News

Ancient New Year celebrations still ring true in hidden corner of Pembrokeshire

Published

5 months ago

January 12, 2026

WITH New Year celebrations safely packed away with the tinsels and baubles for another 12 months, a quiet corner of Pembrokeshire is once again preparing to herald in the New Year with gusto.

Cwm Gwaun near Newport is one of the few places in Wales that continues to adhere to a centuries’ old tradition by celebrating Hen Galan tomorrow, January 13, in line with the old Julian calendar, which was used since the time of Julius Caesar and the Roman Empire. When the calendar was reformed in 1752 and superseded by the Gregorian calendar, the people of Cwm Gwaun refused to play ball. And 2026 will be no exception.

Once again this year the children of Cwm Gwaun will go from house to house collecting ‘calennig’ – a new year’s gift – from their neighbours. After wishing the householders good fortune for the rest of the year with a new year’s greeting, usually in song and verse, the children are then given a small gift of money or sweets. Originally, this was food to help sustain families through the hard months of winter. Anyone who has the audacity to ignore the children’s good wishes is destined a year of bad luck or, as the Cwm Gwaun community labels it, ‘llond ty o fwg’ (a houseful of smoke).

The Gregorian calendar modified the use of leap years as a means to keep more accurately to the revolution of the Earth around the sun. Catholic countries were more inclined to accept the reform while Protestant Britain clung to its traditions until the middle of the 18th century.

As the Julian calendar gained a day every 128 years, by the mid 18th century Britain found herself 11 days ahead of her continental neighbours which naturally resulted in confusion and complications for trade and diplomacy.

So from 1752 onwards, the Calendar Act resulted in the new year starting on January 1 rather than on March 25, as had previously been the custom. The tax year, incidentally, which begins on April 6, is the old date for the previous new year of March 25, with the missing 11 days added on.

Another ancient Welsh custom to mark the Julian new year is the Mari Lwyd, where a horse’s head is paraded around on a pole decorated with ribbons and bells. In bygone years, this would have been a real horse’s skull, whereas in more recent years it is a wooden effigy covered in white cloth.

‘Mari Lwyd’ is translated as ‘grey mare’, connecting the traditional to the heritage of the pale horses in Celtic and British mythology, many of which crossed over to the underworld.

Main photo: Stuart Ladd/Herald

Charity

Blood Bikes Wales volunteer finds new purpose after lifeboat career ends

Published

6 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A FORMER lifeboat coxswain who was told he was too old to continue going to sea has found a new sense of purpose with Blood Bikes Wales.

Clive had spent decades serving his community, including almost 20 years as a First Responder with the Welsh Ambulance Service and 38 years with the lifeboat. He eventually became coxswain, but at the age of 65 was told he could no longer continue in the role.

Despite being fit and healthy, holding a Class 1 driving licence and a Private Pilot’s Licence, stepping away from something that had been such a major part of his life proved difficult. He said the loss of involvement, purpose and identity hit hard.

Determined to find a new volunteering challenge, Clive contacted Blood Bikes Wales. As an advanced driver, he hoped to take on a car-based role, but discovered the charity operated motorcycles. At that point, he did not even have a motorcycle licence.

Rather than give up, Clive decided to learn to ride, pass his motorcycle test and work towards the advanced qualification needed to apply as a Blood Bikes Wales rider.

“It was the best decision I ever made,” he said. “The challenge and freedom that motorcycling gave me was a real tonic.”

With determination and support from mentors, Clive achieved his RoSPA Gold qualification and passed the assessments to become a Blood Bikes Wales rider.

Now, just over 18 months into his Blood Bikes Wales journey and approaching his 70th birthday, he says the charity has given him back something he feared he had lost.

He said: “I am truly grateful that I committed to the challenge and extremely thankful to Blood Bikes Wales for giving me back the direction, involvement and identity I had lost a few years earlier.

“Blood Bikes Wales is a truly inspirational and inclusive charity, made even more remarkable by the fact that every member is a volunteer. I feel proud to wear my rider’s jacket and represent the charity.”

Crime

Man wanted in connection with rape investigation has Pembrokeshire links

Published

6 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police in Milford Haven and Neyland assisting Warwickshire officers in appeal to trace 23-year-old

MILFORD HAVEN and Neyland police have issued an appeal to help locate a man wanted in connection with a rape investigation.

Officers are assisting colleagues from Warwickshire Police, who are seeking information on the whereabouts of 23-year-old Rhys Trott in connection with a rape allegation in Nuneaton.

Police say Trott is believed to have links to the Milford Haven area of Pembrokeshire.

In a public appeal, Warwickshire Police said they are keen to trace Trott as part of ongoing enquiries.

Anyone who has seen him or has information about his whereabouts is urged to contact Warwickshire Police through their website or by quoting the relevant incident details.

Milford Haven and Neyland Police shared the appeal on social media on Tuesday (June 3), asking local residents to come forward with any information that may assist officers.

Photo caption:

Rhys Trott, 23, is wanted by Warwickshire Police in connection with a rape investigation and is believed to have links to Milford Haven (Pic: Warwickshire Police).

Community

Youth centre given colourful new look thanks to local firm

Published

8 hours ago

June 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

YOUNG people at a Haverfordwest youth centre have helped transform one of its rooms into a bright and welcoming space.

The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest, has thanked W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting the painting and decorating project, which saw young people work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from the company.

The project has given the room a colourful refresh, creating a cheerful space for young people using the centre.

Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, also supported the work by supplying the colourful paints.

A spokesperson for The Edge Youth Centre said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd for supporting us with the painting and decorating of one of the rooms at our Youth Centre.

“The young people were fortunate enough to work alongside Chris, a painter and decorator from W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd, to transform the room.

“Thanks to Chris and the young people’s hard work and enthusiasm, the space is now looking bright, welcoming, and cheerful.

“We’d also like to thank Rabart Decorators Merchants, Pembroke Dock, for generously supplying the colourful paints. Your support has helped create a vibrant room that young people can enjoy for years to come.”

The centre added: “Thank you both for your generosity and for helping us create such a positive space for our young people.”

Photo caption: Bright new look: Young people worked alongside W.B Griffiths & Son Ltd to refresh a room at The Edge Youth Centre, Haverfordwest.