News

Local fashion designer brings history to life with new, dynamic Welsh costumes

Published

11 months ago

February 4, 2025

There’s nothing quite as evocative for a child as opening a dressing-up box, choosing some clothes and letting the imagination run riot with the exciting adventures that the costumes will unravel.

This month Pembrokeshire fashion designer Carys Hedd is giving youngsters the opportunity to step back in time after she was asked to design a range of children’s costumes based on the people and historical artefacts that can be found in the Ceredigion Museum collection.

“It’s all about giving youngsters the opportunity not just to look at the items on display, but to become a real part of them by dressing up and becoming those very same people,” Carys told The Pembrokeshire Herald from her home in St Dogmaels.

“The children in Wales are given the chance to dress up in traditional Welsh costume on St Davids Day, but we felt it was important to go one step further and enable them to dress up in Welsh costumes throughout the year. so that they can start engaging with their history.”

Carys visited the museum and selected a number of historic characters which she then began transferring to the children’s costumes. These include the iconic flannel ‘betgwn’ (bedgown), which formed the mainstay of the traditional Welsh woman’s costume, and a beautiful milkmaid costume with intricate embroidery and lacework to reflect the importance of Wales’ agricultural industry.

The museum’s Punch and Judy display inspired Carys to create a Mr Punch outfit which she described as ‘a bit of seaside fun’, accompanied by a crocodile, complete with a string of sausages hanging from his mouth.

Meanwhile, the Twm Sion Cati outfit was pieced together from pieces of check tweed cut from men’s suits. Collaborating with Carys throughout the project was hat maker Mathew Craig and Britta Winker, who designed and constructed the crocodile’s head.

Each of the outfits have been designed and constructed using Carys’ unique upcycling technique, where she rejuvenates tired, old-fashioned items of clothing, transforming them into vibrant pieces, often with a dominantly contemporary theme.

Carys has been designing clothes since 2007, and a selection of her items are on sale at her shop ‘Melfed,’ which is situated in Cardigan town centre where she will be running some upcycling workshops throughout March.

Each of her latest Welsh children’s costumes can be viewed – and, most importantly tried on and enjoyed – at Ceredigion Museum in Aberystwyth town centre.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

8 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

8 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

8 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.