News
Nathan Wyburn brings Saint David to life in gigantic daffodil portrait
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.
Business
Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure
PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.
The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.
The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.
A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”
Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.
Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.
From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.
Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.
(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)
Community
Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend
ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.
In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”
Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.
Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.
Crime
Three men from London admit their guilt over illegal cannabis farm
THREE men admit their guilt after police discover over 700 cannabis plants during a raid on a former school building in Llandysul.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police executed a warrant at the former Ysgol Gynradd Llandysul on Heol Llyn Y Fran on November 15. Inside, they found 737 cannabis plants spread across multiple rooms.
Armeld Troksi, 29, and Njazi Gjana, 27, both from Empire Avenue in Edmonton, London, along with Ervin Gjana, 24, from Durham Avenue in Romford, were arrested at the scene and later charged with producing cannabis.
The three men appeared before Swansea Crown Court, where they admitted their involvement in the illegal operation. Defence solicitor Joshua Scouller requested a pre-sentence report for Ervin Gjana, which was granted by Judge Geraint Walters.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 20.
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesperson said: “Following a warrant executed at the former school on Heol Llyn Y Fran, officers discovered a significant cannabis grow containing 737 plants.
“We are grateful to the local community for their continued support and cooperation. Officers will remain in the area while the site is secured.
“Our commitment remains firm in disrupting drug production and supply networks across our force area.
“We encourage residents to report any suspicious activity, no matter how small it may seem. Every piece of information can make a difference, and reports can easily be submitted through our website.”
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