News
Pembrokeshire Business Initiative closes after 34 years
THE PEMBROKESHIRE BUSINESS INITIATIVE (PBI) has announced that it will close at the end of the month.
A statement put out by the company said: “It is with great sadness that the PBI board have taken the decision to close the business on Tuesday 30th May 2017.
“This is following the unfortunate reduction in European funding and further reduction of working contracts. However, we are pleased to report that PBI will commit its remaining assets to PLANED (Pembrokeshire Local Action Network for Enterprise and Development) who are going to pick up any ongoing business networking and support in the community in Pembrokeshire.
“In addition PBI will be making £15,000 available to Pembrokeshire County Council to support its Youth Enterprise programme.”
PBI chair, Ted Sangster, added: “It is with regret that the board has had to make this decision after 34 years of being the main business support provider in Pembrokeshire, but the current economic climate has forced the issue.”
In the 34 years of trading PBI was at the forefront of helping start-up businesses and this is borne out by the figures below:
- Enquiries received relating to clients wanting start-up advice – 5525 enquiries
- Businesses started – 1785 starts
- Survivability rate – 96%
Under the RDP – Rural Development Programme the figures show:
- Total existing businesses supported – 1185
- Total Pre-start clients supported (i.e. those that are thinking about starting) – 810
- Total clients in farming community (in the first round of RDP) supported – 203
- Jobs created – 284 jobs created
- New micro businesses started – 275
- Jobs safeguarded – 316
News
St Davids Cathedral marked Easter Sunday with full day of worship
FROM dawn vigil to choral evensong, the cathedral welcomed worshippers for one of the most important days in the Christian calendar
ST DAVIDS Cathedral marked Easter Sunday (Apr 5) with a full programme of worship, music and celebration.
The day began at 6:00am with the Easter Vigil at the West Front and Nave, sung by the Vicars Choral and Choral Scholars. The service included the lighting of the Easter candle, readings and the first Eucharist of Easter morning.

Worship continued later in the morning with Holy Eucharist at the High Altar at 8:00am, followed by Cymun y Plwyf in the Lady Chapel at 9:30am.
The main Easter Day service took place at 11:00am in the Nave with a Choral Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir. The service featured Easter hymns and music, with the Bishop presiding and preaching.
The cathedral’s Easter Sunday celebrations concluded at 4:00pm with Choral Evensong in the Nave, again sung by the Cathedral Choir.
The programme formed part of St Davids Cathedral’s observance of Holy Week and the First Week of Easter, with worshippers and visitors gathering for one of the most significant days in the Church calendar.
Community
Johnston FC pays tribute after sudden death of Rhyan Nolan, 27
Community rallies around grieving family as club honours much-loved player at weekend fixture
JOHNSTON FC paid an emotional tribute at the weekend to Rhyan Nolan after his sudden death at the age of 27.
The club marked the occasion with a flawlessly observed minute’s silence before kick-off, as both teams, officials and supporters came together in his memory.
A signed match ball and Rhyan’s much-worn number ten shirt, covered in messages from team-mates and friends, were also prepared to be handed to his family, who were present for the tribute.
The death of Rhyan has sent shockwaves through the local community, with many gathering around his loved ones in the days since the devastating news emerged.

A fundraiser set up on GoFundMe says his family received the heartbreaking news on Monday that they had lost their “precious, loving son and brother” suddenly at such a young age.
The appeal names his close family as Nichola, Shamus, Brandon, Callum and Lilly, and says relatives are hoping to ease the financial burden while giving Rhyan the send-off he deserves.
It states: “Rhyan deserves a celebration of his short life.”
Johnston FC said it had been a difficult week for all those who knew and loved him, but said it had also been heartwarming to see such an outpouring of love at the match.
The club thanked everyone who helped make the tribute possible, along with those who had sent messages of support and donated towards helping the family.
Photographs shared after the game showed the scale of the moment, with both sides lined up in silence and the orange number ten shirt left covered in handwritten tributes.
For many in attendance, it was a powerful and deeply personal farewell to a young man clearly held in enormous affection.
A GoFundMe appeal has now been launched to support the Nolan family.

Crime
Neyland man spared immediate jail over aggravated vehicle taking
Defendant given a suspended prison sentence after magistrates heard the offence was serious enough to cross the custody threshold
KRISTIAN DAVIES, aged 35, of Rock Cottages, Neyland, pleaded guilty at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court to aggravated vehicle taking.
The court heard that on January 26, 2026, at Narberth, Davies took a Ford Focus without the consent of the owner or other lawful authority. The vehicle was damaged before it was recovered, with the damage assessed at less than £5,000.
Magistrates sentenced Davies on Tuesday (Mar 31) to 18 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.
The bench said the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified, citing Davies’ relevant previous convictions and the fact he was already subject to a court order at the time, which he is now in breach of.
However, the prison term was suspended because the court found there were real prospects of rehabilitation in the community.
Davies was also made subject to an 18-month supervision requirement, a non-residential drug rehabilitation requirement with reviews, and up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity.
As part of the order, he must engage with Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service and provide samples for a 12-month period.
He was also banned from driving for 24 months.
The first review hearing is due to take place at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on April 27 at 10:00am. Bail conditions were cancelled as a matter of urgency.
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