Councillor Report Sep 2026

Saundersfoot Residents

September has been another busy month in the village and we have been fortunate that Saundersfoot has remained extremely busy, particularly with two major events taking place.

These events have certainly helped to extend the season, which is really positive for our local businesses and, importantly, for those businesses that employ local residents.

There has also been plenty happening behind the scenes, with a number of issues raised by residents and followed up with PCC, PCNPA, Ateb and other organisations. Below are some of the issues that I have had to deal with, as part of my role.

One of the biggest improvements this month has been the resurfacing of a significant stretch of road coming off Moreton Road before heading down towards Sandyhill Road. This section had become badly affected by potholes and the whole area has now been stripped back and resurfaced with new tarmac. I would like to thank all the residents who took the time to report their concerns. I fully appreciate the frustration this was causing, and I am pleased that PCC has now completed the work. I think they have done an excellent job in this area. I have also been following up on a couple of manholes which were causing considerable noise for nearby residents whenever vehicles drove over them. The manhole on Westfield Road has now been repaired, which has made a significant difference. There are also works currently underway on a sewar drain on The Ridgeway, which has been marked up for repair again due to the cover rattling.

Drains have continued to be an ongoing issue during September. I have chased a number of locations around the village, including the area around St Issells Church. A drain at the top of the slipway had become completely blocked again with sand, but this has now been cleared. The PCC cleaning machine has also been working its way around the Strand and High Street, and I am pleased to say that the drains around St Issells have now also been cleared. Only last week, I reported further blocked drains on Church Terrace. I will continue to chase these and, as always, if residents have concerns about particular drains, please let me know and I will report them.

The road sweeper has also been busy around the village, particularly along the Strand where there are a large number of vehicles parked outside the blocks of flats. The machine was out early and managed to clean along the road edge and kerbs, which is important because accumulated debris can eventually find its way into the drainage system and cause further problems.

Lighting around the Regency Hall and King George V Playing Fields has also been something I have been pursuing. I have now had confirmation that PCC will not be replacing the light at the PCNPA car park. The existing light was damaged following the flooding last November. There has been some confusion over responsibility because the Community Council owns the area as you drive into the King George V Playing Fields, while the car park itself is owned by PCNPA.

I have been dealing directly with PCNPA and understand that they have also been looking at solar-powered lighting and improvements to the existing lighting provision on their land.

At the same time, Saundersfoot Community Council will be liaising with the Regency Hall to look at how strategically positioned sensor lighting could be introduced. The aim is to make sure the paths around the Regency Hall are safely illuminated, particularly given the loss of the previous lighting. There has also been some positive progress with vegetation around the village. I reported overgrown vegetation along the Strand footpaths and at Brooklands Close, and I am pleased to say that both areas have now been cut back and strimmed, removing the overhanging vegetation. Another issue has been the sinkhole at Incline Way. What initially appeared to be a relatively small problem turned into a much more significant job once the underlying cause was established. Several tons of material were required to make the area safe and rectify the problem properly. I would like to thank Ateb for the work they have carried out and for keeping me updated throughout the different stages. The pavement has now been returned to use, and I think an excellent job has been done in resolving what became a much larger issue than first anticipated.

Waste and recycling collections have also taken up some of my time this month. I have been working with two residents who have repeatedly had their waste and recycling collections missed. Both properties are slightly off the beaten track, but I don’t believe that should mean collections are missed on a regular basis. I have raised this directly with officers and senior staff. I appreciate that there can be changes to collection teams and that some staff may not initially be familiar with every route, but there should be a clear record of properties requiring collection so that residents are not left with waste building up.

I am pleased to say that there have been no further concerns recently, but I would encourage any resident experiencing repeated missed collections to contact me straight away so that I can raise the issue and try to get it resolved.

Unfortunately, there has been another incident involving someone tripping on the raised kerb outside the current taxi rank on Milford Street. I have previously reported incidents at this location and raised concerns about the kerb, so I am now pleased that the removal works are underway. The work is expected to be completed during the first weeks of October.

Thank you also to residents who have reported vehicles that appear to have been left in the same location for a considerable period of time at parking spaces across the village. I have followed these up with PCC, and where vehicles are found to have no insurance, tax or MOT, the enforcement team has confirmed that they will look at removing them as soon as possible.

There are currently two vehicles causing particular concerns, with one taking up space in a private car park and another parked on Frances Road, just down from the school, where parking spaces are already at a premium.

I have also received several reports about a vehicle being tipped off Valley Road. My concern is that this could potentially become an opportunity for more vehicles or other waste materials to be dumped in the area. I certainly would not want to see the situation develop into a wider problem, particularly given the location and the potential impact on the surrounding area.

As I write my monthly report, residents will also be aware that the seasonal dog restriction on Pembrokeshire beaches, including Saundersfoot beach, ended on 30 September. I have had lots of conversations with residents about the restrictions and I think this is something that PCC should look at more closely over the winter period. There is certainly an indication that the arrangements have not worked as well as intended this year, with enforcement being one of the concerns raised.

For reflection, there were no fines issued in Saundersfoot this year. However, there were 176 reported incidents on Saundersfoot Beach recorded through interactions involving RNLI and PCC staff, with a further 40 recorded at Coppet Hall.

I would be really interested in hearing residents’ views on this, particularly on whether the current arrangements are working and what people would like to see happen next year.

I would also like to thank the Harbour Master and the team at Saundersfoot Harbour for working with Strand residents and businesses during this year’s Ironman. The Strand residents and businesses can find themselves effectively cut off during the road closures, making it difficult to leave or access their properties. The Harbour helped by removing a bollard and ensuring that access could be maintained through the harbour via a safely marshalled crossing point.

I sincerely appreciate everyone who helped make this happen. It was a really positive example of different organisations working together to find a practical solution for residents.

There were also two reports during September of the barrier being knocked over on the Fan Road active travel path. I reported this immediately and was delighted that PCC responded so quickly, with the barrier repaired within 24 hours.

PCC also owns and manages a number of properties within the community, and during September I have had three separate dealings with residents regarding issues and works required at their properties.

I am always happy to chase these matters on behalf of residents where I can. So far, these cases have all had positive outcomes, with the relevant work being progressed within a reasonable timeframe. As always, there is a huge amount that happens behind the scenes that residents may not necessarily see. Some issues are resolved quickly, while others take considerable chasing and involve several different organisations. My role is simply to listen, report issues, chase them up and, wherever possible, make sure residents receive a response and that problems are not forgotten. Further, I recently attended a local litter pick with members of Saundersfoot Rotary. We went out early on a Sunday morning and collected rubbish in areas that people have highlighted. We covered the Fan Road which is unfortunately a particular hot spot, Ridgeway, Pentlepoir, top of Wooden and down Valley Road into the village. Others split at Fan Road and collected rubbish along past St Issell’s church and up to Hean Castle Estate, down through Coppet Hall and up Frances Road, Frances Lane and down Church Terrace. We also collected waste from the road down from Whitlow estate that amounted to 41 kg of waste and PCC collected the numerous bags.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted me during September. Please continue to get in touch if there is something in your area that you think needs attention. I cannot promise that every issue can be resolved immediately, but I will always do my best to make sure it is raised with the right organisation and followed through.

Further Housing Investment Could Bring 8 More Homes to Saundersfoot

I am delighted to share a further positive update regarding much-needed housing provision in Saundersfoot, with the potential for an additional eight properties to be made available to local residents.

Following the latest Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet meeting, approval has been given, subject to the social housing grant being approved by Welsh Government. This would see PCC purchase seven additional properties at Ger Y Mor, with a further property being purchased by Ateb at Nant Y Dderwen. The seven properties being purchased by PCC comprise four two-bedroom homes and three three-bedroom homes. Six will be let at social housing rents, with one of the three-bedroom properties being offered at an intermediate rent level, which sits between social housing rents and open-market rents. I have arranged a meeting with Ateb and was delighted to know that there will soon be a 4 bedroom property available through their scheme.

Subject to the necessary approvals, the aim is for these properties to be ready for letting in January 2027 and, as with the other properties, they will be subject to the local lettings policy.

If all eight properties proceed, this would potentially bring the total number of properties delivered through the two new housing developments at Ger Y Môr and Nant Y Dderwen to 51.

I really appreciate the work that has gone into this by PCC officers and Ateb, and I know there has been a significant amount of work behind the scenes to get us to this stage.

There remains a shortage of social housing across Pembrokeshire, and Saundersfoot is no different. The cost and availability of housing continues to be a real challenge for young families and local people who want to remain living in the community where they have grown up. Having a mixture of two and three-bedroom properties, alongside the existing homes being delivered, will provide much-needed opportunities for local families and help support the long-term sustainability of our community, including Saundersfoot School. I will continue to keep residents updated as the remaining approvals progress. There are still some important steps to complete, but I am very hopeful that we can move forward without any issues and see these additional homes become available to local families in early 2027.

This is a really positive step for Saundersfoot and another important investment in providing much-needed homes for local residents and their families.

Saundersfoot Rotary - Monthly report

Despite the end of the summer season, Saundersfoot Rotary Club has continued to maintain a very active programme of community events, charitable activities and environmental initiatives.

Summer Events

Unfortunately, the club’s final Duck Race of the year, scheduled for 30th August, had to be cancelled due to inclement weather. The final Hog Roast held on 23rd August, however, was a great success and received very positive coverage in the Tenby Observer. The newspaper was particularly appreciative of the club’s “Sound of Hogs” cinematic theme, a playful reference to The Sound of Music which followed it’s reference to Jaws – Hogs at the previous event.

Despite threatening weather conditions, Saundersfoot Rotary’s final sandcastle competition of the year went ahead on 25th August. The event was well attended and judged by the RNLI’s very own Stormy Stan. It generated excellent feedback on the club’s social media channels, with further interest following the publication of a “Drone’s Eye View” of the event by Daniel from Down Under. The footage was widely shared and warmly received.

Supporting the Community

On 28th August, the Tenby Observer reported that Rotarian Steve Beach had been co-opted onto Saundersfoot Community Council and published a picture of him proudly wearing his Saundersfoot Rotary 50th Anniversary polo shirt. Steve now holds the dual roles of Rotarian and Community Councillor, enabling him to support and engage with the community at a number of levels.

On 9th and 10th September, respectively, the Western Telegraph and Tenby Observer provided excellent coverage of Saundersfoot Rotary’s 2026 Sponsored Walk in aid of Prostate Cymru. The 10km walk, held around Angle on 24th September, was completed by 18 Rotarians and friends of Rotary, raising much-needed funds for this important cause.

Also on 10th September, Saundersfoot Rotary extended its congratulations to everyone at Stepaside Community Primary School following the school’s success in receiving the “Primary School of the Year” award via its social media pages.

Sporting Events and Environmental Work

Saundersfoot Rotary members were out in force over the weekend of 11th–13th September, supporting two major sporting events while also helping to keep the village safe, welcoming and looking its best.

On Friday 11th September, eleven Rotary members joined other volunteers to marshal the Saundersfoot Triathlon, helping participants and spectators enjoy a safe and well-organised event.

The volunteering continued on Sunday 13th September, when ten Rotary members teamed up with Saundersfoot Wombles as part of a joint initiative involving the Saundersfoot Rotary Environment Team and Saundersfoot Wombles.

Working alongside Pembrokeshire County Council, the volunteers assisted with litter clearance along the Ironman route, as well as supporting the event through marshalling duties. An impressive 47 sacks of bottles, cans and other litter were collected, with materials being recycled wherever possible.

The weekend generated a wonderful atmosphere and demonstrated the strong community spirit within Saundersfoot. Saundersfoot Rotary was pleased to support Pembrokeshire County Council with the clean-up operation and help ensure that the village looked its best following such a busy sporting weekend. The initiative also received excellent coverage in both the Tenby Observer and Western Telegraph.

Saundersfoot Rotary’s 50th Anniversary

On 16th September, Saundersfoot Rotary proudly unveiled a special 50th Anniversary commemorative fish plaque, now displayed on the wall of the decking at Saundersfoot Harbour.

The plaque is dedicated to all members and friends of Saundersfoot Rotary, past and present, who have generously devoted countless hours of their time, energy and expertise to supporting others.

Over the past five decades, the club’s members have helped raise significant funds for worthy causes both locally and internationally, while also making an important contribution to the wellbeing and improvement of the local community.

The anniversary provides an opportunity to recognise the remarkable achievements of the many volunteers who have embodied Rotary’s principle of “Service Above Self”. The plaque will provide a permanent reminder of their commitment, friendship and service to the community.

Grand Community Christmas Draw

Also on 16th September, followed by further details on 18th September, advance publicity was released for Saundersfoot Rotary’s new Grand Community Christmas Draw.

The initiative invites community groups and clubs, either based in Saundersfoot or with strong links to the village through their support for the local community, to raise valuable funds for their organisations without financial risk.

Saundersfoot Rotary will fund both the costs and the prizes. Participating organisations simply order and collect tickets from the Rotary Club and sell them, retaining all the profits generated from their sales.

A full briefing for participating organisations will take place at Saundersfoot Bowling Club at 6.00pm on Wednesday 30th September.

Saundersfoot Rotary continues to make a significant contribution to the local community through its charitable fundraising, support for community organisations, environmental activities and volunteering at major local events. Its continuing programme of activities demonstrates the important role played by voluntary organisations in supporting and enhancing life in Saundersfoot.

Locals Letting Policy

I have previously highlighted the Local Lettings Policy in my reports and supported residents in Saundersfoot and neighbouring areas who have strong, genuine connections to our community.

Following concerns raised by a resident about recognising step-parents, I raised this directly with the Cabinet Member and PCC officers. I’m pleased that the policy is now being reviewed to consider step-parent relationships on a case-by-case basis, taking individual family circumstances into account rather than applying a blanket approach.

I believe this is a positive step towards ensuring genuine family circumstances and local connections are recognised fairly, while maintaining the existing banding and bidding process.

Highways

Changes to Speed Limits and Parking Restrictions in Saundersfoot.

Residents will see a number of changes taking place in Saundersfoot following work with Pembrokeshire County Council and feedback received from residents and local businesses.

In a recent edition of the Tenby Observer, Pembrokeshire County Council has given notice of its intention to extend the existing 20mph speed limit on the C3076 Sandyhill Road.

The proposed extension will bring the new Bryn Heulog housing development within the urban 20mph speed limit. As a result, the existing 40mph section will be reduced by approximately 134 metres.

It is also proposed that a 20mph speed limit will be introduced along the entire length of the estate road within the new development. On-site notices will also be displayed as part of the consultation process.

I welcome these proposals, particularly with the new homes now occupied and the importance of ensuring appropriate speed limits are in place for residents, pedestrians and other road users.

Removal of the parking bay outside Labels for Less

Labels for Less I have also now signed the formal paperwork for the removal of the limited waiting parking bay outside Labels for Less and asked for the removal to be progressed as soon as possible.

This follows several months of discussions and feedback from residents and businesses. I have received well over 200 comments raising concerns about the impact of the bay, particularly around congestion and vehicles parking in the surrounding area.

The bay has often resulted in vehicles parking in front of the crossing and further vehicles stopping behind it towards the loading bay. At busy times, this has created significant congestion, with vehicles struggling to pass and the village effectively coming to a standstill.

I would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience while this has gone through the necessary process. It has taken some time, but there was a formal process that had to be followed before the change could be implemented.

Originally, the proposal was to replace the bay with double yellow lines. However, as Blue Badge holders can legally park on double yellow lines for certain periods, I have raised concerns that this could still lead to vehicles stopping in this location and the congestion simply continuing.

I have therefore asked PCC Highways to consider extending the existing No Loading/Unloading restrictions, or double kerb blips, alongside the No Waiting at Any Time restrictions in this area. This would help prevent vehicles from stopping and creating the bottleneck that residents have been reporting.

I believe this is particularly important because the majority of feedback I have received has been about congestion, vehicles being unable to pass and the wider parking problems associated with the current bay.

I am hopeful that removing the bay, alongside appropriate restrictions around the crossing and loading area, will improve the flow of traffic through this part of the village. I also have to report that the current dual loading bay on Brewery Terrace is working exceptionally well and the comments I receive are always positive on this.

Milford Street and pavement parking

Milford StreetAnother issue raised by residents and observed by myself is parking on the pavement around the crossing point on Milford Street, particularly in front of the two existing bollards.

When vehicles park in this small area, they can obstruct pedestrians and, importantly, drivers and pedestrians approaching the crossing can sometimes be unable to see each other clearly.

PCC Highways has visited and considered this location on a number of occasions, and I support the proposed introduction of additional double kerb blips in this area. I believe this is the safest approach and will also help vehicles move freely through this section of Milford Street without the need for additional bollards.

There is also an ongoing issue with vehicles parking partly or wholly on the footway, whereas appropriate kerb restrictions can prevent inappropriate parking while keeping the pavement clear for pedestrians.

Improving Safety on Cambrian Terrace

Following the recent road improvements on Cambrian Terrace and the introduction of the active travel link, I have been working with Pembrokeshire County Council’s safety team to address concerns raised by local residents, as well as issues I have personally observed in the area.

On a number of occasions, vehicles, vans and delivery trucks were parking partly or fully on the pavement close to the crossing point on Cambrian Terrace. This was causing problems with visibility and more importantly, restricting access across the crossing. I received a number of photographs and emails from residents highlighting the issue, particularly the difficulties this created for families with young children, people using mobility scooters and those who are visually impaired. I subsequently arranged a meeting with PCC senior traffic and road safety engineer to look at what preventative measures could be introduced to address the problem without having an unnecessary impact on the area or pedestrian access.

I am pleased to confirm that PCC has now installed additional bollards at the crossing point. These will help prevent vehicles from accessing and parking on the pavement, while maintaining clear pedestrian movement and improving visibility for everyone using the crossing. I hope residents will see this as a positive improvement to the area. I have also asked PCC Highways and the Road Safety Team to explore the possibility of installing an additional short-stay parking bay on Cambrian Terrace, behind the existing dual loading bay. I believe there may be sufficient space to accommodate another bay safely, providing valuable additional parking for the village. I am hoping to meet with the relevant officers on site to assess the options in more detail. I would like to thank everyone who took the time to raise their concerns and provide photographs and PCC’s safety team for listening and acting on those concerns. This is another example of residents raising an issue, working together with the council and finding a practical solution that improves safety and accessibility for everyone.

Accessibility

It is also important to recognise that these changes form part of a much wider scheme to improve accessibility around Saundersfoot.

I would once again like to thank residents and local businesses for the feedback they have provided. A lot of this work comes directly from conversations, photographs and concerns raised by the community, and I will continue to work with PCC Highways to monitor the changes once they are implemented.

If further problems arise, particularly around congestion or inappropriate parking, please continue to let me know. I am confident that by working together with residents, businesses and the County Council, we can respond to issues as they arise and continue to improve traffic flow, accessibility and safety in the village.

Exploring a potential community energy project

During September, I attended a really positive meeting looking at how we could potentially support local community organisations and businesses in Saundersfoot through renewable energy, particularly solar panels, with the aim of reducing electricity costs.

This is still at an early stage, but I was encouraged by the discussions and by the potential opportunities that could be available through grant funding.

The initial idea is to look at local community organisations and businesses, understand how much electricity they currently use and then establish whether their energy demand could be matched with potential solar or other renewable generation locally.

Organisations such as the Regency Hall, Saundersfoot Sports & Social Club and Saundersfoot Bowls Club could potentially benefit from this approach and I will be following up with them to see whether we can gather the information needed to explore the opportunities further.

One of the interesting aspects of the discussions was looking at what could happen if renewable generation produces more electricity than an individual organisation can use at a particular time. Rather than simply exporting that electricity back to the grid for a relatively low return, there could potentially be opportunities to use the energy within the local community, including by working with businesses that have a consistent energy demand.

The principle is quite simple, generate more renewable energy locally, use as much of it locally as possible and, where appropriate, use the income generated to help reduce energy costs for other community organisations and businesses.

Obviously, there is a considerable amount of work to do before we know whether this would be practical, including gathering accurate energy data, looking at the available sites, understanding generation potential and establishing what funding may be available.

What particularly encouraged me was the possibility that this could become a model for Saundersfoot and potentially be something that could be developed in other communities if we can get it right.

There are already potential grant opportunities available, including Welsh Government preparatory funding for community organisations. There is also funding through the GBE Community Fund, with applications currently open until 12 November. The Energy Service has indicated that it is willing to provide technical guidance and support a community organisation through the funding application process.

At this stage, I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves or raise expectations, but I think it is important that residents know that discussions are taking place. With the cost of electricity continuing to put pressure on community organisations and local businesses, I believe we should be looking at innovative ways of reducing those costs while also investing in renewable energy and keeping the benefits within our community wherever possible. Such schemes such as Saundersfoot School, Saundersfoot Launderette could massively benefit from further schemes as well as community hubs.

Bringing Saundersfoot’s history to life

I have been pleased to be involved with the local SMELT organisation, which has worked hard to create a fantastic installation in the village highlighting Saundersfoot’s important industrial heritage.

The installation at the Sensory Garden helps tell the story of how coal mining, railways and the harbour played such an important role in shaping Saundersfoot into the village we know today. It is a wonderful way of bringing our history to life and ensuring that future generations can understand the importance of our industrial past. One of the volunteers involved in this work is Steve Duckworth, who is well known locally and has given his time and knowledge to support the project. I was therefore delighted to read about another project Steve has developed following his involvement with the coal mining installation at Saundersfoot Harbour.

Steve has written a children’s adventure story called “James and the Saundersfoot Time Tunnel”, which introduces younger readers to our village’s fascinating past in an exciting and accessible way.

The story follows James, a modern-day boy who discovers a mysterious tunnel near the harbour and finds himself transported back to Saundersfoot in 1875. There he meets Tomos and begins an adventure through a very different Saundersfoot, shaped by coal mining, railways, ships and a busy working harbour.

I particularly like the idea behind the book because it is not intended to be a history lesson. Instead, it introduces children aged around 8–11 to our heritage through an adventure story, helping them discover the fascinating history that exists right beneath their feet. What started as an idea has now developed into a planned trilogy of James and Tomos adventures, with the first book available as both an eBook and paperback.

It could make a lovely Christmas gift for a young reader with a connection to Saundersfoot or Pembrokeshire, while also helping to keep our local history alive for another generation.

Well done to Steve for turning his involvement with the SMELT project into something that can inspire young people to learn more about the village’s past. It is another great example of local people using their knowledge, enthusiasm and community spirit to celebrate what makes Saundersfoot so special.

Saundersfoot Community Lottery

I was delighted to have won second prize recently in the Saundersfoot Lottery. It was a pleasant surprise. This is the Lottery’s second year and it is really having a positive impact on the village. The income from the lottery has provided numerous grants to a number of charities and organisations in Saundersfoot and it continues to support community events and initiatives.

This is a local lottery that benefits the village and I aware that our Lottery Committee would love to increase the community impact of the lottery by making more monies available to support people and events if they can increase ticket sales . If you can afford £5 a month please consider supporting Saundersfoot Lottery as you not only have the chance of being a lottery winner but, more importantly for me, you have the pleasure of knowing your contribution is supporting our village. You can join Saundersfoot Loottery online or just call in and ask at Regency Hall between 9am and 3pm on Wednesday or Thursday and they will be delighted to assist you.

Rotary Community Initiative

On Wednesday 30th September I attended a briefing of Saundersfoot Rotary’s Grand Community Draw. The draw is being launched in October with the draw itself taking place in Regency Hall on 15 December. Saundersfoot Rotary is licensed to conduct the draw. Many local community groups were in attendance, to a briefing given by Ray Wise, President of Saundersfoot Rotary. Can I thank Saundersfoot Rotary for introducing this initiative.

Saundersfoot Rotary are providing the prize monies and draw tickets, and organisations and charities, operating in or for the benefit of Saundersfoot, sell tickets and keep all the money from ticket sales for their own organisation. This scheme will allow organisations to raise a lot more money than the original prize money donated by Rotary. What a fantastic idea! I have no doubt that a lot of community organisations will sign up for involvement and this will have a positive impact for charities and community groups operating in Saundersfoot.

Thank you to the Rotary for this brilliant new event that I hope may become an annual Christmas Community Draw. I look forward to seeing the amounts raised for our community organisations as a result of this event.

Saundersfoot Pharmacy continues to go from strength to strength

It is fantastic to see Saundersfoot Pharmacy continuing to grow and play such an important role within our community. This month marks two years since the pharmacy had new owners and during that time the team has continued to develop the services they provide to local residents and visitors. It is therefore particularly positive to hear that Saundersfoot Pharmacy has been nominated for the Welsh Pharmacy and Healthcare Awards in the Independent Community Pharmacy of the Year category. The winner will be announced at the awards dinner in October.

Being nominated is a fantastic achievement and recognition of the hard work, commitment and changes the team have made since taking over. Having a strong and accessible pharmacy in the village is extremely important, particularly for residents who value being able to access healthcare advice and services locally.

The pharmacy will also be providing NHS flu and Covid vaccinations from October through to the end of November.

For those eligible, the current arrangements are:

Flu vaccinations – available for residents aged 65 and over 
Covid vaccinations – available for residents aged 75 and over 
No appointment is required – eligible residents can simply walk into Saundersfoot Pharmacy

I would like to congratulate the whole team on their nomination and on reaching two years on The Strand. It is great to see a local independent business continuing to invest in the village and expand the services available to our community.

I wish them the very best of luck at the awards in October!

Events

Saundersfoot’s Big Bang Weekend

Saundersfoot’s Big Bang Weekend returns this year, with the much-loved community celebration taking place from Friday 30th October through to Sunday 1st November.

Previously organised by the Chamber for Tourism, the event is now being delivered by Love Saundersfoot, with the team supported by Phil Odley, whose wealth of experience in organising and managing the event over many years will help ensure it continues to be a highlight in Saundersfoot’s calendar.

The funfair will open from 2pm on Friday and from 12 noon on both Saturday and Sunday. The ever-popular fireworks will take place on Saturday evening, with the Mini Bang starting at 6.30pm, followed by the Big Bang at 8pm.

There will also be a Trick or Treat Trail and disco at the Regency Hall, with costumes encouraged and treats provided, adding even more family fun to the weekend.

Last year’s event was blessed with dry skies and brought thousands of visitors into the village, creating a fantastic atmosphere for residents, businesses and visitors alike. Hopefully, we will be just as lucky with the weather this year!

Admission to the Big Bang Weekend is completely free, although donation buckets will be available for anyone who would like to make a contribution towards supporting the event.

The Big Bang is about much more than the fireworks. It is a real celebration of Saundersfoot and the community spirit that makes our village such a special place to live, work and visit. It brings together local businesses, organisations, volunteers and residents, all playing their part in creating a fantastic weekend for everyone.

The fireworks are kindly sponsored by Love Saundersfoot, and I hope residents will continue to support this fantastic community event. It is a great example of what can be achieved when our local community comes together.

Halloween trail - Love Saundersfoot Trick or Treat Trail & Disco is back

SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN FUN IS COMING TO SAUNDERSFOOT!

Witches, ghosts, ghouls and little monsters — are you brave enough to join us?

Get ready for a frightfully fun evening as Love Saundersfoot sets off on a spooky Trick or Treat Trail through the village on Friday 30th October!

Meet: Regency Hall
Departure: 6.30pm

Grab your Halloween costumes, gather your little monsters and follow your spooky map through Saundersfoot, stopping at mysterious locations along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for bats swooping overhead, watch the skies for witches on their broomsticks, and prepare to knock on some doors if you dare!

The trail will wind its way through the village before leading everyone safely back to Regency Hall, where the Halloween fun continues!

THE FRIGHTFUL FUN DOESN’T STOP THERE!

Halloween Disco at Regency Hall

Delicious hot chocolate and marshmallows to warm you up
Plenty of Halloween treats and family fun
Fancy dress is encouraged — and the spookier, the better!

Adults and children under 2 go free!

So, dust off those cobwebs, polish your broomsticks and get ready for a Halloween night to remember. Whether you’re a wicked witch, a creepy skeleton or a friendly little ghost, we can’t wait to see you there!

Dare to join us? Saundersfoot is waiting… and something spooky is lurking around the corner!

#LoveSaundersfoot #Halloween #TrickOrTreatTrail #Saundersfoot #FamilyFun

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Saundersfoot Triathlon

The Saundersfoot Triathlon has grown significantly over recent years and has become an important event in the village’s sporting calendar, as well as a great opportunity for competitors to prepare for longer-distance challenges such as the Wales, Pembrokeshire Ironman.

Saundersfoot provides an ideal setting for the event, with its stunning coastline, excellent facilities and most importantly, a strong community spirit. This year’s event was another excellent example of what can be achieved when event organisers, local organisations, businesses and the community work together.

Around 1,000 competitors took part, with more than 10,000 people coming into the village to compete, support friends and family or simply enjoy the atmosphere. The event provides a real boost for local businesses, with hospitality venues, shops and accommodation providers benefiting from the additional visitors.

This year, additional full road closures were introduced on Milford Street and Brewery Terrace to complement the closures from previous years of The Strand, Cambrian Terrace, High Street, Wogan Terrace. These measures significantly reduced vehicle movements through the village and created a much safer environment for competitors, residents and spectators.

The feedback I have received from residents, businesses and competitors has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the increased numbers in the village, atmosphere and safety. Cambrian Terrace in particular provided a fantastic setting for spectators and those taking part, with the additional space allowing people to enjoy the event safely.

I was also particularly pleased that parking was discussed and planned for in advance with Activity Wales. The Sports Field was used to provide additional parking, helping to reduce pressure on other areas of the village. The cricket and football clubs worked together to manage the parking, with the proceeds going directly to the respective clubs. In addition, Activity Wales provided a further £400, which will be shared equally between the two clubs in recognition of the volunteers who supported the event. A big thank you goes to Simon and Yannick for organising this and to everyone from both clubs who gave up their time to help.

Like all major events, there will always be things we can learn and improve, but I believe the 2026 Saundersfoot Triathlon was an excellent event for the village. We have seen increased attendance, but also better planning around road closures and parking, which has helped reduce some of the pressures associated with large events.

Events such as the Triathlon, Big Bang Weekend and New Year’s Day Swim bring thousands of people into Saundersfoot outside the main summer season. They support local businesses, create employment and help showcase our village to visitors from across Pembrokeshire and beyond.

I remain fully supportive of the Saundersfoot Triathlon and will continue to support Pembrokeshire County Council, local organisations, event organisers , businesses and residents to ensure the events continue to grow safely and successfully while taking the needs of our community into consideration.

Saundersfoot plays its part in another successful Ironman

During September, Saundersfoot once again played an important part in the Welsh Ironman event, welcoming thousands of athletes, supporters and visitors as they made their way through the village as part of the cycling course.

The Ironman is a major event for Pembrokeshire, bringing competitors and supporters from across the UK and around the world. Saundersfoot’s section of the course, including the challenging climb towards Heartbreak Hill, is always one of the most memorable parts of the route, and this year the atmosphere was exceptional.

Despite the weather not being particularly kind, the village was packed, with spectators often standing four or five deep behind the safety barriers. The support from residents and visitors created an incredible atmosphere and once again showcased the community spirit that makes Saundersfoot such a special part of the Ironman course.

Following some of the challenges experienced in 2025, a lot of work took place beforehand with Ironman, Pembrokeshire County Council, local councillors, residents and community organisations to identify where improvements could be made.

I am particularly pleased that the work carried out this year made such a difference. Issues around toilets, food availability, barriers and the area towards New Hedges were discussed and addressed in advance, with feedback from residents helping to shape the arrangements.

The response this year has been extremely positive, and to date I have not received a single negative comment about the event in Saundersfoot.

A huge thank you must go to Saundersfoot Rotary and Saundersfoot Wombles, who worked alongside Ironman, PCC and the local community throughout the

afternoon. They walked from the village towards New Hedges and collected an incredible 47 bags of rubbish before the roads reopened.

Saundersfoot also provided 19 local volunteers to assist during the afternoon, helping to ensure the area was returned to the condition it was in before the event. With an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people travelling through this section of the cycling course, their support made a real difference.

This is exactly the sort of community involvement that can make major events work well. The volunteers were not there to replace PCC or Ironman teams, but to complement the work already taking place and help ensure Saundersfoot was left looking its best.

I would also like to thank Councillor Rhys Jordan for working on the issues raised by residents, particularly around toilet facilities, food availability and barriers. The improved arrangements this year were noticeable, and it was encouraging to see everyone involved working together so positively.

Local businesses have also been very supportive, with many reporting increased footfall and strong trading throughout the weekend. Ironman provides an important boost at a time when the summer season is beginning to wind down, helping to extend the visitor season and supporting local businesses and employment.

Like the Saundersfoot Triathlon and New Year’s Day Swim, the Ironman demonstrates the value of holding major events outside the traditional peak summer season. They bring people into the village, create an incredible atmosphere and provide important economic benefits, while also giving us an opportunity to showcase Saundersfoot to visitors from across the country and around the world.

There will always be lessons to learn from major events, but I believe the improvements made following 2025 have shown what can be achieved when residents, councillors, PCC, Ironman and local organisations communicate and work together.

Planning for 2027 will undoubtedly begin in due course, and I am confident Saundersfoot will once again rise to the occasion. The enthusiasm, teamwork and community spirit shown this year should be something we can all be proud of.

It is also important to recognise the wider contribution Ironman makes to Pembrokeshire. It brings international attention to our county, showcases our outstanding coastline and countryside and provides significant economic benefits to communities across the route. For Saundersfoot, this year’s event was a great example of how major events can work successfully when the community is listened to, lessons are learned and everyone works together.

September Wombles

When Ironman rolled into Saundersfoot, we got very excited! It’s not often you get the opportunity to litter pick while waving a cowbell!

As well as cheering on the athletes, Saundersfoot Wombles joined forces with Saundersfoot Rotary to litter pick from St Brides to Twycross. Between us, we collected 47 sacks of waste and recyclables during a really good-natured clean-up, and it was a great opportunity to work alongside PCC as part of the event. As a lovely thank-you from Ironman, Saundersfoot Wombles will receive a £200 donation for taking part as a volunteer group. We’ll be splitting this with Saundersfoot Rotary and putting it back into village projects. It’s always nice to have a little reward for our efforts! Our individual clean-ups have also continued to keep the village tidy, with 24.9kg of waste and 3.1kg of recyclables collected. Our community beach clean on 27 September collected 5.7kg of litter between the Sailing Club and Coppet Hall Beach, along with a further 0.4kg of hard plastic, which will be used for education and art projects. Among the finds were 66 nurdles, which we logged as part of Fidra’s Great Global Nurdle Hunt 2026, running from 4 September to 4 October. It’s great to be able to contribute to citizen science and help build a wider picture of plastic pollution.

Our next Community Clean is on Tuesday 27 October, meeting at the Sailing Club at 10.30am. Everyone is welcome, so please come along and join us!

Saundersfoot in Bloom

We’ve been delighted to receive another donation from Shell on Earth – a load of crushed whelk shells to use around the newly planted “Croeso” boat up by the Police Station.

The area will be finished off soon with rope and netting collected by local beach cleaners, giving some of our beach finds another life and helping to create a really fitting finish to the display. At a Meet the Councillor event earlier this year, residents asked whether something could be done about the brambles and bracken at North Close. Saundersfoot Wombles offered to get involved and see what we could do once blackberry season was over. When we went up to take a look, we couldn’t see a problematic bramble or an overgrown patch of bracken anywhere! Then we realised why – we were looking at a HUGE area that had had years to establish itself! What had sounded like a little bit of bramble and bracken turned out to be rather more of a full-scale jungle! Thanks to PCC, who called in Goldsmith’s Treecare, the area has now been completely transformed. Alongside the clearance and removal of the undergrowth, we also removed 14.75kg of rubbish. Huge thanks to everyone involved, and particularly to the neighbouring residents for their support while the work was taking place. It’s fantastic to see the difference that can be made when residents, volunteers and council officers work together. Crafting Our Way Towards Christmas Our weekly Craft Club has turned its attention to organising a Christmas Shop Window Trail. We’re making stockings featuring animals – embroidered, appliquéd, knitted… who knows what we’ll come up with next! We started out thinking we’d stick to local wildlife, but we’ve branched out to Pembrokeshire animals, from butterflies to lions! We meet at Regency Hall every Tuesday from 1.30pm, so come along if you’d like to join in. If you have fabrics, wool or other craft materials you’d like to donate, we’d love to hear from you. We’re also helping the RNLI shop with its Christmas window by making tiny clothes for Barbie-type dolls. If you enjoy knitting or making small clothes, we can provide the yarn and fabric. Garden Club – More details on our Garden Club activities will be coming soon – there’s always plenty happening as we continue to make Saundersfoot brighter, greener and more welcoming. Our Garden Club has enjoyed a fruitful summer, despite the heat. Seed sharing and plant swapping have led to some very happy tales of harvests and blooms that might never have happened otherwise. Mangelwurzels, pineapple squashes, sunflowers, asters and cosmos galore – all proof that a little sharing can grow a lot!

Saundersfoot in Bloom – Coffee Morning. Plans are underway for a Saundersfoot in Bloom Coffee Morning on Saturday 31 October, 10am–12pm at the Regency Hall. We’ll be recognising the local businesses that helped make Saundersfoot bloom over the summer, with presentations to thank them for the colour, creativity and effort they put into their displays. But this isn’t just about looking back! Everyone is welcome to come along for a cuppa, find out more about Saundersfoot in Bloom and discover how you can get involved. There are already jobs to be done for the next season from clearing summer displays and planting bulbs… and we’re also starting to think about summer 2027. Have you got an idea for a new display, planting project or something you’d love to see in the village?

Come along, bring your ideas and be part of making Saundersfoot bloom. Friday 31 October | 10am–12pm | Regency Hall. Come for the coffee. Bring your ideas. Help us plan what blooms next!

Pembrokeshire residents survey needs your input

Pembrokeshire residents are being encouraged to take part in a county-wide survey to help shape the future of local services and ensure their views are heard.

The ‘Let’s Talk: Living in Pembrokeshire’ survey, launched by Pembrokeshire County Council, aims to gather residents’ opinions on the issues that matter most to them and their experiences of living in the county.

By completing the survey, residents will help the Council gain a better understanding of:

What matters most to local people
Residents’ experiences of their local communities
How people view and interact with Pembrokeshire County Council

The Council is keen to hear from as many residents as possible and is encouraging people to share the survey with family members, friends and neighbours to ensure a wide range of views are represented.

The survey consists of 11 short sections and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Cabinet Member for Residents Services, Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said: “We want to hear from as many Pembrokeshire residents as possible. Whether you’ve lived here all your life or have recently moved to the county, your views and experiences matter.

“The feedback we receive through this survey will help us better understand what is important to people, what is working well in our communities, and where we need to improve. It is a valuable opportunity for residents to have their say and help shape the future of local services.

“Every response counts, and the more people who take part, the better informed we will be as we plan for the future of our county.”

Residents can take part online by visiting our Have Your Say webpage.

The closing date for responses is 1 November.

For those who would prefer to complete a paper copy, arrangements can be made by contacting the Council’s Customer Contact Centre on 01437 764551 or by emailing policy@pembrokeshire.gov.uk.

Easy Read versions are also available. Paper and Easy Read copies can be collected from the main reception at County Hall, as well as local libraries and leisure centres across Pembrokeshire.