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King Charles marks 77th birthday with visit to Merthyr Tydfil

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Royal couple welcomed to Cyfarthfa Castle despite stormy weather

CROWDS braved relentless rain in Merthyr Tydfil today (Friday) as King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived in Wales to mark His Majesty’s seventy-seventh birthday.

The royal couple were welcomed at Cyfarthfa Castle, where a special community reception was held to celebrate both the King’s birthday and the castle’s upcoming 200th anniversary in 2025.

Despite Storm Claudia bringing heavy downpours across south Wales, dozens gathered outside the gates, sheltering under umbrellas and waving Union Flags as anticipation built. Some waited for more than an hour to catch a glimpse of the King.

Historic venue

Cyfarthfa Castle was built in 1825 as the grand home of ironmaster William Crawshay II. Today it houses a museum and art gallery and sits at the centre of a major restoration programme led by the Cyfarthfa Foundation, which plans to protect the site and expand its cultural offering over the coming years.

The King was pictured smiling and shaking hands with guests as he arrived, including community volunteer Lewis Leigh, before being shown inside for the reception.

Community celebration

Inside the castle, the King and Queen met representatives from organisations connected to Their Majesties’ patronages, including The King’s Trust and the Royal Osteoporosis Society, alongside local businesses such as Cocos Coffee and Candles, and Enaid Wellness.

The packed reception also featured well-known Welsh faces, including Gavin & Stacey star Ruth Jones and reality television personality Liam Reardon, who welcomed the King to Merthyr.

A large birthday cake was brought out towards the end of the event, with the King cutting the first slice to applause.

Rain fails to dampen spirits

Members of the public described a “proud day for Merthyr”, with many saying the weather did little to deter them.

One resident said: “It’s not every day the King celebrates his birthday here. A bit of rain won’t stop us.”

The visit forms part of a wider programme of engagements in Wales as the monarch continues to support cultural and community projects across the country.

 

News

Tenby lifeboat tows yacht to safety after skipper falls ill near Caldey

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A YACHT was towed back to Tenby after its skipper became unwell off Caldey Island.

Tenby’s all-weather lifeboat was requested to launch at 1:40pm on Monday (Jun 15), after the coastguard received a call from the occupants of a yacht reporting that the skipper had become ill around one mile south of Caldey Island.

The volunteer crew quickly made their way to the vessel, which had three people and a dog on board.

Once alongside, the lifeboat crew discovered that the skipper was suffering badly from seasickness and that the other two people on board were unable to sail the yacht themselves.

After a full assessment by the coxswain, it was decided that the safest course of action was to tow the yacht back to Tenby. The vessel was drifting with the tide towards Caldey Island and was also considered a potential navigational hazard to other boats.

Two lifeboat crew members were placed aboard the yacht to help set up the tow and to monitor the unwell skipper during the journey back.

After a tow of around an hour, the yacht was placed on the lifeboat mooring in the calmer waters of North Bay.

The lifeboat then returned to station, arriving back at 3:15pm.

 

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Entertainment

Waverley marks 79th anniversary with Pembrokeshire sailings

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THE WORLD’S last seagoing paddle steamer will return to Pembrokeshire this week as Waverley marks the 79th anniversary of her maiden voyage.

The historic vessel will sail from Milford Haven and Tenby on Tuesday (Jun 16), with trips including a daytime cruise around Skokholm, Skomer, St Brides Bay and Ramsey Island from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

There will also be an evening sailing from Milford Haven at 5:00pm, travelling to St Govan’s Head, Caldey Island and along the Pembrokeshire coast, returning at 9:50pm.

Passengers can also join Waverley at Tenby, with sailings to Milford Haven and an evening cruise around Caldey Island and the coast.

On Wednesday (Jun 17), Waverley will make her only Fishguard visit of 2026, with an evening cruise to St David’s Head, passing Strumble Head Lighthouse, from 6:15pm to 9:15pm.

Tickets are available through Waverley Excursions.

 

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Crime

Mid Wales peace activist arrested outside court after Palestine Action ruling

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MID WALES peace activist Angie Zelter was arrested outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London after holding a placard in support of Palestine Action.

The 75-year-old campaigner, from Knucklas, Powys, was detained at around 12:20pm on the steps of the court, according to Radnor Palestine Links.

The group said Ms Zelter was arrested under Section 13 of the Terrorism Act 2000 after holding a sign which read: “Saving lives is not terrorism. I support Palestine Action.”

She was taken to Charing Cross Police Station and released around two hours later, the group said.

The arrest came as the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the UK Government over its decision to proscribe Palestine Action under terrorism legislation.

The ruling overturned an earlier High Court decision which had found the ban unlawful. The Court of Appeal held that the Government’s decision was lawful and proportionate.

Palestine Action was banned after the Home Secretary moved to proscribe the group under the Terrorism Act 2000. Supporting or inviting support for a proscribed organisation can be a criminal offence.

Radnor Palestine Links said the protest formed part of an ongoing campaign against the use of counter-terrorism laws against peaceful demonstrators.

Ms Zelter, a long-standing peace and human rights campaigner, has been arrested more than 100 times worldwide during decades of non-violent direct action. She is also known as a founder of Trident Ploughshares.

Speaking after her arrest, Ms Zelter said: “I think it’s a terrible indictment of the criminal justice system that you are charging me with terrorism for holding a peaceful sign.

“We have to uphold the most important international laws. Peaceful, disruptive protest is absolutely essential to protect democracy.”

The Metropolitan Police has been asked to confirm the circumstances of the arrest, whether Ms Zelter was formally charged, and the conditions of her release.

Photo caption: Court protest: Angie Zelter outside the Royal Courts of Justice in London holding a sign in support of Palestine Action (Pic: Radnor Palestine Links).

 

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