News

Nathan Wyburn brings Saint David to life in gigantic daffodil portrait

Published

7 years ago

March 1, 2019

A GIANT image of Wales’s patron saint has appeared at St Davids Bishop’s Palace today (01 March), as Cadw celebrates the most patriotic day in the Welsh calendar year — St David’s Day.

A stunning tribute to Saint David, or “Dewi Sant” in Welsh, the land-art creation is made entirely from garden bark and more than 1,000 fresh daffodils — the national flower of Wales.

Welsh artist and Britain’s Got Talent finalist, Nathan Wyburn, is the creative genius behind the portrait, which was commissioned by Cadw and expertly crafted in just 6 hours and 12 minutes.

Measuring an enormous 11m by 8m, the larger-than-life portrait is Nathan’s largest and most ambitious creation to date — complete with a bright and blooming daffodil halo.

The portrait even features a detailed depiction of Saint David’s iconic emblem, a white dove, which is said to have landed on his shoulder just moments before a miracle took place in ancient Ceredigion — whereby the ground beneath the saint rose up to form a hill, allowing huge crowds to hear his words of wisdom.

Located in the majestic central courtyard of St Davids Bishop’s Palace in Pembrokeshire, the modern portrait of this pre-medieval hero is also just a stone’s throw away from St Davids Cathedral, where Saint David was allegedly buried in 589 AD.

The artistic interpretation of the ancient Welsh figure is all part of Cadw’s Rediscover History campaign, which will shine a modern light on Welsh heritage and provide new ways for visitors to experience Welsh history during Wales’s 2019 Year of Discovery.

Nathan Wyburn said: “I am immensely proud to be Welsh and hope that the portrait will offer visitors an insightful taster into the stories behind St David’s Day and our patron saint.
“It’s one of the most colourful days of the year — a true celebration of Welshness that spreads far beyond Wales and I’m thrilled that I was invited to bring Saint David to the fore on this special, national day.”

Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Lord Elis-Thomas added: “Cadw is always looking for new and creative ways to bring Wales’s historic figures to life, and this fusion of history, Welsh culture and interpretive art not only celebrates the life of our beloved patron saint but offers a one-of-a-kind welcome to one of Wales’s most tranquil historic gems — St Davids Bishop’s Palace.
“A huge amount of work went into this commemorative depiction of Saint David, so Cadw is thrilled to be able to unveil it on our national day of celebration and hopes that it will inspire the public to discover Wales’s rich heritage this weekend and throughout the Year of Discovery.”

To catch a glimpse of Nathan Wyburn’s unmissable temporary portrait of Saint David, visit St Davids Bishop’s Palace in St Davids, Pembrokeshire. But be quick — it won’t be long until the rain washes him away!

St Davids Bishop’s Palace, as well as several other Cadw sites across Wales will open their doors for free on St David’s Day this year — allowing visitors across the country to explore and enjoy Wales’s rich heritage, completely free of charge.

The following Cadw sites, which normally charge for admission, can be visited for free on Friday, 01 March 2019: St David Bishop’s Palace, Beaumaris Castle, Caernarfon Castle, Caerphilly Castle, Carreg Cennen Castle, Castell Coch, Chepstow Castle, Conwy Castle, Criccieth Castle, Dolwyddelan Castle, Harlech Castle, Kidwelly Castle, Raglan Castle, Tintern Abbey, Tretower Court and Castle and Weobley Castle.

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

10 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Charge relates to incident in the town last weekend

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been sent to the Crown Court for trial after appearing before magistrates accused of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Darren Markes, aged 47, of High Street, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Markes is charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, contrary to the Offences Against the Person Act.

The charge relates to an alleged incident on Friday (Dec 13) in Pembroke Dock, when it is alleged that Markes assaulted a woman, causing her actual bodily harm.

No plea was entered at the hearing.

Due to the seriousness of the allegation, magistrates declined jurisdiction and ordered that the case be sent to the Crown Court for trial under the Crime and Disorder Act.

Markes was remanded on conditional bail. Conditions include:

Not contacting a witness, directly or indirectly
Reporting to Pembroke Dock police station every Wednesday between 12:00pm and 2:00pm
Living and sleeping each night at his home address

He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on Thursday (Jan 16) at 9:30am for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Crime

Aberystwyth man denies criminal damage charge over Cardigan gallery window

Published

10 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Alleged incident said to have taken place on Bridge Street

AN ABERYSTWYTH man has denied a charge of criminal damage relating to an alleged incident in Cardigan.

Ricky Myers, aged 27, of Jasper House, Aberystwyth, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard that Myers is accused of criminal damage to property valued under £5,000, contrary to the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

The charge relates to an incident on Saturday (Aug 24, 2024) at Manchester House on Bridge Street, Cardigan, where it is alleged that a window at the Cardigan Gallery was damaged. The property is said to belong to Peter Austin.

Myers pleaded not guilty to the allegation.

Magistrates adjourned the case for further case management, and Myers was remanded on conditional bail, with a condition that he live and sleep each night at his home address.

He is due to return to court at Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 17) at 2:00pm.

Crime

Pembroke Dock man remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on string of offences

Published

10 hours ago

December 15, 2025

Court Reporter

Harassment charge and three assaults among cases listed for Llanelli court

A PEMBROKE DOCK man has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing after admitting a series of offences, including harassment and assaults.

Tony Brundrett, aged 21, of Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Dec 15).

The court heard Brundrett has pleaded guilty to harassment without violence, contrary to the Protection from Harassment Act. The charge alleges that between Tuesday (Sep 17) and Thursday (Oct 31) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, he pursued a course of conduct amounting to harassment of a female, including attending her home address and contacting her by text message.

He has also admitted assault by beating against the same female, alleged to have taken place on Wednesday (May 21) at Spring View, Pembroke Dock, and a further assault by beating against a second female on Thursday (Oct 30), also at Spring View.

Magistrates were additionally told that Brundrett faces a further allegation of common assault against a third female, said to have occurred on Tuesday (Dec 9) at Kavanagh Court, Pembroke Dock. No plea was recorded to that matter in the register entry.

Brundrett has also pleaded guilty to a number of offences linked to an incident in Haverfordwest on Saturday (Nov 16). These include:

Aggravated vehicle taking, involving a Vauxhall Corsa, with damage caused before recovery
Using a motor vehicle without insurance
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Criminal damage, involving a window belonging to Pembrokeshire County Council

He was remanded in custody, with the next hearing listed at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Dec 31) at 10:00am.