News
Mother’s tribute to dead barrister
THE MOTHER of a newly qualified barrister found dead in the Thames on Friday has paid tribute to her son.
The body of Gianni Sonvico, 23, was found in the water at Greenwich Pier at approximately 10am, Friday November 8 – two weeks after he was reported missing.
Police are thought to be treating his death as a tragic accident, but it remains unclear what happened to the young barrister.
Mr Sonvico’s mother, Karen Chandler, a 51-year-old charity worker from Fishguard, said: “My happiest times with Gianni were watching box sets with him – either glued to The Sopranos on my sofa, or watching The Wire in different countries but simultaneously, texting constantly.
“We have received incredible support from Gianni’s friends in London, childhood friends who travelled to London to help with the search, his colleagues and the wider legal community, which clearly cared for one of ‘their own’.”
Mr Sonvico was last seen at 11pm on Friday October 25 leaving Tower Hill tube station, after attending a social function for young barristers. A Facebook group urging anyone with information to come forward was joined by more than 2,000 people. Mr Sonvico’s sister, Maya, 22, also launched an appeal on YouTube.
Mr Sonvico graduated from Queen Mary University of London before completing his Bar Professional Training Course at Kaplan Law School this summer.
“Someone said to me recently that, where others looked down, Gianni always looked up. He was single-minded in his ambition to be a criminal defence barrister, partly because to him it represented the purest form of advocacy, and partly because of a passionate belief in the British justice system, and that everyone should have proper representation,” said Mrs Chandler.
“Gianni was involved in the campaign against legal aid cuts which he saw as a real threat to this [the justice system], and the only fitting legacy for my son would be if everyone redoubled their efforts to oppose them.”
Mr Sonvico was also an avid Arsenal supporter and lived near the club’s Emirates Stadium in Highbury. Mrs Chandler said that Arsenal and their current position at the top of the league was a source of “happiness in Gianni’s life” and that he “was a proud season ticket holder”.
Mrs Chandler described her son as “sarcastic, acerbic, articulate and someone who really cared about people but tried his very best to hide it.
“He was resilient. And his friends constantly describe to me how much he was loving his life, and grabbing it with both hands.”
Community
Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity
THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.
Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.
The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.
Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.
Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.
(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
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