News
Two local musicians awarded four-figure bursaries from Menter Rhosygilwen

Two leading musicians are to receive funding totalling £8,000 thanks to a new music bursary launched by Menter Rhosygilwen.
Cardigan pianist Raph James and Pembrokeshire trumpeter Carys Wood are both to receive £4,000 of funding spread over the next two years, after receiving offers to continue their performance studies at two of the UK’s top music colleges.
Raph, who is taught by Pembrokeshire-based pianist Sarahjane Absalom, has been accepted by both the Guildhall School of Music, London and the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester, while Carys has been accepted by both the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music, London.
“This is the first year that we’ve launched the bursary, and its aim is for young people in Dyfed who have been accepted to study at a music academy,” explained Glen Peters, owner and director of Menter Rhosygilwen.
“This year the standard was so high that we were compelled to award it to two students rather than one, and as a result we’ve increased the bursary from £6,000 to £8,000.”
Raph, who recently gained his Associate of the Royal Schools of Music performance diploma with an exceptionally high score, is also the current Young Musician of Dyfed after wowing judges with his outstanding performance at Rhosygilwen in 2024. He is a Year 13 student at Cardigan Secondary School where he is currently preparing for A levels in maths, physics, and chemistry. He will commence his performance studies at the Guildhall School of Music in September.
Carys Wood is a sixth form student at Haverfordwest High School. In 2024 she reached the last 50 televised rounds of the BBC Young Musician and in September she will commence her undergraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Raph and Carys will officially receive their bursaries at a special awards ceremony at Rhosygilwen in April.
Crime
Former Reform candidate faces drink-driving trial

FORMER Reform UK parliamentary candidate Stewart Marchant has appeared before a district judge charged with driving over the legal alcohol limit.
Marchant, 44, is accused of driving a Dacia Duster on the A40 between Penblewin and Llanddewi Velfrey on February 1 with 76mcg of alcohol in his breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.
Appearing at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court this week, Marchant pleaded not guilty to the charge. He chose to represent himself in court.
His trial is scheduled to take place at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 20). He was released on unconditional bail.
Crime
Owner sentenced after Shetland ponies found in poor condition —one died

A WEST WALES man has been sentenced after two Shetland ponies—one dead and one alive—were found in a severely poor body condition.
Stephen Edward Griffiths (born 12 December 1962), of Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Feb 13) for sentencing after pleading guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.
The court heard that Griffiths caused unnecessary suffering to a male Shetland pony by failing to investigate and address its poor body condition. He was also convicted of failing to ensure the needs of two ponies—a female grey Shetland and a male skewbald Shetland—by not providing a suitable environment, adequate diet, or treatment for rain scald and lice infestation.
Griffiths was sentenced to a 16-week prison term for each offence, to run concurrently, suspended for two years. He was also disqualified from keeping equines for 10 years, given a one-year community order, ordered to complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, and told to pay £250 in costs. The court heard he was remorseful.

RSPCA investigation
RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben visited the location on June 18 last year following concerns raised about the welfare of two Shetland ponies.
“When I arrived, I observed a dead grey Shetland pony in thin condition with hair loss. A chain was attached to a collar around its neck but not secured to anything at the other end,” he said.
Nearby was a skewbald Shetland pony in an emaciated state. Its spine and ribs were clearly visible, and it had a skin condition. The pony had been sprayed with purple spray and was tethered by a chain to a tree.
A bucket of water was found near the pony, but the caller who alerted the RSPCA had placed it there.
Griffiths told Inspector Hogben that the grey Shetland pony had been dead for a few days but he had been unable to move the body due to a broken tractor. He also claimed he had only had the ponies for a few months and had rescued the skewbald pony from Cross Hands.
Veterinary findings
An equine vet attended and deemed the skewbald pony fit to travel. It was later signed over into RSPCA care.
In a witness statement, the vet described the skewbald Shetland stallion as being in very poor condition, tethered on a short chain of approximately eight feet.
“He had very limited access to forage due to the tether, and the available space was well grazed. He also had a severe lice infestation,” the vet said. The pony was given a Body Condition Score of 0.5 out of five.
The dead grey Shetland mare was also in extremely poor condition, with a Body Condition Score of 0.5 out of five.
“Her spine and spinous processes were protruding, her ribs were clearly visible despite her long coat, and her pelvis was skeletal. She had been dead for several days,” the vet reported.
Rescue and recovery
The male Shetland pony, later named Groovy Bob, has since recovered following veterinary treatment and has been rehomed by the RSPCA.
Crime
Pembrokeshire learning support assistant to be sentenced for child neglect

A PEMBROKESHIRE Learning Support Assistant has appeared before magistrates charged with ill-treating and causing unnecessary suffering to her two children.
This week, Haverfordwest magistrates were shown shocking photographs of the appalling living conditions the children endured between November 2019 and June 2024.
Their bedding was infested with maggots and flies, while a potty containing faeces was left in one of the bedrooms. Faeces were also smeared across the walls and floors.
“It’s difficult to say what effect this will have on those children,” said Crown Prosecutor Nia James.
The children’s beds had no appropriate bedding, only dirty rags. Magistrates heard that concerns were initially raised by one of the children’s teachers after noticing a maggot on the carpet near where the child had been sitting.
“The child said there were flies in his bedroom because of the rubbish,” said Nia James. “He also said he was unable to sleep because of the maggots in his bed.”
Following the school’s concerns, a welfare check was carried out at the family home in Milford Haven.
“Significant issues were noted,” continued James. “There was a stale odour, numerous flies, and a foul smell coming from the fridge. There was a limited amount of food in the cupboards, and the dining room was inaccessible due to clutter, as was one of the bedrooms.
“Faeces were smeared across the walls and floors, and there was no bedding on the beds, just dirty rags. Takeaway boxes and large quantities of rubbish were strewn over the floor, and in one bedroom, a toilet-type potty still contained excrement.
“These were the conditions the children had been living in for years, not just a couple of months.
“This was severe, long-term neglect, with flies and maggot infestations and the smell of urine on the children.”
James told magistrates that the defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is employed as an LSA.
“As an education worker, she should have been aware of the circumstances, given her day-to-day job,” added James.
After hearing the prosecution’s evidence, magistrates declined jurisdiction after the 39-year-old woman pleaded guilty to both charges. As a result, she will now be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court on March 11.
She was released on conditional bail, with restrictions preventing her from having unsupervised contact with her children unless approved by social services or police. She must also continue to reside at her home address.
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