News

Love is all around

Published

12 years ago

February 6, 2014

VALENTINE’S Day has been a tradition since the pre-Christian era, and has roots in several different legends that have found their way to us through the ages. Though there are many stories connected with its history, such as the beheading of St Valentine on February 14, perhaps the most common thing connected with Valentine’s Day is Cupid, usually depicted as a small boy with wings, who carries a bow and arrow.

Although in Greek mythology, Cupid plays a different role. The Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite was the mother of Cupid. Cupid had fallen in love with a human, whose beauty rivalled his mother’s. She did everything in her power to thwart the marriage. Cupid’s lover, Psyche was worshipped for her beauty in her homeland. This drove Aphrodite mad, so she sent a plague and let it be known that it can only be stopped by the sacrifice of Psyche.

Her father tied her up and left her to her death at the hands of a fearsome monster. Cupid saved her and married her. In addition to Aphrodite, Psyche’s sisters were equally jealous. Cupid had made sure that she never saw what he looked like and upon the sisters finding out this information, they persuaded her that Cupid must be a hideous monster. Psyche assured her sisters that they were wrong, but they had put doubt in her mind. She took a candle to Cupid while he was asleep and found he was extremely angelic and “exquisite”. While she was there, she dropped hot wax on him, to which he awoke and flew away. Aphrodite then suffered from a case of “I told you so” syndrome, though agreed to give Psyche a second chance. She set her four difficult tasks and passed the first three with flying colours, though failed the fourth. Cupid rescued her, bringing her to Olympus and was given nectar and ambrosia so she would become immortal. Aphrodite reluctantly reconciled with her pregnant daughter-in-law, who was about to give birth to a grandchild she would dote on.

Did you know?

• Teachers receive the most valentines, followed by kids, mothers, wives and sweethearts.

• Over 50 percent of all Valentine’s Day cards are purchased in the six days prior to the holiday.

• The oldest surviving valentine dates from 1415. It is a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife. At the time, the duke was being held in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt.

• One billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making it the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. Women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.

• Hallmark produced its first valentine in 1913.

• Today, Hallmark employs an 80-person research staff to analyze the sales pattern of previous valentines. That analysis, combined with more than 100,000 annual customer interviews, focus groups and in-store observations, will help create roughly 2,000 cards in Hallmark’s core Valentine’s Day line.

• While Hallmark offers thousands of different cards for Valentine’s Day, one card was the top choice of customers in New York, Los Angeles, and virtually every other city in the country in 2006.

• In Japan, women are expected to give chocolate and other gifts to men on Valentine’s Day. This tradition was started as a marketing campaign by Japanese chocolate companies. Men are not off the hook, unfortunately. They are expected to return the favor on March 14th, commonly known as White Day.

• BBC reports that Shiv Sena, a nationalist political party in India, has spoken out against Valentine’s day, calling it “nothing but a Western onslaught on India’s culture to attract youth for commercial purposes.”

• The Ivory Coast is the world’s largest producer of cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate. In 2001, the U.S. State Department reported child slavery on many cocoa farms in the Ivory Coast. A 2002 report from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture estimated there were 284,000 children working on cocoa farms in hazardous conditions.

• The Catholic Church struck St. Valentine’s Day from its official calendar in 1969.

News

Welsh Secretary holds first call with new First Minister

Published

3 minutes ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Jo Stevens and Rhun ap Iorwerth discuss poverty, public services, clean energy, steelmaking and economic growth

WELSH Secretary Jo Stevens has held her first call with Wales’ new First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth following the recent Senedd election.

The call took place today, Monday (May 18), with Ms Stevens congratulating Mr ap Iorwerth on Plaid Cymru’s election results and his appointment as First Minister.

The Welsh Secretary said it was important for the UK and Welsh Governments to work constructively together on shared priorities.

Those issues include the cost of living, poverty, public services, economic growth and the delivery of clean energy infrastructure in Wales.

Ms Stevens also raised the importance of collaboration on Welsh steelmaking and the transition at Port Talbot, as well as growth funds, defence and national security.

The conversation follows a call last week between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the new First Minister, during which Mr Starmer also congratulated him on his appointment.

The Prime Minister has offered to meet Mr ap Iorwerth in person in June to discuss shared issues and priorities.

Health

Pharmacy services review launched across west Wales

Published

25 minutes ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents asked to help shape future provision in Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion

PEOPLE across Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion are being asked to give their views on the future of community pharmacy services.

Hywel Dda University Health Board has launched a consultation on its updated draft Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, which looks at current pharmacy provision, any gaps in services, and what may be needed in future.

Health boards in Wales have been required since October 2021 to publish a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment. The document must be updated every five years and is used to help guide decisions about how pharmacy services are developed and improved.

The latest draft assessment has been prepared following engagement with community pharmacy contractors and members of the public earlier this year.

The health board is now inviting further feedback before a final version is published later in 2026.

The survey opened on Monday (May 18) and will close on Friday, July 17.

Residents can take part online, pick up a paper copy from their local pharmacy, or request a copy by emailing [email protected] or calling 0300 303 8322 and selecting option five.

Rhian Bond, Assistant Director of Primary Care for Hywel Dda University Health Board, said: “This is an important opportunity for people to share their experiences of community pharmacy services and tell us how they could be improved.

“Community pharmacies play a vital role in supporting people’s health and wellbeing. They are often the first point of contact for advice, treatment and support.

“By providing feedback you can help us ensure services are accessible, effective and meet the needs of communities now and in the future.”

The final Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment will be published later this year on the health board’s website, along with a summary of the feedback received.

Business

Halifax could disappear from high streets after 173 years

Published

1 hour ago

May 18, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Only two Halifax branches remain in west Wales as banking giant considers major brand shake-up

HALIFAX could disappear from UK high streets after more than 170 years under plans being considered by Lloyds Banking Group.

The banking giant is understood to be looking at phasing out the Halifax name as part of a wider review of its brands, with Lloyds expected to become the main retail banking name in England and Wales.

If the plans go ahead, the move would mark the end of one of Britain’s best-known financial brands, which began life in 1852 as the Halifax Permanent Benefit Building Society.

No final decision has yet been announced, but reports suggest new Halifax account openings could be stopped later this year, with existing customers gradually moved across to Lloyds.

The Herald understands that branch banking in west Wales has already been significantly reduced, with only two Halifax-branded branches currently remaining in the region — in Llanelli and Swansea.

Customers in Pembrokeshire no longer have access to a Halifax branch, with banking services instead directed through Lloyds Bank branches, including Haverfordwest. Carmarthenshire customers are similarly directed to Lloyds Bank in Carmarthen.

The possible disappearance of Halifax comes amid continuing pressure on high street banking, with many branches already closing as more customers move to mobile and online banking.

Consumer groups have warned that the steady loss of bank branches risks leaving elderly customers, vulnerable people and small businesses without easy access to face-to-face banking.

***The Halifax Branch in Haverfordwest closed in 2022***

For many towns across west Wales, the loss of familiar banking names has become part of a wider decline in high street services, alongside the closure of post offices, shops and public services.

Halifax became one of the country’s biggest mortgage lenders and was for decades associated with savings, home ownership and local branch banking. It later became part of HBOS before Lloyds took over the group during the financial crisis.

A final decision on the future of the Halifax brand is expected as Lloyds sets out its next strategic plans.