Dyfed’s High Sheriff supports charity following dramatic family rescue years ago

THE HIGH Sheriff of Dyfed has spent her year in office raising thousands of pounds for the Wales Air Ambulance charity — a cause close to her heart after the lifesaving service once came to the aid of her own son.

Ann Jones, who has lived in the village of Llandewi Brefi in Ceredigion for forty years, chose to champion the charity during her term, highlighting the vital role it plays in supporting rural communities.

Speaking about her decision, she said the service was particularly important in remote areas such as the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains.

She said: “There are two reasons why I wanted to support the Wales Air Ambulance during my year as High Sheriff.

“Firstly, we are at the foothills of the Cambrian Mountains. As you can imagine it is quite a remote area. It is beautiful, but the road network is dreadful.

“When someone falls critically ill, or there is a serious road accident, the air ambulance is a lifeline for our community.”

The second reason, she explained, is personal.

“Many years ago, my son was riding a horse when he was knocked unconscious,” she said.

“The air ambulance came to his aid. Thankfully there was no serious damage and he made a complete recovery. As a family, we’ve never forgotten that.”

Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service which takes hospital-standard treatments directly to patients at the scene of emergencies. If required, crews can also transfer patients directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.

The service operates through a partnership between the charity and the NHS. While highly skilled consultants and critical care practitioners are supplied by the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), the charity itself relies on public donations to raise the £13 million needed each year to keep helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles on the road.

This advanced critical care capability allows crews to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and even carry out minor surgical procedures at the scene.

During her year in office, Ann visited the charity’s headquarters in Dafen near Llanelli.

“It was fascinating to meet Rory the pilot and Tony who is an Operational Support Assistant,” she said.

“They took the time to explain what they do. What struck me was how calm and professional they were. The alarm could have gone off at any minute, and it was reassuring to see they were ready and able to respond.”

Ann described her year as High Sheriff as “memorable”, with the visit to the air ambulance base providing the “icing on the cake”.

Her term began with a declaration service at her local chapel on Tuesday (Mar 25, 2025).

Since then, a series of fundraising events has been organised to support the charity, including a special evening at the Tyglyn Hotel near Aberaeron organised by Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner Donald Morgan.

The evening featured entertainment from local group Mishmash and attracted strong community support.

One of the highlights was a festive tractor run in December which saw around forty-five decorated tractors take part.

“There were Christmas trees on the roofs of the tractors and lights everywhere,” she said.

“People were incredibly creative and created themes. Pickup trucks also joined in so families — including elderly residents — could take part.”

Children were also invited to decorate their own ride-on toys, bikes and miniature tractors for the event.

An auction featuring twenty-five lots was held alongside the run, while refreshments were provided by Café Dewi, a voluntary café run by the local Women’s Institute.

Despite the village’s small size, the event raised £7,200.

“It’s incredible really that on a Sunday before Christmas, when money is short for many people, the community gave so generously,” Ann said.

In total, Ann expects to raise more than £12,000 for the charity before the end of her term.

“I have relied on friends, family and local businesses for support — both financially and practically,” she said.

“It just shows how generous the people of Cardiganshire are.”

Her final fundraising event will be a fashion show at the Falcondale Hotel in Lampeter.

Emily Bell, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Coordinator, praised the High Sheriff’s efforts.

“What an incredible year,” she said.

“The High Sheriff of Dyfed has championed Wales Air Ambulance throughout her term in office and we are hugely grateful for her support.

“We would also like to thank everyone who supported the High Sheriff’s fundraising activities — every pound raised helps save lives.”

Cover image:

Emily Bell, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Coordinator and Ann Jones, High
Sheriff of Dyfed 2025-2026

Council votes to discontinue Ysgol Llansteffan after months of opposition

CARMARTHENSHIRE County Council has approved plans to close Ysgol Llansteffan, despite a sustained campaign by parents and community supporters to keep the village school open.

The decision was confirmed at a council meeting held today (Wednesday, March 4).

Under the plans, Ysgol Llansteffan will close on August 31, 2026, with pupils transferring to Ysgol Llangain from September 1. The existing catchment area currently served by Ysgol Llansteffan will also be absorbed into the Ysgol Llangain catchment.

Parents and guardians will still be able to apply for places at other schools in Carmarthenshire through the council’s usual admissions process.

The school was identified for closure under Carmarthenshire County Council’s Modernising Education Programme, approved by Cabinet on November 18, 2024. Officials cited extremely low pupil numbers, a high number of surplus places, and financial pressures including a projected deficit budget.

Council leaders also noted that many children living within the school’s catchment area already attend other schools, limiting demand for provision in the village.

Cabinet Member for Education Cllr Glynog Davies said the decision had been difficult.

“The decision to close Ysgol Llansteffan is difficult for everyone involved and it is with sadness that this has been agreed,” he said.

“Following a robust process, the discontinuation of Ysgol Llansteffan will enable the school to combine with Ysgol Llangain to provide safer staffing, the wider sharing of the Welsh language among pupils and a more sustainable rural community.”

Campaigners’ concerns

The decision follows months of opposition from parents and campaigners who argued the case for closure was flawed.

The school’s Parent Teacher Association, supported by Welsh language campaigners, had urged councillors to delay the decision, saying important evidence remained unresolved. Campaigners also raised concerns about the language impact assessment used to support the closure proposal.

Parents argued that pupil numbers had recently increased and that projections used by the council were outdated. They said the school roll had risen earlier this year, challenging claims that numbers would remain extremely low.

During the consultation process, the council received more than 200 responses, with the majority opposing the closure. Residents raised concerns about transport arrangements, the potential impact on pupils’ wellbeing, and the effect on the wider village community if the school were lost.

Supporters of the school also argued that small rural schools play an important role in maintaining Welsh language use and community life, warning that once the village school is lost it would be unlikely to reopen.

Despite these objections, councillors ultimately approved the proposal, meaning Ysgol Llansteffan will close at the end of the summer term.

Counter-terror officers arrest man in Powys as part of national security investigation

THREE men have been arrested in Wales and London on suspicion of assisting Chinese intelligence services in the United Kingdom.

The arrests were made on Wednesday (Mar 4) as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation being carried out under the National Security Act 2023, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.

Two of the suspects were detained in Wales, while a third man was arrested in London.

Police said the men are aged 39, 43 and 68.

The 43-year-old was arrested at an address in Pontyclun, while the 68-year-old was detained in Powys. A 39-year-old man was arrested in London.

Shocking links to Westminster

The Guardian has reported that one of the men arrested is the partner of a sitting Labour MP, while another is said to be the partner of a former Labour MP. Police have not confirmed the identities of the suspects.

Officers also carried out searches at a number of properties linked to the suspects, including addresses in Cardiff and East Kilbride in Scotland, as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Metropolitan Police said the arrests relate to suspected offences involving assisting a foreign intelligence service, believed to be connected to China.

In a statement, police emphasised that the operation is being handled by Counter Terrorism Policing, which is responsible for national security investigations in the UK.

Suspects in police stations

Officers confirmed the suspects remain in custody while enquiries continue.

Police also reassured the public that there is no immediate danger.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: “There is no imminent or direct threat to the public.”

The National Security Act, introduced in 2023, created new offences designed to combat espionage, foreign interference and covert activity by hostile states operating in the UK.

The investigation is continuing.