Community

Heavy snow causes major disruption across Pembrokeshire

Published

7 months ago

November 20, 2025

Dozens of school closures, blocked roads and bus cancellations as conditions worsen in the east of the county

PEMBROKESHIRE continues to be hit by widespread snow disruption today (Nov 20) with major routes blocked, dozens of schools shut and further closures expected as the day goes on.

Snow has been falling heavily across the east of the county since the early hours, with the worst conditions reported from the Preseli mountains down through Crymych, Eglwyswrw, Narberth and Templeton. Council crews are focusing efforts on keeping the primary arterial routes open, but many minor and untreated roads are described as “hazardous”.

Roads: Preseli shut, A478 blocked, multiple closures

As of 8:45am, the B4329 Preseli Road remains closed between New Inn and Tafarn-y-Bwlch, with a snow blower being deployed to the scene.
The A478 is experiencing major disruption, with a lorry blocking the road north of Crymych near the Riverlea turning. Driving conditions are poor from Penblewin to Cardigan and Templeton.

Other updates include:

Tavernspite to Templeton: closed
A40 Carmarthen Showground: reopened after an earlier closure
A40 near Toch Lane: passable with care
A4075 Fingerpost – Pembroke: reopened after two lorries were cleared (2:30pm update)
Clarbeston Road: tree blocking road – team on site
A477: gritting continues to clear accumulations
Slush conditions reported on the A40 from Haverfordwest to Fishguard and to St Clears
Dangerous conditions remain across the east domain, with 6 of the county’s 8 lorries committed full-time to primary routes

Motorists are being asked to avoid travel unless essential.

***At Taf Valley coaches, bosses said that the snow is problem at all for Plaxton! “He’s been out inspecting the fleet this morning and can confirm… it’s pawsitively freezing!”***

Our coaches are keeping cosy under their snow blankets – safe travels everyone!

Schools: 32 sites closed at 8:45am

A growing number of schools have closed due to poor travel conditions, with 32 closures confirmed by 8:45am.

Among them are:
Ysgol Bro Preseli
Haverfordwest High VC School
Ysgol Maenclochog
Brynconin, Clynderwen
Bro Ingli, Newport
Portfield School
Ysgol Eglwyswrw
Caer Elen
Bro Gwaun
Spittal VC School
Templeton CP
Tavernspite CP
Narberth CP
Cilgerran Primary
Prendergast Primary
Greenhill School, Tenby
Harri Tudor School, Pembroke
Pembrokeshire College
Lamphey Primary is partially open from 10:00am.

The full updated list is available on the council website.

Public transport severely affected

Many routes, particularly in the north, have been suspended:

Richards Bros – 430, T5 (north of Newport only), Fflecsi Mid Pembs, Fflecsi Poppit
Taf Valley – 351 Pendine–Amroth
PCC 313 – possible disruption
First Cymru – 381 (Tenby–Narberth–Haverfordwest) and 322 (Haverfordwest–Carmarthen) suspended
College routes 201 and 200R are also cancelled.
All services to Ysgol y Preseli are suspended due to the school closure.

Community impacts

A number of public facilities are closed including:

Crymych Leisure Centre
Bro Preseli and Wintern day centres
Meadow Park Day Centre, Prendergast

Severe weather accommodation remains open for rough sleepers tonight.

The Pembrokeshire Community Hub remains available for anyone needing help with food, warmth or emergency support. Warm rooms are open across the county.

Weather: more snow and ice expected

Snow is continuing to fall in the eastern half of the county and is adding to accumulations already present. Wintry showers, bright spells and freezing temperatures are expected this afternoon.

Road surface temperatures will fall below zero overnight, with ice and hoar frost forecast across the county. The Met Office yellow warning for snow and ice remains in place until midnight.

Some areas of the south, particularly around Templeton, have already seen 2–5 inches of snow, with drifting in exposed areas.

Council thanks crews

Pembrokeshire County Council has thanked highways staff who have been working through the night to grit, plough and patrol the primary network.

Secondary routes will only be reviewed once the main roads are judged to be stable and safe.

Further updates are expected throughout the day.

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

4 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.

Community

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

5 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.

Community

Lord Rhys emerges from the mist in St Davids

Published

7 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Giant puppet begins historic journey marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod

MIST swirled around St Davids Cathedral on Friday evening as a giant Lord Rhys puppet emerged from the fog to begin a journey celebrating 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod.

Accompanied by traditional musicians and followed by crowds of spectators, the towering figure cut an imposing sight against the backdrop of the ancient cathedral.

The procession marked the start of Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys (The Journey of Lord Rhys), a cultural pilgrimage retracing the legacy of the Welsh prince whose gathering of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176 is widely regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod.

As fog drifted across the city and church towers faded into the background, the scene felt more like a chapter from Welsh folklore than a modern-day celebration.

The giant puppet, accompanied by fellow performers and musicians, travelled from St Davids Cathedral to Oriel y Parc before beginning a wider journey through west Wales.

The travelling celebration will visit communities across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion before culminating in Cardigan, where Lord Rhys originally staged his famous cultural gathering eight and a half centuries ago.

Video and photographs shared by DrifterStDavids captured the remarkable atmosphere, with many describing the spectacle as one of the most memorable cultural events seen in St Davids for years.

Photo caption: Lord Rhys emerges from the mist outside St Davids Cathedral as celebrations begin to mark the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod

(Pic: SmallWorld – Video: Drifter St Davids)