News

Neyland puts on spectacular carnival as town celebrates 100 years

Published

4 years ago

July 12, 2022

NEYLAND put on a spectacular carnival on Saturday (Jul 9) as the town celebrated 100 years since the inception of the event.

Crowds lined the streets as a number of floats paraded through the town before reaching the Athletic playing fields.

Floats ranged from Toy Story and Disney themes to Las Vegas and pirates while the procession was led by members of the Pembrokeshire Mini Club.

The covid-19 pandemic had put pay to the last three carnivals but it was clear to see that its absence had been missed.

After the parade, hundreds gathered on the field to continue the celebrations. Bouncy castles and other rides were on offer as well as food and drink.

Neyland Town Councillor Peter Davies paid tribute to the Neyland Carnival Committee, who had organised the event, and described it as ‘the best carnival we’ve ever had’.

Riga Avenue, Brunel Avenue and Church Lakes were judged to be the best streets while the Rose and Willow, The Legionnaire and High Street and Charles Street were the top four floats.

A spokesperson for Neyland Town Council said: “We gave the Carnival Committee £1000 this year to help them after 2 years of not being able to put on a carnival due to covid lockdown. It was also because it was the 100th anniversary and the Town Council wanted to ensure that the Town would see that life is returning to pre-pandemic normality.

“In true Neyland fashion, the townspeople rose to the occasion and put on a procession to mark the 100th anniversary. It’s not everyday that you see a wide variety of floats and walking acts that included Batman and Robin and Donald Trump on one of the floats if you looked carefully.

“The sun shone on Neyland and surely most of the town were either in the procession or watching on the pavements, cheering them on. It was good to see so many happy faces after the lockdowns. The procession ended at the Community Hub and everyone was able to sit outside and drink, chat and enjoy the hot, sunny weather.

“The Carnival Committee under the chairmanship of Malcolm Hawkins deserves a vote of thanks for making this a spectacular 100th anniversary Carnival and to ensure that it returns once again in 2023.”

Crime

Four deny murder of Caerphilly teenager

Published

3 hours ago

March 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 17-year-old boy.

Ricardo Elliot, aged 27, Connor Palfrey, aged 24, Elexi Manny, aged 24, and Georgie Mears, aged 18, appeared before Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court on Friday (March 20), where each denied killing Tristan Shae Kerr.

Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 5:45pm on Wednesday (Feb 5) following reports that a teenage boy had suffered serious injuries. Despite efforts, Tristan was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard that the teenager is alleged to have been attacked with a so-called “zombie knife” measuring approximately nine to ten inches in length.

During the hearing, the four defendants spoke only to confirm their personal details and enter their pleas.

A trial is due to begin on August 3 and is expected to last around six weeks. A further pre-trial review has been scheduled for July 24.

All four defendants were remanded in custody.

Paying tribute after his death, Tristan’s family described him as a “deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend.”

They said he was quick-witted, with a love for motorbikes and adventure, adding that he had a natural energy that lit up every room and drew people towards him.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

22 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.