PLAID CYMRU has urged voters in Sir Gaerfyrddin to back the party on Thursday, claiming it is the only party able to beat Reform UK in the new constituency.

The appeal comes after the latest ITV Cymru Wales, YouGov and Wales Governance Centre MRP poll suggested Plaid Cymru is on course to become the largest party in the Senedd, with Reform close behind. The poll put Plaid on 33% across Wales and Reform on 29%. (YouGov)

Sir Gaerfyrddin is one of the new Senedd constituencies being used for the first time in this election. It has been created from the Carmarthen and Llanelli Westminster seats and will elect six Members of the Senedd under the new closed-list system.

Plaid Cymru’s list in Sir Gaerfyrddin is led by Cefin Campbell, followed by Nerys Evans, Adam Price and Mari Arthur. (Who Can I Vote For?)

The party says the contest locally is now between Plaid Cymru and Reform UK, and has called on voters who want to stop Nigel Farage’s party from gaining ground in Carmarthenshire to “lend” Plaid their vote.

Nerys Evans said Plaid was offering “new leadership” and a “positive vision” for Wales, including childcare support, a National Development Agency to grow the economy, and a new numeracy and literacy scheme for children.

She said: “As the voters of Sir Gaerfyrddin head to the polls on Thursday, the choice could not be more stark.

“Only two parties can win here: Plaid Cymru, who offer new leadership, a positive vision, and which will be accountable only to the people of Wales; or Reform, which would divide our communities, threaten the future of our NHS, cut support for our culture and language and is controlled by Nigel Farage, billionaires, and ex-Tories in London.

“Support for Labour has disappeared in Carmarthenshire, with people unwilling to vote for a party that has let Wales down for over 27 years and in Westminster since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister.

“There is no evidence that the Greens or the Liberal Democrats will secure enough votes to come close to winning a seat.

“We ask anyone who wants to prevent a victory for Reform in Carmarthenshire to lend their vote to Plaid Cymru on Thursday.”

The Senedd election takes place on Thursday (May 7).

BROADCASTER and environmental campaigner Chris Packham has backed a free public screening in Carmarthen aimed at encouraging local discussion about the climate and nature crisis.

The People’s Emergency Briefing will be shown at St Peters Civic Hall, Carmarthen, on Friday, May 22, at 7:00pm.

The screening will be followed by a facilitated community discussion involving residents, local leaders and invited decision-makers.

The event forms part of a UK-wide programme intended to help the public and policymakers better understand the risks posed by climate change and biodiversity loss.

The film follows the National Emergency Briefing held at Westminster Central Hall in November 2025, where more than 1,200 MPs, peers and leaders from business, culture, faith, sport and the media gathered to hear evidence from leading experts.

The briefing, introduced by Chris Packham CBE, examined the impact of climate and nature breakdown on food security, public health, infrastructure, the economy and national security.

It has since been adapted into a 50-minute public film, which launched nationally in April and is now being screened in communities across the UK.

Chris Packham said: “I’d encourage people everywhere to attend a screening of The People’s Emergency Briefing.

“It creates exactly the kind of honest local conversation we now urgently need, both about what these changes mean where we live, and about what we can do together to address them.”

Organisers say the Carmarthen event comes at a time of growing local concern over flooding on the rivers Towy and Gwili, as well as biodiversity loss linked to pollution incidents.

After the film, those attending will be invited to take part in a structured discussion about the issues raised and what they may mean locally.

Local MPs, councillors and other influential figures have also been invited.

Philip Hughes, one of the organisers, said: “This is about creating space for people to come together, look at the evidence, and begin a more open and informed conversation about what it means for our community.

“It is also about how we can support the bolder action now called for by the science, which will also do so much to improve lives, as the film explains.”

Tickets for the Carmarthen screening are free, but advance registration is encouraged.

Formal Visitation highlights financial, structural, leadership and spiritual pressures at one of Wales’ most important religious sites

ST DAVIDS CATHEDRAL is facing a period of major renewal after a formal Bishop’s Visitation identified financial, structural, leadership and spiritual challenges at one of Wales’ most important religious and historic landmarks.

The report, published by the Diocese of St Davids on Friday (May 1), marks a significant moment for the cathedral, which is both the mother church of the diocese and one of Wales’ most recognisable places of pilgrimage.

The Bishop of St Davids, the Right Reverend Dorrien Davies, said the Visitation had been carried out as a “pastoral and constructive act” intended to support the Dean, Chapter, staff and wider cathedral community.

But the wording of the report makes clear that the cathedral is facing serious and practical pressures, including the need to strengthen its finances, protect the fabric of the ancient building, improve leadership structures, and renew its mission.

The Bishop said the purpose of the Visitation was to “direct and encourage ministry” and to enable a “faithful, practical response to the very real needs of the Cathedral — financial, structural, missional, and spiritual.”

Executive committee created

One of the most significant developments is the creation of a new Executive Committee, which has already been put in place following the Visitation process.

The Bishop said this was intended to support leadership, improve focus, and maintain momentum in dealing with urgent priorities.

He said the move showed “a willingness to engage seriously with the issues raised and to respond in a practical and timely way.”

The report adds that it is important this momentum is sustained, and that the recommendations are progressed with “clarity, purpose and due urgency.”

Although the Bishop stresses that the report was not written to criticise for its own sake, the language points to a cathedral at a crossroads, with governance and long-term planning now central to its future.

Ancient building

St Davids Cathedral is one of the most important Christian sites in Wales. It is a centre of worship, a focus for pilgrimage, a major visitor attraction, and a building of deep historical and spiritual significance.

The Bishop describes it as a “physical and visible sign of the Christian presence in this land — locally, nationally, and internationally.”

But ancient cathedrals are costly to maintain, and the report makes clear that the preservation of the building is now a major concern.

The Bishop refers to a detailed presentation by architect Andrew Faulkner and archaeologist Ross Cook, setting out a long-term vision for repair and preservation of the cathedral fabric.

He described that presentation as “both inspiring and reassuring”, saying it showed that careful and hopeful planning for the future was already underway.

The reference to fabric repairs is likely to raise questions about the scale of work needed, the likely cost, and whether further fundraising will be required.

Wider church pressures

The Visitation also sits within the wider context of the Diocese of St Davids’ “Pruning for Growth” strategy.

The Bishop said the cathedral, despite its historic status and national importance, had rightly been invited to undergo the same prayerful scrutiny as every other part of the diocese.

He said such scrutiny was “not a sign of failure, but of care and hope for the future.”

That wording suggests the cathedral is not being treated as exempt from wider pressures facing the Church in Wales, including falling attendance, financial strain, ageing buildings and the need to rethink ministry for the future.

Praise for staff

The report also contains strong praise for cathedral staff and departments.

The Bishop singled out Chris Crooks, the Dean’s Verger, and the vergers’ team, describing their work as “exemplary” and praising their role in worship, safety, and the care of the building.

He also praised the cathedral’s music, led by Simon Pearce and Laurence John, describing it as “one of its most powerful forms of proclamation.”

The Education and Pilgrimage department was also recognised, with particular thanks given to Janet Ingram for her work at Ty’r Pererin and her contribution to education at the cathedral as she enters retirement.

The Bishop also thanked librarian Mari James, the Friends of St Davids Cathedral, and advisers Arwel Davies and Medwin Hughes for their contributions.

Dean backed

The Bishop said he was especially grateful to the Dean for her cooperation throughout the process.

He said he wished to affirm her continuing leadership and her commitment to guiding the life and mission of the cathedral.

He added that he was confident in her resolve to lead with “openness, collaboration and faithful service.”

However, the creation of new leadership structures and the call for greater urgency suggest that the cathedral is now entering a period of closer oversight and reform.

The Bishop said the Visitation should be seen as an invitation to renewal, deeper collaboration and faithful courage.

He said: “Failure to recognise the positive developments emerging from this Visitation — or to read between the lines the appreciation of what is already being undertaken — would be to misunderstand why this Visitation was called.”

The Herald has asked the Diocese of St Davids whether the full financial position of the cathedral will be made public, what repair work has been identified, and what specific recommendations will now be taken forward.