Community

Local artist of the week – Will Mills x Hijac

Published

9 years ago

April 12, 2016

AFTER growing up in Tenby, 21-year-old rapper Will Mills moved to the big city of London to study advertising, where he met his DJ, Hijac. The Herald spoke with the two musicians while they were visiting Pembrokeshire this week.

They’ve just been booked to play Secret Solstice in Iceland this Summer, where they will be joining names such as Action Bronson, Die Antwood, Radiohead and Lady Leshur.

Will has always loved telling stories, creating and performing and music has always been the easiest outlet for that.

However, he feels that rapping as a profession is so far away from who he is: “Sequential, seaside, town bound, country – I guess I like to break those kind of boundaries. I like to shock.”

Initially, when Will started creating music, he did not rap. He told us: “I made noises with my mouth that Niall, my twin brother, could spit to.

“The first ever line I heard of his was ‘Born, born 1995, it was a hard time kiddin’, beach side house by Tenby we were livin’. We didn’t produce anything for another few years. It was all videos at the start; mobile phone, three megapixel type stuff.”

Jac (Hijac) realised that he wanted to pursue music when he started to hate the idea of committing himself to a job he didn’t like.

“The dream was to pursue a career in a hobby,” he told us, “I became so obsessed with it – it became ridiculous. I’d be on the toilet, listening to new music on Soundcloud just to get my fix.”

Not long after, Jac created his first song ‘Feather-riots’.

“I’d paid a guy off Gumtree £20 an hour to teach me over Skype. I’d like to thank him for this, but I can’t remember his name. We never stayed in touch.”

When Will first started rapping he found that he sounds was very London based, after he’d been to see Wiley in Cardiff.

“Bringing a genre like that to Pembrokeshire is really difficult,” Will said, before stating that he hadn’t achieved the sound he’d been looking for until now.

“Only now can I listen to a track of ours and think, ‘I’d listen to this myself’. Since moving to London I’ve really had the chance to escape those beach-esque, laidback tones and create something I’m proud of – something that pops.”

Jac’s tastes are constantly changing, and his music follows that pattern as a result. Originally, the DJ only made Moombahton, a kind of slowed down version of Reggaeton, but he has since experimented with House, Trap, and testing BPMs.

“I enjoy merging different aspects of genres together,” he commented.

We asked the boys how they would describe their music, to which they replied: “You can definitely dance to it; it’s high energy stuff. I don’t think South Wales has been witness to it before. It’s very different and it’s been harder than it should have been to find a club that accepts it.”

During their live show, Will and Jac always try to project a mix of emotions.

“The goal is to make the audience laugh, dance and cry all in one night. There’s a beginning, middle and end to every show.”

“How does playing in west Wales differ from playing in London?” we asked.

“People tend stare a lot more in Wales, maybe they’re more awake. You can be in London and the audience will lose themselves. Sometimes playing in Wales can feel like you’re holding an assembly, but I like it. It’s attentive. I know they’re listening.”

Will then went on to discuss west Wales’ music scene, stating: “It’s definitely unique right now, but I wish it was easier to infiltrate.”

“It’s so much harder than it should be to get a voice. Maybe if some of the more popular clubs took locals in to play I’d like it. Don’t get me wrong, If you have a guitar, and you can attract a crowd by doing a few covers then you’ll be fine.

“The venues are all so afraid. That’s why I like West Coast Arts in Penally. They’re a celebration of music. Their success as a club takes a back seat. We need this.”

Both of the musicians would like to advise those thinking of creating their own music not to refine themselves.

“I’m as capable as the next guy. I just have to mould myself that way. Try everything. Just have a go,” they said.

We went on to ask: “What has been the most memorable response to your music?”

Will replied: “Probably Annie’s, my girlfriend. We played a local pub over Christmas. She knew every single word. Those gaps where I’d forget, she’d fill. That was amazing.”

“The face of disgust when I showed my friend the first song I created,” Jac said, “I didn’t tell him it was mine. That’s true judgement.”

Will told us that we should definitely be listening to local musician Rye Milligan.

“He’s been there since the start. He uses a loop to fuse so much together. His guts and his presence on stage is undeniable. I caught up with him in London a few months back. We’re the same age, so I guess we’ve had the same experience. We’ve seen improvements in each other and always been honest.”

Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

Published

6 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.

Community

Restoration of a pond hopes to support biodiversity in Pembrokeshire

Published

21 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

AN OLD millpond at the heart of the Wallis and Ambleston community, and a site of Special Scientific Interest, has now been improved to benefit water quality and increase biodiversity in an area of South Wales, thanks to funding from Nestlé Waters UK.

Wallis Pond was created in 1836 as part of the tributary of the Wester Cleddau River to supply water to a local mill. Back in 1978, it was restored and later re-opened by HRH King Charles III, the then Prince of Wales.

Over the years, the pond had become completely silted up, restricting the waters passage and the pond’s ability to retain water, resulting in a reduced diversity of habitat in and around the millpond.

Pembrokeshire County Council, Heavyside Landscapes and Nestlé Waters UK have come together to restore the millpond with regulatory guidance from Natural Resources Wales and support from the Ambleston Community Council.

The project saw the pond re-dug and de-silted, and the old sluice gate replaced to re-establish the millpond. With the pond now able to hold more water, it is hoped to help build resilience to the increased frequency and intensity of storm events, alleviating the risk of flooding in the local area.

Retention of flows in the pond for a longer time should help reduce silt build-up and prevent nutrients such as phosphates and nitrates from travelling downstream in the Cleddau catchment, helping to protect water quality, improve aquatic habitats, and encourage eels, otters, damselflies, and other wildlife species.

Restoration of Wallis Pond is one of the projects that Nestlé Waters is working on as part of its efforts to help regenerate local water cycles and create a positive water impact everywhere the company operates.

Matthew Faulkner, Factory Manager at the Nestlé Waters site in Princes Gate, said: “We are proud to be a part of the Wallis Pond restoration work, aimed at delivering long-lasting benefits in Pembrokeshire, where we bottle at source Princes Gate and Nestlé Pure Life waters. This beautiful landscape is not only our home, but also home to some incredible flora and fauna which are vital for keeping the area rich and thriving in biodiversity.

“We’re working hard to protect this land and the water beneath our feet. Water is a shared resource and a shared responsibility, and caring for it takes the whole community. That’s why we’re grateful to be working with partners on this project that will hopefully have a positive impact on the local ecosystem and community.”

Cllr Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services at the Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “We welcome this funding to enhance the biodiversity in Wallis Pond which can be enjoyed by the residents of Ambleston, the wider communities in Pembrokeshire and the visitors to our fantastic county.

“This is an excellent example of partnership working that has significant benefits for the environment and the wellbeing of generations to come.”

Eirian Forrest, Clerk at the Ambleston Community Council, said: “We are grateful to Nestlé Waters UK for the funding and wish to thank everyone who has been involved in this project, especially the Pembrokeshire County Council team, for pushing the project forwards.

“The Community Council are delighted that the work has finally been done and look forward to the positive impact it will have on biodiversity. We have already received many positive comments from members of the community. The improved pond encourages locals to take a walk around the area, as well as sit down to watch and enjoy the wildlife.”

Community

£1.7m to support families and individuals facing food poverty

Published

21 hours ago

December 20, 2024

Tom Sinclair

FAMILIES and individuals across Wales struggling with the cost of food will receive vital support this winter through £1.7m of additional funding from the Welsh Government. This funding will provide help to those most in need and back community projects working to prevent and tackle food poverty in the longer term.

The funding will:

provide emergency food aid by helping local groups to store and distribute food to people who need it most, while also addressing the underlying causes of food poverty;
support FareShare Cymru by purchasing equipment to store and deliver fresh food during the winter months and running food education activities to help low-income families and individuals manage rising costs; and
strengthen food partnerships in every local authority area in Wales, helping them to address local needs and ensure resources reach those facing the greatest challenges.
The Wales-wide funding will be announced today at Cegin Hedyn community kitchen in Carmarthen. Cegin Hedyn, a Pay What You Can Canteen and Community Kitchen, is part of a network of organisations tackling food poverty, and works with Carmarthenshire Food Partnership, Bwyd Sir Gâr Food.

Bwyd Sir Gâr works closely with groups and initiatives across the region to provide targeted support to those who need it most.

Cegin Hedyn ensures that everyone can have access to fresh, organic, seasonal produce, with produce being grown steps away in their Community Allotment. Bwyd Sir Gâr Food has also been providing vegetables, grown at Bremenda Isaf farm in Llanarthne, to Cegin Hedyn and has been offering mentoring and support to the volunteers at the allotment.

Cegin Hedyn is run by chef Deri Reed. He said: “This funding is a lifeline for communities like ours, ensuring that we can continue to provide fresh, nutritious meals to those who need them most while building a more sustainable and inclusive food system. At Cegin Hedyn, we believe in the power of food to bring people together and create positive change.

“This support will help us expand our reach, grow more organic produce locally, and strengthen the food partnerships that make a real difference in tackling food poverty in Carmarthenshire and beyond.”

Food Sense Wales works closely with Bwyd Sir Gâr and Food Partnerships across Wales to help create sustainable solutions to enable everyone to enjoy healthy and sustainable food.

Katie Palmer from Food Sense Wales said: “By strengthening its support for food partnerships across Wales, the Welsh Government is recognising the importance of building resilience in local food systems – both in terms of diversifying local supply chains, and by building and organising assets and civil society in a way that is unique to the needs of the local community.”

The Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, said: “No one should have to worry about how they’re going to put food on the table. As a government, we are committed to tackling food poverty and ensuring support reaches those who need it most.

“This new £1.7m package of funding will provide both local relief to those struggling with food costs and lay the groundwork for longer-term solutions to prevent food poverty. By supporting emergency aid, food education, and local partnerships, we are addressing this crisis from all angles.

“Local food partnerships are vital in this effort. They work with inspiring projects, like Cegin Hedyn, which not only provides meals for people, but also brings people together and supports the wider community. Their efforts show what can be achieved when local groups and wider networks come together to support those most in need.”

The additional funding builds on the £2.8m the Welsh Government has already allocated to help address food poverty this year, and brings the total to more than £24m invested in this area since 2019.