How sad it was, last week, to see the town where I was born and brought up, in such decline. Two visits to Haverfordwest in three days revealed the existence of thousands of parked cars, many hundreds more being driven through the streets, no doubt by tourists desperately searching either for somewhere to park, or some reason to devote a few hours to the county town. Friends tell me of the retail “attractions”
on the outer limits of the town, but these cannot excuse the obvious lack of effort being made to attract visitors, and indeed, local residents, into the heart of the town.
More parking spaces have to be, not only found, but advertised.
I saw some beautiful hanging baskets, but the magnificent old bridges seemed bereft of floral displays common in many towns eager to persuade visitors to prolong their stay.
Clearly something radical is needed to prevent further decline, especially along and near the river. Are there any “pedestrian-only” areas?
Are farmers` markets held, twice-weekly in the holiday season, in the Swan and Castle Square areas, and why aren`t there permanent craft fairs held along the riverside, when so much talent clearly exists in the region, judging by the huge skills displayed by our friends? Is the most being made of Haverfordwest`s rich history, with guided walks around the town, the castle and the museum? A case could be made for boat trips, tide allowing, down the river, whilst thought could also be given to an opentopped coach tour of the local area, extending and creating cycle paths along the river, a council-run campsite, and even the employment of performance artists.
I realise my interference might be deemed impertinent, and some of my observations perhaps inaccurate, but my hopes for a memoryladen walk through the town did not materialise; it didn`t seem worthwhile!
Bernie Evans
Liverpool
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