A PLEA has been made by the Master of Haverfordwest Gild of Freemen, Mr Charles Davies, for united action by local authorities, property owners and citizens to clean up the town which one visitor recently described as “a town waiting to die.”

Speaking at the Gild’s annual Banquet at Wolfscastle Country Hotel, he hit out at the “drab state” of the town and listed a catalogue of neglected items which he said urgently need addressing.

He cited weeds and litter in the streets, unkempt public areas, the untrimmed hedges on St Thomas’ Green, unkempt borders at The Parade, and fly tipping in the Rifleman Carpark.

He also urged citizens to tidy up and put refuse bags out on the correct collection days and the authorities to address the overgrowth of ivy on the castle walls.

“Some people seem determined to make the area an eyesore and I hope that somehow they can be brought to book.” he added.

The Master was responding to a toast to the Gild by the chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Councillor Paul Harries, in which he thanked the council for hosting the annual Installation of Freemen and for allowing the use of County Hall as a venue for the Gild’s AGM.

A toast to the Guests was proposed by the Deputy Master Colonel Martin Green, who was congratulated by the Master on his completion of the gruelling Iron Man event at Tenby.

Guest speaker, Mr Richard Thomas, the retired Cardiganshire vet, gave a humorous speech in which he referred to the importance of the Gild’s role for the good of the community.

The banquet was entertained by the accomplished young musical graduate, Mr Phillip Howells of Camrose, with a brilliant display on the marimba.