A SPECIAL afternoon celebrating Wales’ rich tradition of hymn singing and sacred music will take place at Canolfan Bethlehem on Sunday (Feb 15) at 3:00pm.

Organisers say the event, titled Caniadaeth y Cysegr, will honour a musical heritage that has shaped Welsh life for generations. Hymn singing has long echoed beyond chapels and churches, heard on rugby terraces, at community gatherings and in village halls – a living tradition woven into the fabric of Welsh identity.

Central to that tradition is the Cymanfa Ganu, the much-loved hymn festival which has played a vital role across Wales, particularly in north Pembrokeshire. While attendance has declined in recent decades, supporters say the spirit of congregational singing remains strong and deserves renewed celebration.

The afternoon will feature a talk by broadcaster and academic Ceri Wyn Richards, who will explore the poets, composers and musicians from Pembrokeshire whose work has made a lasting contribution to Welsh hymnody and sacred song.

During her distinguished career in television and radio, Richards produced Caniadaeth y Cysegr, the BBC’s longest-running religious programme, first aired in 1942 and widely regarded as the forerunner to Songs of Praise. Before retiring, she undertook an ambitious nationwide project to record every hymn in the Welsh hymn book with chapels, choirs and musicians throughout the country.

The event will also explore the strong links between hymn writing and places such as St Davids and Blaenwern, while reflecting on the legacy of influential figures including W. Rhys Nicholas, Waldo Williams and Eirwyn George. Organisers will also highlight the surprising connections between traditional hymn tunes and modern popular music.

A simultaneous translation service will be available, and the event is open to all.

Organisers added: “Everyone is welcome to join us for an afternoon of song, history and community as we celebrate one of Wales’ most treasured cultural traditions.”

Coastal groups, artists and charities unite at Sybil House to celebrate Pembrokeshire’s marine life and community spirit

MILFORD HAVEN is set for a splash of colour, music and marine discovery next month as the Festival of the Sea returns with a full day of free activities for families.

Organised by Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, the event will take place at Sybil House on Sunday, March 1, from 10:00am to 4:00pm, bringing together conservation groups, artists, performers and community organisations to celebrate the county’s coastline and the people whose lives are tied to it.

The Herald understands the festival proved popular last year and has been expanded for 2026, with organisers moving into the larger indoor venue to allow more stalls, workshops and performances.

Visitors can expect a packed programme of hands-on activities and entertainment aimed at all ages. Highlights include a marine wildlife touch tank hosted by the Field Studies Council, children’s art and clay workshops at the Waterfront Gallery, live music and sea shanties, and walkabout pirate performers bringing a bit of theatre to the waterfront.

Throughout the day, local choirs and musicians will perform, creating what organisers hope will feel like a relaxed, community celebration rather than a formal exhibition.

Sue Burton, Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation Officer, said: “The Festival of the Sea was really popular last year, and I’m really pleased it’s coming back in the bigger venue of Sybil House.

“The marine environment of Pembrokeshire is internationally important for wildlife as well as for employment and energy. The festival is a fun way to celebrate all the great work being done for our seas, and it’s a great opportunity to engage young people through art workshops, face painting and street theatre.”

A wide range of organisations will host information stands and activities, including the RNLI, Sea Trust, Project Seagrass, The Crown Estate, Car-y-Môr, Marine Conservation Society, Marine Energy Wales and the Port of Milford Haven.

Together, they will showcase projects ranging from marine wildlife protection and habitat restoration to renewable energy and sustainable seafood, highlighting the economic and environmental importance of the Haven and surrounding coastline.

Food and refreshments will also be available, including local produce from Pembrokeshire Beach Food, giving visitors a taste of Pembrokeshire’s growing reputation for coastal cuisine.

Entry is free, and organisers say people are welcome to drop in for a single activity or spend the whole day exploring what is on offer. A full schedule of talks and workshops will be released closer to the date.

For more information, visit www.pembrokeshirecoastalforum.org.uk/festival-of-the-sea.

THIRTEEN volunteer crew members at Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Angle Lifeboat Station have successfully completed a demanding week of assessments, marking the culmination of months of training and preparation.

The pass-outs strengthen the station’s operational capability and ensure the all-weather lifeboat remains fully crewed and ready to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven Waterway and the wider Pembrokeshire coast.

Three crew members – Anthony Thomas, Gareth Thomas and Nathen Houston – qualified as All-weather Lifeboat (ALB) Navigators after completing a four-hour practical and theory assessment.

Their test covered a range of search and rescue scenarios, including simulated taskings, radar work, position fixing and traditional paper chart navigation – all skills vital during poor visibility and challenging sea conditions.

A further ten volunteers – Phil Jones, Tom Meehan, Nick Gale, Rob Davies, Finn Frost, James Findlay, Allen Price, Seymore Phillips, Graham Booth and Matt Nicholas – passed their Tier 2 ALB Crew assessments.

The qualification tests every aspect of lifeboat operations, from man overboard recovery and towing to mooring, berthing, helming and anchoring. Candidates were put through their paces by an RNLI assessor in realistic scenarios designed to mirror live shouts.

Station representatives said the results reflect the commitment and professionalism of the volunteer crew, many of whom balance training with full-time jobs and family life.

The latest qualifications come as the Angle crew continue to play a crucial role in rescues around Milford Haven and the south Pembrokeshire coastline, one of the busiest and most complex maritime areas in Wales.

A spokesperson said the achievements “demonstrate the dedication of our volunteers and the continued strength of lifeboat operations from the town of Milford Haven.”

With 13 newly qualified crew now ready to serve, the station is better equipped than ever to respond when the pager sounds.