News

Pembroke to unveil William Marshal statue

Published

4 years ago

April 21, 2022

PEMBROKE is gearing itself up for the grand unveiling of the much-anticipated statue of William Marshal on Saturday, May 7. The ceremony will take place at 2pm on Monkton Mill Bridge, just beneath the walls of Pembroke, which will form a stunning background for the statue.

Said Pembroke Mayor Linda Asman “It has long been an ambition to erect a statue to William Marshal, one of the great heroes of our history and a man who was Earl of Pembroke. Pembroke has a prestigious history: so many great figures are associated with it, including of course Henry VII, who we have celebrated with the popular statue on the Mill Bridge and look forward to a future Henry Tudor Visitor Centre.

William Marshal was a remarkable man and every bit as great as a king. A minor noble by birth, he rose to prominence from sheer ability, super star of the tournament, mentor to 5 kings, defender of Magna Carta and Regent of England. Known in his own lifetime as the Greatest Knight, this man became Earl of Pembroke and left us a legacy – the castle built of stone. He certainly deserves a statue!

It has once again been my privilege to work with sculptor Harriet Addyman, whose outstanding bronze statue of Henry VII has been such a success. It was in 2019 that Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society, with the support of Pembroke Town Council, commissioned Harriet to make the statue. Following the public consultation in Pembroke Town Hall, Harriet’s maquette (miniature) of the statue was displayed for public inspection and the fund-raising campaign was launched. It was greeted with great enthusiasm and generosity both from individuals and local organisations, although the task of raising such a great sum was greatly facilitated by generous donations from Mr Richard Evans, Valero and a successful application to PCC’s Enhancing Pembrokeshire Fund. “

The statue has been cast in bronze by the Castle Fine Arts Foundry, near Oswestry, where it is awaiting transportation to Pembroke on May 5th when it will be installed on its plinth below the Castle. At the ceremony on May 7th, the statue will be unveiled for all to see by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Mr. Meurig Raymond CBE DL, – a magnificent, life-sized bronze knight mounted on his horse.

The unveiling will be followed by a community celebration in Pembroke Castle which has been funded by the kind generosity of Pembroke Town Council and Pembroke Castle Trustees who are allowing free entry to the Castle from 2.30-5 for the occasion. In case of bad weather, a marquee will be erected on the Castle grounds in which there will be stalls and a programme of entertainment, music and activities has been planned to run throughout the afternoon, including a concert by Pembroke Male Voice Choir, scheduled for 3pm. For children there will also be a competition for the best dressed knight and princess with prizes for the winners

To add to the occasion, visitors will be able to find out more about William Marshal and his times from the Living History Society, Historia Normannis, whose aim is to allow people to engage with history – seeing, feeling and hearing first-hand aspects of the lives and deaths of 12th century people – Knights, freemen, craftsmen, ladies of the court and Barons of the realm. During this event they will be looking at the arms and armour of medieval knights, such as William Marshal, the tourneys he loved so much and the brutality of medieval combat.

Everyone is welcome to join in to celebrate, with us, our Greatest Knight. Any queries please contact

Pembroke Town Hall, Main Street, Pembroke 01646 683092

News

Pembroke Dock man sent to Crown Court over alleged ABH assault

Published

6 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

6 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

6 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.