Community

Annual music festival showcases outstanding young talent

Published

2 months ago

November 26, 2025

More than 400 young musicians compete at Pembrokeshire Valero Secondary Schools’ Music Festival

MORE than 400 young musicians took centre stage at this year’s Pembrokeshire Valero Secondary Schools’ Music Festival, with pupils from all eight county secondary schools, Pembrokeshire College and invited competitors from further afield taking part.

Individual and ensemble classes ran throughout the day, with performances ranging from classical and jazz to rock, percussion, vocals and multi-instrument ensembles.

Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service, Philippa Roberts, said: “The atmosphere at this year’s Valero Secondary Music Festival was wonderfully supportive, allowing every pupil to shine.

“It was a great example of the Music Plan for Wales in action, with community, schools and Pembrokeshire Music Service working together to give young people outstanding musical opportunities. Our thanks go to Valero for their continued support.”

Ryan Block, from Ysgol Bro Preseli, was named overall winner of the 2025 festival. Earlier in the day he won the Open Percussion class with a performance of War Pigs by Black Sabbath.

Other major class winners included:

Open Strings – Seren Barrett, Greenhill, performing Humoresque by W.H. Squire.
Open Jazz – Iestyn Barellie, Haverfordwest High VC School, performing Amazing Grace by Victor Wooten.
Open Brass – Carys Rycroft, Ysgol Bro Gwaun, playing The Ash Grove by H. Round.
Open Piano & Harp – Lleucu-Haf Thomas, Ysgol Bro Preseli, performing Sonata No. 4 by Thomas Parry.
Open Vocals – Mia Burnett, Haverfordwest High VC School, performing Silent Noon by Vaughan Williams.
Open Woodwind – Gemma Armstrong, Ysgol Bro Preseli, performing the first movement of Poulenc’s Flute Sonata.
Open Guitar – George Penney, Milford Haven School, performing YYZ by Rush.
Open Vocal Ensemble – HHVC vocal trio Mia Burnett, Nyah McKee and Lois Capitao, with Joyful Joyful from Sister Act 2.
Open Ensemble – Triawd ffliwt Bro Preseli, performing Boismortier’s Sonata in G (movements 1 & 2).
Open Rock & Pop Band – The Monarchs, Milford Haven School, with You Give Love by Bon Jovi.

Professional adjudicators Timothy Angel, Ben Richards, Sam Baxter, Catherine Hare, Gareth Kirby, Karin Jenkins, Rhiannon Pritchard, Jenny Weir and Joel Rees praised the standard of musicianship on display.

Vocal adjudicator Timothy Angel said: “The wealth of musical talent within Pembrokeshire Music Service is evident to see, and made my job both very rewarding and difficult.”

Piano and harp adjudicator Rhiannon Pritchard added: “Once again it was such a well-organised, fun event to be a part of, and the standard was so incredibly high.”

FULL RESULTS — SECONDARY VALERO 2025

(To keep this edition readable, results have been presented cleanly and in the original order.)

WOODWIND

Grade 3 flute
1st – Ella-May Kirby, MHS
2nd – Maegan Naoe, HHVC
3rd – Ella Howell, YHT

Grade 3 clarinet & sax
1st – Sasha Aulehla-Atkin, Caer Elen
2nd – Annabelle Jones, YHT
3rd – Aurora Phillips, MHS

Grade 4 woodwind
1st – Serena Ames, Redhill
2nd – Sapphire Cook, MHS
3rd – Imogen Holloway, YPD

Grade 5 woodwind
1st – Angharad Thomas, Bro Preseli
2nd – Matthew Picton, MHS
3rd – Arlo Jones, Greenhill

Grade 6 woodwind
1st – Tom Pounder, MHS
2nd – Teri Aulehla-Atkin, HHVC

Open Woodwind
1st – Gemma Armstrong, Bro Preseli
2nd – Isabelle Blyth, YPD
3rd – Harry Armstrong, MHS

BRASS

Grade 3 Brass
1st – Freddie Coleman, YPD
2nd – Isaac Phillips, Greenhill
3rd – Zoey Pyart, HHVC

Grade 4 Brass
1st – Luca Talbot-English, YBG
2nd – Angus Armstrong, MHS
3rd – Ioan Evans, Greenhill

Grade 5 Brass
1st – Ella-May Kirby, MHS
2nd – Eliza Wood, Greenhill & Logan Rowe-Davies, HHVC
3rd – Will Price, Greenhill
HC – Bronwen Corp, Bro Preseli

Grade 6 Brass
1st – Tristan George, HHVC
2nd – Tobias Edwards, HHVC
3rd – Harry Thomas, YPD

Open Brass
1st – Carys Rycroft, Bro Preseli
2nd – Eliza Wood, Greenhill
3rd – Ioan Bromby, Greenhill
HC – Archie Noyce, Greenhill & Kellan Rycroft, Bro Preseli

STRINGS

Grade 3 Strings
1st – Roberta Gale, YPD (cello)
2nd – Sophia Williams, YPD
3rd – Daisy Burnett, HHVC
HC – Roberta Gale, YPD (violin)

Grade 4 Strings
1st – Una McFarlane, Caer Elen
2nd – Chloe Jenkins-Simms, Bro Preseli
3rd – Benny Brett, HHVC & Nel Freeman, YHT
HC – Jakob Middlemist (HHVC), Lily Kingaby (YBG), Aaya Yunis (HHVC), Cecily Weaver (HHVC)

Grade 5 Strings
1st – Elena Gould
2nd – Isaac Frazer, Greenhill
3rd – Ruby Rapi, Bro Preseli
HC – Ella Howell (YHT), Eloise Barry (HHVC), Janelle Cabral (HHVC)

Grade 6 Strings
1st – Nina Powell

Open Strings
1st – Seren Barrett, Greenhill
2nd – Mia Burnett, HHVC & Cosmo Karenin, HHVC
3rd – Tom Bridger, HHVC
HC – Esyllt Corp, Bro Preseli

PIANO & HARP

Grade 3
1st – Poppy Hammersley, Bro Preseli
2nd – Bronwen Corp, Bro Preseli
3rd – Toby Armstrong, Bro Preseli
HC – Gareth Phillips, Bro Preseli

Grade 4
1st – Dev Saini, Bro Preseli
2nd – Toby Slowgrove, HHVC
3rd – Hywel Davies, Bro Preseli & Teifi James, YBG
HC – Isla Hounsell, YHT

Grade 5
1st – Steffan James, Caer Elen
2nd – Myla Spencer, YBG
3rd – Harry Thomas, YPD
HC – Poppy Llewellin, HHVC

Grade 6
1st – Ruby Kleinjans, YBG
2nd – Elena Gould
3rd – Mischa Orford, Redhill
HC – Abbie Collinson, Greenhill

Open Piano & Harp
1st – Lleucu-Haf Thomas, Bro Preseli (harp)
2nd – Lewis Lester-Payne, Pembrokeshire College
3rd – Iestyn Barrellie, HHVC & Lleucu-Haf Thomas, Bro Preseli (piano)
HC – Gabriel Blackwell, YBG

PERCUSSION

Drum Kit Grade 3-5
1st – Ptolemy Karenin, YBG
2nd – Griff Owens, HHVC & Dylan Mitchell, MHS
3rd – Isaac Vaughn, HHVC & Ifan Murphy, Caer Elen
HC – Haydon Straviniders, MHS

Open Drum Kit
1st – Ryan Block, Bro Preseli
2nd – Osian Ridgway, Henry Tudor
3rd – Taya Gardner-Thomas, HHVC
HC – Teilo Kite, YPD

JAZZ

Jazz Grade 3-5
1st – Erin Dando, MHS
2nd – Matthew Picton, MHS
3rd – Felicity Bettridge, MHS

Open Jazz
1st – Iestyn Barrellie, HHVC
2nd – Matthew Shaw, Greenhill
3rd – Tom Pounder, MHS

GUITAR

Open Guitar
1st – George Penney, MHS
2nd – Rosie Delaney, HHVC
3rd – Lewis Murray, YBG & Amy Rudder, HHVC

VOCALS

Musical Theatre & Classical (Years 7-9)
1st – Benny Brett, HHVC & Pixie Coast, HHVC
2nd – Alisha Panesar, HHVC & Erin Tilling, HHVC
3rd – Toby Armstrong, Bro Preseli
HC – Charlotte Riley, Caer Elen & Tilly Prevel, YHT

Pop Vocals (Years 7-9)
1st – Nancy Bhari, YHT
2nd – Annabelle Evans, YPD
3rd – Frazer Johnston, HHVC
HC – Lilla Gibbs, YHT & Holly Bowler, YPD

Musical Theatre & Classical (Years 10-13)
1st – Connie Lewis, YHT
2nd – Hollie Draper, YPD
3rd – Lois Capitao, HHVC
HC – Maisie Davey (YHT), Ozzy Evans (HHVC)

Pop Vocals (Years 10-13)
1st – Charlotte Bentley, HHVC
2nd – Izzy Roberts, MHS
3rd – Martha Bhari, YHT
HC – Sophia Jones (YHT), Owen Gibby (MHS)

Open Vocals
1st – Mia Burnett, HHVC
2nd – Millie Evans-Thomas, Greenhill
3rd – Ruby Panesar, HHVC
HC – Lilwen Ford (Bro Preseli), Bella Macare (Pembrokeshire College), Eva Rees (MHS), Nyah McKee (HHVC)

ENSEMBLES

Instrumental Ensembles up to Grade 5
1st – Ysgol Caer Elen String Trio
2nd – Violin, cello & piano trio (Elena & Roberta – YPD, Eva – Redhill)
3rd – YHT Woodwind Ensemble

Open Instrumental Ensemble
1st – Triawd ffliwt, Ysgol Bro Preseli
2nd – Deuawd Telyn a Ffidl, Ysgol Bro Preseli
3rd – HHVC Cello Quartet

Open Vocal Ensemble
1st – HHVC Vocal Trio – Joyful Joyful
2nd – YHT Vocal Duet
3rd – HHVC Vocal Duet

Open Rock & Pop Ensemble
1st – The Monarchs, MHS
2nd – Ysgol Bro Gwaun Rock Band
3rd – Rudz n Roses, HHVC
HC – Caer Elen Band 1 & HHVC Band 1

Pictured: Individual winners (Photo 1) and ensemble winners.

Community

Generous support agreed for Milford Haven Library

Published

6 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FUNDING package worth £18,700 has been agreed to help secure the long-term financial sustainability of Milford Haven Library.

At a meeting on Monday (Jan 12), Milford Haven Town Council approved funding to support the library over the next three years.

The decision follows a year of partnership working between Pembrokeshire County Council, the Port of Milford Haven and the Town Council, as the organisations sought solutions to ongoing funding pressures.

A public consultation held in 2025 highlighted the importance of the library as a valued community asset, not only for book lending but also as a hub for groups, wellbeing checks and warm spaces.

Discussions resulted in a contribution of £10,000 from the Port of Milford Haven and £3,000 from the Town Council to ensure the library could continue operating during the 2025/26 financial year. The latest agreement extends that support, providing funding for the next three years alongside continued substantial backing from the Port over the lifetime of the council’s lease.

Councillor Rhys Sinnett, Pembrokeshire County Council’s cabinet member for residents’ services, said: “This is excellent news for the town as it allows us at Pembrokeshire County Council to continue providing a much-valued service at current levels.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Milford Haven Town Council and the Port of Milford Haven, as through partnership working we are able to maintain this important community resource.”

Councillor William Elliott, Mayor of Milford Haven, said the agreement reflected the value placed on the library by the community. He said: “We are delighted to have reached a consensus to support the library over the next three years.
“We value the importance of the library not just for the loaning of books, but also for its wider role supporting groups, wellbeing checks, warm spaces and more.
“Over the past 12 months we have continued to work closely with the library team, the County Council and the Port of Milford Haven to explore all available options, and we remain committed to this partnership going forward.”

Tom Sawyer, chief executive of the Port of Milford Haven, added: “Libraries are cornerstones of our communities — places where people connect, learn and feel supported.
“We’re proud to have helped ensure this vital resource remains accessible to everyone who depends on it.”

Milford Haven Library is based at Cedar Court. Further information about the library and its facilities is available via Pembrokeshire County Council’s libraries service.

Community

Specialist team searches River Teifi in ongoing hunt for missing man

Published

8 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SPECIALIST search team has carried out a renewed and highly technical search of the River Teifi in Cardigan as efforts continue to find a man who was last seen entering the water earlier this month.

The operation was undertaken on Wednesday (Jan 28) by Specialist Group International (SGI), following a request from the family of Kurtis Brook.

Kurtis was witnessed entering the River Teifi on Saturday (Jan 4). Despite extensive searches involving multiple agencies and voluntary rescue organisations since then, he has not been located.

SGI confirmed that a seven-person specialist team conducted a coordinated search along the river, working downstream to the mouth of the Teifi estuary. The operation involved the deployment of high-frequency side-scan sonar, equipment capable of detecting objects beneath the water’s surface even in low-visibility conditions.

However, the team said conditions on the river remain exceptionally challenging. Recent storms, prolonged high river levels, floodwater and tidal influence have significantly altered the river environment since the initial incident.

In a statement, SGI said the search area contained “significant debris, obstructions and strainers,” describing flood and tidal river searches as among the most complex and hazardous situations faced by rescue specialists.

The Herald understands that the River Teifi has experienced repeated high-flow events in recent weeks, complicating earlier search efforts and increasing risks for those operating on the water.

SGI added that while no breakthrough was made during the latest operation, their thoughts remain firmly with Kurtis’s family and loved ones, and they acknowledged the continued dedication shown by his friends and relatives throughout the search.

Emergency services and specialist teams have been involved in repeated searches since the incident, with the operation scaling back and resuming at various points as conditions allowed.

Anyone with information relevant to the disappearance is urged to contact Dyfed-Powys Police.

Business

Councillor condemns closure of Haverfordwest Santander branch

Published

11 hours ago

January 29, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE councillor has spoken out after learning that the Santander branch in Haverfordwest is set to close later this year, warning the decision will have a serious impact on local residents, families and businesses.

The bank’s Bridge Street branch is due to close on Monday (May 5) as part of a wider UK restructuring programme.

Councillor Thomas Baden Tudor said he was “lost for words” and urged the bank to reconsider, describing the closure as devastating for customers who rely on face-to-face services.

Santander says the decision is driven by declining footfall, with more customers banking online, and that services will remain available via digital platforms and Post Office counters.

However, the announcement follows a steady erosion of high-street banking in Pembrokeshire. The Herald recently reported that Haverfordwest’s former Halifax branch is set to reopen as a nail salon.

In what appears to be a serious failure of planning, there is now not a single bank branch left anywhere in south Pembrokeshire. Towns including Tenby, Pembroke and Pembroke Dock are all without face-to-face banking facilities.

North Pembrokeshire has also been affected, with Fishguard and St Davids now lacking bank branches.

Pembrokeshire is understood to be left with just four bank branches in total — Nationwide in Milford Haven, and HSBC, NatWest and Lloyds Bank in Haverfordwest.