News

Save the Teifi River Pilgrims Walk: A celebration of nature and community

Published

2 years ago

July 26, 2023

THE SCENIC Teifi River, winding its way through picturesque landscapes, has long been cherished by the people of Pembrokeshire. However, the need to protect this beautiful waterway has become increasingly evident. On Friday, 11th August 2023, a group of passionate individuals will come together for the Save the Teifi River Pilgrims Walk, an event aimed at raising awareness and funds for the protection of the Teifi River and its surrounding environment.

The Save the Teifi campaign is a remarkable initiative that unites a diverse range of people who share a common concern for the river’s well-being. Scientists, farmers, anglers, sea swimmers, kayakers, tourism providers, artists, counselors, and many more, all come together under the banner of this vital cause.

The goal of the Save the Teifi River Pilgrims Walk is not only to raise funds for citizen science kits that will aid in monitoring the river but also to promote awareness about the various steps that can be taken to safeguard the Teifi River for future generations.

The event will kick off at 10:30 AM at Llechryd Cricket Club, where participants will gather to begin their pilgrimage along the river’s course. A warm welcome will be extended by Save the Teifi, and Professor Callum Firth will provide a brief explanation of the significance of the walk.

At 11:00 AM, the group will set off on their journey, walking through the stunning landscapes surrounding the Teifi River. An ice cream stop at Siop-y-Pentre, Cilgerran, at 11:40 AM will provide a delightful respite for participants.

As the walk continues, there will be another refreshing ice cream and water stop at Cilgerran Wildlife Park car park at 12:10 PM, ensuring that everyone stays hydrated and energized for the journey ahead.

At 1:00 PM, the walkers will take a well-deserved break for a picnic at St Dogmaels Football Club. Here, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy the soulful melodies of ‘Singing with Cat’ and learn about the Dirty Rivers Campaign from an information stand. Donated cakes are warmly welcomed during this picnic gathering.

As the afternoon unfolds, the excitement will continue to build as participants arrive at Poppit Sands, starting from 3:30 PM. Here, the beach will come alive with creativity as Rachel Shiamh creates mesmerizing sand art. For sports enthusiasts, there will be a friendly game of beach cricket starting at 4:00 PM.

For those who appreciate the art of storytelling, local storyteller Pamela Gaunt will enchant the audience with tales of old and new mythology at 4:30 PM. The Teifi Valley Ukulele Group will follow with a lively performance at 5:00 PM, inviting everyone to sing along or try their hand at playing a ukulele.

As the evening approaches, participants will be treated to poetry readings from Nemi, Lenka, and others at 6:00 PM. The delightful aroma of food from the Welsh Rebel Kitchen will fill the air, offering attendees the chance to indulge in delicious dishes either on the beach or behind the Crwst cafe.

At 7:00 PM, the beach will come alive with the rhythmic beats of Reel Rebels’ music, setting the perfect atmosphere for an unforgettable evening. Spoken word performances and poetry readings from talented artists such as Dave Urwin, Steve and Louise Treharne, Kittie Belltree, Ron Geaves, and Jackie Biggs will follow at 7:30 PM.

As the night unfolds, the sound of drumming will reverberate on the beach at 8:00 PM, followed by a mesmerizing fire display. Alternatively, participants can head to a local pub to continue their celebration of music and song.

The Save the Teifi River Pilgrims Walk promises to be an extraordinary event, bringing together nature lovers, advocates of environmental preservation, and members of the community in a common goal. As walkers traverse the Teifi’s path, they not only contribute to the conservation of the river but also create lasting memories of camaraderie and support.

To find out more about the Save the Teifi campaign and the ongoing efforts to protect this precious waterway, visit their website at https://www.teifi.one/. Join the movement and be a part of the collective effort to ensure the Teifi River remains a source of joy and inspiration for generations to come.

For further information and inquiries, contact Save the Teifi at [email protected].

Community

Festive creativity shines as Kurtz MS meets card competition winner

Published

47 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, visited Pembroke Dock Community School on Friday 12th December to present a prize to the winner of this year’s Christmas Card Competition.

The competition invited pupils to design a festive Christmas card, with entries received from schools across the area. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, showcasing the creativity, imagination and talent of young people in the community.

During the visit, Samuel Kurtz congratulated the winning pupil and thanked all those who took part, as well as the teachers and staff who supported the competition. Each child who entered also received a certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.

Speaking after the presentation, Samuel said, “It was a real pleasure to visit Pembroke Dock Community School today and announce the winner of my Christmas Card competition. This year the winner is Mair Moseley, aged 10, and she designed a wonderful Santa image that really stood out. She has won a chocolate selection set and a £20 book token to enjoy over Christmas.”

He added, “ The creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the children was fantastic, and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult. I want to congratulate all the entrants and thank the staff for their ongoing support.”

Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher, Mrs Katie Crockford-Morris, added, “We were delighted to welcome Samuel Kurtz MS to the school to present the prize. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition, and they were incredibly proud to receive their certificates.”

The winning design will now be used as Samuel Kurtz’s official Christmas card this year, with one copy already on its way to His Majesty, King Charles.

Charity

Two Welsh families fund Childline across the UK on Christmas Day

Published

1 hour ago

December 15, 2025

Staff Writer

Joint £40,000 gift ensures vital support is available when children need it most

TWO Cardiff families have joined forces to fund the NSPCC’s Childline service across the whole of the UK on Christmas Day, ensuring children have somewhere to turn during one of the toughest times of the year.

The Peterson family and the Bowles family are each donating £20,000 as part of the charity’s One Unforgettable Day project. Their combined £40,000 contribution will cover the entire cost of running Childline for 24 hours on 25 December.

Childline operates 12 bases nationwide and offers a free, confidential service to anyone under 19, available day and night, 365 days a year. The festive period is often one of the most demanding for counsellors and volunteers; between 24 December 2024 and 4 January 2025, Childline delivered 4,261 counselling sessions.

Young people reach out to Childline for a range of reasons at Christmas, including mental health struggles, family tensions, financial worries, loneliness, and increased risks of abuse or domestic violence. With schools closed and regular support networks unavailable, demand for help typically rises.

Childline relies heavily on donations, fundraising and charitable partnerships. The support of Alan, Maggie and Hywel Peterson, and Nathan and Claire Bowles and their four children, will ensure counsellors are available throughout Christmas Day for any young person who needs them.

Hywel Peterson MBE, Chair of the NSPCC Cymru Fundraising Board, said:
“It’s an honour to help fund Childline across the whole of the UK this Christmas. This joint donation will ensure our dedicated staff and volunteers are there to support any child who needs us.”

Cardiff entrepreneur Nathan Bowles added:
“We know that Christmas can be a difficult time for some children, so our family is delighted to be joining forces with the Petersons this year to support this vital service.”

Louise Israel, Childline team manager at NSPCC Cymru’s Cardiff base, said:
“While children and young people need Childline all year round, we speak to many who find this time of year particularly difficult. It is only with the support of such generous people as the Peterson and Bowles families that our staff and volunteers can continue to be here throughout the Christmas holidays. This kindness will genuinely make a difference.”

Children can call Childline free on 0800 11 11 or visit www.childline.org.uk.
Anyone concerned about a child’s welfare can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or visit www.nspcc.org.uk for advice.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

13 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include: