Teen competitor airlifted to Cardiff Hospital with major injuries as community rallies to support her recovery

A FUNDRAISING campaign has passed the £5,000 mark in support of Delphi, a talented young surfer from South Pembrokeshire who was seriously injured in a car accident last week.

The teenager, who had been preparing to compete in the Euros Surf Competition next year, was left with significant injuries after the crash. Emergency services had to cut her free from the vehicle before she was airlifted to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. She remains there awaiting surgery after suffering a broken pelvis and other trauma, with what is expected to be a long road to recovery.

Her family are currently travelling to Cardiff every day and staying by her side as she undergoes treatment. Friends say the injury has been devastating for a young athlete whose life revolves around the ocean, training, and the competitive surf scene.

A GoFundMe campaign titled “Back to the Waves – Support Delphi’s Rehab Journey” was launched this week to help ease the financial strain on the family and provide specialist rehabilitation support once she is well enough to begin recovery. Organisers say the aim is to give her “the best possible chance of getting back to the sport she loves.”

Within days, donations had climbed above £5,000, with contributions pouring in from fellow surfers, local residents, beach communities and well-wishers across Pembrokeshire and beyond. Messages on the page describe Delphi as “a rising star”, “full of promise”, and “a lovely young girl who lights up the line-up.”

A spokesperson for the fundraiser said: “Delphi has big dreams for her surfing future. This accident has knocked her world off its axis, but with proper rehab and support she has every chance of coming back strong. We’re incredibly grateful for every donation, message and share.”

The Herald understands the family has been deeply moved by the outpouring of support during what they describe as the worst week of their lives.

The GoFundMe page can be found here for those wishing to donate or share the campaign: Back to the Waves – Support Delphi’s Rehab Journey.

THOUSANDS turned out for Small World Theatre’s Cardigan Giant Lantern Parade on 5 December, a flagship event of this year’s Festival of Light. This year’s theme, inspired by the upcoming Eisteddfod y Garreg Las, brought colour, creativity and community spirit to the streets of Cardigan.

The Parade was made possible thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, administered and supported by the Cynnal y Cardi team at Ceredigion County Council, with further support from National Lottery Awards for All and Cardigan Town Council.

Cardigan’s Mayor, Cllr Olwen Davies, joined the celebrations as Samba Doc, Jake Caswell and a spectacular array of giant lanterns led hundreds of participants through the town. The procession wound its way to the quayside, delighting thousands of spectators who lined the route.

Among the standout creations were large lanterns made by pupils from Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, Clwb Gwawr and Cardigan Rowing Club. Welsh lady hats and top-hat lanterns, crafted by local primary school pupils, added extra charm to the festive spectacle.

Now in its seventh year, the Lantern Parade has become a cornerstone of Cardigan’s winter calendar, drawing significant footfall and boosting the local economy. Alongside the Parade, Small World Theatre has developed a Festival of Light Trail — an immersive after-dark experience running from 4:30pm to 9pm, with buildings and shop windows illuminated across the town.

Mayor of Cardigan, Cllr Olwen Davies, said: “We’re so lucky to have this annual celebration that unites the town and is a Christmas treat for all. Congratulations to Small World Theatre’s team and volunteers for creating another wonderful evening.”

A spokesperson for Small World Theatre added: “Thanks to everyone who helped — Ceredigion County Council, Cardigan Town Council, the marshals from Cardigan Show and Barley Saturday Committees, Cardigan Castle, and our brilliant team and volunteers. And special thanks to Samba Doc and Jake for the joyful rhythms. Together we created a very special event for all.”

There is still time to support Small World Theatre’s fundraising appeal. Every contribution helps ensure this magical community event continues for years to come.

A PEMBROKESHIRE farmer “jumped the gun” in his enthusiasm to build a new cattle shed which includes ‘robot slurry scrapers’ that have been causing a noise nuisance for neighbours, county planners heard.

In a retrospective application recommended for approval at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee, Aled Jenkins sought permission for a replacement cattle housing and silage clamp at Upper Ty Rhos, Wolfscastle.

An officer report said Upper Ty Rhos consists of a herd of 630 youngstock beef cattle, the applicant seeking permission for the replacement 100-metre-long cattle housing building.

It said the building benefits from a robotic scraping system to internally clean it to improve animal welfare and efficiency.

However, the slurry scraper system in operation has been found to constitute a statutory noise nuisance.

“The introduction of the slurry scraper system has resulted in a new noise source to the locality that is having a significant detrimental impact upon local amenity.  The nuisance noise is directly associated with the extended hours of operation of the slurry scraper system and the noise created by the two motors powering the system including the drive mechanism that moves the scraper through the building to remove slurry produced by the housed cattle.

“To further exacerbate the situation, the building has open voids to the eastern gable end, which is within close proximity to the neighbouring property resulting in the building being acoustically weak.

“An acoustic report has been submitted with mitigation methods provided including relocating motors and associated equipment into external enclosures, reduction of noise egress through openings by installing hit-and-miss louvres and/or PVC strip curtains and consideration of blocking the gap between roof pitches along the ridge of the building.”

Three letters of concern were received from members of the public raising concerns including visual and environmental impact, noise issues and a potential for the herd size to increase.

Speaking at the meeting, neighbour Dr Andrew Williams, who stressed he was not seeking to have the shed removed, raised concerns about the noise from the ‘robot scrapers,’ exacerbated by cattle being concentrated in the immediate area from the wider farm complex.

Agent Wyn Harries addressed concerns about the retrospective nature was a result of over-enthusiasm by his client who “jumped the gun”.

He said there was now a scheme that was “fully worked through,” dealing with noise and other issues.

Members backed approval, which includes noise mitigation to address the impact of the robot scrapers; one member, Cllr Tony Wilcox, abstaining on the grounds of the retrospective native of the building “the size of a football field”.