Community

Annual music festival showcases outstanding young talent

Published

2 weeks 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

Santa to tour Neyland before festive grotto opens at Community Hub

Published

10 hours ago

December 8, 2025

Tom Sinclair

NEYLAND will welcome Father Christmas on Friday 19 December as the town’s annual sleigh tour and Christmas grotto return, organised by Neyland Town Council with support from Gareth Hughes Motors.

The Christmas Fairy announced the event on social media with the seasonal message: “It’s tiiiiiiimmmmmmeeee! I hope you’ve all been good… come and meet the big man himself. You might even get a little treat if you’re on Santa’s good list. We can’t wait to see you all there.”

Santa will begin his sleigh ride around Neyland at 5:30pm, with the elves from Gareth Hughes Motors escorting him through several of the town’s residential streets. The planned route will take in Rose and Willow at 5:30pm, Springfield Avenue, the entrance to Gordon Parry, the Forresters, Policeman’s Bank, the Yacht Club area, and Riverside Avenue by the cenotaph.

The sleigh will then arrive at Neyland Community Hub at 6:30pm, where Santa’s Grotto will open for families to visit. Hot festive food will be available to buy from The Hub’s kitchen throughout the evening.

The event is free to attend, with the Town Council encouraging as many families as possible to come along and enjoy the festivities.

Community

Flood alert updated for Pembrokeshire coast as high tides and storms approach

Published

19 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Tom Sinclair

NATURAL Resources Wales (NRW) has updated a flood alert for the Pembrokeshire coast, warning that flooding is possible between St Dogmaels, Cardigan and Amroth over the next two days.

The alert, which covers the stretch of coast from St Dogmaels down to Amroth, was first issued on Friday (Dec 5) and was updated around midday today (Sunday, Dec 7). NRW says the risk comes from a combination of high tides, large waves and unsettled weather, with the greatest impacts currently expected around Tuesday’s tides.

Flooding of low-lying land and roads is expected around the time of each high tide on Monday (Dec 8) and Tuesday (Dec 9). A further spell of wet and windy weather is also expected to keep river and surface water levels high across parts of south-west Wales.

Residents in coastal communities and estuary areas are being urged to be prepared and to take some simple precautions. NRW’s advice includes:

What people are being urged to do

Follow your household flood plan if you already have one.
Check where your loved ones and pets are, and think about how you would move them to safety if water starts to rise.
Move sentimental items, important documents and valuables to higher shelves or upstairs where possible.
Keep your mobile phone charged and switched on so you can receive warnings and updates.
Make sure you know how to turn off your electricity, gas and water supplies.
Pack a small grab-bag in case you need to leave home in a hurry – including medication, phone and charger, warm clothing, baby and pet supplies, sanitary products and insurance documents.
Consider moving cars, livestock and equipment away from low-lying or exposed areas that are likely to flood.

What not to do:

Officials are again stressing that people should not drive or walk through floodwater. Just 30 centimetres (around one foot) of fast-moving water can move a car, and as little as 15 centimetres can knock an adult off their feet.

For the latest official information on this alert, residents can visit the NRW flood warning page for the Pembrokeshire coast (area code 102WABT02), or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188 and use quick dial number 503013.

Up-to-date river, rainfall and sea level data is also available via the ‘river, rainfall and sea data’ pages on the Natural Resources Wales website.

Community

Plan to offer construction and hospitality roles to young people in west Wales

Published

24 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Government invests £820m to tackle rising youth unemployment, with targeted support across south-west Wales

YOUNG people on Universal Credit in West Wales will be offered new training and work experience placements in sectors such as construction, hospitality, and health and social care, as part of a UK Government drive to bring down rising youth unemployment.

The programme – funded from the £820m announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in last month’s Budget – will create 350,000 training and work-experience places across the UK, and guarantee 55,000 jobs in areas judged to be most in need from spring 2026. South-west and south-east Wales are among the regions singled out for focused support.

Ministers say the measures aim to move young people aged 16–24 off long-term benefits and into stable work. Almost one million young people across the UK are currently classed as NEET (not in education, employment or training), a figure that has been rising steadily since 2021.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the new pathways would give out-of-work young people “a fair chance to make something of their lives”. The support will include a dedicated work session for every claimant aged under 25, followed by four weeks of intensive coaching before they are placed on one of six routes: paid work, work experience, an apprenticeship, wider training, classroom learning, or a workplace-based training scheme with a guaranteed interview.

Focus on sectors vital to the West Wales economy

For West Wales – where seasonal work, rural isolation and limited transport links have long affected youth employment – the concentration on construction, hospitality, and social care is likely to be significant. These industries remain major employers across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion, with businesses regularly reporting difficulties recruiting local staff.

The Herald understands that officials expect more than 1,000 young people nationally to move into jobs within the first six months, with additional programmes promised as the government prepares to publish its national youth strategy.

Political dispute over the impact

The Conservatives accused the Chancellor of “driving youth unemployment up” through recent tax decisions, claiming the new scheme “gives with one hand while taking with the other”. However, ministers insist the investment represents a “downpayment on young people’s future” and will help address the rise in long-term sickness and disability among under-25s – one of the biggest barriers to work.

Further announcements are expected next week, including new details on the government’s pledge to make apprenticeships for under-25s at small and medium-sized businesses completely free.