As a local Councillor, I receive many messages throughout the month from residents regarding Saundersfoot Medical Centre, particularly concerns about the difficulty some patients have experienced when trying to book appointments with doctors and nurses. Many patients have then have to queue outside the surgery before it opens. I know that Councillors Cormack and Cameron and I, are meeting shortly to discuss telephone bookings, as this is causing anxiety amongst residents.

I can speak from personal experience, as I recently had to do exactly this. I arrived at the surgery shortly before opening and joined the queue. Once inside, I spoke with the receptionist, who was able to offer me a same-day appointment. I returned at the agreed time and was seen by a doctor as planned and received excellent support. I understand that others who were waiting also received appointments, both before and after my appointment.

I was fortunate that I live locally and was able to walk to the surgery shortly before it opened, but I appreciate that this is not an option for everyone, particularly those who are elderly, unwell or have mobility difficulties.

I have been advised by the practice that they are currently not operating with a full complement of doctors, which has made it challenging to manage the demand for appointments. However, there is positive news. The practice has recruited two new GP partners, a salaried GP and an additional fully qualified doctor undertaking GP training. These new members of the team will be starting over the coming weeks and months, which should help increase capacity and ease some of the current pressures.

I recognise that the situation has been extremely frustrating for patients, particularly for those who need to see a doctor urgently. However, I also know that the practice is committed to serving the local community and has recognised the difficulties patients have been experiencing. The recruitment programme demonstrates that work is being undertaken to address the underlying pressures.

I can only speak from my own recent experience, but I was grateful to the surgery for being able to provide me with a same-day appointment and for the care I received. My fellow local Councillors, Alec Cormack (Amroth and Saundersfoot North) and Alistair Cameron (Kilgetty & Begelly) and I will continue to listen to residents and respond to concerns as they arise. We will also continue to engage with the practice where appropriate to ensure that the concerns being raised by our communities are understood.

I hope the forthcoming recruitment will provide some much-needed additional capacity and, importantly, improve access to appointments for patients.

I’m very happy to talk about waste, because I genuinely believe we have seen an incredible improvement in Saundersfoot and the surrounding roads over the last two years. That has been down to a huge amount of work by residents, volunteers, local groups, businesses and the PCC cleansing teams, all working together.

There is no doubt that residents have been impacted by fly-tipping over the years and unfortunately, by a small number of holiday properties that continue to advise guests to take their waste home or dispose of it in the nearest PCC bin. I have personally witnessed some of these selfish actions, although I want to stress that this is a very small minority of holiday accommodation properties. The vast majority of professionally managed letting properties make the appropriate arrangements and ensure their guests’ waste is dealt with correctly.

We all have a responsibility to dispose of waste properly. Residents have been segregating their waste for many years and do this exceptionally well. There is no reason why holiday accommodation providers and their guests cannot do the same.

Over the last few weeks, I have personally challenged individuals I have seen carrying bags of waste towards the Slipway, the Strand and the bins at Coppet Hall. This is clearly unacceptable. On some occasions, I have been able to establish where the individuals were staying and have passed that information to the PCC environmental team so that it can be followed up.

At the same time, I think we sometimes forget just how much work the PCC cleansing teams do across Pembrokeshire. In Saundersfoot, we have developed an excellent relationship with those teams and with the many organisations and community groups that work tirelessly to keep our streets, beaches and roads into the village as clean as possible.

I saw a great example of this recently. We have had exceptionally good weather, and on Saturday evening I received a call to say that the bins at the top of the Slipway were full, with smaller bags of rubbish beginning to accumulate around them as people left the beach. The important thing is that the vast majority of those people had actually done the right thing by taking their rubbish with them and leaving it at the designated bins. Unfortunately, once the bins are full, the problem can quickly escalate, particularly with seagulls tearing open bags and spreading waste around the area.

I contacted the PCC team at 8.30pm and within around 20 minutes a cleansing unit was on site and had removed the waste. That quick response prevented what could easily have become a much bigger problem across the Slipway and surrounding streets on the Sunday morning.

There is also a huge amount of voluntary work taking place. I recently joined Saundersfoot Rotarians, Ray & John, on a litter pick covering Sandyhill Road towards the New Hedges roundabout, down past the farm shop to the Crane Cross junction, and then back into the village via Hopshill Lane and Westfield Road. We collected an incredible 15 bags of rubbish.

The previous week, we collected a further five bags along The Ridgeway and Fan Road through to the Pentlepoir junction and back towards the village. It is hoped that over the next few weeks we will cover Valley Road, St Brides Hill, Lane and the road past Swallow Tree Woods.

This is only one small part of what is happening. There are numerous groups, organisations and individuals out litter-picking on our beaches, in the village and along the surrounding roads on a regular basis. Their contribution should never be underestimated.

I also want to praise the vast majority of our local businesses. They have completely bought into the importance of keeping Saundersfoot looking its best and understand that maintaining high standards benefits everyone – residents, visitors and businesses alike. There are still one or two businesses where I believe there is room for significant improvement, this isn’t a criticism of the staff, this is aimed at the management of these businesses, who could do so much more to support and work with organisations around the village  and where I would like to see greater support for the wider community. Some of these areas have unfortunately become regular locations for our volunteers to litter-pick, which is disappointing and, particularly when we are promoting Saundersfoot as a destination to visit.

However, I don’t want the actions of one or two businesses to overshadow the fantastic work being undertaken by so many others. Visitors should know that their accommodation has to have provision for waste disposal and landlords should be asked that question. If there is sufficient publicity both in the village targeting those that are guilty and online targeting visitors before they book, it will be much harder for guilty parties to get away with this irresponsible behaviour.

July and August have been exceptionally busy months in Saundersfoot, and I’m sure many of you have enjoyed the excellent summer weather. I hope our local businesses have also benefited from the extended period of sunshine and the many visitors coming into the village.

There has been a really positive atmosphere this summer, with more local organisations and volunteers getting involved in keeping our beaches, streets and entrances to the village clean and tidy.

The floral displays have also been outstanding, with many businesses supporting Saundersfoot in Bloom, and the Sensory Garden looking particularly impressive.

As always, I continue to receive a wide range of issues from residents, and I would encourage people to get in touch as early as possible so that I can raise concerns and chase progress where necessary.

I have again raised the issue of blocked drains on The Strand, particularly where sand is building up, as well as concerns around Milford Street. I have also received a number of enquiries about the car park opposite the bus stop on Milford Terrace. I just want to clarify that this is privately owned and does not belong to Pembrokeshire County Council. The public highway finishes before the entrance to the rear parking area, which provides access to The Boat House, residential properties and the Argosy Fish and Chip Shop. The land beyond that point is private and comes under the ownership of the parking company.

Following my recent meeting and walkabout with PCC, I have continued to raise concerns about the single parking bay outside Labels for Less. This continues to cause significant congestion, particularly at peak times, and on occasions it can bring traffic through the village almost to a standstill. The matter is still going through the appropriate process, and I remain hopeful that the information provided will result in the bay being removed.

PCC has also introduced double yellow lines and kerb markings on parts of Cambrian Terrace and Brewery Terrace to prevent vehicles parking on pavements. I strongly support this. Pavement parking is not simply an inconvenience, it can create serious problems for people with disabilities, wheelchair users, those who are visually impaired and parents with pushchairs. People should not be forced into the road because a vehicle has been left blocking the pavement. Where there are double yellow lines and the appropriate kerb markings, vehicles can be issued with an immediate ticket, although I appreciate that enforcement officers cannot be everywhere across Pembrokeshire at the same time. I have also raised concerns with Dyfed-Powys Police regarding obstruction, although unfortunately I have received very little response to date. I will continue to pursue this.

The crossing point in the village where vehicles have previously been parking remains under review. I have asked whether the bollards can be extended to prevent vehicles parking across the crossing and hopefully make this safer for everyone.

The issue of abandoned Zip bikes also continues. I would particularly like to thank Rhodri Lewis, who recently retrieved one from the sea after it had apparently been left there overnight. Others have been abandoned outside residential properties or left across pavements, creating further problems for pedestrians. I am happy to seek residents’ views on this and see whether there is more that can be done.

I would also like to thank Hean Castle Estate and PCC for their swift response when a substantial rock recently fell onto the coastal path. It had the potential to cause considerable damage, but thankfully it was quickly removed and the area made safe.

I have also reported areas where vegetation is becoming overgrown. PCC has been asked to clear the hedge on The Strand opposite Beach Court Flats, where the pavement was becoming increasingly difficult to use.

Another area is Brooklands Place, along the bridleway from The Incline down behind Westfield Road and into the village, where the hedge had grown out and the gully was no longer visible.

I have also had to chase PCC regarding missed refuse collections where vehicles have blocked access and prevented collection lorries from getting through. I would like to thank the team for returning to collect the waste when this has happened.

Unfortunately, illegal dumping continues to be a problem in some areas. On Brewery Terrace, residents are putting out their red and blue bags, glass boxes and food waste correctly, only for individuals to leave black bags alongside them. These are then often ripped open, creating more work for the cleansing teams and leaving additional rubbish on the street. This has been happening for more than two weeks and has been reported. Residents in the area know when black bags should be collected, so in my view this is simply opportunistic fly-tipping and is completely unacceptable.

I would also like to thank residents at Sandyhill Park who raised concerns about the pavements not being sprayed this year. Following an inspection, it appears that Gorse Hill and some other estates would also benefit from maintenance. I have asked PCC to look at these areas while the weather remains dry. There have also been several enquiries about overgrown paths.

Along with Councillor Alec Cormack, I have contacted Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority regarding paths for which they have responsibility. These include the route from The Ridgeway behind Nash Place, down alongside Castle View at Whitlow, through the field into Hazel Woods and towards the road by the Mill Caravan Site overlooking Coppet Hall meadow. Other areas raised include the path between Swallow Dale and Bevelin Hall, and the cut-through opposite Guy’s Maisonettes that leads down towards the bottom of Westfield Road. I will continue to chase updates on these paths.

I have also chased PCC regarding large vehicles that are causing congestion in the village after 11am. There is a seasonal weight restriction already in place from 1st April – 30th September 11:00am – 4:00pm, however this is being abused which naturally causes difficulties especially as the dual loading bays are working extremely well to support local residents with shopping in the village.

I have also chased Ateb again regarding the sinkhole, as residents have rightly raised this, the works are due to take place on the 25/26 of August.

A reminder for anyone visiting Saundersfoot Surgery to make sure your vehicle registration is registered correctly when attending. If your appointment or treatment is likely to take more than an hour, please let the receptionist know so that your records can be updated accordingly. The surgery has introduced this system to help ensure there are parking spaces for patients needing to visit the surgery.  I have had to chase a number of letters where patients have exceeded the one-hour allocation without their details being presented to the receptionist.

I have also reported that some of the 20mph signs have been painted over and are therefore difficult to see. This has happened previously and PCC is aware of the issue and will attend when resources allow.

I have also spoken to the PCC regarding a no left turn sign to be installed on Milford Street. There have been a few occasions recently that cars have either travelled right from the Regency Car Park or turned left from the car park opposite the Arcade.

Councillor Cormack and I have been chasing PCC regarding the clearance of the grate that is directly in line with Labels for Less on Brewery Terrace. Debris builds up here and allows the water through into the sluice at Saundersfoot Harbour, the Harbour has rightly raised this concern and Alec and I have reported to PCC. Due to the awkwardness and safety concerns this will need to be reviewed and it is hopeful that this will be cleared before the Autumn.

Finally, the excellent summer weather has inevitably brought increased parking pressure around Whitlow, Westfield Road, Pennant Avenue, The Glen, Ragged Staff and, more recently, outside Rhodewood Apartments. Some vehicles are using the cut-through towards The Glen beach, and visibility can be affected when a number of vehicles are parked in the area. I fully understand residents’ concerns about this. However, some of these locations do not have double yellow lines, which makes enforcement extremely difficult. I have passed the concerns to the PCC Highways team and asked them to assess the situation. I will come back to residents with any further information I receive.

As always, there is a lot happening across Saundersfoot, and I am grateful to residents for continuing to raise issues with me. I cannot promise that every problem can be resolved immediately, but I can promise that where concerns are raised, I will continue to take them forward with the relevant teams and keep residents updated wherever possible.

I fully understand the frustration of residents and this appears to be a growing issue, not just in Saundersfoot but across a number of communities in Pembrokeshire.

I raised this in my last report, and unfortunately it seems to be escalating. I know Councillor Williams has rightly raised similar concerns regarding campervans in Tenby, and having spoken with other Councillors, it is clear that residential camping is becoming an issue in other communities too.

There appears to be an increasing number of people converting work vans or smaller vehicles for weekend use and then heading to the Pembrokeshire coast. Of course, we want to welcome visitors and recognise the significant contribution tourism makes to our local economy, but there has to be a sensible balance. Visitors should not be impacting on the quality of life of residents.

I have received concerns about vehicles staying for several days, rubbish being left behind or placed in public bins, access being restricted and noise from vehicles late at night or early in the morning. While the majority of visitors are respectful, it is often the minority that create the problems.

Pembrokeshire has many excellent campsites and dedicated facilities for motorhomes, so I do think we need to look carefully at how residential streets are being used for overnight stays and whether there are appropriate measures available to manage this.

I fully support residents who have raised these concerns, and I believe Pembrokeshire County Council needs to look at this in much greater detail. We need to find the right balance between encouraging visitors and protecting the communities they come to enjoy. I have already raised this with the PCC Public Realm Manager and will also raise the matter with the relevant Cabinet Member. I will also make sure that the concerns being raised by residents in Saundersfoot are properly represented.

I wanted to share an image recently taken by a Saundersfoot resident while on holiday in Cornwall, showing a simple but effective approach to tackling waste and fly-tipping.

I’m sure it will come as no surprise that residents across Saundersfoot are very supportive of doing more to address waste issues, and I believe initiatives like this could help reinforce the positive work already taking place in our village.

I have contacted Pembrokeshire County Council’s environmental team to explore whether similar stickers or signage could be trialled in Saundersfoot, particularly around areas with a high concentration of holiday accommodation. They provide a clear reminder that public bins should be used responsibly and that fly-tipping is unacceptable, while encouraging visitors and residents to take responsibility for their waste.

With so many organisations and volunteers already working together to keep Saundersfoot clean, I believe this could be an opportunity to work in partnership with PCC, trial the initiative locally and assess whether it could have a wider benefit across Pembrokeshire.

I’m also pleased that the Environmental Services Contracts Manager has invited members of the Saundersfoot community to visit the new Eco Park waste and recycling centre. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about how waste is managed and recycled, and how Saundersfoot can benefit from this new facility.

Julie Davies from the Saundersfoot Wombles and Saundersfoot in Bloom is particularly keen to visit and understand the process. With so many people already doing so much to keep our village clean, I’m sure this will be a really useful and positive experience.

Since May, I don’t think a single week has gone by without me having conversations with residents about dogs on our beaches. What particularly disappoints me is the small minority of dog owners who walk past clearly displayed signs and knowingly take their dogs onto restricted beaches, seemingly believing that little or nothing will be done.

The restrictions are there for a reason and they should be respected. What is even more frustrating is the increase in the number of dogs being taken onto our beaches and, in some cases, owners then failing to pick up after them. Leaving dog waste on the beach is simply unacceptable.

Equally concerning is the practice of leaving filled dog-poo bags in piles on the cut through half way down the Strand, which quickly escalates into larger amounts of waste and creates an even greater problem. I own a dog myself and I respect the current byelaws. Wherever I walk my dog I carry the bag with me until I can dispose of it properly. It really isn’t difficult, and responsible dog owners should not be made to feel that they are somehow responsible for the actions of others.

I recently spoke to a visitor who had her dog with her and was carrying around 20 individual dog-waste bags. She actually told me that she was embarrassed by the behaviour of some other dog owners because their actions were giving responsible owners a bad name.

I think that says a great deal. The resentment I hear most often is actually from dog owners themselves, who are incredibly frustrated that a small minority are damaging the reputation of the vast majority who follow the rules and dispose of their waste responsibly. It is always the minority who spoil things for everyone else, and I think we need to be honest about that. I have raised these concerns with PCC, alongside Councillor Alec Cormack, and I have received the following update from officers.

I want to share this with residents so that everyone understands where things currently stand. PCC officers are reviewing the existing arrangements and considering what options may be available for future seasons across Pembrokeshire. However, any changes to the current restrictions or byelaws would need to follow the appropriate legal process and where necessary, be approved by Full Council. Officers are also considering whether byelaws remain the most appropriate approach or whether alternative legal measures could provide a more practical and effective solution across Pembrokeshire. There are a number of questions that need to be properly considered before any changes are proposed, including whether any time restrictions should apply to an entire beach or particular areas, whether such an approach would genuinely address concerns around cleanliness, public enjoyment and water quality, and when the majority of problems actually occur.

There also needs to be clear and consistent communication so that residents and visitors understand exactly what the rules are. Enforcement is clearly one of the biggest issues. While the majority of dog owners act responsibly, there is a growing perception that some individuals knowingly disregard the restrictions because they believe there is little chance of enforcement action.

Unfortunately, PCC has limited resources following years of financial pressures. At present, the Council is relying largely on beach lifeguards to provide advice during their operational hours, alongside the Beaches Officer, who is one individual covering the whole Pembrokeshire coastline. That clearly creates challenges when it comes to consistent enforcement across the county.

Many residents will remember that when external enforcement contractors were previously used, there appeared to be fewer reported problems with dogs on restricted beaches. However, there were also concerns about the way that enforcement was carried out.

Any future approach therefore needs to strike the right balance between effective enforcement and maintaining positive relationships with residents, visitors and responsible dog owners. There is also a cost associated with enforcement, and that ultimately has to come from public resources. I don’t believe enforcement should be viewed primarily as a revenue-generating exercise. The priority should be protecting our beaches, ensuring people can enjoy them and making sure the rules are fair and respected.

There is a much wider question about whether communities want to retain beach restrictions at all and, if so, what form those restrictions should take. This also links to recognised beach awards and environmental accreditations, which many communities value because they provide reassurance about environmental standards, cleanliness and the quality of our beaches. I believe there is a real need to listen to everyone before decisions are made. Residents, businesses, visitors and, importantly, responsible dog owners all deserve an opportunity to have their views heard.

A small minority should not dictate the future arrangements for everyone else, but equally we need a system that is realistic, enforceable and works for our community. It is clear that the current PCC system isn’t working.

However, I know that officers have confirmed that they are currently gathering information and exploring the available options. At this stage, no decision has been made about when this will formally come before the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, although a report is scheduled to go to Cabinet in September. I will continue to keep residents updated as this progresses.

In the meantime, I would simply ask all dog owners to be considerate, follow the existing restrictions and, wherever they walk their dogs, please pick up after them and take the waste home or dispose of it responsibly. Our beaches belong to everyone, and we all have a responsibility to look after them. I will finish by including a quote I received by email recently:

“Just on main beach and I saw a couple in their 50s one dog on a lead, the other doing his business on the sand. When I told them that they hadn’t cleaned up after their dog, the response I had was that the sea will wash it away!!! I was dumbfounded…no respect at all. !!!”

Over the last few months, I have been contacted by a number of local residents regarding properties and new homes coming forward through the housing allocation process. I’m sure everyone is aware of the challenges we face locally, particularly with the number of people needing suitable accommodation within our communities.

Recently, I attended a meeting at the Regency Hall, organised by Choice Homes. There have also been meetings held in other locations across the county, and it is clear that the team is working extremely hard to engage with residents and understand the issues they are facing.

The meeting in Saundersfoot provided some really useful and positive conversations, with residents able to raise questions and discuss the challenges around accessing housing locally. PCC has already taken a great deal from the two events held so far, and I hope the remaining meetings will be equally productive.

For anyone who was unable to attend, I would encourage you to look at the Choice Homes website and the information provided through the relevant link, as there are some important details and guidance available to support residents.

I am personally delighted that the Local Lettings Policy has been strengthened in a way that provides greater support for local people while also helping to sustain our schools, services and communities for the future.

This is a really positive development, and I would like to acknowledge and thank everyone at PCC who has worked hard to help achieve it.

Please see the links to the choice homes @ Pembrokeshire website.  This holds updates, FAQ’s and the policy document. This is available at

https://www.choicehomespembrokeshire.org/allocation-policy-2026/whats-new.

The policy itself is available at

https://www.choicehomespembrokeshire.org/allocation-policy-2026/choice-homes-allocation-policy-2026

A significant milestone has been reached as Pembrokeshire County Council announces the completion of the first three two-bedroom homes at the Ger y Môr development in Saundersfoot, delivered in partnership with Persimmon Homes.

This development will include a total of 21 high quality social homes, ranging from one-bedroom flats to three-bedroom houses.  Further properties are due to be completed in the coming weeks.

The scheme meets a broad spectrum of local housing needs and has been brought    forward in partnership with Persimmon Homes, whose expertise and commitment have been instrumental in its delivery.

The development has been carefully planned to ensure that affordable homes are seamlessly integrated alongside private properties.

This approach creates a balanced and inclusive community, encouraging social integration by bringing together residents from a variety of backgrounds.

By maintaining a consistent design and quality across all homes, the scheme promotes a positive neighbourhood environment and supports a strong sense of community and belonging.

Integral to the development is the Local Lettings Policy, which has been developed in partnership with the local community and prioritises applicants with strong local connections.

This ensures that local residents are able to remain within, or return to, the communities with which they have longstanding connections.

By delivering homes in this coastal setting and responding directly to identified local housing need, Pembrokeshire County Council is supporting the sustainability of       communities and enhancing access to suitable housing for local residents.

Cllr Michelle Bateman, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The completion of these first homes at Ger y Môr is a significant milestone for Saundersfoot and for the Council’s commitment to delivering more affordable housing.

“By combining high-quality social homes with a strong focus on local connections, this development will help local people access secure housing and remain part of the communities they know and value.”

Stuart Phillips Managing Director of Persimmon Homes Wales, said:

“As part of our commitment to leaving a positive community legacy where we build, Persimmon is pleased to be partnering with Pembrokeshire Council to deliver homes for local people in Saundersfoot.

“We are delighted to have made progress on this work, handing over this initial tranche of houses at Ger y Môr, which we believe marks a significant community contribution to help alleviate pressure on housing need in the village.

“Bringing together Welsh house builders like ourselves and local authorities in Wales is the best means of delivering Affordable Housing for local people, so to see it come to fruition here is a milestone worth celebrating.”

Anyone interested in applying for one of the homes will need to have an up-to-date housing application.

If you have any queries, please email the Customer Liaison Team at

devCLO@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

or phone them on 01437 764551, or view Housing’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/PCCHousing

I had the privilege of attending the National Eisteddfod, which was held in Pembrokeshire in August, and what a fantastic event it was.

It was incredibly well organised and showcased everything that is so good about Wales, including the incredible talent we have across all ages. Pembrokeshire did an amazing job hosting the Eisteddfod, with visitor numbers significantly up and, thankfully, fantastic weather throughout the event.

I was particularly proud to attend and support Cor Y Mor from Saundersfoot. I have to say, I thought they were absolutely fantastic and, in my opinion, the best choir in their section. They looked immaculate, sounded incredible and represented Saundersfoot with real pride.

There was also fantastic support from people travelling from the village to be there and cheer the ladies on.  The choir received an incredible send-off from the local community on Thursday, August 6th, when they travelled to Llantood in north Pembrokeshire to perform as the Welsh Learners’ Choir at the National Eisteddfod.

There was a wonderful turnout of local people to see them off, led by Saundersfoot Rotary, along with the walking footballers, Charlie Shivers from the Swim, Regency Hall staff, the Chair of the local council, RNLI, Saundersfoot in Bloom, Saundersfoot Runners, Love Saundersfoot and many others.

The choir later described what happened, saying: “What a huge surprise to see the road lined with Welsh flags, all wishing us the very best on our journey to the Eisteddfod. It was a truly humbling experience and shows the strong community spirit we have here in Saundersfoot.”

Many of the choir members were understandably quite emotional at such an incredible gesture from their community. They also wanted to thank everyone who supported them on the decking the evening before their performance. Having the opportunity to come together, sing and receive that encouragement clearly gave them additional confidence and helped them prepare for the following day’s performance on the Eisteddfod stage. They had a wonderful day and received some very positive feedback from the judges.

More importantly, they were incredibly proud to be representing our fantastic village of Saundersfoot on the National Eisteddfod stage. I am immensely proud of Cor Y Mor and everything they have achieved. They are a wonderful example of the talent, commitment and community spirit we have here in Saundersfoot, and I think the way the village came together to support them was something very special.

A huge congratulations to all the ladies, and a very well-deserved thank you to everyone who supported them along the way. Diolch yn fawr, ferched!

At the beginning of August, local residents in The Glen raised the alarm after a small fire was started following the use of a disposable BBQ.

It appears that a small gas canister may also have exploded, which could have had much more serious consequences. One resident contacted the local fire service after spotting the fire whilst walking back along the beach.

Flames were seen and the alarm was raised. Two groups of young people using disposable BBQs along Back Beach were seen, in addition to the one believed to have caused the fire near Cathedral Cave. There was reportedly a loud explosion that rattled windows nearby, with the flames then shooting upwards and catching the surrounding gorse and woodland alight.

Thankfully, the fire was spotted early and Tenby Fire Brigade responded quickly and professionally, preventing what could have been a far more serious incident.

They were also called back the following morning after reports of smouldering material and concerns that there may have been an attempt to reignite the fire.

The Glen is an incredibly beautiful and important part of our village, with extensive woodland surrounding this spectacular stretch of coastline and continuing towards Monkstone Point and further inland. Given how dry the conditions were at the time, and considering how quickly fire can spread through dry gorse and woodland, this could have been catastrophic if the wind had been blowing strongly from an easterly direction, as it had done the previous week.

This incident does raise a wider question about whether anything more can be done to prevent disposable BBQs from being sold currently, particularly during periods of exceptionally dry weather and heightened fire risk. I appreciate this is not necessarily a straightforward matter and would need to be considered carefully, but I believe it is a conversation worth having.

The message is not about stopping people enjoying our beaches and countryside. It is about preventing irresponsible behaviour that could put people, property, wildlife and our beautiful coastline at serious risk.

On behalf of residents in The Glen and the wider Saundersfoot community, I would like to thank Tenby Fire Brigade for their outstanding response and professionalism. Their quick action, both during the evening and again the following morning, undoubtedly helped prevent this incident from becoming something far more serious.

We are incredibly fortunate to have such dedicated local firefighters who are prepared to respond whenever our community needs them. I think the added danger of children burning their feet on sand where disposable BBQs have been is another issue. As the main beach is so family friendly it may be justified for banning BBQs on the beach

I recently addressed the Planning Committee in support of the Saundersfoot Hwyl sauna application, having also been involved when the original temporary two-year consent was granted in 2024.

The sauna has also received strong support from the previous County Councillor, Phil Baker BEM, who spoke very professionally and passionately in support of the application.

My support is based on the practical experience of the past two years. During that time, the sauna has operated successfully and responsibly, including during periods of challenging weather. It has demonstrated that the arrangements for managing the site can work effectively, with the sauna removed when necessary during extreme weather.

Accessibility was one of my original concerns when the application first came before the committee. However, despite the high levels of use along the promenade, I have not received a single complaint from residents or businesses about the sauna obstructing access during the two years it has been operating. I believe that real-world experience should be given considerable weight.

I also believe the sauna sits comfortably within its current harbour location, where the existing landscaping helps screen it from High Street while avoiding unnecessary obstruction of the views across Saundersfoot Bay.

Most importantly, the sauna has become a valued part of the community. It has attracted more than 5,500 bookings and around 8,000 individual users since opening, helping bring visitors to Saundersfoot throughout the year and supporting local cafés, restaurants and shops. I have also received strong support from local residents and community organisations, including Saundersfoot Rotary, the Numb Nuts sea swimming group and Saundersfoot Community Council.

The public beach shower introduced alongside the sauna has also become a useful facility for swimmers, beach users and visitors generally, providing a wider community benefit.

I fully appreciate that a sauna will not appeal to everyone, but the overwhelming feedback I have received has been positive. I believe the evidence from the past two years demonstrates that the business has been professionally managed, has operated responsibly and has not created the accessibility or operational problems that were originally anticipated.

For those reasons, I remain firmly supportive of the application and believe the sauna has become a positive addition to Saundersfoot, contributing to our year-round economy, health and wellbeing offer and the wider community.

September is set to be another busy and exciting month for Saundersfoot, with a number of popular sporting events bringing visitors, competitors and spectators into the village.

Street Food Circus 2026 will be coming to Saundersfoot Harbour from September 4th to 6th there will be street food recipes from around the world. There will be a banquet on the decking, while circus pirates climb the mast of the schooner, sing shanty songs, swig some Barti Rum. This will be a weekend of food, family and feasting on Saundersfoot Harbour Decking.

On Friday 11 September, we will see the return of the popular Saundersfoot Tri. This short-distance triathlon has become an event that the village really embraces, with music from local hospitality businesses, streets lined with spectators and a fantastic family atmosphere throughout the evening.

With more than 900 competitors expected, along with thousands of supporters, I’m sure this will once again be a great success and provide an important boost for our local businesses. There will be road closures in place to support the event and, given the number of people attending, these are necessary to ensure everyone can enjoy the evening safely.

On Saturday 12 September, there will also be a swimming event taking place in Saundersfoot Bay. This is a new event for 2026, this will take place on Saturday morning after the Saundersfoot Triathlon, and this will take place in the stunning Saundersfoot Bay with a 950 metre single lap or a 1.9km double lap.

Then, on Sunday 13 September, the annual Ironman Wales event returns to Pembrokeshire, with Saundersfoot once again playing an important part in this iconic event. The cycle route through Saundersfoot will see hundreds of competitors passing through a packed village before heading up Heartbreak Hill, past St Bride’s, through Swallow Tree Woods and Broadfield Hill before continuing towards New Hedges.

The atmosphere created by the crowds is always something special, and the support from spectators makes a huge difference to the competitors. It is estimated that around 12,000 spectators could line the route between Saundersfoot and New Hedges, cheering the cyclists on throughout the day.

Parking will again be available off the New Hedges roundabout, which should assist those travelling to support the event, although I also appreciate that many people will choose to walk and enjoy the full atmosphere across the day.

These events do bring challenges, particularly around traffic, parking and road closures, but they also provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase Saundersfoot and bring visitors into the village at a time when we are looking to extend the season.

I hope everyone will get behind the events, support our local businesses and enjoy what promises to be another fantastic weekend for Saundersfoot.

Saundersfoot is extremely excited to once again support the annual Ironman Wales event, which has become a major highlight in the Pembrokeshire calendar and brings an incredible atmosphere to the village.

Local members recently attended a positive and productive meetings with the PCC Public Realm Manager and Ironman representatives to discuss this year’s event and how we can work together to make sure it is as successful as possible for residents, businesses, spectators and competitors.

Crowds have continued to grow over recent years. Anyone who has experienced the event will know just how special the atmosphere is, with families and friends lining the route for many hours to cheer on the athletes.

With those numbers, there are inevitably challenges, and one of the key areas discussed was providing additional toilet facilities. If people are going to spend seven hours or more supporting their family and friends, we need to make sure there are adequate facilities available.

Additional spectator toilets are planned at key locations, including St Brides Hotel, Swallow Tree Woods, Broadfield Caravan Park and the grass bank at Twycross Roundabout.

Broadfield Caravan Park is also being promoted as a dedicated spectator area, with toilets, bins and catering facilities available, which should help provide another excellent location for people to enjoy the event.

Ironman is also working with First Cymru to explore whether the spectator shuttle can be diverted to drop people at Regency Car Park in Saundersfoot rather than Twycross Roundabout. The bus company is currently risk assessing the proposed route, and we hope to have confirmation shortly.

Another important area is keeping Saundersfoot clean. Last year, the opening of the roads was unfortunately delayed by around 40 minutes because of the amount of litter left behind. This is not about being negative towards the event or its spectators, it is about making sure we can all play our part in allowing the roads to reopen as quickly and safely as possible and leaving those residential streets less impacted and spotless.

This year, the Saundersfoot Wombles and Saundersfoot Rotary will be working together to provide additional litter-picking support with PCC, particularly later in the day. The Wombles will provide additional support from around 4pm onwards, with a particular focus on Broadfield Hill, working alongside Pembrokeshire County Council teams.

I am really pleased that local organisations are getting behind the event in such a positive way. Ironman brings thousands of people into Saundersfoot, creates an incredible family atmosphere and provides a valuable boost for local businesses.

We are working closely with PCC, Ironman, local organisations and businesses to make sure that residents, spectators and athletes can all enjoy the day. Spectator information and reminders about being respectful towards local residents and competitors will also be shared during race week.

This is a fantastic event for Pembrokeshire and Saundersfoot, and I hope everyone will get behind it, enjoy the atmosphere and, most importantly, help us leave the village and surrounding roads as clean and tidy as we found them.

The summer season has got off to a fantastic start, with a busy programme of Rotary events generating excellent coverage across social media and the local press.

Plaques have now been installed on the flower planters on the harbour decking, proudly acknowledging that the colourful displays were donated by Saundersfoot Rotary and Saundersfoot Wombles. The floral displays have been widely admired and have made a vibrant addition to the harbour setting.

Saundersfoot Rotary now has 12 sponsor banners displayed side by side at their events, creating a striking visual presence. As well as promoting the work of Rotary, the banners recognise the invaluable support of local businesses, showcasing their products and services while highlighting their commitment to supporting local charities and good causes.

The inaugural Duck Race on 5 July proved to be a tremendous success. Continuing the long-standing tradition, all proceeds from the event were donated to the RNLI, with more than £1,000 raised. The event also benefitted from an excellent promotional video produced by Love Saundersfoot, which was shared across both their social media platforms and their own.

Saundersfoot Rotary was also delighted to support Saundersfoot SeaFest by organising and running the popular Sandcastle Competition on the beach as part of the festival celebrations.

The second and third Duck Races of the summer were promoted by the now-familiar bright yellow ducks positioned at every main entrance to the village. The events exceeded all expectations, with a record 1350 ducks taking part. Every duck was sold before the races began, making it their most successful Duck Race season to date and raising more than £1,300 for Rotary’s charitable work on each occasion.The overwhelming demand meant many prospective racers were unfortunately disappointed to miss out.

Côr y Môr and Kilgetty Ladies football club once again provided invaluable assistance by helping to collect the ducks as they exited the harbour, and they are extremely grateful for their continued support. Saundersfoot Rotary also received positive recognition on social media after a lost mobile phone handed to them at the end of the race was publicised on our channels, allowing it to be quickly reunited with its owner.

The success of the Duck Race even reached the Dyfed-Powys Police newsletter, where one of their members, having enjoyed the event while visiting Saundersfoot Harbour, took the time to praise the experience and recommend the race to colleagues and readers.

More than 80 scientific calculators were presented to Year 6 pupils at local primary schools, helping to prepare them for their transition to secondary education. The initiative received widespread publicity through the schools’ social media channels, Rotary’s own platforms and the local press.

In preparation for the summer bi-weekly Hog Roasts, the distinctive “Porky” advertising boards were displayed at prominent locations on every main approach to the village, helping to generate excellent publicity for another successful community event. The Hog Roast on 26th July raised over £1,300 for Rotary’s good causes.

Overall, it has been an outstanding start to the main summer season for Saundersfoot Rotary. Thanks to the continued support of local businesses, volunteers, partner organisations and the wider community, our events have not only been extremely well attended but have also raised significant funds for local charities and good causes while further strengthening Rotary’s presence within the village.

The summer season got off to a fantastic start, with a busy programme of Rotary events generating excellent coverage across social media and the local press.

The Duck Race and Hog Roast events have also continued to receive strong publicity. The duck and hog signs have been placed at every entrance to the village ahead of the alternating weekly events. In addition, new promotional banners have been installed on St Brides Hill, increasing visibility and helping to support record sales for both events. Particularly favourable feedback was received regarding the new “Hogs” Hog Roast poster, which was displayed following Sunset Cinema’s showing of Jaws on the harbour. Positive comments were received from both Saundersfoot Harbour and members of the public.

On behalf of Saundersfoot Harbour, publicity was provided for their Alternative Dog Show. Due to the extreme heat, the event was postponed from 12th August to 27th August.

They took part in the RHS Wales in Bloom competition, celebrating the many months of work by volunteers to keep Saundersfoot looking colourful, cared for and welcoming. They welcomed RHS Judge Jim Goodwin for a walk around the village which theythink he enjoyed – halfway through the tour Holly from Hourglass Boutique saved the day with an iced “Pembrokeshire Garden” mocktail which enabled everyone to keep going.

They won’t know the result until October, but the feedback so far from residents, businesses and visitors has been really positive, particularly about how good the village has been looking. As part of his tour, Mr Goodwin loved his time at the Bowling Club – encouraging them to enter as an individual project next year.

He also visited a garden in Incline Way that had previously been recognised through Saundersfoot in Bloom’s ‘Nominate a Garden’ initiative. He was delighted to inform Mr Price of Charlecote House that he will be putting the garden – with so much grown from seeds and cuttings – forward for the Wales in Bloom Best Front Garden competition!

The Garden Club took a break from the heat and had a catch-up while pressing flowers from their gardens to preserve some of the beauty they’ve grown and hopefully will be a throwback to summer when the days get shorter.

The Craft Club went to SeaFest, where members displayed and sold creations made using donated and repurposed fabrics, unsaleable items from the Regency’s Preloved Stall and found things. It was a really successful day despite the sweltering heat! Money raised will go back into the community to support art, so every purchase helped them put more creativity back into Saundersfoot.

One of their members also suggested a new project – to make lavender bags from locally grown lavender. So they’ve started collecting unwanted haberdashery and cotton fabric people may have, and have bought lavender plants for members of the community to tend and grow. They’re looking forward to seeing where this idea takes them!

At the Flower Festival, they contributed artwork and creative activities, including making leaf prints in clay, cyanotype prints, drawing on pieces of eucalyptus bark, flower studies in pastels and paint, and decorating litter-picked plastic bottles cut into flower shapes. Visitors also got involved in drawing a range of cards destined for the Library, to be used to send letters to the Cwtch Postbox. Materials were purchased from funding received from UKSPF via Pembrokeshire County Council

Their festival entry was a sunflower made from more than 300 pieces of plastic picked up from the beach, sitting alongside the beautiful floral displays. The theme was Royalty, and eagle-eyed visitors were challenged to find a tiny yellow plastic crown hidden amongst the petals!

And, as always, the volunteers kept busy litter picking and beach cleaning, removing rubbish from our streets, green spaces and beaches and helping to make Saundersfoot a cleaner, greener and more welcoming place for everyone. At least 112kg was collected, including a saucepan, deep-fat fryer, tower fan, three hubcaps, four large pieces of polystyrene, a rug, a pushchair… and seven individual shoes!

The annual Ironman Wales event is to be held over the weekend of 12th / 13th September 2026 in Tenby and the south of the County, with Ironkids taking place on Saturday 12th and the main Ironman event on Sunday 13th. As in previous years it will be necessary to introduce various traffic restrictions over the weekend to enable the set up works to take place and to ensure competitor and public safety along the route over the two days.

The attached plans give details in respect of the main road closures that are to be implemented. These details will be circulated to residents and businesses by Ironman in advance of the event through press releases and mail drops. Further details can be obtained on the Ironman Wales website – https://www.ironman.com/im-wales

10:00 to 19:00 September 13th

B4316 SAUNDERSFOOT TO NEW HEDGES – from jct High Street to jct A478 at Twy Cross roundabout (via Cambrian Place, Brewery Terrace, St Brides Hill, Broadfield Hill).

Temporary Road Closure Consultation – Saundersfoot Triathlon FRIDAY 11TH September

Our ref: 2026/600

Temporary road closures on the following roads to facilitate a Saundersfoot Triathlon event. The event is due to take place on Friday 11th September 2026 between 16:00hrs until approximately 20:00hrs (timings are approximate).

Road closures required:

The Strand – its whole length

16:00 – 20:00

Wogan Terrace – its whole length

16:30 – 20:00

High Street – its whole length

16:30 – 20:00

Cambrian Place – its whole length

16:30 – 20:00

Milford Street – from its junction with Brookland Place east to its junction with Brewery Terrace

16:30 – 20:00

Brewery Terrace – from its junction with Milford Street south to its junction with Stammers Road

16:30 – 20:00

In addition to the above road closures, the one way restriction on the following lengths of road will be suspended during the event, and prohibit any vehicle from waiting, loading or unloading on those sections of road.

Frances Lane – its whole length

16:30 – 20:00

Church Terrace – its whole length

16:30 – 20:00

Milford Street – its whole length

16:30 – 20:00

I always like to finish on a positive note, and what better way than to congratulate Saundersfoot Cricket Club’s senior side on winning the Pembrokeshire League first division Cup for the first time in the club’s long history, also remaining unbeaten.

Having played for the club many years ago, I know exactly what it means to represent your village, and I couldn’t be prouder of what this group of players has achieved.

The club has grown immensely over the last 20 years or so, and that success is undoubtedly down to the incredible volunteers who give up their time throughout the year. A huge amount of work goes into maintaining the grounds, supporting the teams and creating an environment where young players can develop.

Chris and Paul deserve enormous credit for their dedication over many years, alongside the many other volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes.

This current senior team has developed with a strong group of local players who reached their first Harrison-Allen Final two seasons ago, eventually losing out to Lawrenny. Since then, they have gone from strength to strength and developed into an exciting team that is extremely difficult to play against.

The recent game against Carew, with Iori Hicks side also looking to secure the title, was a fantastic occasion and produced a tough and exciting match, with Saundersfoot coming out on top and completing the double over Carew, who have been one of the dominant sides in Pembrokeshire cricket for many years.

It was particularly fitting that Carew were the visitors on such an important day, with both sides showing great spirit and respect throughout. The celebrations continued afterwards on the newly opened balcony with its large contingent of supporters.

I would also like to send congratulations for the second team who have also had a very good season after being promoted last year, eventually finishing 5th in a highly competitive league.

What makes this success even more special is the work being done at junior level. With more than 60 children regularly attending Friday cricket with Gareth Edwards, the club is working incredibly hard to develop the next generation of players and ensure that cricket continues to thrive in Saundersfoot.

There are far too many individuals to mention personally, but every volunteer, coach, player, parent and supporter should take enormous pride in what has been achieved. I’m sure next season will bring a new challenge as every team will be looking to become the first side to beat them!

Congratulations to everyone involved. You are doing a fantastic job representing Saundersfoot. Congratulations to the team for an outstanding season and creating history by becoming the very first Saundersfoot team to go through the season unbeaten.