Father and son Gareth and Daniel Willington honoured by fishing and rugby communities

A DECADE has passed since the Harvester fishing tragedy claimed the lives of father and son Gareth and Daniel Willington.

The pair, remembered as skilled fishermen, much-loved family members and cherished friends, remain deeply missed across the Welsh fishing community.

Gareth, 59, and Daniel, 32, left Milford Haven Docks in the early hours of Thursday (Apr 28), 2016, aboard the fishing vessel Harvester.

They were fishing for crab and lobster when the vessel got into difficulty off the north Pembrokeshire coast, near St Davids Head and Abereiddy.

The alarm was raised at around 2:30pm after reports of a fishing boat in trouble. A major search operation was launched involving the Coastguard, RNLI lifeboats and emergency services.

Gareth was recovered from the sea later that day and taken to Withybush Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Daniel was never found, despite extensive searches by rescue teams and local fishing vessels.

A later Marine Accident Investigation Branch report concluded that the most likely scenario was that Daniel became caught in rope while working on deck, and that Gareth went to help him, resulting in both men going overboard.

Neither man was wearing a personal flotation device at the time. The tragedy later led to renewed calls for stronger safety measures for fishermen working at sea.

The Fishermen’s Mission marked the anniversary today, saying Gareth and Daniel’s loved ones remain in their thoughts as the charity honoured the legacy they left behind in Welsh fishing — pysgota Cymru.

Their memory is also kept alive each year through the Willington Slate Trophy, contested by Pembroke Rugby Club and St Davids Rugby Club over two league matches.

The annual tradition not only remembers Gareth and Daniel, but also raises vital funds for The Fishermen’s Mission and the RNLI.

Supporters are being encouraged to look out for upcoming fixtures later in the year and to join the rugby and fishing communities in commemorating the Willingtons and their lives at sea.

Photo caption: Remembered at sea: Gareth and Daniel Willington, whose loss is still felt ten years after the Harvester fishing tragedy (Pic: The Willington family).

FAMILY WATCHED FROM PUBLIC GALLERY AS CASE SENT TO CROWN COURT

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has appeared before magistrates charged with causing the death of Blood Bike Wales volunteer Tim Minett by dangerous driving.

Mr Minett was riding a Blood Bike Wales Honda motorcycle on the afternoon of July 2, 2025, when it was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Crafter van on the A478 between Glandycross and Blaenffos.

He had been transporting blood supplies for the NHS at the time.

This week the van’s driver, Roger King, 57, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court charged with causing Mr Minett’s death by dangerous driving.

King stood in the dock to confirm his name, age and address as members of Mr Minett’s family watched from the public gallery.

Magistrates were told that, due to the seriousness of the allegation, the case can only be dealt with at the Crown Court.

Proceedings will continue at Swansea Crown Court on May 29.

King was released on unconditional bail until that date.c

NEW YOUGOV POLL SHOWS 73% OF WELSH RESPONDENTS WANT CLOSER RELATIONS WITH EUROPE

THE WELSH LIBERAL DEMOCRATS have renewed their call for closer ties between the UK and the European Union after new YouGov polling suggested Wales has the strongest support in Britain for rebuilding relations with Europe.

The poll found that 73% of Welsh respondents want closer UK-EU relations, higher than in both England and Scotland.

It also showed that 69% of people in Wales support the UK rejoining the European Union, 59% back a return to the Single Market, and 60% support a new customs union.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats said the findings show growing public frustration with the current post-Brexit settlement and its economic impact on Wales.

The party said Brexit, driven by the Conservatives and Nigel Farage, had damaged Welsh trade, weakened economic growth, and created unnecessary barriers for businesses that rely on exporting.

It said key sectors, including manufacturing, agriculture and food production, had faced higher costs, more paperwork, and reduced access to European markets.

The party also argued that families had felt the impact through inflation and increased costs for goods and services.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are calling on Labour to begin rebuilding the UK’s relationship with Europe and have reaffirmed their support for a new UK-EU customs union as an immediate first step.

They said such a move would reduce trade barriers, lower costs for businesses, and help restore economic confidence across Wales.

Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: “This polling shows that people in Wales are clearly saying they want change. They can see the damage Brexit has done, higher costs, more red tape, and fewer opportunities for growth.

“The Conservatives and Nigel Farage created this mess and still refuse to take responsibility for it. Reform wants to double down on it whilst making us dependent on an erratic America controlled by Trump.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats are leading the argument for that change, starting with a customs union so we can rebuild trade, support Welsh businesses, and repair the damage that’s already been done.

“Wales should not be stuck paying the price for a failed Brexit experiment. It’s time to move forward.”