News

Students raise funds for Paul Sartori

Published

10 years ago

March 2, 2016

Delighted: Paul Sartori Fundraising Co-ordinator, Judith Williams (pictured centre with the cheque) with first year Business students

PEMBROKESHIRE COLLEGE first year Business students presented the Paul Sartori Foundation with a cheque for £482.21 having raised funds by running a charity fair.

Tasked with planning an event to raise money for charity, the students were quick to nominate the Paul Sartori Foundation after some members of the group had received their support when a family member fell ill.

The first year students took control of the project which saw them scouring all 12 Paul Sartori shops in the county for items to sell at the Charity Fair, held at the College. The students made delicious waffles to draw customers in and selected a giant teddy bear for a ‘Name the Teddy’ raffle. Aiming to appeal to fellowstudents, the group also ran a game stall selling turns on an X-Box for 50 pence a go.

First year Business student, Ross Mathias said: “It was great to raise money for the charity. They were really supportive and came in to give us promotional t-shirts and banners which gave a professional look to the fair”.

The students benefited greatly from working with a local charity, not only because the charity participated in their event but because the students have seen first-hand the invaluable support that they provide: “It’s good to help a local charity that will support a lot of people who are close to us” said fellow student Mari Evans.

The Paul Sartori Foundation provides hands on care and equipment loan in the homes of people living in the later stages of any life limiting illness. The services are provided free of charge, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and rely heavily on the generosity of Pembrokeshire people who raise funds for these vital services.

Working on this live project has given the Business students experience and useful real-life skills that will benefit their CV, future job interviews or university applications.

“Myself and other members of the team were delighted to see the commitment and enthusiasm of the students and were thrilled to have been selected by the students as their charity of the year and to work alongside them at this event” added Judith Williams, Fundraising Coordinator at the Paul Sartori Foundation.

Want to see the group in action? Catch the Spring Fair at Pembrokeshire College running from March 23. Visit pembs.ac.uk/courses for information on courses available at Pembrokeshire College.

News

St Davids Cathedral marked Easter Sunday with full day of worship

Published

16 minutes ago

April 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FROM dawn vigil to choral evensong, the cathedral welcomed worshippers for one of the most important days in the Christian calendar

ST DAVIDS Cathedral marked Easter Sunday (Apr 5) with a full programme of worship, music and celebration.

The day began at 6:00am with the Easter Vigil at the West Front and Nave, sung by the Vicars Choral and Choral Scholars. The service included the lighting of the Easter candle, readings and the first Eucharist of Easter morning.

Worship continued later in the morning with Holy Eucharist at the High Altar at 8:00am, followed by Cymun y Plwyf in the Lady Chapel at 9:30am.

The main Easter Day service took place at 11:00am in the Nave with a Choral Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir. The service featured Easter hymns and music, with the Bishop presiding and preaching.

The cathedral’s Easter Sunday celebrations concluded at 4:00pm with Choral Evensong in the Nave, again sung by the Cathedral Choir.

The programme formed part of St Davids Cathedral’s observance of Holy Week and the First Week of Easter, with worshippers and visitors gathering for one of the most significant days in the Church calendar.

Community

Johnston FC pays tribute after sudden death of Rhyan Nolan, 27

Published

1 hour ago

April 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Community rallies around grieving family as club honours much-loved player at weekend fixture

JOHNSTON FC paid an emotional tribute at the weekend to Rhyan Nolan after his sudden death at the age of 27.

The club marked the occasion with a flawlessly observed minute’s silence before kick-off, as both teams, officials and supporters came together in his memory.

A signed match ball and Rhyan’s much-worn number ten shirt, covered in messages from team-mates and friends, were also prepared to be handed to his family, who were present for the tribute.

The death of Rhyan has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many gathering around his loved ones in the days since the devastating news emerged.

A fundraiser set up on GoFundMe says his family received the heartbreaking news on Monday that they had lost their “precious, loving son and brother” suddenly at such a young age.

The appeal names his close family as Nichola, Shamus, Brandon, Callum and Lilly, and says relatives are hoping to ease the financial burden while giving Rhyan the send-off he deserves.

It states: “Rhyan deserves a celebration of his short life.”

Johnston FC said it had been a difficult week for all those who knew and loved him, but said it had also been heartwarming to see such an outpouring of love at the match.

The club thanked everyone who helped make the tribute possible, along with those who had sent messages of support and donated towards helping the family.

Photographs shared after the game showed the scale of the moment, with both sides lined up in silence and the orange number ten shirt left covered in handwritten tributes.

For many in attendance, it was a powerful and deeply personal farewell to a young man clearly held in enormous affection.

A GoFundMe appeal has now been launched to support the Nolan family.

Crime

Neyland man spared immediate jail over aggravated vehicle taking

Published

1 hour ago

April 5, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant given a suspended prison sentence after magistrates heard the offence was serious enough to cross the custody threshold

KRISTIAN DAVIES, aged 35, of Rock Cottages, Neyland, pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court to aggravated vehicle taking.

The court heard that on January 26, 2026, at Narberth, Davies took a Ford Focus without the consent of the owner or other lawful authority. The vehicle was damaged before it was recovered, with the damage assessed at less than £5,000.

Magistrates sentenced Davies on Tuesday (Mar 31) to 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

The bench said the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, citing Davies’ relevant previous convictions and the fact he was already subject to a court order at the time, which he is now in breach of.

However, the prison term was suspended because the court found there were real prospects of rehabilitation in the community.

Davies was also made subject to an 18-month supervision requirement, a non-residential drug rehabilitation requirement with reviews, and up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

As part of the order, he must engage with Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service and provide samples for a 12-month period.

He was also banned from driving for 24 months.

The first review hearing is due to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on April 27 at 10:00am. Bail conditions were cancelled as a matter of urgency.