Community

Rare 1588 Welsh Bible goes on display in Pembrokeshire for first time

Published

1 year ago

June 16, 2025

A RARE copy of the first full translation of the Bible into Welsh is being exhibited in Wales for the first time—more than 430 years after it was printed.

The 1588 edition, translated by Bishop William Morgan, has been kept in the library of Westminster Abbey since its publication during the reign of Elizabeth I—the same year as the Spanish Armada.

The Bible will be on public display at St Davids Cathedral from Monday (June 17) until Tuesday (July 9).

Morgan was commissioned to produce a standard Welsh-language Bible by uniting earlier translations of different sections of scripture. He travelled to London to supervise the printing process, which took several weeks due to the printers’ unfamiliarity with the Welsh language.

During that time, he stayed at the Abbey’s deanery as a guest of Gabriel Goodman, a fellow Welshman and then-Dean of Westminster. Upon completion, Morgan gifted a copy to the Abbey with a Latin dedication, and the book has remained in its library ever since.

Although 900 copies were originally printed—with the aim of placing one in every church and chapel in Wales—most were heavily used and are now in poor condition. The Westminster Abbey copy is in exceptional shape, having been used only once in service, at a Welsh-language church in London in 1988.

Tony Trowles, librarian and head of collections at the Abbey, said: “Because they were used weekly or even daily, surviving copies in Wales are often in poor condition. Ours is unusually well preserved.”

The volume was originally chained to a library shelf to prevent its removal. It was printed using a complex method that involved typesetting every letter in reverse and printing multiple pages on single sheets, later bound in leather over wooden boards.

“This is the first time it’s returned to Wales,” said Mr Trowles. “And we believe it’s the first time it’s ever been publicly exhibited.”

The Right Reverend Dorrien Davies, Bishop of St Davids, said: “It is a special treasure of the Welsh language and we are honoured to host it at St Davids Cathedral.”

The Dean of St Davids, the Very Reverend Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, added: “It seems fitting that its first visit to Wales should be to the home of our patron saint, and we’re pleased to share it with Christians of all traditions.”

Community

New town map unveiled in Fishguard

Published

19 hours ago

June 23, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW town map has been installed in the heart of Fishguard to help residents and visitors discover more of what the area has to offer.

The map, created by Visit Fishguard & Goodwick’s in-house graphic designer, has been placed on the Abergwaun Hotel tunnel, near Offshore Surfwear’s new shop.

The group said it was “incredibly proud” of the finished result and thanked the building owner for allowing the map to be installed on the premises.

Visit Fishguard & Goodwick is now hoping to create a similar map for Goodwick and is asking for help from a centrally located building owner who may be willing to host it.

Anyone who can help, or knows of a suitable location, is being asked to get in touch with Visit Fishguard & Goodwick.

Community

Tenby Summer Spectacular cancelled amid council row over harbour access

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Organisers say popular charity events cannot safely go ahead without clear powers to control crowds

TENBY ROUND TABLE has announced that this summer’s Tenby Summer Spectacular events have been cancelled until further notice amid a dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over crowd control at the harbour.

The events, which were due to take place on Sunday, August 16 and Sunday, August 30, have been a major feature of Tenby’s summer calendar for decades, drawing large crowds to the harbour for entertainment, food, drink and fireworks.

In a statement, Tenby Round Table said the decision had been made “with enormous sadness” and claimed it had been forced on organisers because of unresolved issues over the safe management of pedestrian access.

The organisation said it needed the council’s Public Realm department to use statutory powers to temporarily restrict pedestrian access through the event area when capacity is reached.

Organisers said the matter had first been raised with the council in September 2025 and again formally in writing in May 2026.

They said volunteers had attended meetings, commissioned professional health and safety consultants and worked on Event Management Plans, but claimed the council had still not provided a clear answer.

Tenby Round Table said: “PCC’s Public Realm department has had nine months to answer one question on safe and controlled access to the harbour. It has not done so.”

The group also alleged that recent written responses from the council contained factual inaccuracies and misleading statements about the relevant legislation.

It added that the council’s legal advice was understood to be provisional and still under internal review.

The cancellation is currently described as provisional, with organisers giving the council a final deadline of June 25 to provide what they describe as a clear, accurate and legally grounded answer.

Tenby Round Table said that if this is provided, it will do everything possible to reinstate the events.

The group said the Summer Spectacular had raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for local charities, sports teams, community groups and worthy individuals since it began.

It said the cancellation would be a devastating blow to those who benefit from the funds raised.

The statement added that organisers are still working with Dyfed-Powys Police and other relevant authorities ahead of a council licensing committee meeting in July, which is expected to consider whether the event licence should be renewed, amended or withdrawn.

The Herald has asked Pembrokeshire County Council for comment.

Community

Haverfordwest lounge praised for charity work

Published

1 day ago

June 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A HAVERFORDWEST venue has been praised for raising more than £2,600 for local charities through a series of community events.

Castle Ward county councillor Thomas Tudor visited The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest with Henry Tufnell MP, where they met manager Stephanie Davies.

Cllr Tudor said Stephanie had “truly embraced” her role in the community, organising events including a duck race, sports quiz, Mad Hatter’s tea party for Little Loungers, a bake sale and a drag night show.

Together, the events have raised £2,637 for local good causes.

Charities to benefit include The VC Gallery, Tŷ Hafan and Adam’s Bucketful of Hope Cancer Support Centre.

Cllr Tudor said: “It was lovely to introduce Henry Tufnell MP to Stephanie Davies, manager of The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.

“Stephanie has truly embraced her role in the community of Haverfordwest, running many exciting initiatives and raising a staggering £2,637 for local charities.”

The fundraising continues this week, with Rock ’n’ Roll Bingo and a Wild West country and western night featuring a rodeo bull.

Caption: Community support: Thomas Tudor, Stephanie Davies and Henry Tufnell MP outside The Waldo Lounge in Haverfordwest.