Dyfed Willa Rose, who became Major Juno and the first mare to serve as a Household Cavalry Drum Horse, was laid to rest at the farm where she was born

A PIONEERING Pembrokeshire horse who made military history has been laid to rest at the farm where she was born following an emotional final homecoming.

Dyfed Willa Rose, who served with the Household Cavalry under the name Major Juno, became the first mare in history to take on the prestigious role of Drum Horse.

Family members, friends, soldiers and admirers gathered at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm to remember a horse whose journey took her from the fields beneath the Preseli Hills to the heart of major state and military ceremonies in London.

Born at the farm on May 10, 2013, Willa Rose left Pembrokeshire in 2021 to begin an intensive period of training with the Household Cavalry.

After two years of preparation, she qualified for one of the most demanding and recognisable equine roles in the British Army.

Drum horses lead military bands while carrying two large silver kettledrums, together with the weight of their rider and ceremonial equipment.

The role requires not only exceptional size and strength, but also a calm and dependable temperament. The horses must remain composed while surrounded by crowds, marching troops, music, traffic and the noise of major ceremonial occasions.

Willa Rose’s successful appointment saw her become Major Juno, the first mare to serve as a Household Cavalry Drum Horse.

Her historic achievement challenged a long-established tradition and secured her place in British military and equestrian history.

For her final journey, her cremated remains were brought back from London to Dyfed Shire Horse Farm.

The farm thanked Corporal of Horse James Harvard and the Household Cavalry team for bringing Juno home, alongside her former companion Major Perseus, who helped guide her on the last stage of her journey.

A memorial service was held in the farmyard and was introduced by Huw Carnhuan Murphy.

The service was led by Minister Sian Elin Thomas, with a eulogy celebrating Willa Rose’s life and achievements delivered by Mark Cole.

Her remains were then placed in a horse-drawn carriage pulled by her daughter, Morgana, for a final procession through the farm.

Those present described a striking silence as the carriage made its way towards the place where Willa Rose would be laid to rest.

According to an account of the ceremony shared by Whitestone Media Group, horses appeared at their stable doors and gathered along the edges of surrounding fields as the procession passed.

Willa Rose was laid to rest beneath the Preseli Hills alongside her uncle, Celt Mercury Drumhorse, and her grandmother, Dyfed Countess.

Her grandson was also present at the farm during the ceremony, providing a reminder of the bloodline and legacy she leaves behind.

In a poignant coincidence, another young horse from Dyfed Shire Horse Farm was due to be collected on the same day to begin its own journey with the Household Cavalry and start training towards becoming a Drum Horse.

The farm said the occasion had been filled with grief, emotion and immense pride in a mare whose achievements were recognised far beyond Pembrokeshire.

A tribute shared by Dyfed Shire Horse Farm said: “It was with great emotion and pride that the family, with friends from near and far, welcomed home one final time our Dyfed Willa Rose to lay her to rest on the farm of her birth.”

The farm added: “A day full of emotion, but of pride for a horse that broke the glass ceiling as the first ever mare to make Drum Horse in the Household Cavalry.

“She is now with the stars that will look down upon her from those old hills, and she will be remembered forever with love and affection both here in Pembrokeshire and, indeed, all around the world.”

Thanks were also offered to Karen Gott and Julie Davies for photographing the memorial and Willa Rose’s final journey.

Whitestone Media Group described her homecoming as the completion of an extraordinary journey which had begun in the same Pembrokeshire fields 13 years earlier.

Its tribute concluded: “Rest easy, Major Juno. You marched into history, and today, you came home.”

Cysga’n dawel, Willa Rose.

The 25-year-old from Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr has been described as a dearly loved son, brother and grandson whose death will leave a huge void in his community

THE family of a 25-year-old man who died at a campsite near the Royal Welsh Showground have paid a moving tribute to their “beloved and dear” son, brother and grandson.

Dewi Aeron Evans, from Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, near Corwen, died following a medical emergency at Penmaenau Farm, Llanelwedd, on Saturday night (July 18).

Emergency services were called to the campsite at around 10.30pm. Despite the efforts of paramedics, Dewi was pronounced dead at the scene.

In a statement released through Dyfed-Powys Police, his family said: “Dewi Aeron Evans, a beloved and dear son, brother and grandson, will be a huge loss to the family and community in Uwchaled.

“The family and community would appreciate privacy at this difficult time.”

Dewi came from the close-knit rural community of Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr, which forms part of the Uwchaled area of southern Conwy.

The community lies near Cerrigydrudion and Corwen, and news of his death has brought sadness to the area where he lived and was known.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the death was continuing to be treated as unexplained.

Three men were arrested on suspicion of drug-related offences following the incident. Police have not said that the arrests establish the cause of Dewi’s death, and enquiries into the circumstances remain ongoing.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies described the incident as tragic and said officers’ thoughts remained with Dewi’s family.

He also reassured visitors and residents that it was being treated as an isolated incident, with no evidence of an ongoing risk to the wider public.

The incident happened at Penmaenau Farm, a privately operated campsite immediately beside the Royal Welsh Showground, as thousands of visitors were arriving in the area ahead of the four-day Royal Welsh Show.

The show itself opened on Monday morning and is continuing as scheduled.

The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society said it was deeply saddened by the death and that its thoughts were with Dewi’s family, friends and everyone affected.

The society said it would continue supporting the police investigation and was working with members of the Builth Wells Event Safety Group to provide medical, welfare and safety support throughout the event.

Police have asked that Dewi’s family and the Uwchaled community be allowed privacy as they come to terms with their loss.

Rayner, Healey and Miliband handed senior roles as Reeves, Lammy and Stevens leave government

PRIME MINISTER Andy Burnham has announced a further wave of Cabinet appointments, bringing Angela Rayner back into government and handing senior roles to Lucy Powell, Jonathan Reynolds and close political ally Anneliese Midgley.

The latest announcements confirm that Burnham is carrying out a significant restructuring of Sir Keir Starmer’s former administration rather than simply moving a handful of ministers between departments.

Rayner has returned as Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the position she left last year. The department will also oversee Burnham’s plans to transfer greater powers away from Westminster and into the nations, regions and local government.

Lucy Powell, Labour’s deputy leader, has been appointed Education Secretary, replacing Bridget Phillipson.

Phillipson will remain in government as Minister for Women and Equalities, although the move represents a substantial reduction in her responsibilities.

Jonathan Reynolds has returned to his former position as Business and Trade Secretary after serving as Chief Whip under Starmer.

His department is being expanded to take responsibility for science and innovation and will be renamed the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade.

Anneliese Midgley, who played a central role in Burnham’s return to Parliament and leadership campaign, has been appointed Chief Whip.

The appointments follow the earlier confirmation that former Defence Secretary John Healey will become Chancellor.

Healey’s selection was considered a surprise after Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood had both been strongly linked to the Treasury. He replaces Rachel Reeves, who left the government after reportedly turning down another senior Cabinet role.

Miliband has instead been appointed Foreign Secretary, replacing Yvette Cooper, while Mahmood remains Home Secretary.

Cooper has moved to the Department of Health and Social Care, where she replaces James Murray. Burnham has made reform of adult social care one of the central missions of his government.

Pat McFadden will continue as Work and Pensions Secretary, providing one of the clearest elements of continuity with the previous administration.

Louise Haigh has been handed one of the most powerful positions in the new government. She becomes First Secretary of State, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and the senior Cabinet Office minister.

Although she has not formally been given the title of Deputy Prime Minister, the appointment makes Haigh Burnham’s principal coordinator across government and effectively his deputy at the Cabinet table.

Who has left?

The reshuffle has seen several figures closely associated with Starmer removed from government.

Rachel Reeves has departed as Chancellor, while David Lammy has left his positions as Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary.

Darren Jones, who served as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, has also been removed, alongside former Housing Secretary Steve Reed and Business Secretary Peter Kyle.

Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer, Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn have also confirmed their departures.

James Murray has been replaced as Health Secretary, although it remains unclear whether he will be offered another government position.

Wales still waiting

No replacement has yet been announced for Jo Stevens as Secretary of State for Wales.

The vacancy is particularly significant because Burnham has promised a major programme of constitutional change and greater devolution of powers from Westminster.

The identity of the new Welsh Secretary will provide an early indication of how prominently Wales will feature within the new Prime Minister’s plans.

Several further senior appointments remain outstanding, including the posts of Defence Secretary, Justice Secretary, Northern Ireland Secretary and Welsh Secretary.

Wes Streeting, Lisa Nandy, Heidi Alexander, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Angela Eagle and a number of other Labour figures have entered Downing Street, but their positions had not been formally confirmed at the time of publication.

Burnham took office on Monday after being formally appointed by the King, promising what he described as a “circuit breaker” moment for Britain.

His government is expected to announce its first package of cost-of-living measures on Tuesday, with proposals involving energy bills and bus fares among the policies being considered.