Pembrokeshire church pulls all the stops out for its 105-year-old organ

Published

11 months ago

April 7, 2025

For almost a thousand years they’ve serenaded couples down the aisle who’ve just been pronounced man and wife, they’ve paid homage to the faithful departed at funerals and they’ve enabled us to sing our favourite hymns at Easter, Christmas and all those special occasions in between.

The pipe organ has been the centrepiece of church and chapel worship for time immemorial. But now the future of organ music sounds distinctly off-key as the number of organists continues to decline, year on year. As a result, many churches and chapels sadly remain silent.

But one Pembrokeshire church is currently pulling out all the stops in an attempt to encourage new organists to come forward and play.

Between May 2 and May 4, St Brynach’s Church in Nevern, will be hosting a Festival of Music where some world-renowned organists will be performing, and where visitors will be given the chance to play the organ for themselves. The festival marks the 105th anniversary of when the St Brynach organ was built.

The first event takes place on Friday, May 2, when internationally known tenor and organist Martin Erhard will play and sing works by Bach, Mozart, Schumann and Mendelssohn. The concert will be followed by a cheese and wine reception.

The music continues on Saturday May 3, with a concert led by Iestyn Evans. Iestyn, who is a native of Eglwyswrw, is Director of Music at St James’s, Spanish Place, London and St Botolph without Bishopsgate, in the city. In addition he is school organist at the Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, which one of the UK’s leading state schools. Iestyn will be joined by cellist Daniel Davies, who runs Nantwen Music near Nevern, and the Côr Bro Nest ladies choir conducted by Margaret Daniels. The concert will feature the debut performance of ‘The Coming of Nevern Light’ which is a work specially written for the festival by composer Tom Smail.

During the day, visitors will be able to hear a talk and demonstration of church bell ringing at 11am.

At 2 pm the church is inviting anyone to come along and try playing the organ with local organist and music teacher Alison Beak. Younger people are especially welcome.

“We’re particularly delighted that Alison Beak will be on hand to encourage people to have a go at playing the organ,” said the vicar of St Brynach’s, Rev Emma Kendall. “There will be a warm welcome for all, and if you already play piano or keyboards, then bring some music along to hear how it sounds on the organ.”

There will also be an exhibition about the organ arranged by Angie Calvert-Jones, who lives locally and is a descendant of William Sweetland, who founded the firm that built the organ.

The Festival will be rounded off with a service of celebration on Sunday, May 4 at 11 am on Sunday 4th May led by the bishop of St Davies, the Rt Rev Dorrien Davies, with singing by Vox Angelica which is a small choir based at St David’s Cathedral.

Crime

Man who threw corrosive liquid at guest and fled abroad jailed

Published

6 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Court Reporter

A BUSINESSMAN who threw a corrosive liquid into a guest’s face during a row at a spiritual retreat before fleeing the country has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Mayze, aged 38, from Abercrave in Powys, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack at his Hafan-y-Coed retreat in December 2022.

Swansea Crown Court heard the assault happened after an argument with guest Keifer Price, who had complained about the condition of his accommodation, including a lack of heating and washing facilities.

During the confrontation, Mayze produced a blue container and threw its contents upwards into the victim’s face.

The liquid — described as smelling like ammonia — entered Mr Price’s eyes, nose and mouth, leaving him in severe pain and struggling to breathe.

Medical evidence confirmed injuries consistent with a chemical burn to both eyes. He suffered abrasions, a corneal defect and the loss of the outer corneal layer in one eye, requiring significant treatment to prevent permanent sight loss. He has since recovered without lasting injury.

Fled across Europe

Following the attack, Mayze fled the UK, triggering an international search.

The court heard he travelled across several European countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Croatia and Greece, before eventually being arrested in Romania in 2025.

Despite being on the run, he remained in regular contact with police by text and email, at one point telling officers he would not be returning to Wales.

His partner initially claimed responsibility for the assault and later received a suspended prison sentence after admitting perverting the course of justice.

Previous conviction

The court was told Mayze has a previous conviction for wounding involving a corrosive substance in Kent in 2013.

Defence barrister Andrew Taylor said his client had experienced harsh conditions while detained in Romania, including contracting scabies without treatment, and described him as remorseful.

However, Judge Geraint Walters said it was “pure luck” the victim had not suffered permanent injuries, describing the attack as a “particularly wicked way of inflicting violence”.

Sentence and order

Mayze, who appeared via video link from prison, had previously denied a more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

He was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and made subject to a three-year restraining order.

Crime

Police appeal after man injured in St Davids incident

Published

12 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an incident in St Davids which left one man injured.

The incident happened in Nun Street at around 11:10am on Tuesday, December 30. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment.

Officers confirmed that a man has been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident.

Police are now asking anyone with information, dash cam footage, or CCTV that could assist the investigation to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police online at:
https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/contact/af/contact-us-beta/contact-us/

Alternatively, email [email protected], send a direct message via social media, or call 101 quoting reference DP20251230094.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.

Crime

Sexual assault allegation to be tried

Published

13 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Tamsin Mathias

Accused granted conditional bail

A SEXUAL assault allegation has been listed for trial following a hearing before magistrates.

David Fletcher, 45, of Chestnut Way, Mount Estate, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, appeared before magistrates in Llanelli on Thursday (Feb 12) charged with sexual assault, contrary to section 3 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

The charge alleges that on March 16, 2025, at Johnston, Pembrokeshire, he intentionally touched a woman aged 16 or over and that the touching was sexual when she did not consent and he did not reasonably believe that she was consenting.

The matter was adjourned for trial and Fletcher was remanded on conditional bail.

The trial is listed for March 9, 2026 at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court. Bail conditions prohibit him from entering a specified premises in Johnston, from contacting directly or indirectly the complainant or any prosecution witnesses, and from posting any information relating to the investigation on social media. The conditions were imposed to prevent further offending and to prevent interference with witnesses or obstruction of justice.