THE PEMBROKESHIRE U3A Wind Ensemble is preparing for a packed programme of performances in 2026, with appearances planned at civic events, schools and concert venues across the county.

The ensemble has been reflecting on a busy 2025 while looking ahead to a year of new musical opportunities and expanded performances.

Last year saw the group’s first concert take place in May as part of the VE80 commemorations, followed by a demanding schedule later in the year, including performances around Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas period.

As planning for 2026 gets underway, the ensemble has confirmed that it has been invited by Haverfordwest Town Council to support a number of civic events. These include the Mayor Making ceremony, Beating the Bounds and the town carnival, alongside several other public occasions.

The group has also been invited to perform at Roche School as part of its music sessions, as well as visiting the music department at Pembrokeshire College.

In addition, the ensemble is planning a programme of summer and Christmas concerts at venues across Pembrokeshire. It is hoped that these will include performances at the Merlin Theatre, with arrangements also progressing for concerts on a larger scale than those previously staged by the group.

Members of the ensemble have thanked supporters for their encouragement over the past year and say they are looking forward to a busy and eventful 2026, continuing to perform for audiences across the county.

RSPCA CYMRU has looked back on a demanding year for animal welfare in Wales, marked by rising abandonment and neglect cases alongside major political and legislative developments.

For more than 200 years, the RSPCA has worked to bring animals to safety, and 2025 proved to be another relentless year for frontline officers, inspectors, volunteers and animal centres across Wales.

From emergency rescues and welfare investigations to rehabilitation and rehoming, teams across the country responded to an unrelenting demand for help, with animal welfare charities warning of a growing crisis.

One significant development during the year was progress made in the Senedd towards a ban on greyhound racing in Wales. The RSPCA, alongside its Cut the Chase coalition partners, says it will continue to work with Members of the Senedd as the proposed legislation moves forward in 2026.

With the Senedd election also approaching in May 2026, the charity says the coming year will be critical. RSPCA Cymru is seeking to influence political party manifestos to ensure animal welfare commitments remain firmly on the agenda.

Wales leads UK in animal compassion

Despite the challenges, new data published in 2025 showed Wales leading the UK in public concern for animals.

The RSPCA’s Animal Kindness Index found that 75 per cent of people in Wales describe themselves as animal lovers — the highest proportion of any UK nation. This compares with 72 per cent in Scotland, 70 per cent in England, and 69 per cent in Northern Ireland.

However, the charity says this compassion is being tested. Reports of animal abandonment in Wales rose by 12.5 per cent during the first ten months of 2025, while neglect reports increased by 14 per cent over the same period.

On Wednesday (Jan 1), the RSPCA also revealed that more than 634,000 people visited its website during 2025 to report animal welfare concerns across England and Wales. During the Christmas period alone, between December 24 and 29, there were 7,279 visits.

RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne said: “Every single day throughout the year, our teams rescue, rehabilitate and rehome hundreds of animals with very special backgrounds and stories of triumph over adversity.

“With the New Year upon us, we’re proud to showcase how animal lovers in Wales have supported us to help so many animals survive in so many situations.

“For more than 200 years, the RSPCA has been working tirelessly to bring animals to safety and give them the expert treatment and compassion they deserve — but we can’t do that without public support. If you care about animals, it’s time to turn that care into action.”

Rescues that defined 2025

Among the many rescues carried out across Wales during the year was the dramatic rescue of a thrush found entangled 40 feet up a tree near Pontypool.

The bird had wire wrapped tightly around its leg and was unable to free itself. RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Kirsty Morgan worked alongside South Wales Fire & Rescue Service to reach the bird using specialist equipment. After veterinary treatment and a night of rest, the thrush was released back into the wild.

A representative from Monmouthshire Housing Association said staff were “thrilled” to see the bird released safely, describing the moment as “heartwarming” as it reunited with another thrush nearby.

In Merthyr Tydfil, a severely underweight 12-week-old Patterdale Terrier puppy was found in Dowlais in June. Weighing just 900 grams and suffering from rickets, mobility problems and a docked tail, the pup was taken for urgent veterinary care.

RSPCA Inspector Gemma Cooper said the puppy — later named Audrey — made a full recovery and has since been rehomed. She said: “After being so small we feared for the worst, but it is wonderful she is doing so well.”

Elsewhere, a badger was rescued after falling four feet down an open manhole near the former Colwyn Bay Civic Office in November. RSPCA Inspector Louise Showering worked with the Clwyd Badger Group to safely remove the animal, which ran off unharmed. The manhole was later secured by the council.

In Caerphilly, a tawny owl was rescued after becoming tangled by its wing in branches above fast-flowing water in Bedwas. The bird was freed with the help of South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, treated by a vet, and later released back into the wild.

One of the most unusual cases involved a puffin named Oona, discovered 110 miles inland in a Herefordshire garden. After specialist rehabilitation at the RSPCA’s West Hatch Wildlife Centre, Oona was returned to West Wales and released back into the sea.

Public urged to act quickly

The RSPCA says early intervention can save lives and is urging members of the public to help trapped animals where it is safe to do so, using guidance available on the charity’s website.

Anyone concerned about an animal’s welfare is advised to report it via the RSPCA’s online reporting system.

More information on the charity’s Big Give Back to Animals appeal can be found on the RSPCA website.

PLANS for an adventure tourism hub in north Pembrokeshire, ruled by a high court judge to have been granted unlawfully following a legal challenge, are due to be heard again by the national park next year.

Back in 2024, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee approved an application by Adventure Beyond Ltd for an outdoor adventure centre, and associated works at The Old Bus Depot, Moylegrove.

The application had been before multiple meetings of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s development management committee; the plot originally used as a bus depot by the founder of the Richards Bros bus company.

Concerns were raised about the scheme, including by local community council Nevern, and opponents feared that increased business for adventure firms will worsen the plight of birds and animals including seals.

Following that approval, a high court challenge was brought by Wild Justice, who claimed the scheme would see nesting birds and breeding seals disturbed by ‘noisy’ coasteers.

But Jet Moore, of Adventure Beyond, insisted that the company had been ‘key’ in developing codes of conduct to ensure wildlife safety.

In September Hon Mr Justice Eyre ruled the National Park Authority’s decision was unlawful as a position statement and 2024 survey of breeding birds published by Natural Resources Wales had not been made available beforehand.

The judge also agreed that the management committee had not been properly informed about the impact of the development on the Aberath-Carreg Wylan SSSI, including the potential for coasteering activities to disturb the chough, for which the SSSI is designated.

On that basis planning permission was quashed and the application will need to be re-determined if the development is to go ahead.

Ceibwr Bay forms part of the Cardigan Bay Special Area of Conservation (SAC), the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, the West Wales Marine SAC and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is home to nesting razorbill, guillemot, fulmar, herring gull, chough and kestrel.

Nearby sea caves are recognised pupping areas for grey seals and otters frequent the bay.

Wild Justice argued that an adventure centre would increase recreational activity, such as coasteering and kayaking.

Giving his reaction, Mr Moore claimed objectors had ‘caused more disturbance [to nesting birds] than we ever have’.

At the October meeting of the national park’s development management committee, members received an overview of the judgement, hearing resubmitted plans were expected.

In an update given just before the Christmas break, a spokesperson from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority said: “We will be bringing the Moylegrove application back for redetermination in 2026 but do not have a definite date for that yet.”