News

Pembrokeshire coroner praised after inquest into EgyptAir crash concludes

Published

1 year ago

May 2, 2025

Wife of Welsh victim thanks Mark Layton for helping bring closure after years of delay

A PEMBROKESHIRE-based senior coroner has been praised by the family of a Welsh man who died in the EgyptAir Flight MS804 disaster, following the conclusion of a long-awaited inquest into the tragedy which claimed 66 lives.

***Richard Osman, pictured here with his wife Aurélie Vandeputte had a young daughter***

Richard Osman, originally from Wales, was among the 56 passengers and 10 crew members onboard an Airbus A320 that vanished from radar in the early hours of 19 May 2016, while flying from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to Cairo International Airport.

The aircraft crashed into the Mediterranean Sea, around 290km north of Alexandria, Egypt. There were no survivors.

Initial reports suggested the aircraft may have been brought down by a terrorist attack. However, after years of international investigations, those claims have been strongly disputed.

The inquest into Mr Osman’s death, held in Wales and led by Senior Coroner for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire, Mr Mark Layton, concluded that Richard died following a fire onboard, likely sparked by an ignition source in or around the First Officer’s oxygen supply system.

Aviation expert Ken Fairbank, who gave evidence to the inquest, stated the fire likely began in the cockpit and spread rapidly, overwhelming the flight crew and leading to a catastrophic loss of control. The fire was described as so intense that it left the crew unable to respond or maintain control of the aircraft.

Mr Layton concluded that Mr Osman died as a result of an accident, caused by the onboard fire, and commended the thoroughness of the expert evidence.

Mr Osman’s wife, Aurélie Vandeputte, expressed heartfelt thanks to the coroner, saying:
“I am immensely grateful to Senior Coroner Mr Mark Layton, who throughout those many years has remained committed to our journey for truth and helping me, our daughters and Richard’s wider family and friends find closure through the inquest process.”

She also thanked the Welsh authorities for their continued support throughout what she described as “years of chaos,” marked by a lack of communication, delays, and the mishandling of victims’ remains.

Despite international aviation protocols requiring the publication of a final report within 12 months of an accident—or interim reports each year—Egyptian authorities failed to meet these obligations. The final report was only published more than eight years after the crash, and only after significant international pressure.

The French Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA) and Mr Fairbank both dismissed Egyptian claims that the aircraft had been brought down by an explosive device, stating instead that no evidence of an explosion was found and that the fire was the most likely cause.

Mr Layton is now expected to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report, raising concerns over the delays and failures in the international investigation process.

Peter Neenan, a lawyer representing Mr Osman’s family, described the eight-year delay in publishing a final report as “unforgivable,” and said it had caused additional and unnecessary suffering to all the families involved.

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

13 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.

Finance

Families urged to claim childcare top-up ahead of summer holidays

Published

53 minutes ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A RECORD number of families are using Tax-Free Childcare to cut the cost of childcare, HM Revenue and Customs has said.

The government paid almost £600m in top-up payments through the scheme in 2025-26, with 868,095 families now benefiting.

Tax-Free Childcare allows working parents to receive government support towards approved childcare for children aged 11 and under, or up to 16 if the child is disabled.

For every £8 paid into an online childcare account, the government adds £2. Parents can receive up to £500 every three months for each child, or £1,000 if the child is disabled.

This means families can save up to £2,000 a year per child, or £4,000 for a disabled child.

HMRC is encouraging parents to check whether they are eligible before the summer holidays, when childcare costs often rise.

HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, Myrtle Lloyd said: “I’m so pleased these figures show more families than ever are using Tax-Free Childcare to save on their bills.

“£2,000 is not a small amount and it can make a real difference – especially with the childcare void of the summer holidays approaching.

“If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t miss out, go to GOV.UK to do it today.”

The scheme can be used to pay for approved childcare including childminders, before and after-school clubs, and holiday activity clubs. It can also help cover specialist equipment needed by a childcare provider for a disabled child.

Families may be eligible if they have a child aged 11 or under, or a disabled child aged up to 16, and if both parents — or a single parent — earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage.

Each parent must earn no more than £100,000 a year, and families cannot receive Tax-Free Childcare if they are also receiving Universal Credit or childcare vouchers.

Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside free childcare hours, provided the family meets the eligibility rules.

Parents can check eligibility and apply through GOV.UK.

Community

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

1 hour ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.