News
Carmarthenshire designer’s toy may travel to the Moon
Local finalist in NASA contest
A DESIGNER from Carmarthenshire has reached the final of a NASA competition — and her creation could end up orbiting the Moon.
Courtney John, 27, from Llanelli has been shortlisted in the US space agency’s global search for a zero-gravity indicator (ZGI) to be carried on the Artemis II mission. ZGIs are small mascots that float in the cabin to show when the spacecraft has reached weightlessness.
For Courtney, who grew up just a short distance from Pembrokeshire, the chance to have her work chosen for such a historic mission is “a dream come true”.
“I’ve always been interested in space, and the opportunity to have something you’ve made go into space would be amazing,” she said.
Past, present and future
Courtney’s entry, Past, Present, and Future, is a set of three plush figures holding hands in a circle to represent unity.
One wears the Apollo 17 suit from 1972 — the last time humans stood on the lunar surface. Another is dressed in the new Artemis II spacesuit. The third, symbolising the future, has a globe for a head and carries written messages from the astronauts taking part in the mission.
“It’s about showing where space exploration has come from, where it is now, and where it could go,” she explained.
Lunar return programme
NASA’s Artemis programme will see astronauts fly to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. Artemis I, an uncrewed flight, successfully orbited the Moon in 2022.
Artemis II — with astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman and Canadian Jeremy Hansen on board — is scheduled to circle the Moon before returning to Earth. A later mission, Artemis III, aims to land astronauts on the lunar surface.
The plush mascot competition attracted more than 2,600 entries worldwide, with the winner to be announced later this year.

Local pride
Courtney, who works as a graphic designer, said being recognised as a finalist is already a huge achievement.
“But to see something I designed travelling into space would be the biggest moment of my life,” she said.
Community
Haverfoodfest hailed a success after busy day in town centre
HAVERFOODFEST has been hailed a success after bringing crowds, colour and community spirit to Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday (May 2).
The annual food and drink festival returned with artisan produce, street food stalls, entertainment and family-friendly attractions across the town.
County Councillor Thomas Tudor, who represents the Castle Ward, said it had been “brilliant” to help with the event, starting at 7:00am on traffic duties before assisting two of the festival’s popular characters, Mr Pizza Man and Mrs Strawberry, as they made their way around the town.














He said: “What an amazing day we all had, and thanks to everyone involved who made this event such a success, which is only getting bigger and better every year.”
The festival, promoted as “the big one” for 2026, ran from 10:00am to 4:00pm and attracted visitors into the centre of Haverfordwest throughout the day.
Organisers and volunteers helped support the event, which showcased local food, drink and produce while also providing a boost for town centre businesses.
Cllr Tudor thanked those involved, including Alison Tudor, Tim Evans, James Phillips and Cllr Bethan Price, for helping make the day a success.
The event has become one of Haverfordwest’s best-known annual attractions, bringing together traders, volunteers, performers and families for a celebration of local food and community life.
Climate
Welsh windfarms to power major construction materials firm
A MAJOR construction materials company has signed a long-term deal to use renewable energy from Welsh windfarms as part of efforts to cut carbon emissions.
Energy firm RWE has agreed a 15-year contract to supply electricity to Breedon Group plc, which operates sites across Great Britain producing materials including concrete, asphalt and cement.
Under the agreement, RWE will provide around 70 gigawatt hours of renewable electricity each year from its windfarm portfolio.
The power will initially come from the Gwynt y Môr offshore windfarm, about 24km off the coast of North Wales in the Irish Sea. From 2033, supply will switch to the Brechfa Forest West onshore windfarm in Wales.
The electricity will support the production of key building materials, helping Breedon reduce emissions linked to its energy use in a sector widely regarded as difficult to decarbonise.
RWE said the agreement highlighted the role renewable energy can play in helping heavy industry move towards lower-carbon operations.
Olaf Lubenow, head of commodity solutions at RWE, said: “This agreement underlines our commitment to supporting the construction materials sector on its journey towards a more sustainable future.
“By supplying renewable electricity from our wind portfolio, we are helping to reduce the carbon footprint of Breedon’s operations.”
Breedon said the deal would also provide long-term energy stability while supporting its wider sustainability plans.
Donna Hunt, the company’s sustainability director, said the agreement marked “a meaningful step forward”.
She said: “It secures long-term energy supply and helps accelerate the reduction of emissions from our operations.”
The company has set targets to cut emissions across its business by more than 20% by 2030 and to reach net zero by 2050.
The agreement reflects a growing trend of major industrial firms turning to renewable energy to help meet climate targets while managing rising energy costs.
News
Lifeboat launched after pleasure boat suffers engine failure off Tenby
A 21ft PLEASURE boat was towed to safety after suffering engine failure between Lydstep and Giltar.
TENBY’S all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch shortly after 10:00am on Friday (May 1), after the occupants of the vessel reported that they had lost engine power.
The volunteer crew were quickly on the water and arrived at the scene around 10 minutes later.
After speaking with those on board, and with the boat in danger of drifting onto rocks, the crew decided the safest course of action was to tow the vessel back towards Saundersfoot.
Once at Saundersfoot, and with the tide out, the pleasure boat was moored in the bay. Its occupants were then taken ashore using the lifeboat’s Y-boat, where they were met by members of Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team.
The lifeboat returned to station at 11:25am.

Launch photo: Judd Kohler, St Davids Lifeboat Deputy Coxswain.
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