THE PEMBROKESHIRE COAST NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY hosted a Dragon Parade in St Davids on Saturday (Mar 1), led by the First Minister and other distinguished guests.

The event celebrated St David’s Day with a dazzling showcase of community spirit, creativity, and Welsh heritage.

The lively procession set off from Oriel y Parc, filling the streets of St Davids with colour and energy and the dynamic sounds of drumming group Samba Doc.

First Minister Eluned Morgan said:

 “The St David’s Day parade was a spectacular occasion this year. The city really comes into its own on the day of our patron saint and it was great to see the artwork of the local school children and Kate Evans, which provided a wonderful and very Welsh theme for the parade.

“Thank you to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority for organising such a memorable event. It was an honour to join the Dragon Parade – a huge well done to everyone involved for their hard work.” 

Parade participants included school and community groups such as Care in the Community, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi (Non Campus) Years 2 and 3, Croesgoch School (Years 3 and 4), and Cylch Meithrin Croesgoch Playgroup.

As the parade returned to Oriel y Parc, the festivities continued with a captivating static performance by Samba Doc in the courtyard. The highlight of the event was the highly anticipated return of the baby dragon, a stunning creation developed in collaboration with local artist Kate Evans. Schools and community groups worked closely with Kate to bring this imaginative centrepiece to life.

Alongside the celebrations, a vibrant market featuring handpicked local stallholders took place throughout the day, offering a variety of handmade crafts and locally produced goods. The market provided a fantastic opportunity for visitors to support local artisans and enjoy a taste of Pembrokeshire’s rich creative community.

To mark the occasion, Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, presented a framed retro print featuring St Non’s Chapel to the First Minister to mark the St David’s Day celebrations.

Speaking of the day, Tegryn Jones, said: “It was our pleasure to welcome the First Minister to lead this year’s Dragon Parade, joined by notable guests and a host of community representatives, who all helped to make the event a resounding success. The parade has grown in significance over the years and now marks an important part of the city’s cultural celebrations for St David’s Day.

“On behalf of the Authority, I’d like to extend thanks to all participants, volunteers, and spectators for joining us on the day and ensuring the success and smooth running of this popular event.

THERE’S a long and proud history of activists who have worked for a better world by rebelling against the status quo when change was needed. The suffragettes and civil rights protesters often spring to mind, but many others have also changed our world for the better over the centuries.

This history will be be brought right up to date at the Cardigan Guildhall Corn Exchange next week. The role of current-day activists will be illustrated in an exhibition of Faces of Rebellion from 17th to 22nd March.

It features the work of Mark Skipper, who uses the name Bitterjug for his art work. He says, “I’m a software engineer with a sketchbook. I’m also a climate activist, and reportage sketcher: I take my sketchbook to protests to capture scenes and atmosphere in ways that photography cannot.” 

Mark’s sketches of activists’ faces are surrounded by the person’s own words about how and why they became active, and the variety is striking. 

Mark continues, “Faces of Rebellion tells the stories of climate activists as humans in a way the media cannot. Its enduring themes are compassion and community.” 

Mark encourages other artists to get involved, and portraits by Solutionairy, from The Netherlands, will also be included. Solutionary gives her background: “I trained as a solution focussed psychologist. We focus on people’s strengths and their unique ways to deal with life’s challenges. With Faces of Rebellion I get to apply this to our greatest challenge. I’m inspired by the variety of stories of courage and kindness in the face of climate breakdown.”

Caroline Juler is a local artist and film-maker who lives in Brynberian. She has made many short videos of Cardigan based climate activists, and these will also be part of the exhibition. “I’ve been very aware of the escalating climate crisis for some time, and recently I’ve been taking a more active part in trying to do something about it. We all bring our own backgrounds and talents to climate work, and these all feed into effective climate campaigning when we work together. I wanted to make the videos to show how this works for some of the many local activists.”

The exhibition has been arranged by West Wales Climate Coalition members, and Philippa Gibson has helped with some of the organisation. She says, “It’s easy to feel disheartened by slow progress, and Donald Trump’s denial of the climate cristis doesn’t help, but we need to be aware that we are part of an “ecosystem of change” that includes COP international climate conferences, national legislation, community action, industry innovation, and individual commitment, including protests and non-violent direct action to to challenge damaging practices.” She added, “All these parts work together to make meaningful impacts achievable. We ALL have a role to play. This exhibition aims to be inspiring and positive.”

If you’d like more information about the exhibition or about local climate campaigning, contact cardiganxr@protonmail.com

Lib Dems call for exemption of health and social care from National Insurance hike

THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS have urged Chancellor Rachel Reeves to exempt the health and social care sector from an impending National Insurance tax rise, warning that Welsh providers face a £759 million increase over the next five years.

Health and care providers in Wales, including dentists, GPs, and care homes, are set to be hit with an additional £147.1 million in National Insurance contributions next year. By the end of the decade, this annual cost is expected to rise to £159.7 million, significantly burdening the sector.

The UK Government has pledged to cover the rise in Employer’s National Insurance for the NHS. However, ministers have not committed to extending this support to other health and care providers, including care homes, GPs, and dentists.

Recent protests in Westminster saw thousands calling for action on social care, including the scrapping of the tax hike for care providers. The Liberal Democrats are pressing for an exemption to be announced in the upcoming Spring Statement before the tax rise takes effect on April 6.

Impact on care providers

The financial strain on care providers is becoming increasingly evident. Glan Rhos Nursing Home in Brynsiencyn anticipates a £127,500 increase in costs due to the NI hike, representing a 10% rise in their expenses. Similarly, Cariad Care Homes in Gwynedd projects an additional £95,795 in NI contributions, equating to an extra £56 per resident per week.

‘A jobs tax bombshell’

Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster spokesperson David Chadwick MP said:

“Rachel Reeves has just one month to save health and social care from this jobs tax bombshell.

“Since the Chancellor’s failed budget, I have spoken to healthcare providers in Wales, and their message is clear: this tax rise could deny vulnerable people the care they need.

“Social care is on its knees, GP waiting times are soaring, and NHS dentistry is on the brink of extinction in Wales. Years of Welsh Labour neglect are being compounded by these extra costs.

“Pride should not stand in the way of doing what is right. The voices of health and social care providers across Wales must be heard, and this tax must be scrapped.

“Rachel Reeves must announce this exemption in the Spring Statement on April 6 or risk throwing care providers and those who rely on them to the wolves.”

Government response

A UK Government spokesperson defended the tax policy, stating:

“The decision to increase National Insurance contributions was made to ensure a sustainable funding model for public services, including the NHS and social care. The government has already committed to covering this rise for the NHS, and further support for other healthcare providers is under review.

“We remain committed to strengthening the health and social care sector, and we continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure the sector is supported in the best possible way.”

Supporters of the tax rise argue that it is necessary to ensure long-term funding stability for vital public services. Critics, however, warn that without exemptions, independent healthcare providers could face financial strain, potentially leading to service reductions.