SCHOOLS, families, local businesses and visitors from across Pembrokeshire came together in St Davids on Saturday 28 February for a colourful St David’s Day celebration marking the culmination of a major community arts project.

Hosted by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority at Oriel y Parc, Taith y Chwedlau / Journey of the Legends formed the centrepiece of a wider half-term programme inspired by Welsh legends and supported by Welsh Government funding. The project combined storytelling, art, music and bilingual activities, in the lead-up towards the annual parade through the city.

The celebration was attended by the First Minister for Wales, Eluned Morgan, along with invited guests, community groups and visitors, as St Davids burst into life with dragon wings, daffodils, boar headdresses and other handmade creations produced during workshops and drop-in sessions in the weeks leading up to the event.

Preparation for the parade involved extensive outreach work with local schools and community groups, as well as workshops and activities at the Authority’s sister sites, Carew Castle and Castell Henllys. In total, 255 participants took part in workshops and community sessions, including 102 school pupils and 153 children, young people and adults from various groups.

The project was delivered with artist Kate Evans and storytellers Phil Okwedy and Michael Harvey, who worked with participants to explore Welsh legend through a contemporary story rooted in creativity, community and environmental awareness.

Led by the dynamic drumming of Samba Doc, the procession set off from Oriel y Parc at 2pm, bringing music, movement and a strong sense of Welsh hwyl to the High Street of Britain’s smallest city.

Beyond the parade itself, Taith y Chwedlau continued along the High Street through a trail hosted by 16 businesses. Story stops were illustrated by Oriel y Parc team member Elen Beynon, while Chapel Chocolates in St Davids kindly supported the prize.

Oriel y Parc also hosted the Makers Bizarre Handmade Craft Market, which added to the day’s festive atmosphere and gave residents and visitors the chance to support local makers.

Rachel Perkins, Manager of Oriel y Parc, said: “Taith y Chwedlau was about much more than a single afternoon’s parade. It was the result of weeks of creative work with schools, community groups, artists, storytellers and businesses, all coming together to celebrate Welsh culture in an imaginative and inclusive way. It was wonderful to see so many people taking part, and to welcome the First Minister to share in such a vibrant community event.”

As part of the wider St David’s Day celebrations, visitors to Oriel y Parc, Castell Henllys and Carew Castle were welcomed with complimentary bunches of daffodils over the weekend.

To find out more about events, exhibitions and opening times at Oriel y Parc, visit www.orielyparc.co.uk

PHOTO:

Participants in the Taith y Chwedlau / Journey of the Legends parade bring colour and creativity to the streets of St Davids.

Research suggests legacy of pit closures still shaping health and mortality across former mining communities

A NEW academic study has found that communities with a history of coal mining experience dramatically higher rates of deaths linked to suicide, alcohol misuse and drug poisoning.

Researchers from Bangor University analysed mortality data from across England and Wales and found that so-called “deaths of despair” are 53% higher in areas with a coal mining past compared with places without a mining history.

The study, published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, examined patterns of mortality between 2015 and 2023 and is believed to be the first research of its kind to investigate the long-term health impact of coal mining’s decline.

Long shadow of industrial decline

The term “deaths of despair” refers to deaths caused by suicide, alcohol-related disease and drug poisoning. It was originally coined by researchers in the United States to describe rising mortality among working-class communities experiencing economic decline.

The Bangor study suggests similar patterns are visible in Britain, particularly in areas where coal mining once dominated local economies.

Researchers say the data points to the lasting impact of industrial collapse, economic instability and deep-rooted health inequalities that continue decades after pits closed.

Lead author Eurwen Williams, who conducted the research while training as a clinical psychologist at Bangor University, said the findings reflect the lived reality of many communities.

“As a clinical psychologist, reflecting on our research into deaths of despair in former coal mining communities, I am struck by how clearly the data echoes the lived realities of growing up and practising in North Wales,” she said.

“Behind every data point is a life lost and the story of a community living with the consequences of industrial decline, economic instability, and longstanding health inequalities.

“Distress does not arise in a vacuum; it is profoundly shaped by social and structural change.”

Warning for the future

Co-author Dr Christopher Saville said the findings highlight how persistent health inequalities can become once industrial communities lose their economic base.

“It is sad to see just how persistent these health inequalities are,” he said.

“At a time when we are talking about AI causing a new wave of deindustrialisation, it is vital that we learn the lessons from the last time around and avoid some of the mistakes that were made.”

Lessons from the coalfields

Coal mining shaped large parts of Wales for generations, particularly the South Wales Valleys where entire towns grew around pits.

However, the industry’s rapid decline during the late twentieth century, culminating in widespread pit closures in the 1980s and 1990s, left many communities facing unemployment, economic hardship and social upheaval.

Researchers say the study demonstrates how those changes may still be affecting public health decades later.

While the coal industry itself has largely disappeared, its social legacy remains deeply embedded in many former mining areas.

The researchers say their findings underline the importance of tackling structural inequality alongside individual health support.

Communities still paying the price

The study concludes that the health consequences of industrial decline can persist across generations if communities are not supported through economic transition.

Researchers say the findings should inform future policy decisions, particularly as new technological changes threaten to reshape labour markets once again.

The authors warn that without careful planning and investment, new waves of economic disruption could produce similar long-term consequences for communities across the UK.

A PEMBROKESHIRE private chef has launched a new farm-to-table dining initiative aimed at supporting local food producers while offering residents a chance to experience bespoke restaurant-quality meals in their own homes.

Joshua Vaughan, founder of Chef4Life Ltd, has announced the release of just one hundred exclusive dining vouchers as part of the initiative, which focuses on promoting locally sourced ingredients from farmers, butchers, and suppliers across Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

Each voucher costs £35 per person and can be redeemed against selected Chef4Life private dining events during 2026.

Vaughan, who has more than seventeen years of experience in professional kitchens, said the project is designed to celebrate high-quality local produce while bringing fine dining directly to people’s homes.

The chef trained in Michelin-level kitchens and multi-rosette establishments before launching Chef4Life, a private dining service that specialises in tailored culinary experiences for small gatherings, celebrations, and special occasions.

Rather than offering a fixed menu, Chef4Life events are designed individually for each client. Menus are created around the tastes and dietary requirements of the guests, with dishes built around seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers wherever possible.

The farm-to-table initiative aims to strengthen links between chefs and regional suppliers while encouraging diners to support the area’s food economy.

Vaughan said the limited voucher release also gives new customers an opportunity to experience the service for the first time.

He explained that each event is designed to recreate a restaurant-level dining experience in private settings, whether for an intimate dinner party, family celebration, or luxury home dining event.

Only one hundred vouchers have been released, and once they are sold the offer will not be repeated.

Residents interested in securing a voucher can contact Chef4Life directly via WhatsApp on 07367 753776 or visit www.chef4life.uk for further information.