Two of Wales’ leading instrumentalists launch new musical career with award-winning band ‘Dewin’

Published

10 months ago

March 5, 2025

How often are children told that learning an instrument is something that will give them untold pleasure for the rest of their lives? Loads.

But how many children actually believe this?

Two local musicians who have spent their childhood years studying, performing and excelling at their musical platforms are now gaining recognition in the cut-throat world of pop.

Jencyn Corp and Lefi Dafydd both accomplished their grade 8s at very young ages and have both performed on the classical stage winning awards and gaining recognition as two of Wales’ most outstanding young performers.

But earlier this year their band, ‘Dewin’ (Wizard), scooped the best band award in Gwyl Fel ‘na Mai’s prestigious ‘Gwobr Goffa Richard a Wyn’. The award is in memory of iconic Welsh musicians Richard and Wyn Jones who formed the influential band ‘ Ail Symudiad’ before launching the Fflach recording studios which are based in Cardigan. As a result of the award, ‘Dewin’ is now proving a firm choice at some of this year’s main Welsh music festivals including the two-day Tafwyl festival in Bute Park, Cardiff, (June 14), and Gwyl Fel na Mai which takes place in Crymych on May 3.

“Having the chance to play at events such as these as well as having the opportunity to start experimenting with a totally different way of performing to what I’ve been used to is a real gift,” said Lefi during a break from his studies as a first year student at Cambridge University, where he’s studying Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic .

“I started playing the piano when I was around six, and then began learning the clarinet shortly afterwards, but I always played in a very correct and classical way.

“Obviously since moving to Cambridge, it’s been difficult for me to continue playing, so having the opportunity to perform with ‘Dewin’ is fantastic. In many ways, ‘Dewin’ has taken over how I’m now performing as a musician.”

Similarly, Jencyn began learning piano at the tender age of six. His love of music as a child led to him subsequently learning the flute, harp, piano accordion and, more recently, the pipe organ.

“My mother always used to play me baby Mozart CDs when I was a child, so maybe this was why I was so keen to learn an instrument,” he laughs in that charismatic Corp way.

“I joined the junior conservatoire when I was a bit older and this was when I started finding out about jazz and learning how to be a bit more adventurous with improvisation. So I suppose this was where the idea of being in a band came from, where I could create my own sounds and write my own material.”

But then A levels took over (both are former pupils of Ysgol y Preseli) followed by the interview and audition processes to continue their studies at university. Jencyn is currently taking a gap year after being accepted to read Music at Southampton University in September 2025.

Jencyn and Lefi had been performing together for several years with their slightly unconventional repertoire of traditional Welsh folk tunes, Jencyn on piano accordion and Lefi on clarinet. And it was during a recent performance at a children’s twmpath (folk dance), that the duo were heard by Fflach Cymunedol’s Nico Dafydd. As a result, the pair were invited into the studio to talk about ways in which their highly original style could be developed.

“And this was how ‘Dewin’ started,” continues Jencyn.

“Even though Lefi is an incredibly good pianist with his highly technical classical repertoire, and even though I’m pretty good at performing jazz, when you put the two of us together we’re actually more similar than you’d think. Lefi has a very creative brain and I’m always working on song ideas and the way in which different instruments, possibly instruments that you wouldn’t normally associate with a pop band, might work together.”

Last May, long before Dewin saw the light of day, Jencyn sat down one afternoon with his phone to do a spot of composition.

“This was very typical of me at the time,” he laughs. “But I started working harder with this one particular song. And when I played the idea to Nico Dafydd, this was the song that Fflach decided to release as our single.”

The song, entitled ‘Syched Cas’ (Nasty Thirst) is being released under the Fflach Cymunedol label this Friday, March 7.

“It’s definitely more interesting than your conventional pop song, and this is probably the result of Jencyn’s considerable understanding of jazz,” continues Lefi. “It’s got all these fantastic harmonies and chords with their ninths and sevenths, but it’s also got this incredibly catchy chorus.”

The opportunity to work and record with the Fflach team has helped Corp and Dafydd gain an invaluable insight into how recording engineers transform a musical idea into an intricately layered finished piece.

“It’s wonderful that we have a community studio such as Fflach on our doorstep, with the aim of nurturing Welsh talent and giving people an opportunity to use the studio and its recording facilities,” continued Jencyn. “It’s certainly given us the technical advantage of being able to use things like cubase and logic pro, and it’s really opened doors for us.

“In a studio you can sit down and listen and keep adding and adding. And we’ve set quite a high standard for ourselves. But we’ve also got to perform our songs to the public, and try to set the same standards that we did in the recording studio, and this can be quite difficult to achieve on stage.

“But music has always meant so very much to both me and Lefi, so being able to continue our journey, albeit it in a different direction, is fantastic. In many ways, this is why the name ‘Dewin’, or wizard, is so apt. It has that slightly nostalgic sense of playful magic that we had as children. And once again we’re now having the magic of music to explore and perform to a wider audience.

“But whatever lies ahead, Lewi and I are determined to give ‘Dewin’ absolutely everything we’ve got.”

Given the musical talents that both men have consistently displayed since their primary school days, Welsh music lovers have got an awful lot to look forward to, whenever ‘Dewin’ take to the stage.

Crime

Milford Haven man denies child sex charges as trial date set

Published

26 minutes ago

December 19, 2025

Rieve Nesbitt-Marr

A MAN originally from Milford Haven has pleaded not guilty to a series of sexual offences involving a child after recently moving to Cornwall.

James Kershaw, aged 45, formerly of Milford Haven and now living in Quethiock, Cornwall, appeared in court on Friday (Dec 19), where he denied all four sexual charges put to him.

The hearing was his first Crown Court appearance in the case, during which a trial date was fixed for October 5.

Kershaw was allowed to remain on bail under strict conditions, including that he must have no contact with any prosecution witnesses.

Kershaw appeared via video link from his solicitor’s office in Cornwall. The judge described this as “a very generous decision by the listings officer” and said it had “presumably been arranged due to the distance from you to the court”.

Allegations denied

The charges relate to alleged incidents said to have taken place in Liskeard, Cornwall, between October 26 and November 1, 2023.

Kershaw is accused of engaging in sexual communication with a child under the age of 16 and of causing a child aged 13 to watch sexual activity. He also faces two allegations of causing or inciting a girl aged 13 to engage in sexual activity of a non-penetrative nature on separate dates.

In addition, Kershaw is charged with two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order imposed by Derby Crown Court in May 2022. These allegations include the use of an undisclosed Facebook account and the deletion of messages, both of which are said to be prohibited under the terms of that order.

Kershaw denies all allegations.

The court ordered that Kershaw may remain on bail pending trial, subject to conditions including a strict ban on contacting any witnesses.

The complainant’s identity is protected by law under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

The case is due to return to court when the trial begins in October.

Community

Craig Flannery appointed as new Chief Fire Officer

Published

11 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID AND WEST WALES FIRE SERVICE LEADERSHIP CHANGE

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service has announced the appointment of Craig Flannery as its new Chief Fire Officer, with effect from Monday, December 15, 2025.

Mr Flannery has served with the Service for more than twenty years, progressing through a wide range of middle management and senior leadership roles across both operational and non-operational departments.

During his career, he has been closely involved in strengthening operational delivery, risk management and organisational development. His work has included leading innovation in learning and development, overseeing the Service’s On-Call Improvement Programme, and driving investment in key enabling functions such as workforce development and information and communication technology.

The appointment followed a rigorous, multi-stage recruitment process led by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. Candidates were assessed through structured interviews, strategic leadership exercises and scenario-based assessments designed to test operational judgement, organisational vision and the ability to lead a modern fire and rescue service.

External professional assessors were also engaged to provide independent scrutiny, ensuring the process met high standards of fairness, transparency and challenge.

Mr Flannery emerged as the strongest candidate, demonstrating clear strategic leadership capability, detailed organisational knowledge and a strong commitment to community safety and service improvement.

Councillor John Davies, Chair of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority, said: “Craig brings a deep understanding of our Service and a clear vision for its future. His appointment will strengthen our ability to innovate, support our workforce and deliver high-quality protection for the communities we serve.

“As we navigate a rapidly changing landscape, Craig’s experience in driving innovation and organisational development will be invaluable in helping us adapt and transform for the future.”

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Flannery said: “It is a privilege to lead this outstanding Service. I am committed to supporting our people, strengthening partnerships and building on the strong foundations already in place.

“As the challenges facing fire and rescue services continue to evolve, we must modernise and innovate, ensuring we have the skills, technology and capability needed to meet the needs of our communities. I look forward to working with colleagues and partners across Mid and West Wales to deliver a resilient, progressive Service that keeps people safe and places our staff at the heart of everything we do.”

Health

Resident doctors in Wales vote to accept new contract

Published

16 hours ago

December 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

RESIDENT doctors across Wales have voted to accept a new contract, with 83% of those who took part in a referendum backing the agreement, according to BMA Cymru Wales.

The contract includes a four per cent additional investment in the resident doctor workforce and introduces a range of reforms aimed at improving training conditions, wellbeing and long-term workforce sustainability within NHS Wales. The BMA says the deal also supports progress towards pay restoration, which remains a central issue for doctors.

Key changes include new safeguards to limit the most fatiguing working patterns, measures intended to address medical unemployment and career progression concerns, and reforms to study budgets and study leave to improve access to training opportunities.

Negotiations between the BMA’s Welsh Resident Doctors Committee, NHS Wales Employers and the Welsh Government concluded earlier this year. Following a consultation period, a referendum of resident doctors and final-year medical students in Wales was held, resulting in a clear majority in favour of the proposals.

Welsh Resident Doctors Committee chair Dr Oba Babs Osibodu said the agreement marked a significant step forward for doctors working in Wales.

He said: “We’re proud to have negotiated this contract, which offers our colleagues and the future generation of doctors safer terms of service, fairer pay, and better prospects so that they can grow and develop their careers in Wales.

“This contract will help to retain the doctors already in training, and also attract more doctors to work in Wales, where they can offer their expertise and benefit patients.”

Dr Osibodu added that the BMA remains committed to achieving full pay restoration and acknowledged that challenges remain for some doctors.

“Whilst this contract sets the foundations for a brighter future for resident doctors in Wales, we recognise that there are still doctors who are struggling to develop their careers and secure permanent work,” he said. “We need to work with the Welsh Government and NHS employers to address training bottlenecks and underemployment.”

The Welsh Government has previously said it recognises the pressures facing resident doctors and the importance of improving recruitment and retention across NHS Wales, while also highlighting the need to balance pay agreements with wider NHS funding pressures and patient demand.

The new contract is expected to be phased in from August 2026. It will initially apply to doctors in foundation programmes, those in specialty training with unbanded rotas, and new starters, before being rolled out to all resident doctors across Wales.