A CHILDREN’S evening, featuring characters from the popular Disney film Frozen, at Kilgetty’s Begelly Arms turned into a fiasco on Tuesday night.

Angry parents and children were left queuing in the cold and wet for over an hour to see Santa and his elves as well as the much-loved Frozen characters, only to end up in a cramped venue.

Amongst the many criticising the three hour event on Facebook was Georgina Lewis, who said: “Me and my two girls didn't even get in through the door until 7pm when the party was meant to start at 6pm and when you got inside you couldn't move or barely breathe and definitely couldn't dance or play games.”

Concerns were also raised about the 'buffet' on offer, with parents saying their children were given a cheap packet of crisps, small chocolate bar and drink.

Gifts from Santa were said to be cheap lollies.

Bridie Harrison, added: "I didnt feed my daughter because of the buffet advertised. She's come home starving and disappointed! They were promised presents from santa & it was a 5p lolly!"

Anna Tran-Jesson, posted: "I went tonight. Was in there 20mins and demanded a refund. Supposed to start at 6pm, sidn't get in till 6.50pm.

"Waited outside in the rain as queues weren't even moving for half an hour! Supposed to be a disco/party but nothing but queues for face painting and balloon animals! Hundreds of people and kids just cramped into a small space which must have been 100 degrees! I almost fainted and had to sit on the floor for five mins! Waste of time!".

Pete Adams of the Begelly Arms described the event as “poorly organised,” stressing the venue was only involved in renting out the room.

“We were expecting 200-220 in all, I specified 100 kids, but when they set it up they took up half the room with a fenced off area for the characters from Frozen and Father Christmas.

“I feel gutted for the kids that were here and gutted for their parents.”

Mr Adams said the Begelly Arms was now hoping to hold a free event for the disappointed youngsters.

Nicki Harteveld, of organisers Pembrokeshire Mascots & Entertainment, told the Western Telegraph: “We spaced out the queue in the wrong way, the queues didn’t flow; people were outside for too long, by that time it was too late.”

However, Nicki said the parents wouldn’t leave the children’s area.

“The parents didn’t go into the bar, they didn’t do what they were asked to do; the capacity is for the kids.”

She said refunds would be offered to parents who spoke to Pembrokeshire Mascots on the night.

The Begelly Arms event was supposed to be followed by similar events at Haverfordwest rugby club on December 12 and Pill social centre on December 13, which have now been cancelled.

“We learnt from last night; things would’ve been better but we’re not going to put our staff at risk,” said Nicki.

People power saves Pembroke Dock event

PEOPLE power has led to a last-minute disco based around the popular Disney smash hit film Frozen taking place at Pembroke Dock’s Pater Hall this evening, December 10.

A Christmas Frozen event, one of a series organised by Pembrokeshire Mascots & Entertainment, had been due to take place at the hall tonight but was cancelled after last night’s event at the Begelly Arms, Kilgetty.

Following the cancellation, a few local mums have got together and organised the Pater Hall disco, which takes place from 4-6pm today.

The free disco will run on a first-come-first-served basis for up to 200 people.