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

Published

1 year ago

January 21, 2025

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’.

Local Government

Milford Haven civic service marks start of mayoral year

Published

9 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Mayor’s charities named as civic leaders gather at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church

THE CIVIC SERVICE of the Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr Mark Woodward, took place at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (June 20).

The service marked Cllr Woodward’s election as Mayor and First Citizen of Milford Haven.

It was conducted by Rev Dr Adrian Furse and Canon John Cecil, with music from church organist Richard Stephens, Gelliswick Community Choir and Milford Haven Town Band.

Guides and Brownies, Milford Haven Sea Cadets and Royal Marines Cadets were also among those taking part, with councillors Colin Sharp and Yvonne Southwell acting as ushers.

Refreshments followed at Milford Haven Bowling Club.

Local MS Paul Davies was among those attending the service and wished the new mayor all the best for his term in office.

Cllr Woodward’s chosen charities for the year are Patch Charity and Greenacres Rescue.

Photo caption:

Civic guests attended the Mayor of Milford Haven’s service at St Katharine and St Peter’s Church on Saturday (Pic: Supplied)

Charity

Toy Story fans fill charity toy box at Haverfordwest cinema

Published

19 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Donations pour in for SNAP Specialist Play as families embrace Toy Story 5 launch

A TOY STORY-themed charity appeal at a Haverfordwest cinema has got off to a flying start, with families donating toys to support children with additional needs across Pembrokeshire.

The Palace Cinema has teamed up with local charity SNAP Specialist Play to collect new and pre-loved toys during screenings of the newly released Toy Story 5.

The appeal centres around an “Andy’s Toys” donation box, inspired by the beloved Pixar films, which has already been filled by generous filmgoers.

***Toy Story magic: The Palace Cinema foyer has been transformed with themed decorations to celebrate the film’s release***

Cinema manager Hannah Cramp said the response from the community had exceeded expectations.

Families attending opening screenings have arrived carrying bags of toys, with many children keen to share their own treasured items to help others.

The cinema has transformed its foyer into a colourful Toy Story-themed experience, complete with hand-painted decorations, character silhouettes, bunting and famous film slogans including “Reach for the Sky” and “To Infinity and Beyond”.

Many visitors have also embraced the spirit of the occasion by attending in costume as their favourite Toy Story characters.

***Specialist support: SNAP’s sensory facilities help children with additional needs learn and develop through play***

The toys are being donated to SNAP Specialist Play, a charity based within the Child Health Department at Withybush Hospital.

SNAP supports pre-school children with additional and complex needs through specialist play sessions designed to encourage communication, physical development and sensory learning.

Its facilities include sensory rooms, therapeutic play spaces and bespoke equipment used by speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Project manager Cindy Jenkins said the charity was delighted by the partnership and grateful for the generosity shown by local families.

She said every toy donated would be put to good use, either during specialist play sessions, at family events, or through seasonal initiatives such as Christmas gift boxes for children and their siblings.

The appeal will continue until mid-July, with organisers hopeful that even more donations will be received over the coming weeks.

Anyone attending Toy Story 5 at the Palace Cinema is invited to bring along a new or good-quality pre-loved toy to support the appeal.

Cover photo:

Fancy dress fun: Palace Cinema manager Hannah Cramp helping launch the Toy Story charity appeal.

Health

Medicine shortages now ‘most severe on record’, health leaders warn

Published

19 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PATIENTS are facing some of the worst medicine shortages ever seen in the UK, with pharmacists warning the situation now poses a serious risk to safety.

The National Pharmacy Association said shortages affecting commonly used medicines are becoming more frequent, lasting longer, and causing increasing disruption for patients, GP surgeries and pharmacies.

The warning comes as Serious Shortage Protocols for Creon, used by people with pancreatic cancer and cystic fibrosis to help digest food, have been in place since May 2024 and have now been extended until July 10, 2026.

HRT treatment Estradot has also been under a Serious Shortage Protocol since December 2024, with the current extension also running until July 10.

Patients travelling between pharmacies

A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 98 per cent of pharmacies had encountered patients who had visited several pharmacies in one day to find a prescription.

It also found that 96 per cent of pharmacies believed the current situation posed a serious risk to patient safety, while 89 per cent said they had been unable to dispense a medicine at least once a day because of supply problems.

Some pharmacy teams have also faced anger and abuse from patients unable to obtain medication.

Olivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “Medicine shortages are becoming more frequent, lasting longer and causing increasing disruption for patients.

“These shortages are some of most severe the UK has experienced.

“It is deeply distressing to find patients who have travelled from pharmacy to pharmacy to find the medicines they need without success.”

Calls for urgent taskforce

The NPA is calling on the government to convene an emergency taskforce involving manufacturers, wholesalers, clinicians and pharmacists.

It also wants changes to rules which currently stop pharmacists from making simple substitutions, such as changing a tablet to a capsule or a cream to an ointment, even where a safe alternative is available.

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said medicine shortages were frustrating for patients, GPs and pharmacists, and added pressure to already stretched services.

She said the College supported pharmacists being able to make limited changes to prescriptions where a medicine is unavailable and a safe alternative exists.

She added: “The most important thing is that patients are able to access the medication they need safely and without delay.”

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Pancreatic Cancer UK have also raised concerns about the impact of shortages of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy, including Creon, on people who rely on the medication to digest food, maintain weight and stay well enough for treatment.