ST DAVIDS Cathedral Choir has returned from an inspiring weekend of music-making at the iconic Chapel Royal in Hampton Court Palace. The group, comprising the Vicars Choral and Choral Scholars, was invited to perform at the historic venue and took part in a series of high-profile services attended by both music enthusiasts and chapel visitors.

The weekend began on Saturday with a unique bilingual Evensong, where the choir performed stirring pieces by renowned composers Thomas Tomkins and Thomas Tallis. The highlight of the visit came on Sunday, when St Davids Choir joined the esteemed Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal for a morning Eucharist and an evening Evensong. This collaboration featured sacred music by Palestrina, Tallis, John Shepherd, and William Byrd, creating an atmosphere that resonated through the halls of the 16th-century chapel.

The weekend’s success was credited to the warm welcome extended by the Chapel Royal team, including notable figures such as James Elliot Harris, Sophie Baylis, Carl Jackson, and Simon Bloxam-Rose. “Their hospitality was exceptional,” said a spokesperson for St Davids Choir. “They made us feel truly at home.”

Special thanks also went to Canon Leigh Richardson, Laurence John, Ben Richards, and Christa Richardson of St Davids, whose Welsh readings added a personal and cultural dimension to the service.

St Davids Cathedral Choir expressed their desire to continue this partnership, extending an invitation for the Chapel Royal team to visit St Davids Cathedral in the future. For many, the weekend was a moving testament to the power of music to connect communities and celebrate heritage across borders.

A KEEN photographer from Bristol, Chris Ellery, has made a miraculous landing in Ireland after his small boat broke down in the Irish Sea, sparking a two-day search effort along the Pembrokeshire coastline.

The 54-year-old set off from Fishguard on Thursday (Oct 31) on a solo outing, expecting a brief return journey. When he failed to arrive back as scheduled, family members and authorities were alerted, leading to a large-scale, multi-agency search across the waters and shores of Pembrokeshire and Cardigan Bay.

Breakdown in the Irish Sea

According to HM Coastguard, Mr. Ellery ran into engine trouble while heading west towards Ireland. The three-metre (10ft) black inflatable boat suffered a breakdown mid-journey; although he managed to restart the engine, his phone had also stopped working, cutting off any chance of communication. Stranded and without a working phone, Chris continued his journey until he eventually came ashore on Saturday in County Wicklow.

After making landfall, he walked to the nearest police station, where he was able to contact authorities. The Gardaí confirmed he was “tired but okay,” ending days of intense worry for his family and friends.

Chris’s family had travelled to Fishguard after losing contact with him and grew increasingly concerned. His daughter, Kenzie Ellery, issued a heartfelt appeal on social media, urging anyone with information to come forward. On Saturday afternoon, she shared a joyful update: “MY DAD IS ALIVE HE HAS BEEN FOUND IN IRELAND,” bringing much relief to all those involved in the search.

Two-day search operation

HM Coastguard resumed its search efforts early on Saturday, deploying aircraft, RNLI boat crews, and Coastguard teams across North Pembrokeshire, Cardigan Bay, and St Brides Bay. Dyfed-Powys Police had joined the search as well, after the Coastguard retrieved some of Mr. Ellery’s personal items on a remote cove earlier in the operation.

A Coastguard spokesperson commented, “He came ashore in County Wicklow and made his way to a local police station. They contacted Dyfed-Powys Police. It’s good news.”

The family has expressed their gratitude for the extensive support received from search teams and the local community. The remarkable journey, from the initial breakdown at sea to reaching safety on Irish shores, has brought relief and closure to what could have been a tragic outcome.

St Davids RNLI said their crew were part of the major multi agency search operation

St Davids RNLI said: “Volunteers on both our all-weather and inshore lifeboats were delighted to receive freshly cooked bacon, sausage and egg sandwiches from our own crew member Judd and his FPV Rhodri Morgan crew.

“This was a very welcome boost for morale during the intensive search.”

Fishguard RNLI confirmed: “Our volunteer crew were paged to launch both lifeboats on Friday to assist with the search for a missing person.

“Both lifeboats were again out on the water this morning conducting a further search of the coastline.

“[On Saturday] there was good news that the individual had been located in Ireland, and so a positive outcome to the search over the last few days.

“Eight lifeboats across five stations played their part in searching the Welsh coast from Skomer Island up to Mwnt and out into Cardigan Bay along with Coastguard volunteers and aircraft crew.”  

Daughter Kenzie Ellery took to social media on Saturday afternoon, saying: “I just want to say thank you for all the amazing support from everyone.

“The details are still vague but we will be able to answer questions in time, the important part is dad is alive, safe and well!

“It’s been great how social media can bring people together positively and see communities come together to help.

“Thank you to everyone involved.”

A MULTI-AGENCY search continues in the Fishguard area for 54-year-old Chris Ellery, missing since Wednesday (Oct 30) after setting off alone from Fishguard Harbour in a black RHIB.

Concerns for Chris’s safety were raised after he failed to return home as expected on Thursday (Oct 31). The last sighting of the experienced sailor was captured on CCTV at 2:00pm on Wednesday, just as he left the harbour.

Since then, Dyfed Powys Police, HM Coastguard, and RNLI have been conducting extensive land and sea searches. Helicopters, fixed wing aircraft and search vessels are combing the sea off Fishguard.

Rescue efforts were paused Friday evening due to fading daylight but resumed early Saturday morning.

Personal items found amid search

During Friday’s search, personal belongings linked to Chris were discovered on a secluded cove, accessible only by boat. While this discovery intensified efforts in the remote area, there has yet to be any sign of his boat or other trace of Chris.

In a Facebook appeal, his daughter, Kenzie Ellery, described her father as “always very prepared” and pleaded for help from the public. She shared a photo of the boat he was last seen on and encouraged local residents to stay vigilant along the coast. Kenzie also mentioned an AirTag device her father carried, which last pinged in the sea near Fishguard.

Public plea for assistance

Kenzie’s heartfelt plea has been shared widely, with family and friends in Bristol circulating the information in hopes of reaching those closer to the search zone. “We all need him to be home, and we pray that he is safe,” she wrote. “Please share this post—we need him to be safe and home as soon as possible.”

Police appeal for information

Dyfed Powys Police have asked anyone with information on Chris’s whereabouts to get in touch. Residents along the Fishguard coastline are urged to report any unusual sightings immediately.

Anyone with information can contact police through:

• Direct message on social media
• The police website: Dyfed Powys Police
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 101

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired, text 07811 311 908. Quote reference: 102 of the 1st Nov.