News
Local hotels receive national acclaim
TWO west Wales hotels have been ranked amongst the best in the UK in the annual Sunday Times Ultimate 100 British Hotels list.
Twr y Felin Hotel and Roch Castle, both located on the St Davids peninsula, have for the first time been named in the Romantic and Seaside categories respectively.
Paula Ellis, Group General Manager of Twr y Felin Hotel and Roch Castle, said: “This accolade is a reward for the hard work of the entire team who work in our properties and is a tremendous boost for the development of Pembrokeshire as a tourist destination of world renown.
“We are so excited to have not one but two properties in The Sunday Times Ultimate 100 British Hotels list, an achievement which will enhance our profile internationally and importantly will bring benefits for the local economy and community in which we reside.”
Twr y Felin hotel, which opened in March this year, is a former windmill that has been restored and extended and is now home to 21 ensuite bedrooms including two suites, one of which covers three floors and occupies the original windmill tower and boasts 360 degree views over the St Davids peninsula. As described by Susan D’Arcy, Travel Writer for the Sunday Times: “…St Davids has a coastline made for romantic windswept walks”.
The hotel features a gallery of artwork from 20 Welsh, British and international artists including Harry Adams, Mr Jago and the Swansea-born Pure Evil. Over 100 pieces of specially commissioned works of art inspired by Pembrokeshire are on display throughout the hotel and in the dedicated gallery space, Oriel Lounge.
Twr y Felin is also home to Blas, a fine dining restaurant featuring fresh locally sourced produce under head chef Simon Coe. Guests can enjoy Welsh breakfast featuring laverbread and cockles, afternoon tea and contemporary fine dining.
Roch Castle is a 12th century Norman castle set high above the Pembrokeshire landscape and delivers panoramic views of St Brides Bay and the Preseli Hills, which is just one of the reasons the castle features in the Seaside category. Just a few minutes from Newgale beach, The Sunday Times discovered “you can be sinking your toes into sand as soft as clotted cream, which stretches for more than two miles – or taking on the Atlantic rollers.”
Meticulously restored, Roch Castle offers six ensuite bedrooms, a sun room with alfresco viewing platform, private dining and exclusive use stays. Luxurious contemporary design sits amongst the original features of the castle, which also houses specially commissioned artworks from Pembrokeshire and British artists.
Together with Penrhiw Hotel, a former vicarage also located on the St Davids peninsula, Twr y Felin Hotel and Roch Castle complete a trio of luxury hotels and exclusive stay properties created by Welsh-born international architect and patron of contemporary art, Keith Griffiths. Set in 12 acres, Penrhiw also features a collection of contemporary art and is available for exclusive use.
Crime
Police arrest suspects following vehicle interferences in Haverfordwest
HAVERFORDWEST police responded swiftly after reports of multiple vehicle interferences in the Tasker Way area on Sunday night/early Monday morning (Nov 4).
Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPPT) conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries, gathering evidence and reassuring the community. These efforts led to the identification of two suspects.
Both NPPT and Response teams acted promptly, locating and arresting the suspects, who are now in police custody.
News
Ancient Welsh hymns brought into 21st century with unique collaboration between Lleuwen Steffan and National Eisteddfod
Some of Wales’ long-forgotten hymn tunes are being brought vividly back to life this month, thanks to award-winning singer, songwriter and composer Lleuwen Steffan and her unique collaboration with the National Eisteddfod of Wales.
Performing as ‘Tafod Arian’ (Silver Tongue), the collaboration pays homage to the lost voices of the past, and infuses these timeless melodies with some highly contemporary electronic arrangements.
The project originated in 2012 when Lleuwen was working on a music project at St Fagan’s National History Museum where she came across some long-forgotten recordings of hymns which had been left in the sound archives. None of these hymns could be found in the official hymn books nor the older hymnal editions, possibly as the result of their informal, conversational lyrics, or because they often delved into the world of addiction, mental illness and the darker side of the psyche.
But now these unpublished and unknown hymns will be heard for the first time in over a hundred years when Tabernacl Chapel, Maenclochog, will be one of 50 Welsh chapels to be visited by Tafod Arian.
With translations and insights, the tour breathes new life into archive recordings, ensuring these cherished sacred songs rightfully claim their place in today’s spotlight. Lleuwen masterfully combines electronic and acoustic instrumentation, seamlessly blending the past with the present, and takes the stage alongside a dynamic quintet of international musicians including Sioned Webb and Gethin Elis from Wales, and Nolwenn Korbell and Brieg Guerveno from Brittany.
Despite the hymns’ long-distant past, the music is firmly in the present as Lleuwen uses various instruments to provide angular electronic accompaniment as well as her soulful vocals and guitar. She provides translations and explanations as she proudly puts the archive recordings of the lost |Welsh hymns on centre stage. As a result, these sacred songs are being passed on orally rather than via the hymn book which is precisely how Welsh folk music was conveyed.
The long-forgotten hymns will be heard once again in all their glory at Tabernacle Chapel, Maenclochog on Sunday, November 17 at 6.30pm.
Crime
Suspended sentence for Goodwick man who sent sexual messages to young girl
THE FATHER of a young girl sent sexual messages to an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old girl online, Swansea Crown Court heard this week.
An undercover police officer posed as a 12-year-old girl on the website RandoChat, with the decoy’s profile stating they were 18.
James Roberts messaged the decoy on 9 August, stating he was “looking for a naughty girl”.
The decoy promptly informed him that she was 12 years old; however, the defendant continued to send messages referencing sexual acts and self-gratification.
Roberts added the decoy on Snapchat, claiming to be 19 and living in England.
He again sent sexualised messages and, referring to the decoy’s age, said they were “never too young to start sending pictures”.
The defendant also told the decoy that he was having similar sexual conversations with a 14-year-old, Mr Dickens said.
Police attended Roberts’ home in Goodwick on 17 August, and he was arrested. He denied having a mobile phone, claiming he “had sent it off to Samsung to be fixed” but was “extremely vague” when asked for further details. Mr Dickens said no phone was ever recovered by police.
The 28-year-old Roberts pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child. The court heard that he had no previous convictions.
Hannah George, in mitigation, said the defendant showed “some degree of remorse” and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.
“In the 13 months since he was interviewed there have been no further offences,” she said.
Ms George said Roberts had suffered “significant” shame and embarrassment as a result of the offences, and it had led to him losing his job.
He had previously been diagnosed with PTSD and suffered “deep periods of depression”, Ms George said.
She added that his contact with his young daughter “has been diminished” following these offences.
“You were in contact online with who you firmly believed to be a 12-year-old girl,” said Judge Paul Thomas KC, addressing Roberts.
“You have a two-year-old daughter. Just think how you would feel if a man in his thirties tried to have that sort of conversation with her in 10 years’ time.”
Roberts was sentenced to 30 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must complete 35 days of an accredited programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement programme days.
He must also register as a sex offender for 10 years and was made the subject of a three-year sexual harm prevention order.
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