During my October report, I highlighted concerns about the proposed improvements for Cambrian Terrace. My view was that the initial design did not enhance the character of the area, and that the proposed active travel link would detract from the visual look of this prominent location in front of the old Cambrian Hotel.

The suggestion of using black-and-white kerbs fixed to the road surface, alongside a differently coloured active travel route, did not appear to be in keeping with the central village environment

I also noted that last year’s consultation strongly supported retaining parking in this vicinity, and it is important that any development proposals reflect the outcomes of that consultation. A timed loading bay that can operate flexibly, supporting loading, short-stay parking, and disabled parking, would provide practical benefits for local businesses that rely heavily on accessible parking for customers.

This month I have held two further meetings on this issue, and I am pleased to report that we are now moving towards a more balanced and appropriate solution for Cambrian Terrace. I have engaged with numerous business owners, property holders, and residents, all of whom were willing to discuss the proposals. Their feedback consistently emphasised the importance of maintaining some level of parking provision while also supporting an extended active travel link that connects smoothly onto the Strand.

Recent discussions have established that the existing parking spaces will be relocated to the opposite side of the road. There will be four spaces in total, a slight reduction from the current five plus the loading bay. Due to spatial restrictions, PCC is proposing a timed loading bay with the same operating hours as the one on Brewery Terrace. This bay will function as a dual-purpose space, allowing for 30-minute parking when not in loading use, and will accommodate two vehicles. The remaining spaces will consist of one disabled bay and one additional 30-minute bay to support both residents and local businesses.

I am awaiting visual plans that will show the revised layout in more detail. Regarding the active travel link, a new kerb line will be installed along the outside edge of the existing kerb. This will be a permanent feature rather than a temporary fix. The surface material is still under review, but it will have a distinct appearance from the pavement to ensure it is clearly identifiable as an active travel route. A block-paved finish would be more in keeping with the surrounding village aesthetic, and I will continue discussions on this point and update you accordingly.

There is also potential for Cambrian Terrace to benefit during future reallocation of highway space (or closed-road) events in the village, such as Ironman and the Saundersfoot Triathlon. During such events, this area could be transformed into an enable licenced areas within the highway, subject to PCC review and agreement, for businesses to expand into the areas adjacent to their premises, contributing to the atmosphere of the village and providing a welcome boost for local businesses.

Further meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks, and it is important that the proposed plans continue to be shared with residents and businesses. I have already reviewed the updated pavement plans for the harbourside footway and am pleased that the route is now straightened and provides a direct link to Brewery Terrace. Previously, pedestrians were diverted toward the harbour entrance before rejoining the main path, which encouraged people to take unsafe shortcuts. The revised layout presents a much safer and more intuitive route for pedestrians. In relation to the slight reduction of two  parking spaces on Cambrian Terrace, it is important to emphasise that additional parking will be provided on Brewery Terrace to compensate. Furthermore, two new disabled bays were created on Milford Street last year in anticipation of the wider proposals for the village, recognising the significant demand for accessible parking.

I will continue to work closely with PCC, businesses, and residents to ensure that the final scheme is both practical and in keeping with the character of the village.

During November there have been several concerns raised with me, and I want to highlight some of the key issues that residents have brought forward. Recently I have been approached by a number of people about the growing presence of A-boards on pavements in different parts of the village. For some, these boards are now restricting access, and there is a feeling that parts of Saundersfoot are becoming overrun with signage. After speaking with mobility groups and individuals who rely on assisted dogs, I fully understand the difficulties these obstructions create. Although I had received the occasional comment about this during the summer, I had not realised just how many boards are being placed out on both the pavements and, in some cases, the public highway. I have now reported this to PCC’s Streetcare team and hope that businesses can be encouraged to place signage in a considerate way that does not impede pedestrians, wheelchair users, pushchairs, or those supported by assistance dogs. I am certainly not against signage, only that it must be used responsibly and with awareness of others.

I recently visited residents on Valley Road who had raised concerns about speeding motorists and the difficulties they face when entering or leaving their driveways on the narrowest section of the road. Having visited the area myself, visibility is extremely limited. Although Valley Road is a 20mph zone, it is very likely that speeds are exceeded at times. Other parts of Saundersfoot have benefited from speed-awareness devices, but Valley Road presents additional challenges because of the constant bends, the narrow width, and the limited space for two vehicles to pass safely. I have contacted the Highways Traffic and Safety Engineer and requested a meeting to discuss the concerns. We are hoping to meet in January when we will also be discussing another location in the village.

Each month I have a catch-up with Linda and Joan, who keep me updated on issues throughout the village. During our most recent conversation, they raised concerns about the build-up of leaves on several roads. After contacting PCC, I was pleased to hear that a road sweeper was scheduled for the following day. I was able to request that they also cover Bevelin Hall Hill, St Brides Lane and the Hopshill junction opposite Incline Cottage, where vehicles were beginning to lose traction because of the leaves. Milford Terrace, the Regency area, and other key roads were also supported.

There continues to be a problem with lighting at the Regency. I contacted the National Park Authority for an update, and they have since confirmed the situation. PCC has identified that two of the streetlights form part of its adopted network, and the Council will now investigate the cause of the faults and undertake necessary repairs at their own cost. The remaining three lights in the car park are the responsibility of the National Park Authority. These have been out of service for some time and the current intention is to move away from mains power and retrofit them with solar units instead. This will require further investigation, and no timetable is available yet. I hope this helps clarify the situation. I have also reported the two lights in front of the Regency Hall, which have been out since the recent flooding.

I have followed up concerns from residents at Scandinavian Heights, where works are underway to repair and replace sections of tarmac. At times, access to driveways has been restricted, and some areas have been left unfilled for too long, increasing the risk of accidents. I have passed this feedback on and will continue to monitor the situation.

There have also been reports of vehicles parking fully on pavements, blocking the footway completely. This issue is not isolated to Saundersfoot, it is becoming increasingly common across the county, but it is nonetheless unacceptable. While taking a call this week, I visited one of the locations and was genuinely shocked by the situation. Two vehicles had parked in a way that completely blocked the pavement, forcing pedestrians into the road. This was clearly dangerous, and I reported it immediately to PCC’s Highways Safety Officer and to Dyfed-Powys Police. Residents feel very strongly about this indiscriminate and selfish behaviour. As this stretch will form part of the Active Travel link, this kind of parking completely undermines the purpose of the scheme. Both vehicles were clearly obstructing the footway, and enforcement action may help deter similar incidents in future. Officers share the view that forthcoming Active Travel improvements will help deliver meaningful safety benefits, but until individuals take personal responsibility and enforcement is supported, these improvements risk being less effective than they should be.

I also chased reports of flooding in the short tunnel at the end of the Strand with PCC and was pleased to find that the team at Hean Castle Estate acted immediately and resolved the issue.

The ongoing waste concerns at Bethany Flats were raised again in November. Roadworks and temporary traffic lights at this busy junction prevented waste collections, and additional fly-tipping made the situation even worse. This understandably caused difficulty for residents, both at Bethany Flats and nearby. Over the years there have been various promises and some attempts to resolve the issue, and it now appears that a new bin store will finally be created, which should permanently address the problem. I would like to thank the local residents who have been persistent in pushing for change, as well as the PCC team who carried out the clean-up last week. It is right that this long-standing issue is now being properly addressed.

I have reported three potholes around the village with two nearby Saundersfoot school, one heading to Whitlow estate and the other on Francis Lane with the remaining pothole on St Brides lane which has deteriorated recently due to the heavy rains.

During the month, a delivery truck mounted the kerb, knocked over a bollard, and left the scene without addressing the damage. I would like to thank Spar and the local residents who shared information, which helped identify those involved. After contacting the company responsible, it became clear they were unaware of the incident. They have since agreed to make a donation to the Saundersfoot Spar foodbank, which is very much appreciated. I also raised the matter of repair costs, as these should not fall to PCC. The company fully accepted this and are now in discussions to cover the necessary repairs.

I received reports that the recent heavy rain had washed away the path at the Incline. I passed images to the relevant PCC officers, and it was confirmed that the new path itself is not damaged; instead, debris had washed down from higher ground due to the exceptional rainfall. I will be meeting the Highways team next week, and a visit to this site, along with others around the village, is planned. I will keep you updated.

Lastly I would like to thank the efforts of the Love Saundersfoot team for coordinating the Christmas Trees around the village over the last few weeks. I was able to support some limited time but there have been many other volunteers who have contributed a significant amount of hours to support this new lighting scheme which will bring the community together with many supporting this initiative this year. See below for more on this.

I held an on-site meeting at the Glen in November with Cllr. Cormack and Claire Williams, Senior Highways & Safety Traffic Officer, following growing concerns raised by local residents. Many are experiencing increasing difficulty accessing their own properties, with driveways frequently blocked. The most serious issue is the level of indiscriminate parking, which on several occasions has prevented emergency vehicles from accessing the lower part of the Glen.

I have spoken with several property owners, all of whom expressed their appreciation that PCC is now examining this matter. However, they are understandably frustrated by how often access is restricted or completely obstructed. Many feel that current enforcement activity has not delivered the level of support they had initially expected. A significant part of the problem appears to stem from inconsiderate parking by individuals, particularly during very low tides or peak periods when visitors access this part of Saundersfoot and the beach.

Residents remain fully supportive of maintaining public access and accept that parking spaces should continue to be available for all, provided that this does not restrict access to homes or create safety issues. During the site visit, I was also surprised to learn that PCC waste and recycling vehicles are required to reverse down from the top of the Glen, which further highlights the need for a more sustainable and safer long-term arrangement.

I have also spoken with Hean Castle Estate, who confirmed that they own the land beyond the fence up to the public highway. They are supportive of finding a solution and agree that it is important to address these recurring issues to better meet the needs of residents.

At the November meeting, PCC agreed that a member of the Highways Team would undertake a topographical survey of the area. This has been added to the officer’s programme of work and is currently in the queue. Once completed, the survey will provide a robust basis for assessing potential parking and access solutions at the Glen. PCC will keep me updated on progress, though realistically, work is unlikely to commence until after Christmas due to winter maintenance, gritting operations, and other countywide commitments.

I fully agree with residents that maintaining access must be the highest priority. Addressing the parking problems will help prevent vehicles from stopping at the key pinch points. Identifying a small number of clearly defined parking spaces may also give residents the opportunity to explore measures such as additional bollards or kerbs to discourage inappropriate parking.

I am pleased that we are aligned on these concerns, and I remain fully committed to working with the residents to ensure the best possible outcome. We are scheduled to meet again in January, and I’m more than happy to support the process and help communicate any findings with the local residents and wider community.

Within my October report, I highlighted a number of issues on the Strand relating to pedestrian safety and accessibility. These concerns have been raised with me repeatedly over recent months, particularly regarding the difficulties that pedestrians face when using the pavements and public highway at the far end of the Strand. This section has been affected by repeated rock falls over several years, and unfortunately these incidents are continuing. A significant fall occurred in November behind one of the properties, adding to the existing instability along this stretch.

In response to these ongoing risks, I arranged a meeting with Stephen Benjer, Highways Engineer/infrastructure, along with Cllr. Cormack, in November to assess the situation in detail and consider potential solutions. While I am encouraged by the progress being made across the village through the development of new active travel routes, including the works currently underway on Stammers Road and Brewery Terrace, and last year’s improvements on Fan Road, the Incline, and the lower end of Westfield Road, it remains frustrating that this key section of the Strand still falls short of the standard required for safe and accessible pedestrian movement.

At present, wheelchair users, pushchair users, and many pedestrians are being forced to walk on the public highway because the pavement is either too narrow or entirely unusable as a result of historic rock falls and the netting that has been installed to retain smaller slips. This presents a clear safety concern. The width of the carriageway is limited, vehicle visibility is constrained, and pedestrians travelling in the road are exposed to unnecessary risk, particularly during busier periods or when tides restrict beach access. For those with mobility challenges or young children in pushchairs, the lack of a secure pavement is especially concerning. The current arrangement does not support equality of access and puts vulnerable road users in a position that is neither safe nor sustainable.

Our on-site meeting was positive and productive, and the discussion focused on the possibility of restricting the road directly opposite the currently blocked pavement. This would create a single-lane section with priority for oncoming vehicles, enabling PCC to construct a new, safe, and continuous pavement for pedestrians. This approach would significantly reduce the need for pedestrians to walk on the highway and would offer far greater security for wheelchair users, pushchairs, and those with limited mobility. Narrowing this section of the road would naturally calm traffic speeds, and this measure is supported by residents living opposite the proposed improvement area.

It is essential that access is not blocked, particularly as this stretch forms part of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Recent data indicates that in a twelve-month period more than 950,000 pedestrians travel between Saundersfoot Harbour and Wisemans Bridge along this route. Given the volume of foot traffic, the current conditions are not acceptable, and it is imperative that improvements are made to ensure the safety and accessibility of this important link.

I will continue to support discussions with PCC and local residents to ensure that the necessary measures are prioritised and delivered in a way that protects all users and enhances the long-term safety of the Strand.

Saundersfoot Wombles are proud to have been awarded a Highly Commended award in the Open Category for Volunteering at this year’s PAV’s Award Ceremony. The accolade was accepted on behalf of the group by volunteers Maureen Bartlett and Sam Turner. The award highlights the Wombles’ continued hard work and dedication in helping to keep the village looking clean and welcoming throughout the year, and we are all delighted!

Lately Wombles have been busy preparing and planting up troughs with spring bulbs at the Methodist Church, litter picking around the village picking up 31kg in November alone, went on a beach clean with Ecoast and Saundersfoot Rotary picking up over 25kg of plastic and rope, and working with Saundersfoot Social to make festive decorations from fabric scraps – “making good use of the things that we find, things that the everyday folks leave behind.”

We’ve also had donations of Christmas decorations and trees that people no longer want – some of these have been used to decorate Saundersfoot Library, some have been shared with library customers and others will be used for St Mary’s, Begelly – Christmas Tree Festival starting December 12th.

Club activities have slowed down somewhat during November, in the run up to the Christmas period, however we were proudly able to support  Tools For Self-Reliance Llanelli & Carmarthen

With our volunteers being busy gathering much-needed items from across Pembrokeshire and the wider South West Wales area. As the result of the support and generosity of members of the public who donated we were delighted to pass on over 30 sewing machines along with a large selection of tools. These will soon be making their way to Tools For Self-Reliance Cymru, supporting their vocational training projects in Tanzania as part of an upcoming shipment.

Saundersfoot Rotary Club would like to appeal to residents: If you have tools or sewing machines you no longer need, we’d love to help give them a new purpose. Get in touch with us, and we’ll connect you with one of our local collectors and thank you for your continued support.

Saundersfoot Christmas Lights Switch On – 5th December

Teamwork at its best! Here’s a great snapshot of true community spirit in action: Members of Saundersfoot Rotary Club, Love Saundersfoot and Saundersfoot Walking Football joined forces over eleven days to prepare and fix pre-light-strung Christmas (Spruce) trees to wall brackets on business premises around the village. Once fixed, volunteers attached cabling back to power connections pre-arranged with business owners and Landlords – getting everything ready for the Christmas Lights Switch-On on 5th December. The weather was awful, the jobs were tough, but the commitment was fantastic. What an incredible effort from everyone involved. Saundersfoot at its finest!

Saundersfoot School’s Lantern Sleigh Parade

On 5th December, Saundersfoot Rotary Club’s resident elves proudly joined Santa as his festive escort, accompanying the sleigh through Saundersfoot Village. Their cheerful presence helped ensure a smooth and joyful parade, bringing delight to children and parents throughout the community.

Elf On The Run Fun Run

The Saundersfoot Rotary Club will host its inaugural Elf On The Run fun run in the village on Sunday, 7th December. More than 60 entrants across three age categories have already registered, ensuring a vibrant and entertaining event. Every participant will receive a medal, with prizes awarded for the best elf costumes in each group.

Looking ahead, the fun run is set to become an annual tradition, offering both everybody  a joyful opportunity to take part in a festive community fixture—while also promoting health, fitness, and plenty of seasonal cheer.

Sad passing of a well-loved and highly respected Rotary Club member

It was with deep sadness that family, friends, and both past and present members of Saundersfoot Rotary Club gathered at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, on Friday 31st October to bid farewell to Neil Sefton, a former Club President and serving Treasurer. The crematorium was filled beyond capacity, a testament to the esteem in which Neil was held and the affection felt for him.

Neil’s dedication touched the lives of countless people, and his tireless support for the local community leaves a lasting legacy. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In November, I received a call from the PCC Highways Team requesting support on behalf of the contractors currently working in and around the village. The construction team had been based at Regency Hall, using the area behind the sports changing rooms, supported by SCC, but with so many events taking place at the village Hall, including Christmas craft fairs, regular classes, and the Saundersfoot Footlights production, they had to relocate due to the number of parking spaces that would be needed during a busy December.  Without an alternative space, there was a real possibility that works in the village would have had to pause.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone I contacted while trying to find a suitable solution. Hean Castle Estate, the owners of the land on Milford Street, and Old Mill Caravan Park were all extremely supportive and willing to help. I was particularly grateful to Kathy and Tony Jones of The Sands Nightclub, who were able to offer the contractors the space they needed so that work could continue without interruption.

Thank you to everyone involved for your cooperation and community spirit, your support ensured that progress in the village could carry on smoothly.

Whilst there were no events in November, there was a ton of work! Congratulations to Lesley Bartholomew for pulling parties together and thanks to the Harbour for hosting all-organiser collaboration meetings for the BIG SWITCH ON Weekend 5^th – 7^th December. These village-wide events don’t just happen on their own – it’s all painstaking fine details and a ton of communication that included:

Regency Hall & Footlights: Alice in Wonderland Pantomime, CP School: The Children’s Lantern Parade, Saundersfoot Rotary: Elf on the Run and Santa’s Sleigh marshalling, Cor y Mor, the Harbour: Lighting and representing Rural & West for the Christmas Market, Ross Grieve Photography: Santa’s Grotto, Walking Football: Marshalling the Lantern Parade, Hean Castle Estate: Santa’s Sleigh, Love Saundersfoot: Business Christmas Tree lighting, Santa’s Post Box & Late Opening, SCC: Sensory Gardens Lighting & SWITCH ON lead, Saundersfoot Connect, Saundersfoot Festivities / NYDS, the RNLI and Santa himself!

In September, the Love Saundersfoot Committee agreed on a traditional Christmas Tree & Lighting scheme for Businesses – A scheme that would not only be sustainable year after year but also multi-use during the year. This scheme makes use of the existing flagpole wall brackets on business premises, as well as the installation of new brackets in key locations. These brackets now hold 3–4-foot Christmas trees, which we have decorated with bright white ‘twinkling’ LED lights. Due to finite funds, we haven’t been able to achieve all that we would like to in this, our first year of existence, so we have divided the project into three phases. This year has delivered Phase 1.

The larger number of fully serviceable flagpole brackets around the village will also be available to carry flags or similar for the village to provide a consistent feel for year-round events, of course; Events such as St David’s day, Sporting events, SCC’s Wales in Bloom entry in 2026, Memorial day etc.

Thanks to Puffin Holiday Cottage’s crucially early & very generous sponsorship of the Trees and Lights, NYDS adding a large donation for new Brackets and SCC’s very sizeable grant for brackets, cabling and replacement flagpole arms, we have been able to complete Phase 1. This has meant the installation of 28 new flagpole brackets, 14 replacement flagpole arms, 74 lit Trees in 43 locations for 35 businesses and around 700 meters of cabling and junctions connected into 29 different power supplies. The investment has been substantial but it will serve us for many years to come.

And then there was the set up! Surely no one could have visited the village in late November and missed Pembrokeshire Engineers up ladders installing new Wall Brackets and High Viz Volunteers wrapping Christmas Trees in lights, installing Christmas Trees in brackets and cabling it all together ready for the BIG SWITCH ON. It is a testament to this remarkable community that so many guys pulled on waterproofs to do all the work in such atrocious weather – rain, wind and cold – hour after hour, day after day (11 days in total). Thank you to you all (15 of you!) – too numerous to name but members of: Walking football, Saundersfoot Rotary, Love Saundersfoot and NYDS….plus a fella called Colin who drove all the way out from Cardiff in one of Ginty’s Cherry Pickers (very kindly donated) to help us install some of the trickier installations….and, not forgetting, Phil Odley without whom we’d have had nowhere to secretly store the Trees in the first place!

Christmas will be upon us in a blink…and then New Year’s Eve and the Firework display from the Harbour Wall – paid for, by Love Saundersfoot through Business Memberships.

If you are already a Business Member a BIG Thank you.

If you are not yet a Business Member, please join us – to promote your business through our Social Media channels, reaching almost 20,000 followers and over half a million views a month, as well as through the established Love Saundersfoot Business Directory on our website, which now attracts over 1,000 visitors each week.

Annual memberships start from just £149 and provide vital support for the group and the future events we bring to the village.”

A very Merry Christmas to you from all of us in the Love Saundersfoot team

November 21^st was our 2^nd annual Fish and Chip Lunch at the Hean and another extremely well attended event.  Superb Fish, Chips, all the extras, trimmings and Condiments, drinks and Mince Pies and Cakes afterwards. Another enormous thank you to Suzannah, Claire and the whole Hean Castle team and to all those that made home-baked mince pies and cakes.  Great fun with a quiz & plenty of prizes.

And although it may be a quieter month with only one event, the Shop continues to do steady trade.  Now opening with winter hours plenty of people are still coming in for Christmas Cards, Calendars, decorations and gifts. (11AM – 3PM and closed on Wednesdays) – Still open late along with the rest of the village for SWITCH ON Friday 5^th.

Saundersfoot is preparing for a truly memorable start to the year with the 2026 New Year’s Day Swim, and excitement is already building. As of 5^th December over 800 swimmers have registered, and there is still plenty of time to secure your place at www.saundersfoot.co.uk/nyds.

The 2026 event marks the 40th (Ruby) Saundersfoot New Year’s Day Swim, an impressive milestone for an occasion that began in 1984 with just ten participants. It has since grown to become the UK’s largest festive dip, attracting thousands of swimmers and spectators and raising more than £950,000 for charities and community groups over the years.

The theme for 2026 is Ruby, and everyone is encouraged to wear red or choose a creative fancy-dress outfit to help transform the beach into a vibrant sea of colour. The swim begins at 12:30pm on 1^st January, but early arrival is recommended to soak up the atmosphere. All swimmers are reminded to wear footwear to protect against the cold sand.

Once registered, participants must collect their official swim wristband in order to receive a medal on the day. Wristbands will be available from the Wristband Hut, located beside the beach slipway, along with Salt on The Strand who have fully supported this event and NYDS would like to thank the owners and staff for their continued support.  Opening times will be emailed to all ticketholders and shared on our Facebook and Instagram pages: www.facebook.com/saundersfootnyds and www.instagram.com/saundersfootnyds.

For those wishing to look the part and support the event, official NYDS merchandise is now on sale at Salt on the Strand, 1 The Strand, Saundersfoot SA69 9ET. Items include bobble hats, t-shirts, towels, swim shirts and the popular NYDS boxer shorts, which are close to selling out.

This year’s swim will raise funds for our chosen NYDS charities and groups: the Huntington’s Disease Association and Robotic-Assisted Surgery at University Hospital Wales, in memory of Terry Pugh. Every swimmer, supporter and donor plays an important role in helping to make a difference.

The NYDS team is also seeking volunteers to assist on the day, helping ensure the event runs safely and smoothly. Anyone wishing to help is invited to register at www.saundersfoot.co.uk/nyds/volunteer.

Whether you are taking the plunge, cheering from the shoreline or volunteering behind the scenes, you will be part of a much-loved community tradition. Join us as we celebrate the 40^th Ruby Anniversary Swim and help make it the biggest and most memorable event yet.

Christmas Market over 25 stalls, Santas Grotto 5^th 6^th 7^th December 10am to late daily.

The Big Switch On: 5^th December – Santa’s Sleigh and CP School Lantern Parade combining with Cor y Mor and all three village Mascots to support SCC lead the 5PM Switch On.

Santa’s Grotto at the Coastal Schooner Saundersfoot Harbour – 5^th 6^th & 7^th December from 10am.

Elf on the Run – The Saundersfoot Rotary Club will host its inaugural Elf On The Run fun run in the village on Sunday, 7^th December. More than 60 entrants across three age categories have already registered, ensuring a vibrant and entertaining event. Every participant will receive a medal, with prizes awarded for the best elf costumes in each group. Looking ahead, the fun run is set to become an annual tradition, offering both everybody  a joyful opportunity to take part in a festive community fixture—while also promoting health, fitness, and plenty of seasonal cheer.

Senior Citizen Christmas Dinner – Sunday 14^th of December 1.30pm at the Regency Hall. Funded by Saundersfoot Community Council and Tenby and district Lions. Available to all residents (free of charge) of pensionable age and living in Saundersfoot. Please call the Hall on 01834 811700 to book your seat.

January 1^st The village annual New Years Charity Swim – To register please click on link provided.  www.saundersfoot.co.uk/nyds

Please find a link to the short film,  ‘I Can I Will’ https://youtu.be/X37DCcAiEBY

This film was produced in association with the ‘Transitions from Child to Adult Services’ Project in partnership with Pembrokeshire Local Authority.

Pembrokeshire County Transitions from children to adults – IMPACT

Its purpose is to share the real experiences of young people in Pembrokeshire who have transitioned from Child to Adult Services and are preparing for adulthood. The film was co-produced with Alex, Alysha, Kath, Lily and their families, and it reflects their hope that others may be inspired by their journeys and recognise the importance of hope, ambition and determination. At its heart, the film promotes the principle that everyone should have a voice, choice, and control over their lives.

Permission has been granted for the film to be shared with residents across Pembrokeshire. Having watched it myself, I found it to be incredibly positive and genuinely moving. I am pleased to share it through my report, as it reinforces our responsibility as a Local Authority to ensure that the transition between children’s and adults’ services is as seamless and supportive as possible.

This video shines a light on the remarkable work taking place behind the scenes, work that is often not fully recognised or can be taken for granted. It is a powerful reminder of the impact that thoughtful, person-centred support can have on young people and their families.

The Welsh conversation classes have been extremely well supported in the village over the past year. Held at the Regency Hall, the sessions are open to anyone wishing to learn or practise Welsh in a friendly and relaxed environment. The classes cover a wide range of practical topics including basic greetings, everyday conversational phrases, food, weather, and even ordering drinks, coffee and biscuits.

The aim has always been to make Welsh accessible, enjoyable, and rooted in everyday life. The classes have continued to grow and develop, and it has been particularly encouraging to see involvement from Year 6 pupils at Saundersfoot School. Recent sessions included a board-game activity in early October where pupils practised simple greetings, supported by squash and biscuits, creating a positive and interactive learning environment alongside members of the Welsh conversation group.

More recently, pupils joined the group for a guided walk around Saundersfoot, practising conversational Welsh while exploring local place names and phrases commonly used around the village. The teacher commented that the pupils interacted brilliantly with the adult learners and that the session was a great success. These intergenerational activities have not only supported language learning but have also strengthened community ties, with both pupils and senior members benefiting from shared conversation and practical learning experiences.

If you are interested in joining the Welsh classes, please contact Emma at the Regency Hall. Attendance has been exceptional, with some sessions attracting more than 30 people at a time, which clearly demonstrates how valued and needed this initiative is within the community.

I would like to personally thank Delwen Williams for her outstanding commitment and Emma for their continued support and enthusiasm in supporting Welsh learning in the village. Their dedication has ensured the success of these sessions and helped create a welcoming space for learners of all ages. In my next monthly report, I hope to highlight the sponsorship and support that make these valuable lessons possible, which I’m very much supportive of.

During November, I caught up with the site manager, who expressed his gratitude to local residents for their patience during the recent road closures in November, which was necessary to construct the raised table entrance works, outside the development site.  These improvements should help neighbouring properties, by providing additional traffic-calming benefits, encouraging drivers to slow down as they approach the ramps. Work on site is progressing well, and while further entrance works are being carried out, the secondary sales office in the village remains open as usual from Thursday to Monday.

I also raised concerns from residents regarding the water run-off at the bottom end of Broadfield Hill, where it passes under the road before flowing through the Glen. Some residents were understandably worried about the colour of the water. Given the exceptional amount of rainfall we experienced in November, I appreciated the need for clarification and received the following update from the site team:

Their initial view was that the issue was largely due to the significant recent rainfall. In response to the extreme weather, they supplemented the existing large pump with an additional one to support the works and fulfil ongoing commitments. Additional soakaway grips were cut into the site to improve drainage into the silt-management system. The team also reinforced the system with more silt fencing, bales, sandbags, and floc blocks. Despite the challenging downpours, they took steps to strengthen the system to cope with the volume of water.

Having viewed the area myself recently, the run-off appears to have returned to normal. I would like to thank the residents who raised these concerns and also thank Persimmon for responding promptly and implementing the necessary measures.

I am writing to invite you to a drop in ‘Meet the Contractor’ event for the Brynhir housing development.

To ensure the local community is kept informed and has the opportunity to engage with the project, we will be hosting a Community Engagement Drop-In Event:

• Date: Thursday, 11^th December 2025
• Time: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
• Venue: De Valence Pavilion, Upper Frog St, Tenby, SA70 7JD

Members of the Housing Services team and Morgan Construction Wales project representatives will be available to provide further information, answer questions, and listen to feedback from residents and stakeholders.

For ongoing updates, we encourage you to follow our dedicated WhatsApp Channel for this development. Simply search for “PCC Brynhir, Tenby Development” on WhatsApp and click “Follow”, click this link here https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBHPW7FHWq6ZCQBzR44, or scan the QR code included in the attached materials of this email.

This information will also be shared through a Facebook post and communicated to the local community surrounding the site via letter.

Should you have any questions regarding the development or the upcoming engagement event, please do not hesitate to contact myself, or you can contact our Customer Liaison Team at devCLO@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.

To Saundersfoot residents, I wanted to share this information and am delighted to see that the bathing water in Saundersfoot has been classed as Excellent and it was important to share this information. Please click on the link provided.

The bathing water classifications for the 2025 season have been issued by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) in accordance with the Bathing Water Regulations. These classifications are based on monitoring data collected over the 2025 bathing season and the preceding seasons, where appropriate.

2025 bathing water classifications [HTML] | GOV.WALES

https://www.gov.wales/98-welsh-bathing-waters-meet-strict-environmental-standards

This year there are 25 out of the 29 Designated Beaches in Pembrokeshire that have been awarded Excellent Water Quality classification with 3 others achieving the next best water quality standard of Good and one being the next level down of Sufficient.  These results are linked to the well known Blue Flag bathing water awards for which a bathing area needs to be classed as excellent to achieve the Blue Flag award status.

The Public Protection service Pollution Control Team from Pembrokeshire Council have also for the past number of years carried out sampling at several Non Designated bathing areas and these have consistently scored Excellent Water Quality levels and early indications from this year’s sampling are that this has continued.

Finally, I would like to wish all residents a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and I look forward to continuing to work together for our community in the year ahead.

Yn olaf, hoffwn ddymuno Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bob preswylydd ac edrychaf