Publican received a call to take down the Six Nations display but the request was not as it seemed
Jason Vaughan decided to put the inflatable rugby posts up outside his pub for the start of the Six Nations(Image: Jason Vaughan)
A seaside town was left outraged after a popular pub was “ordered” to take down its inflatable rugby decorations, but there’s one major problem about the request.
Jason Vaughan, the owner of The Ivy Bush Inn in Narbeth, Pembrokeshire, put up a set of huge inflatable Guinness-branded rugby posts outside his pub to mark the Six Nations and to let punters know that rugby fans were welcome to come and watch the matches at the Ivy Bush.
However, he said that within 24 hours of putting them up before Wales’ first game against England, he received a phone call from someone who claimed to be from the council stating that they have received complaints about the posts and said he would need to remove them within seven days.
Jason, 44, asked the “council” to send him a letter confirming that he would need to remove the posts and the reason for doing so.
However, Pembrokeshire council said it has no record of a council officer contacting the pub about the posts. It said it has also not received any complaints about the display. Stay in the know by making sure you’re receiving our daily newsletter
Jason, who took over the pub at the beginning of 2025, explained that the Ivy Bush is a “very small pub” that is “well supported” by the community. When he heard that the council said that they couldn’t find any record of the call coming from them, he said he “supposes” it could have been made by a disgruntled local resident.
He said it was “absolutely crazy” that someone would go out of their way to complain about the posts. “They’re not a fixed structure, he said. “They’re a temporary structure and they are right next to some scaffolding, which sticks out two feet further than the posts. It is just absolutely crazy.
“Things are difficult for the hospitality industry, and especially pubs, due to the hiking business rates and everything else. It’s hard enough but we’re not breaking any rules so I don’t know why someone would complain.”
Jason bought the posts for £100 on eBay just before the start of the tournament and thought they would look “really good” at the front of the pub.
He said he will be leaving the inflatable up while the mystery over who called him claiming to be the council continues.
After posting on social media about his display potentially “rubbing someone up the wrong way”, Jason received dozens of comments of support from locals in Narbeth who were outraged that someone would ask him to remove the posts.
The post said: “It seems my inflatable rugby posts have rubbed someone up the wrong way. Today I received a phone call from the council to say they’ve had complaints and that they must be removed within seven days.
“If anyone has a problem with the posts — or with anything I do here — I’d genuinely prefer you come and have a chat with me directly rather than going behind my back. I’m always happy to talk things through.
“We only ever try to bring a bit of fun and community spirit to the pub.”
One person replied: “Aren’t they brave. It really doesn’t take a lot to walk in and have a chat. I wish that was the most concerning thing in my life.”
Another added: “That’s crazy. It’s not like they’re offensive or in the way so what’s the problem? I see much worse than that up at Christmas time!”
One person also said it was the first time “anything to do with Welsh rugby” had made them smile in a long time.
A spokesperson for Pembrokeshire Council said it could “find no record of a complaint regarding the inflatable rugby posts and no record of any council officer contacting the pub regarding the posts”.
“The local county councillor has also advised that he has received no complaints.”
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