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Pembrokeshire’s heavenly host of angels gains spiritual promotion for Christmas 2025

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The heavenly host of St Katherines angels – all 4,000 of them – have been granted spiritual promotion of the highest order after being told they’re to be exhibited at St Davids Cathedral throughout Christmas 2025.

Their arrival in St Katherine and St Peter’s Church, Milford Haven, last December, resulted in well over a thousand people crossing the west door threshold to engage in their angelic presence in a multitude of different ways.

“When people walk through the door for the very first time and see the angels, many are overawed by their power but also their beauty,” said the Reverend Nicola Davies, curate of Steynton, Hakin and Herbrandston and orchestrator of the angel display.

“Perhaps the most poignant part has been some of the wonderful story-sharing that the angels have prompted, such as the memories of altar boys, choristers and congregation members who perhaps haven’t been inside the church for many years.

“But the display has also attracted lots of younger people.  One evening, four teenage boys turned up to see the angels, and asked if they could look around the church.  They took selfies of themselves up at the altar after asking what it was used for, and they spent a long time in the memorial chapel, again asking questions about what it was all about.  So those four boys received a very personal introduction to the church here at St Katherine.

“Another lady told me that spending time in the church amongst the angels was one of the most restorative times she’d had in a long time, after losing her child.

“Knowing how deeply the seed has been planted as a result of the angels is wonderful, no matter how small that seed may be.”

Rev Nicola had strong convictions that the St Katherine’s angels would engage with a wide cross section of society throughout the Christmas period.

“Christmas is one of the few times of the year when people want to step over the threshold of the church and enjoy the Christmas celebration, but it isn’t always easy for people to do that. I thought the angels would help people to engage with the church and what it stands for.”

Each of the angels was handmade and individually decorated by everyone who took part.

The workshops began at the beginning of November while angel packs were sent out to many local schools.  Once completed, each angel was carefully mounted on display strings which run through the nave as well as along both of the church’s side aisles. And the finished display proved a huge hit with locals and visitors alike, with up to 60 people visiting the church on a daily basis.

“We decided on angels because they play such a big part in the Christmas story,” continued Rev Nicola. 

“An angel visited Mary, an angel visited Joseph and then we have the whole host of angels visiting the shepherds.  So we decided to bring another host here to Milford Haven to help bring the Christmas story alive.

“And what they’ve brought to so many is wonderful.  Obviously the younger children were desperate to find their own creations and spent ages hunting their way through the thousands of angels to try and find the one that they made.  But others became very tearful, and emotional for a whole range of different reasons. And the news that they’ll be heading off to St Davids Cathedral for Christmas 2025 is the icing on the cake.”

Meanwhile St Katherine and St Peter’s Church is planning some similar community-led projects throughout 2025.

“The display has made us realise how important it is to include the community in church events and activities,” said Nicola.  “So we’re currently thinking about what else we can do in the coming year, and we’re open to suggestions from the public.”

A Spring project is scheduled to take place when children and adults will make handmade baskets and flowers for Mothering Sunday which is on March 30.  Further details of this project will be released nearer to the date.

But sadly Nicola, who is a native of Rosemarket,  won’t be around to enjoy the forthcoming projects because in February she will be taking up her new post as assistant curate of Llandybie, near Ammanford.

“It’s going to be sad leaving my home county, but we’ll have to see what the future holds,” she said.  “Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to come back to Pembrokeshire as a priest and carry on working with the wonderful congregations and communities that we have around us.”

The angel display can still be viewed at St Katherine and St Peter’s church on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, between 4pm and 7pm.

There is no charge to see the angel display, however donations can be made to the Wales Air Ambulance, which Nicola described as ‘the angels of the sky’.

Crime

Haverfordwest retailer accused of Bounce Back Loan fraud

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A HAVERFORDWEST businessman has been accused of committing fraud by making false representations to multiple banks in applications for Government-backed Bounce Back Loans.

Zahid Afzal, 36, of Albert Street, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (Feb 6), where he pleaded not guilty to three charges of fraud by false representation.

The court heard that Afzal, listed on Companies House as a director of Phone Bits Ltd and Phones Onn Ltd, allegedly made false statements to secure loans intended to support businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Phone Bits phone accessory and repair shop in Haverfordwest

Prosecutors claim that on May 12, 2020, he falsely stated to Barclays Bank that the application for a Bounce Back Loan was Phone Bits Ltd’s only application. It is further alleged that he made similar false claims to Starling Bank on July 23, 2020, and to Metro Bank on November 22, 2020, in relation to Phones Onn Ltd.

The alleged misrepresentations included inflating the company’s turnover to £200,000 and falsely claiming the loans would be used solely for business purposes.

Afzal’s case has been sent to Swansea Crown Court for trial, with a hearing scheduled for March 10. He was granted unconditional bail.

An interpreter will be required for the proceedings, as Afzal requires assistance in Urdu.

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Charity

Young fundraiser’s incredible efforts for RNLI

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THE CREW of Tenby RNLI have expressed their heartfelt gratitude to 5-year-old Archie Garland for his outstanding fundraising efforts in support of the station.

Archie took part in the Advent Challenge with the Tenby Aces over Christmas, running a minimum of one mile every day throughout Advent. His dedication saw him cover an impressive 47.3 miles, raising a remarkable £552.25 thanks to generous donations from the local community.

Archie is pictured with (L-R): Deputy Coxswain Gary Waring, his dad and Deputy Coxswain Rob Garland, Deputy Coxswain Dan Young, station full-time mechanic Will Horton, and his mum, Tenby Aces member Claire Thomas.

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Crime

Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn launches ambitious four-year policing plan

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Public trust at the heart of new strategy

DYFED-POWYS Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has unveiled his four-year Police and Crime Plan for 2025-2029, outlining his vision to strengthen public trust and confidence in policing.

Plan to strengthen public’s trust in local police service: Dafydd Llywelyn

The plan, shaped by extensive public consultation, sets out priorities for policing, crime prevention, and the criminal justice system across Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, and Powys. It follows feedback from surveys and focus groups, where residents highlighted their key concerns.

The three core priorities of the plan are:

  • Supporting victims and preventing victimisation
  • Preventing harm to ensure safer communities
  • Enhancing the effectiveness of the justice system

Llywelyn formally launched the plan on Tuesday (Feb 13) at an event attended by key partners and commissioned services. The event focused on collaboration, with discussions on how joint efforts can strengthen crime prevention, victim support, and justice delivery.

Victims at the centre

Commissioner Llywelyn emphasised the importance of ensuring victims receive the right support.

“This plan is built on the views of our communities, focusing on what truly matters to the people of Mid and West Wales,” he said. “Victims must be at the heart of our policing and justice system. It is essential that those affected by crime have access to timely, effective support to help them recover and seek justice. Strengthening services that prevent victimisation is just as important as responding to crime itself.”

Tackling root causes of crime

The plan also prioritises crime prevention by addressing underlying issues.

“By tackling antisocial behaviour and vulnerability, we can reduce harm and build a more resilient society,” Llywelyn said. “A proactive, problem-solving approach will ensure resources are used effectively to protect our communities.”

A joined-up approach to justice

Llywelyn stressed the need for stronger collaboration across the justice system.

“A fair and efficient justice system relies on agencies working together. I will continue to work closely with partners to ensure that policing, the courts, and support services deliver justice fairly and effectively for victims and communities alike.”

The Police and Crime Plan sets out a clear vision for Dyfed-Powys policing over the next four years, focusing on improving public safety, supporting victims, and delivering an efficient justice system.

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