Archaeologists, historians and heritage groups will gather for a day of discoveries, demonstrations and hands-on activities

CENTURIES of Pembrokeshire history will be brought to life at Carew Castle next month as the popular Unearthing History event returns.

Unearthing History: Pembrokeshire’s Past will take place on Monday, August 3, bringing together archaeologists, historians and heritage organisations from across the region.

Visitors will be able to examine archaeological finds and historic collections, meet experts and discover more about the work being carried out to research and preserve the county’s past.

Organisations taking part will include Heneb, the Trust for Welsh Archaeology, Pembrokeshire Prospectors, Tenby Museum and Castell Henllys Iron Age Village.

The event will explore the people, places and objects that have helped shape Pembrokeshire through a programme of demonstrations, displays and interactive activities.

Younger visitors will also be able to take part in archaeology-themed games, try traditional skills and experience a taste of medieval life through Knight School and have-a-go archery sessions.

Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle, said: “Unearthing History gives people a fantastic opportunity to explore local heritage alongside those who study, preserve and bring it to life.

“It is wonderful to bring so many regional experts and organisations together in one place, and we are delighted to be hosting a day that celebrates the depth and variety of our local history.”

Unearthing History: Pembrokeshire’s Past will run from 10:00am until 4:00pm on Monday, August 3.

Normal castle admission charges will apply. Visitors are advised that some parts of the event can only be reached by steps.

Further details about the event and Carew Castle’s summer programme are available from the Carew Castle website.

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Carew Castle will welcome archaeologists, historians and heritage organisations for a day celebrating Pembrokeshire’s past on Monday, August 3.

New research suggests 58% of eligible sole traders in Wales still have work to do ahead of the first Making Tax Digital quarterly reporting deadline on August 7.

THREE in five sole traders in Wales are not fully prepared for a major change to the way they report their income and expenses to HM Revenue and Customs, according to new research.

A survey commissioned by Lloyds found that 58% of Welsh respondents still had work to do before they were ready to comply with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

The figure was slightly higher than the UK-wide result, where 55% of those surveyed said they were not yet fully prepared.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax became mandatory in April for sole traders and landlords with qualifying annual income of more than £50,000.

Those covered by the rules must keep digital records and use compatible software to provide HMRC with quarterly summaries of their income and expenses.

The deadline for the first quarterly update is Friday, August 7.

Nathan Morgan, Area Director for Wales at Lloyds, said: “Making Tax Digital represents one of the biggest administrative changes many sole traders will have experienced for years.

“Our research suggests that while businesses recognise the benefits of digital record-keeping, many are still working through what they need to do before the first submission deadline.

“With small business owners already balancing multiple demands on their time, simplicity matters.

“That is why we have built HMRC-recognised Making Tax Digital for Income Tax functionality directly into eligible Lloyds Business Accounts at no extra cost, helping customers manage tax administration alongside their everyday banking.”

Despite the concerns over preparedness, some Welsh sole traders said the new system had already brought benefits.

Among those preparing for the first update, 41% said digital tax management had helped them become more organised, while 16% said it had reduced the stress associated with completing tax work at the last minute.

More than three quarters of respondents in Wales, 79%, said they would find it useful to manage tax records, deadlines and administration through their banking app or online banking.

Lloyds has integrated Making Tax Digital software into its business banking service. The tool allows customers to maintain digital records, categorise income and expenses, save receipts and prepare quarterly updates.

The qualifying income threshold will fall to more than £30,000 from April 2027 and more than £20,000 from April 2028.

The Lloyds research was conducted by Censuswide among 1,000 UK sole traders with income of at least £50,000 between June 29 and July 6. Landlords were not included in the survey.

A seven-year-old boy from Ontario will be among young people travelling to Stackpole for a specialist course designed to help those living with rare muscle conditions exercise safely and confidently

AN INTERNATIONAL group of young people affected by rare glycogen storage diseases will gather in Pembrokeshire next month for a week of specialist outdoor activities and support.

The McArdle’s Experience will take place at the National Trust’s Stackpole Outdoor Learning Centre from Saturday, August 1, until Friday, August 7.

Organised by the charity AGSD-UK, the residential course teaches participants how to manage exercise intolerance, recognise their body’s warning signs and build fitness safely through structured aerobic activity.

The event is now in its sixteenth year and rotates between locations in Wales’ three national parks.

Among those travelling to Pembrokeshire is seven-year-old Everett Vistoli and his family from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada.

Everett has glycogen storage disease type 9d, known as GSD9d, an extremely rare condition related to McArdle’s disease. Both conditions affect the way muscles access energy stored as glycogen.

Everett’s mother, Kendra, said the family first realised something was wrong when he was an infant.

She said: “He had difficulty learning to walk, a delayed and waddling gait, frequent falls and sometimes used his hands to climb up his legs to stand.

“We took him to a paediatrician because we were concerned about the possibility of muscular dystrophy.”

Everett was referred to a neuromuscular specialist and underwent electromyography, genetic testing and a muscle biopsy.

The biopsy showed an accumulation of glycogen and Everett was diagnosed with GSD9d shortly before his fourth birthday.

Kendra said the condition has a significant effect on everyday family life, with activities requiring additional time, planning and patience.

She said: “Everett also struggles with ADHD and tends to want to go, go, go, but then ends up in a boom-and-bust cycle of crashing, being in pain and struggling with physical activity.

“We always have to be mindful of how his body is feeling and what he is capable of each day.

“We avoid activities where we might become stuck if he cannot continue, unless we have a plan to support him if he runs out of energy or is in too much pain.”

Andrew Wakelin, AGSD-UK’s McArdle’s coordinator, devised the walking courses after being diagnosed with the disease himself.

He said Everett would be the first person with GSD9d to attend the course.

“We think there may be only about 50 people worldwide diagnosed with GSD9d, so this is a very special occasion,” he said.

“We host a course for young people and another for adults, each with its own programme of learning and walks.

“Teaching young people to recognise their body’s warning signs and exercise at their own pace is vital in preventing muscle damage and maintaining an active lifestyle.

“We aim to share techniques that make the day-to-day management of McArdle’s easier.

“The walks allow people to put that learning into practice, build confidence and improve their aerobic capacity. The aim is to make walking safe and enjoyable in a friendly and understanding group.”

People with McArdle’s disease can experience severe fatigue, pain and cramping during the first few minutes of exercise because their muscles cannot properly break down stored glycogen.

Continuing through severe pain can cause muscle breakdown and, in serious cases, kidney damage.

However, many people with the condition experience a phenomenon known as the “second wind”. By slowing down or resting when symptoms begin, they may be able to continue more comfortably once the body starts using glucose and fats from the bloodstream for energy.

There is currently no cure, but symptoms can often be managed through education, appropriate nutrition and regular, carefully graded aerobic exercise.

Kendra said the opportunity for Everett to meet others with similar experiences would be invaluable.

She said: “Connecting with and learning from people who have the wisdom and experience to share what helps them most is truly a gift.

“Everett loves the outdoors and hiking. I think he is excited about the challenge of hiking a mountain.

“I am not sure how much understanding he has about his condition and how to manage it, so I am very much looking forward to him learning from people with lived experience who truly understand.”

Val Buxton, chief executive of AGSD-UK, said living with a rare and poorly understood condition could be extremely challenging.

She said: “Events such as the McArdle’s walking courses are a valuable opportunity for those affected to meet people who can relate to their experiences.

“Members of our community have described the connections they have made and the insights gained at these events as life-changing.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who supports AGSD-UK’s vital work.”

Cover image: Everett Vistoli with his family, who will join participants travelling to Pembrokeshire from around the world.