News

John Knapp-Fisher dies

Published

10 years ago

March 13, 2015

PEMBROKESHIRE-BASED artist John Knapp-Fisher has died at the age of 83. He passed away in Withybush Hospital on February 21 after a lengthy illness.

Born in London in 1931, John Knapp-Fisher studied graphic design and typography at Maidstone College of Art. Following National Service he worked as an exhibition designer in London and it was during this period, around 1958, that he began to concentrate on drawing and painting.

He later worked as a theatre set designer at the Theatre Royal Margate and the Castle Theatre Farnham before taking up painting full time.

In 1965, he moved to Pembrokeshire and opened his studio gallery in Croesgoch two years later. Since that time his name became synonymous with paintings of the Pembrokeshire coast and landscape.

In an interview given to Radio Wales at the time of his eightieth birthday, the artist was modest about his abilities: “I think my parents were despairing of my lack of ability in most of the other subjects. I was quite good at English and I suppose the only two things that I’ve pursued all my life are writing and painting. In childhood I wasn’t particularly aware of art or painting or drawing, I don’t think I was better at it when I went to school. My father was a brilliant draughtsman, much better than me.”

His love of Pembrokeshire and the sea comes across strongly in his work, much of it painted in the converted cowshed that served as his studio.

Possessed with a strong practical streak he expressed the view: “You’ve got to be practical as an artist. There’s no point in being airy fairy and artistic, putting a beret on and standing at a rickety easel; you’ve got to be very hands on.”

John Knapp-Fisher claimed he painted every day. “I tell students to do something every day – even if it’s a quick thumbnail sketch… Rather like a dancer has to practise every day, a painter has to oil the hinges by doing little drawings.”

He preferred to paint from notes and drawings in his sketchbooks, rather than from photographs. As a result his favourite subjects were local to his studio, for example Porthgain Harbour.

In 1992, he was elected a member of the Royal Cambrian Academy of Art. John Knapp Fisher’s work is exhibited in the National Museum of Wales, the National Library of Wales and in The Contemporary Art Society for Wales.

His family have said that John’s passion for art never faded, and he had continued to sketch and paint until recently.

Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

Published

2 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

3 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

Crime

Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm

Published

3 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.

Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.

Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.

The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.

A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.

“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.

“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.

“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”