Community

Pembrokeshire mourns Major Juno

Published

2 months ago

April 20, 2026

Dyfed-bred mare rose from a farm in Eglwyswrw to national ceremonial fame and became a trailblazer for the Household Cavalry

TRIBUTES have been paid across Pembrokeshire following the death of Major Juno, the Dyfed-bred Shire horse whose journey from a working farm in Eglwyswrw to the centre of Britain’s ceremonial life made her a source of enormous local pride.

Known at home as Willa Rose, she was bred at Dyfed Shire Horse Farm, where her size, strength and calm temperament quickly marked her out as something special. Born on May 10, 2013, she was part of the fourth generation of the Dyfed bloodline and would go on to become one of the farm’s most celebrated horses.

In 2021, she was bought by the Household Cavalry and sent to London, where she underwent two years of specialist training before being officially named Juno in 2023.

Her rise was historic. Major Juno became the first mare to pass out onto parade as a Household Cavalry drum horse, placing both horse and farm in the national spotlight. The achievement shone a light on Pembrokeshire and on the work of breeders in rural west Wales, with many locally seeing her success as something truly extraordinary.

She went on to appear in three consecutive Trooping the Colour parades, cementing her place among the most notable horses ever bred at the farm. For local people, she was far more than a ceremonial animal. She was living proof that a horse raised in Pembrokeshire could reach the very highest level of national service.

Major Juno came from a remarkable line. Her uncle Celt went on to serve in London as Major Mercury after joining the Household Cavalry in 2008, while another Dyfed horse, Ed, later became Major Apollo. In 2023, Apollo and Juno paraded together at Trooping the Colour, an extraordinary moment for the family behind Dyfed Shire Horse Farm and a measure of the farm’s unique reputation for producing elite ceremonial horses.

Despite her national fame, Juno never lost her connection to Pembrokeshire. She returned to the farm for public visits, drawing crowds of admirers eager to see the Dyfed-bred mare whose reputation had spread far beyond the county.

Her death, after a short illness, has prompted an outpouring of sadness from those who followed her story from the beginning. Dyfed Shire Horse Farm paid tribute to her as “our Rose”, while the family has asked for her to be returned to Pembrokeshire to be laid to rest alongside Major Mercury.

Among those paying tribute was county councillor Huw Carnhuan Murphy, who wrote: “Your journey is done, proud to have been there on the day it all began on May 10th, 2013 with Nikki Murphy & Anna Raymond.”

From the fields of north Pembrokeshire to Horse Guards Parade, Major Juno carried the county with her. In death, as in life, she remains a symbol of the care, quality and quiet ambition that took a Welsh-bred mare to the very heart of national tradition.

Community

Duck race draws crowds to Cresswell Quay

Published

9 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

AN ANNUAL Rotary duck race and pig roast brought crowds to Cresswell Quay on Friday (May 29), with organisers hailing the evening a success.

The event, organised by Narberth and Whitland Rotary, saw yellow ducks released onto the water as spectators gathered along the quay to watch the race unfold.

Perfect conditions

ORGANISERS said the tide and weather “could not have been better” for the popular community event.

Families enjoyed a relaxed evening of entertainment, food and fundraising, with Bat-A-Rat proving popular with youngsters while adults enjoyed a pig roast, with pork provided by Tom at Andrew Rees Butchers.

Live music from Jack Castle added to the atmosphere as people gathered at the riverside venue.

***Rotary fun: Crowds gathered at Cresswell Quay for the annual Narberth and Whitland Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast***

Thanks to supporters

JOHN Sleigh, of Narberth and Whitland Rotary, thanked everyone who attended and helped make the evening such a success.

He said: “What a fantastic evening. The tide and weather could not have been better for the annual Rotary Duck Race and Pig Roast at Cresswell Quay.

“We thank you all for being there and making the event such a success.”

Community

Crisis response dogs launched to support people through trauma and distress

Published

10 hours ago

June 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW project using specially trained dogs to support people during moments of trauma, grief and crisis has been launched by Cariad Pet Therapy.

The volunteer-led Crisis Response Dogs project aims to provide comfort, emotional support and compassionate human contact to people experiencing distress, loss or heightened stress.

The dogs and their trained handlers will be able to support people in hospitals, schools, emergency response settings, wellbeing events, relief centres and community support environments.

Cariad Pet Therapy says the project is designed to offer a calm and non-judgmental presence at times when people may be struggling to cope.

Volunteers involved in the scheme have undertaken a bespoke training programme, including accredited Mental Health First Aid, Emotional First Aid, Trauma-Informed Practice, Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries, Dynamic Risk Assessment, Dog Welfare, Crisis Awareness, and training in psychological responses to trauma and distress.

The project is also working with emergency management and resilience partners, including the South Wales Local Resilience Forum, to support communities during emergencies, major incidents and recovery situations.

As part of its development, volunteers have attended specialist seminars on suicide prevention, the human-animal relationship, emergency planning and resilience.

Robert Thomas, Crisis Response Dogs lead for the project, said: “We have already witnessed the incredible impact these dogs can have on people facing difficult moments.

“Sometimes a calm presence, a conversation, or simply the comfort of a dog can make someone feel seen, supported, and less alone.”

The project has received funding from The National Lottery.

For more information about Crisis Response Dogs, or to request a deployment, contact Robert Thomas on 01437 609985 or visit www.crisisresponsedogs.co.uk.

Crisis response dogs: Cariad Pet Therapy has launched a new project to support people during trauma, grief and distress across Wales (Pics: Cariad Pet Therapy).

Community

Youth centre given colourful new look thanks to local firm

Published

1 day 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.