News

TV programme secures memorial for Gwen John

Published

12 years ago

August 29, 2014

THE LIFE of celebrated Welsh artist, Gwen John, will be commemorated with a memorial plaque at her final resting place, found as a result of a documentary made for Welsh language broadcaster S4C earlier this year.

Since the documentary was made as part of the Mamwlad series, presented by Ffion Hague, the authorities in Dieppe, France have confirmed that a plaque will be placed in Gwen John’s memory at the Dieppe cemetery where she is buried. Gwen John was sister to the artist Augustus John and the lover of sculptor Auguste Rodin. Although the life of the Tenby-born artist has been well documented, her death, and final resting place had remained a mystery until the S4C documentary was broadcast in February this year While researching for the S4C series Mamwlad (Mother Country) – which looks at the lives of influential Welsh women throughout history – production company Tinopolis, aided by Gwen John’s great niece Sara John – located her grave in Dieppe’s Janval Cemetery in northern France. Following the broadcast, production company Tinopolis entered into discussions with the local authorities in Dieppe and their application to place a commemorative plaque at the artist’s final resting place has now been approved. All parties involved are now looking to set a date to install the plaque which will commemorate the Welsh woman’s important contribution to European art. “We’re incredibly glad to hear that a plaque will be placed in Dieppe in memory of Gwen John at her final resting place,” said Dafydd Rhys, Director of Content at S4C. “As a Channel we commission productions we hope will entertain and educate, and it’s fantastic to think that this important historical event has come about as a direct result of one of S4C’s documentaries. It is a testament to all the hard work by the production team at Tinopolis. This lasting tribute to Gwen John is all down to their incredible research and dedication.” Ffion Hague, presenter of series Mamwlad on S4C, was also very pleased to hear the development in this amazing story. “I’m very happy indeed that such an important Welsh woman will now be properly commemorated in the place where she was buried.” Said Ffion Hague. “Gwen John was an inspiring and gifted individual who followed her own, unique course in life. Her story, and the story of finding the grave, illustrates perfectly how important it is for us to remember these ground-breaking figures and how easily even world-famous women like Gwen can be overlooked if we don’t treasure their stories.” Series producer Catrin Evans added, “The series production team at Tinopolis did a lot of thorough research for the Mamwlad documentary on Gwen John and we are obviously delighted by this latest development. We couldn’t have achieved this without the help of Sara John, the artists’ great niece and the good will of the authorities in Dieppe. We look forward immensely to the installation of the memorial stone and we are very proud to have played a part in securing this legacy for such a distinguished Welsh artist.” S4C will be following the developments in Dieppe and a followup programme will be broadcast on the Channel in the future.

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Here is an improved version in a cleaner news style:

Published

1 hour ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Students to get wider access to EMA support

MORE students in Pembrokeshire could soon qualify for a £40-a-week education grant as the Welsh Government expands eligibility for the Education Maintenance Allowance.

From September, an extra 1,500 students aged 16 to 18 across Wales will be able to claim the weekly payment, which is designed to help young people stay on in education.

Eluned Morgan MS welcomed the change, saying it would allow more families in Pembrokeshire to benefit from the support.

She said: “Wales already has the most generous EMA offer in the UK. Under a Tory government it was scrapped in England, while Scotland and Northern Ireland offer students less money than in Wales.

“EMA helps young people with costs like books, transport and meals – all things which can affect the cost of living for families.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their potential, so I am proud that, because of Welsh Labour choices, more students will be supported to do so.”

More than 18,000 students in Wales currently receive EMA, which is available to learners aged 16 to 18 from households below a set income threshold.

The Welsh Government said the latest expansion will mean even more young people can access weekly support from September.

Eluned Morgan said: “The Welsh EMA is breaking down barriers for learners in Pembrokeshire. Everybody deserves an equal opportunity to access education, and providing £40 a week to those eligible is one of the ways in which the Welsh Labour Government is making this a reality.

“Hundreds of learners in Pembrokeshire claim their EMA every year. At £40 a week, Welsh Labour delivers the most generous offer in the UK.

“I know this money makes a real difference for students and their families with the cost of living.

“And, of course, the Welsh Government’s £1 bus fare scheme for young people is helping to make the EMA go even further for families across Pembrokeshire.

“I would urge all 16 to 18-year-olds and their families in the county to take a few minutes to check whether they qualify for support.”

EMA can be used to help with education-related costs including transport, meals and study supplies.

Applications for the new EMA offer open on Monday (Apr 27).

Students and families can check eligibility and apply through Student Finance Wales, or speak to their school or college.

If you want, I can also turn this into a fuller Pembrokeshire Herald article with headline and subheading.

News

Emergency services respond to incident in Haverfordwest town centre

Published

2 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

EMERGENCY SERVICES were called to an incident in Haverfordwest town centre on Saturday morning (Apr 4), with police and ambulance crews attending near County Sports.

Pedestrians were asked to avoid part of the area while the incident was being dealt with, causing some disruption in the town centre.

A witness told The Herald they were walking towards Old Bridge when they were stopped from going through.

The witness said: “I was walking towards the Old Bridge and was told that I had to go around due to a medical emergency.”

The nature of the incident has not yet been officially confirmed.

The Herald understands the emergency response remained in place for some time as crews dealt with the situation.

We have contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for comment.

News

Teenager intervenes after bridge incident

Published

2 hours ago

April 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A TEENAGER was left shaken after stepping in to help a young woman in distress on Clay Lanes bridge in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Herald understands the 18-year-old was walking through Clay Lanes at around 4:10am when he noticed a young woman standing on the road bridge over the bypass.

Concerned that something was wrong, he approached her and tried to engage her in conversation. When she remained polite but dismissive, he walked a short distance away and called police before returning to stay nearby.

According to information passed to The Herald, officers arrived a short time later. It is understood the young woman then attempted to go over the bridge, but the teenager pulled her back to safety as police responded and called for further assistance.

His father, who contacted The Herald, said the young man had been badly shaken by the incident.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been approached for comment.

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story, support is available from Samaritans free of charge, 24 hours a day, on 116 123.

Image: File photo