News

Californian sisters reach Pembrokeshire

Published

9 years ago

August 25, 2016

The two sisters: In Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwyllllantysiliogogogoch

RACHAEL and Hayley Williams, two Welsh sisters who moved to California as infants, have elected to walk 870 miles across the Welsh Coastal Path this summer for charity – and in memory of their grandmother.

The two sisters, who are now 29 and 27, have reached the half-way point of their journey, having walked along the whole of the North Wales coast, around Anglesey and the Llŷn Peninsula, down Cardigan Bay to Poppit Sands.

Beginning on June 15, the girls have elected to raise money for Age Cymru, the national charity for older people in Wales, through sponsorship on their walk. This is to commemorate their late grandmother, who was from Wales.

Rachel and Hayley are hoping to reconnect with their Welsh heritage throughout their journey through visiting historical and cultural sites during their trip.

Discussing the 870 mile walk, Rachel Williams said: “Our paternal grandmother Jean Williams lived in Cardiff, and when we came over for her funeral in 2008, we felt our connection with Wales was starting to slip away.

“We decided we wanted to do something to reconnect with Wales and so we came up with the idea of walking the 870 mile Wales Coastal Path.”

Throughout their journey, Rachel and Hayley are staying in hostels, camping and visiting family members, such as their maternal grandparents in South Wales.

“We’re both looking forward to spending time with our grandparents, Geoff and Valerie Richards”, added Hayley.

“We don’t often get the chance to see them and we would like to be able to do more to look after them, but we can’t do as much as we’d like because we live on the other side of the world.

“This is why we’ve decided to raise funds for Age Cymru during our walk, because of the work it does to improve the lives of older people in Wales.”

Age Cymru works nationally and locally and, through its network of independent local Age Cymru partners, they are committed to achieving an age friendly Wales where older people have equal rights to respect, opportunities and the same access to services as the rest of the population.

Both girls set off from Poppit Sands on Friday (Jul 29) and are now completing the Pembrokeshire branch of their journey. To donate to Rachael and Hayley’s Walking Wales 2016 fundraiser, visit www.justgiving.com/walkingwales2016. You can also follow their walk on Twitter at @walkingwales16 and look out for ‘Walking Wales 2016’ on Facebook.

Community

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.