AN INTERNATIONAL art exhibition showcasing works from across the globe has opened at the Waterfront Gallery in Milford Haven.

The Wales Contemporary / Cymru Gyfoes exhibition, which began on Thursday (Mar 21), features two- and three-dimensional pieces from artists around the world and across Wales. Now in its fifth year, the exhibition is sponsored by the Port of Milford Haven and offers a total prize fund of £15,000.

Founded by the Waterfront Gallery in 2019, the Wales Contemporary has grown into a major cultural event. The exhibition first opened last month at the Garrison Chapel at Chelsea Barracks in London, where initial prize winners were announced. It has now transferred to Milford Haven, where visitors will have the chance to vote for the Welsh Public Choice Prize. The winning artist will receive £1,000, with the result announced at a closing event on Sunday, May 17.

This year’s competition attracted over 1,600 entries from more than 800 artists, covering painting, sculpture, drawing, print, ceramics, textiles and glass. Judging was carried out by a panel including painter Ian ‘H’ Watkins, artist Kelvin Okafor and printmaker Katherine Jones RA. Prizes were awarded for two-dimensional and three-dimensional works, as well as specific awards for Welsh and Pembrokeshire artists. Dana Finch won the Graham Sutherland Prize for her oil painting ‘Swoop’.

Lucy Wonnacott, Head of Communications and Marketing at the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are delighted to sponsor the Wales Contemporary exhibition for the fifth year and celebrate our longstanding support of the Waterfront Gallery, to bring world-class artwork to Milford Haven.

“This year’s exhibition is stunning, and we hope the entries continue to inspire local artists – or aspiring artists – to immerse themselves in the culture and creativity on display.

“Congratulations to all the extremely worthy winners so far. We encourage everyone in Pembrokeshire and southwest Wales to come to Milford Waterfront to see these pieces, and make the most of an amazing opportunity to experience world-class art.”

The exhibition is open at the Waterfront Gallery until Sunday, May 17, with free entry. Opening hours are 10:30am to 4:00pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

More information is available at: www.milfordwaterfront.co.uk

AN INQUEST has opened into the death of 15-year-old Kady Hannah Absalom, who was found at a property in Burton on Saturday, March 15.

HM Coroner for Pembrokeshire, Paul Bennett, heard that emergency services were called to the property at 4:27pm. Paramedics were already at the scene, where the teenager was reported to be in cardiac arrest. She was pronounced dead shortly after.

Coroner’s officer PC Carrie Sheridan confirmed that the girl who sadly died was Kady Hannah Absalom, a school pupil born in Haverfordwest.

A post-mortem examination was carried out by Dr Stephen Leadbeatter at West Wales General Hospital in Carmarthen.

Dyfed-Powys Police have launched a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death, with enquiries ongoing.

The death has deeply affected the local community, with Haverfordwest High School issuing a letter to parents expressing their sorrow. Headteacher Mrs J Harries described the loss as a “great shock” and extended her condolences to Kady’s family and friends.

The school has offered pastoral support to pupils affected by the tragedy and urged the community to be mindful of the impact of sharing unverified information on social media.

Mr Bennett expressed his sympathies to Kady’s family, saying: “I would like to say how sorry I am for the family that they have to endure not only the loss of their daughter but also the inquest process itself.”

The inquest has been adjourned until June for a review hearing.

THE MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY’S latest report has revealed a troubling rise in litter on Welsh beaches, with drinks-related waste present on 99% of those surveyed.

The charity’s annual State of Our Beaches 2024 report highlights that glass bottles were found on almost half (49%) of the surveyed beaches in Wales. The findings have prompted calls for the Welsh Government to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) that includes glass, aligning with the rest of the UK.

Growing problem of beach pollution

In 2024, volunteers conducted 119 surveys across Wales, marking an 8% increase from the previous year. A total of 1,073 volunteers participated in the Marine Conservation Society’s beach clean programme, recording all litter found along 100-metre sections of coastline. The data, collected over 30 years, helps the charity identify pollution trends and advocate for cleaner seas.

On average, 120 litter items were recorded per 100-metre stretch—an increase of 4% from 2023—suggesting the problem of beach pollution is far from solved.

Call for urgent action on deposit scheme

The report found an average of 10 drinks-related litter items—including cans, plastic bottles, and glass bottles—per 100-metre section. With drinks-related waste appearing on nearly every surveyed beach, the Marine Conservation Society is urging the Welsh Government to implement a DRS that includes glass.

Elise Lavender, Parliamentary Affairs Officer for Wales at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “We support the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme in Wales that includes glass and allows reuse. We are calling on the Welsh Government to implement this as close as possible to the UK-wide scheme launch in October 2027. Bringing this forward will help ensure a smoother transition, improve recycling efforts, and contribute to a more sustainable future for Wales.”

Glass bottles pose a growing threat

A total of 175 glass bottles were collected by volunteers, with glass litter recorded on almost half of the beach cleans. The Marine Conservation Society’s data indicates that glass waste on beaches is increasing, with 2024 ranking as the ninth highest year for glass litter since records began 31 years ago. Broken glass poses a serious threat to both marine life and beachgoers, with sharp edges causing potential injuries.

With the presence of drinks-related litter so widespread, the Marine Conservation Society says its data highlights the urgent need for a DRS in Wales to reduce waste and encourage a culture of reuse and recycling.

Success of deposit schemes in other countries

Under the proposed DRS, consumers would pay a small deposit when purchasing drinks, which they would receive back upon returning the empty container to a collection point. Similar schemes have seen success in countries such as Finland, Lithuania, and Sweden. Ireland’s recent introduction of a DRS has led to an 80% reduction in drinks-related litter per kilometre of beach, demonstrating the potential impact of such a system in Wales.

While England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are set to roll out a UK-wide DRS in October 2027, Wales has chosen to develop its own version, which will include glass containers.

Lottery funding supports clean-up efforts

For the past decade, players of the People’s Postcode Lottery have helped fund the Marine Conservation Society’s beach cleaning initiatives.

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at the People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Beach cleans are about more than just removing litter. The information collected by Marine Conservation Society volunteers contributes to valuable datasets identifying pollution sources and trends over time so we can all take action to reduce marine pollution and protect our seas.

“I’m delighted funding raised by players of Postcode Lottery is supporting beach cleans, where every piece of litter collected and recorded brings us a step closer to healthier oceans.”

How to get involved

Those interested in joining a beach clean or organising their own event can find more details on the Marine Conservation Society’s website.