News
Red Cross celebrates Roy’s 60 years

Surprise presentation: At Pembrokeshire Red Cross’ HQ (Pic . Mike Hillen)
ON MONDAY (Mar 13), veteran Red Cross volunteer Roy Thomas was honoured for his service with a surprise presentation at Pembrokeshire Red Cross’ HQ in Haverfordwest.
Roy joined the Red Cross in St Davids in 1957. At that time there was a large number of members in the City, consisting of juniors and seniors, with a female group meeting for training a separate night.
During his long career with the Red Cross, Roy has been on duty for many major events across the UK, including the visit of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to Cardiff and the 2012 Olympic sailing events in Weymouth.
On a local level, Roy has attended point-to-point races, concerts, and – in 1996 – he provided daily cover on Pembrokeshire’s beaches during cleaning-up operations.
A first aid trainer for 22 years, Roy has also been Team Alpha leader since 2000, and has attended power cuts and provided support for the elderly and disabled.
As a trainer, Roy provided simulated realistic wounds for First Aid and Emergency training events.
Roy was also instrumental in establishing and running the St Davids City and Peninsula Community First Responders (CFR) in 2001, which he ran for 12 years. The unit was run entirely voluntarily, without funding from either residents or council. Thanks to Roy and his wife Pat, there are people alive today who were resuscitated by CFR volunteers.
And just to show that he remains as committed today as he was sixty years ago when he started out his journey with the Red Cross, Roy trained three years ago to provide therapeutic cover.
In honour of Roy’s contribution to the Red Cross and to his community, Roy was honoured with a commemorative presentation made by Chris Hopkins before being treated to lunch as guest of honour.
A surprised Roy was overwhelmed by the number who turned out to pay tribute to him.
Entertainment
Contemporary art exhibition to mark reopening of Tenby Museum gallery
A CONTEMPORARY ART EXHIBITION featuring work by well-known local artists and craftspeople will mark the reopening of Tenby Museum and Art Gallery’s temporary exhibition space.
The exhibition will run from Monday, May 18, to Friday, September 4, following the completion of an extensive renovation project at the museum.
Organisers say the collaborative exhibition will celebrate the creative talent of Pembrokeshire and the cultural importance of Tenby.
Curator Anita Schwartz said: “We are so excited to bring together such an inspirational collection of original pieces to showcase the creative talents of our local community.
“The artists featured exemplify the continuing cultural importance of this vibrant Pembrokeshire town.”
Artists exhibiting include Naomi Tydeman RI, John Cahill, Kim Carlow, Ivan Black, Guy Manning, Tom Sloan, Graham Hadlow, Alex MacDonald, Anna Warchus, Alec Lewis and Abigail Blaylock-Squibbs.
The exhibition will open with a private view on Friday, May 15, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, giving visitors the chance to meet the artists and view the museum’s recently refurbished galleries.
The event is open to all, but guests are asked to RSVP by emailing [email protected] by 10:00am on Thursday, May 14.
Works on display will include John Cahill’s North Pembrokeshire Landscape, which was awarded first prize in the Welsh Prize category at the Wales Contemporary Exhibition at Chelsea Barracks, London.
Other featured works include Anna Warchus’ Seaside Plate, Tom Sloan’s Tenby, Guy Manning’s Castle Hill and Naomi Tydeman’s Blue Moon, Newgale.
The exhibition takes place at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery, Castle Hill, Tenby, SA70 7BP.
Community
Eisteddfod decorating campaign set to begin ahead of July event
COMMUNITIES are being encouraged to get creative as preparations begin to welcome more than 175,000 visitors to Eisteddfod y Garreg Las.
With just over 75 days to go until the festival, villages and towns across the catchment area are being invited to take part in the traditional harddu, or decorating, campaign.
The official decorating weekend, sponsored by housing association Barcud, will take place on Saturday and Sunday, July 4 and 5.

Workshops will begin at Cardigan Castle on Sunday, May 17, with a special session for local businesses at 10:00am, followed by a community session for residents at 2:00pm.
Local artist Jenni Jones, a teacher at Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi, will lead the workshops. The sessions are free, open to all, and there is no need to register in advance.
Jenni said: “I’m really looking forward to working with communities across south Ceredigion to create materials to welcome the Eisteddfod to the area in August.
“This is a very special year for Cardigan and for the Eisteddfod, with the 850th anniversary celebrations, and organising a creative workshop to decorate the area has already sparked a number of colourful and innovative ideas.”
Manor Park Zoo, near Tenby, will host the Pembrokeshire workshop on Saturday, July 4, as part of the decorating weekend. The aim is to create a large piece of public art to be displayed on the road outside the main entrance.
Details of a workshop for west Carmarthenshire will be announced shortly.
Organisers and the Eisteddfod Executive Committee are also encouraging residents, businesses and community groups to decorate their own areas and create colourful displays to welcome visitors.
Executive Committee Chair John Davies said there was already strong enthusiasm across the region.
He said: “Wherever I go, someone is sure to ask about the decorating campaign – whether it’s to find out when it will begin or to share local ideas for welcoming visitors.
“I’m certain there will be a strong sense of friendly competition between villages as we approach Eisteddfod week.
“We’ve all heard of the competitive spirit of singing and competing, and I’m sure a real community spirit will take hold as the area prepares.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to ensure our communities are looking their best for the celebrations, and we’re all looking forward to getting started over the coming weeks.”
A decorating pack has already been published on the Eisteddfod website for anyone wishing to get involved.
Eisteddfod y Garreg Las will be held in Llantwd, north Pembrokeshire, from August 1-8, 2026.
For more information, visit www.eisteddfod.cymru.
Crime
Man accused of threats to kill sent to Crown Court
A 35-YEAR-OLD man has been remanded in custody after appearing before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court charged with making threats to kill and assault.
David Killminster, of Monmouth Close, New Inn, Pontypool, appeared before magistrates on Monday (May 11).
The court heard allegations that on Friday (May 9), Killminster assaulted another person by beating them and also made threats to kill.
Killminster entered a not guilty plea to the assault charge. No plea was entered to the threats to kill allegation at this stage.
Magistrates declined jurisdiction and sent the case to Swansea Crown Court for trial.
Killminster was remanded in custody ahead of his next court appearance.
-
News7 days agoBaby in critical condition after Fishguard emergency
-
News6 days agoFormer housing officer admits drink-driving in Pembrokeshire retail park
-
Crime6 days agoJob loss threat for convicted Pembrokeshire drug-driver
-
Crime6 days agoMilford motorist disqualified for drug-driving
-
Crime6 days agoPolice tip-off leads to driving ban for Milford motorist
-
Crime5 days agoRacial abuse suspect barricaded himself inside Johnston lodge
-
Community6 days agoSixth-former firefighter balances schoolwork with saving lives
-
Crime6 days agoDelivery driver caught twice over legal drink-drive limit






