PEMBROKSHIRE’S thriving chess community witnessed a unique blend of tradition and technology last week, as Pembrokeshire Chess Club hosted a special guest: “Rook to D2” – an AI-powered chess robot from the Welsh Chess Union.

The visit marked the first stop of the robot’s tour across Wales, making it a historic moment for the county. Club members, both young and old, gathered at Kensington Court in Steynton to experience the future of chess firsthand.

Excitement filled the room as the club’s President officially opened proceedings by making the first move against the robotic challenger. From that moment on, it was “game on,” with 15 junior players eagerly taking turns to test their skills. Several adult members also joined in, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere.

The evening proved especially memorable for the club’s younger players, who relished the chance to play against cutting-edge technology. Their enthusiasm was matched by club officials, including the Chairman and President, who welcomed the opportunity to introduce innovation into the local chess scene.

Club representatives described the atmosphere as “amazing,” highlighting how advancements in technology are enhancing traditional games like chess and inspiring a new generation of players.

Pembrokeshire Chess Club continues to meet weekly at Kensington Court, Steynton. Junior sessions are held every Tuesday from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, followed by sessions for more experienced juniors and adults. The club prides itself on being family-friendly and inclusive, catering to all abilities – from casual players seeking a friendly game to those aiming to compete in league and tournament chess.

Following its successful debut in Pembrokeshire, the AI chess robot is expected to visit other clubs across Wales in the coming weeks, bringing the same sense of excitement and innovation to chess communities nationwide.

Suffolk Punch mare gives birth to strong colt foal ahead of May bank holiday farm opening

DYFED SHIRE FARM has welcomed its first foal of 2026, with a Suffolk Punch mare giving birth to a strong colt.

The new arrival was announced on Saturday by the Pembrokeshire farm, which said the foal is from mare Dixie and is doing well.

In a social media post, the farm said: “Mother nature working 100% as we would want.”

The birth will be seen as a boost for the farm and for supporters of traditional horse breeds, with the Suffolk Punch regarded as one of Britain’s rarest native working horse breeds.

Dyfed Shire Farm has not yet chosen a name for the colt and has invited the public to send in suggestions.

The farm is preparing to open to visitors over the early May bank holiday weekend, with opening times announced for Friday, May 1 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, and again on Sunday, May 3 and Monday, May 4. Visitors are expected to be able to see Dixie and her foal during the open days.

The Pembrokeshire attraction also used the announcement to promote stays at its campsite as interest grows around the latest addition.

Images shared online show the foal standing close to its mother in a field, as well as resting in the spring sunshine.

Photo caption: New arrival: Dyfed Shire Farm has announced the birth of its first foal of 2026, a Suffolk Punch colt born to mare Dixie (Pics: Dyfed Shire Farm).

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi headteacher Rachael Thomas read the first lesson at a special service in St Davids Cathedral as past and present choristers gathered to celebrate a tradition that began in dramatic circumstances in 1966

ST DAVIDS CATHEDRAL celebrated sixty years of girl choristers on Sunday (Apr 19) with a special choral evensong honouring the schoolgirls who first stepped in when the choir faced a crisis.

The service marked six decades since girls from Ysgol Dewi Sant, now Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, were called on to help save a BBC Radio 3 broadcast after a shortage of boy choristers left the cathedral choir in difficulty.

In a proud moment for the school, headteacher Rachael Thomas was invited to read the first lesson during the anniversary service, which brought together past and present choristers in the cathedral where the tradition began.

Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi said afterwards that it had been a proud evening for the school, recognising the bond between the cathedral choir and the school dating back to the spring of 1966.

Material produced for the service explains how Peter Boorman, who had arrived at St Davids Cathedral in late 1953 with a strong musical reputation, had been struggling to recruit enough boy choristers in the years leading up to the landmark change.

The problem came to a head ahead of a BBC Radio 3 broadcast of choral evensong on Wednesday, April 20, 1966. At the time, measles had swept through primary schools in St Davids and several boy choristers were unable to sing. By the day of the broadcast, no boys were present at rehearsal, leaving the choir in serious difficulty.

Fearing that there would be no treble line ready, Boorman turned to the girls’ choir of Ysgol Dewi Sant, led by music teacher Rosalyn Charles. With the agreement of Dean Edward Jenkins, the Chapter and headmaster David James, the girls were excused from lessons and brought in to perform.

The schoolgirls rehearsed the required music at speed and, despite the unfamiliar demands of psalm singing, the emergency plan proved a success.

A handwritten note in the Chapter Service Book for that day recorded the moment in stark terms: “boys did not arrive – used 6 girls from Ysgol Dewi Sant.”

What began as a one-off solution quickly became something much bigger.

According to the historical account shared at the service, Dean Jenkins initially agreed to allow the girls to sing with the choir only as an isolated occasion. However, after hearing the quality of their singing, a chapter meeting held on Monday, July 25, 1966 decided that the girls should become full choristers.

The minutes of that meeting recorded: “approval to girls in choir – separate vestry – clothing left to Dean.”

That decision laid the foundation for a tradition which has continued ever since, with generations of girls singing in the cathedral choir over the past sixty years.

Sunday’s celebration recognised not only that original moment of necessity, but the lasting musical contribution made by the school and by the many choristers who followed.

The service booklet described the anniversary as a celebration of “the generations of girl choristers both past and present” and said the cathedral’s choral foundation continues to ensure that “the joy of singing can be experienced by choristers to come.”

The first lesson, read by Mrs Thomas, included the words from Haggai: “Take courage… work, for I am with you, says the Lord” – a fitting theme for an occasion rooted in courage, quick thinking and musical dedication.

For Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi, the anniversary was a reminder of a remarkable chapter in the school’s history – and of the day six girls helped change cathedral music in St Davids for good.

Proud celebration: Past and present choristers gathered at St Davids Cathedral on Sunday to mark sixty years of girl choristers in the cathedral choir (Pic: supplied).