible through multiple channels, including telephone, notice boards, and local newspapers. Saundersfoot Community Council will share updates through its notice boards, and we hope the surgery will also support this. We also asked that alternative options for booking appointments be clearly communicated to all patients, alongside support for those who struggle with digital devices.

We fully appreciate that the vast majority of patients are confident with digital devices. This approach is intended to ensure that the minority who are less digitally confident still receive the same information and access to services. Supporting patients in this way will help ensure all residents, regardless of age or digital capability, can access care safely, fairly, and conveniently.

SAUNDERSFOOT RESIDENTS

Welsh Government have confirmed the groups who are most at risk from Flu and these will remain the priority:

• People aged 6 months to 64 years in a clinical risk groups
• People aged 65 years and older (age on 31 March 2026)
• Pregnant women
• Carers of a person whose health or welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill
• Frontline health and social care workers
• Household contacts of the immunocompromised

Free NHS funded vaccination is available if you meet the criteria outlined in the priority groups above. You should request vaccination via your GP Surgery or any Community Pharmacy. 

For a full list of all at risk and eligible groups for 2025/2026 vaccination via the NHS please click HERE

Make request via this link https://forms.office.com/e/mQAtRY47wZ

2025 will definitely go down as a fun Christmas time for our Saundersfoot RNLI Branch.

Thanks to Love Saundersfoot’s sterling efforts with trees and lights, the RNLI itself covering the cost of a new Flagpole bracket, the generosity of Roam and Surf’s electricity supply and special window display from Diane Jones, we got properly Christmasy this time and were proud to join in with the Big Switch On.

Many will have seen Stormy Stan out on that damp Big Switch on evening, cheering on Santa and doing his traditional thing of dancing, high fiving and having selfies with anyone who wanted one. The shop, of course, saw plenty of Trade (there are still some great deals for bargain hunters wanting to cash in on next year’s Christmas cards and other goodies at a discount) and we ended the year having clearly shown how the RNLI’s investment into the refit in 2025 was well worth it.

Just the other side of Christmas it was fantastic to see so many RNLI Volunteers out bucket collecting for NYDS (Thank you to all 7 of you), with Stormy Stan out again for more fun…thankfully a bit drier this time! 🙏….We’re hoping our efforts will have swelled NYDS collections so that all those good causes can benefit. Rolling into 2026, we’re planning more events, of course…Don’t miss out on the Winter Warmer on Friday 13^th February in the Hean… more to be announced on this soon.

At the beginning of December, a meeting was held regarding rateable values and the impact on local businesses. I would like to thank Suzzanah Palmer of the Hean Castle Inn, for arranging this meeting at short notice. The forum provided an open space for hospitality, retail, tourism, leisure, and independent operators to discuss the upcoming changes to business rates and the potential implications for their operations. In attendance were Samuel Kurtz (MS), County Councillor Alec Cormack, and myself. Samuel chaired the meeting and spoke very well on this subject, inviting numerous questions and concerns from the room.

The purpose of the meeting was to highlight how the forthcoming revaluation in April 2026 could affect businesses across Pembrokeshire, with towns and villages like Saundersfoot impacted, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors, where the majority of properties could see an increase in their rates.

To summarise, rateable value is the estimated yearly rent a non-residential property could reasonably achieve on the open market. It is set by the Valuation Office Agency (part of the government) and used to calculate business rates. Revaluations ensure that values reflect current market conditions, including rental changes, improvements to buildings, and broader economic factors. Once the rateable value is established, the council applies a multiplier to determine the business rates payable. Some businesses may qualify for reliefs depending on size, location, or type of operation. Business rates revenue supports local services, including waste collection, roads, schools, social care, and community facilities, with a portion shared by the Welsh Government to ensure fairness across councils.

During the meeting, however, it became clear that many business owners do not feel the current system is fair or transparent. There was confusion about how rates are calculated, and concern was raised that similar properties, similar in size, frontage, or use, can have significantly different business rates. For example, one owner who invests in their property, maintains it to a high standard, and carries out necessary repairs could face a much higher rate increase than an adjacent property of similar size and appearance that has been poorly maintained. Many felt this is an inequitable system, and it is a source of significant frustration.

From my perspective, Saundersfoot has seen remarkable progress over the last twenty years, with substantial local investment and a thriving independent business community that supports the village and the wider Pembrokeshire tourism economy. Local businesses not only provide services but employ local people and strengthen community spirit. The current economic climate, with rising energy costs, wages, national insurance, and supply costs, is already placing immense pressure on independent businesses. Additional significant increases in business rates, risk undermining the progress Saundersfoot has made and could lead to closures, which would negatively affect the village, its residents, and its appeal as a destination.

It is essential that Welsh Government considers the challenges faced by small and independent businesses and provides meaningful support to ensure they can continue to thrive. Empty shops and closed businesses would have a lasting detrimental impact on the local economy and community wellbeing.

Finally, I would encourage all businesses with concerns to engage directly with Samuel Kurtz on Samuel.kurtz@senedd.wales Samuel has requested that a follow-up meeting be held on Monday 26th January, where all local businesses are welcome to attend. This is an important opportunity to raise concerns and provide feedback on the proposed changes to business rates. I have attached further details of the meeting for reference.

In conclusion, Saundersfoot’s independent and tourism-related businesses are vital to the local economy and community. The voices of these businesses must be heard, and the system of rateable values and business rates should be transparent, fair, and supportive to allow continued growth and investment.

Dear Business Owner

Further to our recent contact regarding Business Rates – I am writing to invite you to an upcoming online briefing for businesses in West Wales ( Monday 26^th January at 10:30) focused on the forthcoming Business Rates changes and what they could mean for your business. Many local businesses — particularly in hospitality and tourism — have seen their rateable values increase significantly, raising understandable concerns about costs, viability, and future investment. With the new rateable values due to come into force in April 2026, this session is designed to help businesses understand what is changing, what support is available, and how to prepare. The online event will be hosted by Paul Davies MS and I, alongside guest speakers including the VOA, FSB, UK Hospitality, and other guests and will cover:

• How Business Rates are calculated in Wales
• What the new rateable values may mean for your business
• Reliefs and support available
• An opportunity to ask questions and share your experience

This session is aimed at business owners and managers who want information to help them plan ahead and make informed decisions. Further details, including the full agenda and joining information, will be shared if you are interested in attending. To put your name down on the list, please sign up here Business Rates Online Advice Forum – Register Now | Samuel Kurtz We hope you will be able to join us and add your voice to the discussion as we work together to build the case for fairer Business Rates for West Wales businesses.

Kind regards,

Samuel Kurtz MS
Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire

At the Saundersfoot Community Council meeting held at The Regency Hall, on Thursday 8th January, an agenda item was presented following a request from Saundersfoot Harbour for financial support towards the provision of the Harbour toilets.

Following this, I wrote to the Chair of Saundersfoot Community Council, Saundersfoot Harbour Advisory Board and the Chief Executive Officer of Saundersfoot Harbour to clearly outline my concerns and objections to the proposal. While I do not intend to go into detailed correspondence at this time, my position was firm and clear, that asking the Community Council to cover the annual running costs would be unacceptable, as this could result in an increase to the community precept and Council Tax for residents across Saundersfoot. I do not believe local taxpayers should be expected to subsidise what is primarily, a Harbour and visitor-related facility. It is my view that the majority of users of the Harbour toilets are visitors to Saundersfoot, along with those accessing Harbour facilities, events, businesses, and staff working within the Harbour area. While these facilities are extremely important to the village and its tourism sector, the financial responsibility for their operation should not be transferred onto local residents through higher taxes. I can now confirm that Saundersfoot Harbour has now withdrawn its request for funding from S.C.C. and I fully welcome this decision.

I remain committed to working constructively with Saundersfoot Harbour and will offer my support in exploring appropriate, sustainable solutions to ensure that toilet facilities remain available. These facilities are vital to the success of the Harbour and to tourism across the village, and any long-term solution must be fair, proportionate, and not place any additional burden on local households.

Pembrokeshire County Council, in partnership with the UK Government, is launching the Pride in Place Impact Fund in Pembrokeshire.

This is a fantastic opportunity for residents, businesses, and organisations to share their ideas on how funding could be used to benefit their local community, including Saundersfoot. The scheme is being rolled out across the whole of Pembrokeshire to give residents a voice in deciding how the money is spent.

I would encourage members of our community to complete and submit the form linked below with their suggestions. Please note that each form can include one suggestion, but you are welcome to submit as many forms as you like. All suggestions will be reviewed by a panel, and we will work with those selected to ensure the funding reaches where it is most needed as quickly as possible.

A poster supporting this scheme is also included in my monthly report for further reference.  Pride in Place Impact Fund / Rhaglen Balchder Bro a’r Gronfa Effaith

This month I had a meeting with the volunteers who are now running this library which is a community asset at the Regency Hall. In April 2023, the library in Saundersfoot became a community managed library. Two trustees of the Regency Hall along with a band of very willing volunteers took on shifts to keep the library open and available for the community of Saundersfoot and the wider community.

There is a partnership with PCC with the volunteers provided 6 hours whilst Pembrokeshire County council provided 6 hours. The volunteer workers then went on to provide another 3 hours a week to a total of 9 hours and then added another 3 hours for the summer of 2025 mostly to help visitors to the village and those seeking information about Saundersfoot and its neighbouring towns and villages on what to do in the area.

In  2025 12 hours a week are now provided  by volunteers to help maintain and support this much loved community asset.  The library contains a good selection of books both fiction and non fiction as well as some newly published books. There is a reasonable range of large print books and talking books. There are computer terminals that can be used by library members along with print and document laminating facilities. The volunteers are extremely friendly and able to help with all these tasks.

Opening hours Tuesday 10-4, Thursday 10-4 and Saturday 10-1 and everyone is welcome to attend.

January has started positively for the Saundersfoot Wombles, with a New Year’s Day beach clean taking place ahead of the New Year’s Day Swim. One of the Wombles carried a fundraising bucket during the clean, raising funds for the New Year’s Day Swim. Sincere thanks are extended to everyone who donated, as well as for the practical support provided with rope, plastic, and bin bags.

So far in January, an impressive total of 47.96kg of litter has been collected. Ecoast and Keep Wales Tidy recently organised a beach clean that removed 9kg of litter from what is often considered a “clean” beach. Councillor Chris Williams also carried out a litter pick at known hotspots on the outskirts of the village, collecting 27.65kg. In addition, many Wombles prefer to litter pick or beach clean independently rather than as part of organised events. These individuals, who quietly contribute on a daily or occasional basis, have collectively removed a further 11.31kg of litter this month.

Further Ecoast and Keep Wales Tidy cleans are scheduled for 3 February at 11am, 4 March at 10.30am, and 22 March at 11.30am. All sessions will meet at Saundersfoot Sailing Club. Equipment will be provided, although participants are encouraged to bring their own gloves.

Local resident Tim Phillips, along with his companion Bob, has taken on the January “Move for Mind” challenge in support of the mental health charity MIND. Tim has combined walking with beach cleaning and litter picking and has already completed an impressive 104 miles. While final collection weights are still to be confirmed, his efforts have made a valuable contribution both environmentally and for mental health awareness.

A new Village Gardening Club is also launching this month, responding to residents’ requests for a regular gardening-focused group. The first meeting will take place at the Regency Hall on Thursday 29 January from 1.30pm to 2.30pm. The session will be a relaxed and welcoming opportunity to enjoy a coffee, share gardening experiences, exchange tips, or simply meet others with an interest in outdoor spaces. No prior knowledge or garden is required, and everyone is welcome. The club will form part of the village’s entry into Wales in Bloom this year and is free to attend.

Residents are also invited to a drop-in event showcasing items collected by the Saundersfoot Wombles during recent beach cleans. This event will take place at the Regency Hall on Saturday 31 January from 12pm to 4pm and will offer an insight into marine litter and its impact on coastal wildlife. Displays will include a variety of finds from local beaches, alongside art created from reclaimed beach plastic. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in creating a new artwork using collected materials. The event is proudly supported by the South Hook LNG Community Fund and PAVS.

December was an exceptionally busy and positive month for Love Saundersfoot, rounding off a year of strong community engagement, successful events, and growing collaboration across the village.

Committee Update

During December, James Bennett stepped down from his role as Chairperson. James played an important role and the committee would like to formally thank him for his time, work and commitment. James was also instrumental in leading the Coastal Christmas Switch on project also collaborating with many business and organisational locally. We are pleased to confirm that Phil Baker has stepped into the role of Chairperson, ensuring continuity and bringing valuable experience as the organisation looks ahead to 2026. Phil has a wealth of experience and was even one of the founding members of the Old Chamber of Tourism of which Love Saundersfoot of course has succeeded.

Saundersfoot BIG Coastal Christmas Switch-On – 5th December

The Saundersfoot Christmas Lights Switch-On, held on 5th December, was a major success and demonstrated the strength of partnership working within the village. On the night we also had late night shopping, live music around the bars, Santa doing a fly by with his elves, Cor Y Mor and Saundersfoot School children providing more festive vocals after the Lantern Parade! Saundersfoot Harbour of course had its Christmas Market and Santas Grotto which ran all weekend. There was lots of collaboration work with Saundersfoot Harbour, SCC, The Rotary and Hean Castle Estate who all joined forces to make this happen! Lastly a big shout out to our media partner Tim at Behind the Lens Media for shooting the event and providing us with a lovely gallery of photos to enjoy and use for promotion of future events.

The village-wide Christmas trees and lighting scheme was made possible through substantial financial and practical support from a number of partners:

• Vicki and Andy Broomhall at Puffin Cottage Holidays, who provided crucial early sponsorship of £2,500, enabling the project to proceed at scale.
• Saundersfoot Community Council, whose significant funding contribution of £3,489 allowed for wider village coverage, including additional cabling, wall brackets, and flagpole arms
• Saundersfoot Festivities / NYDS, New Years Day Swim , who contributed £1,000 towards new flagpole brackets and arms, building on infrastructure installed over previous decades
• In total, over 70 traditional Christmas trees were installed across Saundersfoot, significantly enhancing the festive appearance of the village.

Additional thanks are extended to:

• Saundersfoot Rotary for volunteer support throughout
• Saundersfoot Walking Football Team
• Individuals – Phil Baker, Phil Odley, John Yarney and Andy Milne
• Ginty Foster owner of GForce Telecoms and Colin, who kindly provided the use of a cherry picker free of charge, a vital contribution to both installation and removal
• EPS (Jez) for technical and practical assistance
• Love Saundersfoot Committee members

These contributions, alongside the efforts of many volunteers working over an extended period and in challenging weather conditions, were instrumental in the success of the project.

Take-Down Operation & Tree Recycling

During the first week of January, a coordinated volunteer operation successfully removed the 75+ trees and lights from across the village in very cold winter conditions. This involved again all of the usual suspects who are always there to lend a hand!!

All trees have been donated to Folly Farm, where they will be reused by the animals as part of an environmentally responsible recycling initiative. Images and updates will be shared shortly across Love Saundersfoot’s social media channels.

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

The New Year’s Eve fireworks display was another major highlight, attracting a large audience and receiving extremely positive feedback from both residents and visitors.

A standout feature this year was the Love Saundersfoot logo projected onto the cliff face, creating a strong visual identity and reinforcing Love Saundersfoot’s role in delivering large-scale community celebrations.

Social Media Growth, Website & Business Membership

During December, Love Saundersfoot’s Facebook page reached a major milestone of 20,000 followers. The platform is currently averaging over half a million views per month, providing significant reach for village events, local messaging, and business promotion. With business membership still steadily growing, we are on course to have support from the majority of local businesses over the coming months!

The website which hosts the business directory is also getting some fantastic traffic with over 15,000 visits since launch. The website of course promotes the Saundersfoot Events Calendar as its core function, Tide Table, Beach Webcam, Saundersfoot Lottery, Councillor Monthly Updates and of course the business directory with current catagories – Where to Eat & Drink – Where to Shop – Where to Stay – Service Providers – with almost 50 members on board so far!

Love Saundersfoot Business Members are able to collaborate with us and directly benefit from this large and growing audience, alongside inclusion in the Love Saundersfoot business directory. Membership contributions play a key role in helping fund events, infrastructure, and initiatives that benefit the wider village, while also delivering tangible promotional value to participating businesses.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Planning is already well underway for 2026, with a strong programme of events and initiatives in development. This includes the return of the ever-popular Saundersfoot Cawl Trail, alongside further seasonal events, business-led collaborations, and community activities designed to drive footfall, support local businesses, and enhance village life throughout the year. Love Saundersfoot would again like to thank all volunteers, sponsors, partners, and supporters for their continued commitment and looks forward to building on this momentum in 2026.

Throughout December and the festive period, Saundersfoot Rotary Club was extremely busy, supporting and assisting Love Saundersfoot, Saundersfoot Harbour, Hean Castle Estate, Regency Hall and the NYDS with the vast majority of their Christmas activities.

Saundersfoot Christmas Lights Switch on.  This event was a fine example of teamwork and community spirit. Members of Saundersfoot Rotary Club, Love Saundersfoot and Saundersfoot Walking Football worked together over three challenging days to prepare and install Christmas trees outside businesses throughout the village in readiness for the Lights Switch-On. Despite very poor weather conditions and demanding work, the commitment and cooperation shown were outstanding.

Following the festivities, Rotary Club members and friends returned on Monday 5 January, braving numb hands and feet in sub-zero temperatures, bright sunshine and a fierce blizzard (all occurring in a single morning) to safely remove the trees and lights. It was an impressive effort and a true reflection of Saundersfoot at its best.

Saundersfoot School Lantern Sleigh Parade On 5 December, members of Saundersfoot Rotary Club proudly joined Santa as festive escorts for the Lantern Sleigh Parade through the village. Their involvement helped ensure the parade ran smoothly and safely, bringing joy to children and families across the community.

Elf On The Run Fun Run: Saundersfoot Rotary Club hosted its inaugural Elf On The Run fun run on Sunday 7 December. Despite heavy rain, more than 60 participants across three age categories took part, creating a lively and enjoyable event. Every runner received an elf-themed medal, with prizes awarded for the best costumes in each category. The event is planned to become an annual fixture, providing a fun and inclusive festive activity while also encouraging health, fitness and community participation.

St Mary’s Church, Begelly’  Christmas Tree Festival Saundersfoot Rotary Club were proud to display their tree alongside other magnificently decorated trees at St Mary’s Church Begelly as part of their Christmas Tree Festival which ran between 12^th – 14^th December. This year’s decorations featured a beautiful purple theme, symbolising Rotary’s ongoing support for the global campaign to eradicate Polio, purple being the colour used internationally to mark a child’s finger once they have received the vaccine Collection for the Pembrokeshire Food Bank.

On 19 December, at The Hean Castle Inn, the Rotary Club assisted Saundersfoot Connect with collecting donations for the Pembrokeshire Food Bank. This initiative was extremely successful, with a substantial quantity of non-perishable goods donated to support those in need. Seeing in the New Year. The Club also supported Saundersfoot’s New Year celebrations, providing assistance and first-aiders at the fireworks display, and supplying marshals and first-aiders for the exceptionally successful New Year’s Day Swim.

This Christmas and New Year period highlighted, perhaps more than ever, the strength of partnership working within Saundersfoot. The collaboration between local organisations delivered a vibrant and successful festive programme for the benefit of the whole village. It was a tremendous collective effort and a credit to everyone involved.