Local politicians: Mayors and councillors gathered to pay tributes

HUNDREDS gathered for a candle lit vigil at Haverfordwest War Memorial last night (May 24) to pay their respects to the victims of the Manchester attack on Monday (May 22).

Members of the public were joined by politicians and representatives of local emergency services to express their solidarity with all those who were caught up in the tragic events in Manchester.

The vigil, organised by the Mayor of Haverfordwest, Cllr Alan Buckfield, saw people from every corner of Pembrokeshire observe two one–minute silences.

Rev Father Nick Cale gave prayer, before the Mayor addressed the crowd, emphasising how ‘all violent deaths are tragic; but the death of a child is even more so’.

The Manchester attack claimed the lives of 22 people, many of whom were children.

The Mayor added: “The joys of childhood, the hopes and dreams and aspirations for a long and fulfilled life extinguished by a moment of cruel, obscene violence.

“Our hearts bleed for those families trying to come to terms with and understand their loss.”

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He went on to pay tribute to the men and women of the emergency services who show extraordinary professionalism and competence ‘in the most trying of circumstances’, and the members of the public ‘who found it in their hearts to help others in their time of need’.

Following the vigil, The Herald spoke with Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Stephen Crabb. Reflecting on the event, he said: “Events like tonight’s vigil in Haverfordwest are so important, because they provide a way for the community to come together, express its grief and frustration, but also express unity and empathy with those families who are suffering.

“It’s tremendous to see the support from right across Pembrokeshire here in Haverfordwest this evening, a genuine county–wide event, and it was good to see our emergency services very well represented, because the stories of heroism and bravery that are coming out of Manchester in the last couple of days has just been truly astonishing.”

Asked what local communities ought to do in the wake of the attack, Mr Crabb said: “It’s important for everyone to be vigilant; we might not think that we have potential targets in places like West Wales and Pembrokeshire, but the truth is that the kind of enemy we are facing will strike indiscriminately, men, women, children, regardless of location, and I think it’s important that we shouldn’t have our lives unduly interrupted, but we do need to be vigilant and be on guard.”

Labour candidate for Preseli Pembrokeshire Philippa Thompson meanwhile described the vigil as a ‘sombre gathering with prayer and quiet reflection’ to remember those who lost their lives in Monday night’s ‘senseless attack’.

She added: “I think the bright evening as we lit our candles was a sign to us all that we defeat terror by showing we are defiant in the face of evil and we carry on.”

Labour candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire Marc Tierney added that the vigil gave people a chance to show how ‘they are empathising with their friends and others’ from across the UK.

He said: “I think it’s important that local people have an opportunity to come out and show their respects like this. Events often happen in big cities like Cardiff and Swansea, but there’s not always an opportunity to do the same in Pembrokeshire.

“I was really pleased with the turnout, but hopefully we won’t have to do it again anytime soon.

“I think the real issue now is that the public remain vigilant, and report anything suspicious – just as Dyfed–Powys Police want them to do.”