RESIDENTS and visitors are invited to uncover the stories of one of Wales’ most fascinating ancient landscapes at Discovering the Golden Road, a special event taking place on Saturday 18 April at Tafarn Sinc.

The afternoon begins with a two-hour guided walk through the spectacular Preseli Hills, led by Tomos Jones, Community Archaeologist at the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. Participants will explore the rich archaeological heritage of the area and discover the history of the Golden Road, a prehistoric trackway believed to have been used for thousands of years, linking ceremonial sites and communities across the landscape.

After the walk, guests will return to Tafarn Sinc for an informal Q&A session with Tomos, offering time to reflect on the landscape, delve deeper into its stories, and continue the conversation in a relaxed setting.

Katie Macro, Charity Director of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, said: “The Golden Road is one of Pembrokeshire’s most iconic ancient routes, and events like this help people connect more deeply with the landscape around them. By supporting experiences that celebrate our heritage, we’re also raising vital funds to protect the special places that make the National Park so unique for future generations.”

Jennifer Wheeler, Founder of Golden Road Gin, said: “What a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the Preseli Hills and the Golden Road. There is so much nature and history to uncover, and it’s wonderful to discover it with a real expert. We’re incredibly proud to partner with the amazing work of the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust to help conserve our heritage and nature. We can’t wait for this event and will be offering gin tasting following the walk and talk.”

The event is delivered in partnership with Golden Road Gin, with thanks to Jen and Phil for their generous support. The company donates 10p from every bottle sold online to the Pembrokeshire Coast Charitable Trust, helping to fund conservation and heritage projects across the National Park.

Lunch will be available to purchase on the day.

Discovering the Golden Road will take place on Saturday 18 April at Tafarn Sinc, Rosebush. Tickets cost £15 and can be booked online at https://pembrokeshirecoast.enthuse.com/DiscoveringtheGoldenRoad#!/.

For accessibility information, please contact Abi Marriott at [email protected].

CALLS have been made for an urgent debate in the Senedd over the future of services at Withybush Hospital as political pressure mounts ahead of the Welsh Parliament election.

Paul Davies MS and Samuel Kurtz MS have written jointly to Carolyn Thomas MS, Chair of the Senedd’s Petitions Committee, urging that a public petition concerning healthcare provision in Pembrokeshire be considered as a matter of urgency.

The petition, which has already gathered more than 10,000 signatures, raises concerns about changes to services at Withybush Hospital and calls for intervention to protect healthcare provision in the county.

Reaching the 10,000-signature threshold means the petition qualifies for consideration by the Senedd and could be recommended for debate in the chamber.

The two MSs say the issue should be discussed before the Senedd dissolves ahead of the Welsh Parliament election on May 7.

Paul Davies MS said the strength of public support highlighted deep concern among residents about the future of healthcare services in Pembrokeshire.

“Reaching 10,000 signatures demonstrates the strength of feeling across Pembrokeshire about future services at Withybush Hospital,” he said.

“Residents, clinicians and campaigners have raised serious concerns about patient safety, travel times and the cumulative impact of service changes.”

Samuel Kurtz MS said it was essential that the Welsh Government was required to respond to the concerns in a formal Senedd debate.

“Given the potential impact that the centralisation of hospital services could have on rural communities, it’s vital that this issue is debated in the Senedd before dissolution,” he said.

“People deserve the opportunity for their elected representatives to scrutinise these decisions and for the Welsh Government to respond formally on the record.”

Concerns over rural healthcare access

The future of Withybush Hospital has been a long-running issue in Pembrokeshire, with repeated campaigns over the years to protect services at the Haverfordwest site.

Previous controversies have included the loss of consultant-led maternity services and changes to paediatric provision, while more recent concerns have focused on the withdrawal of emergency general surgery.

Critics argue that moving services to larger hospitals, particularly Glangwili Hospital in Carmarthen, risks increasing travel times for patients in a largely rural county.

Campaigners say this could place additional pressure on ambulance services and potentially delay life-saving treatment.

Ajay Owen, founder of the campaign group SARS Cymru, said the petition reflected widespread anxiety across the county.

“The fact that the petition has surpassed 10,000 signatures in such a short window shows there is real concern across Pembrokeshire,” he said.

He warned that removing emergency surgery from Withybush could make it harder for patients suffering serious trauma or medical emergencies to receive treatment within the “golden hour” — the period during which rapid intervention can be critical for survival.

Campaigners argue that the combination of ambulance response times and travel distances to Carmarthen could result in some patients waiting more than an hour before reaching hospital.

Health board position

Hywel Dda University Health Board has previously said that service reconfiguration across west Wales is designed to improve patient outcomes by concentrating specialist staff and resources at fewer sites.

However, critics argue that centralising services risks leaving rural communities with reduced access to urgent care.

The Herald understands the Senedd’s Petitions Committee will now decide whether to fast-track consideration of the petition and recommend a debate before the Senedd breaks up ahead of the election campaign.

If approved, the issue could be discussed by Members of the Senedd in the final weeks of the current parliamentary term.

Choir members receive gold, silver and bronze medals after completing Royal School of Church Music programme

YOUNG singers from the choir at St Davids Cathedral have been recognised for their musical progress after receiving Voice for Life awards from the Royal School of Church Music.

The medals were presented during a ceremony at the cathedral, where choristers were praised for their dedication to developing their vocal skills and musical understanding.

The Voice for Life scheme is a national programme run by the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM), designed to help young choristers develop their singing ability, music theory knowledge and commitment to church music.

A total of ten choristers received awards during the presentation.

Harriet received the Gold Award, while Isabelle, Esther, Phoebe and Cora were presented with Silver Awards.

Bronze Awards were awarded to Avalon, Imogen, Megan, Abigael and Grace.

Two additional choristers were unable to attend the ceremony due to illness, but the cathedral said their awards will be presented at a later date.

The cathedral choir also thanked Laurence John for preparing the young singers so thoroughly for their examinations.

St Davids Cathedral Choir said it was delighted to see such a strong group of choristers successfully complete the programme and congratulated all those who received awards.