News
Royal Welsh Regiment to parade through Swansea on Saturday
SOLDIERS from the 1st Btn, the Royal Welsh are set to exercise their right to march through the city centre on Saturday.
The Royal Welsh is Wales’ oldest regiment has been awarded the Freedom of the City and they’ll be marching in full dress uniform just days after His Majesty the King agreed to become the regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief.
Following an inspection at the Guildhall Rotunda, the regiment will parade through the city to the LC via St Helen’s Road, Oxford Street, St Mary’s Square and Princess Way. There will be rolling road closures in the area at times between 10am and 1pm. Francis Street, Guildhall Road North and the Guildhall Rotunda will be closed from 6am to 1.30pm.
Graham Thomas, Lord Mayor of Swansea, said: “It will be an amazing encouragement to the the 1st Btn The Royal Welsh if the people of Swansea were to line the parade route on Saturday. It will be a great, colourful occasion that doesn’t happen often.
“Some of the troops are from the South West Wales area and this is a marvellous opportunity for family, friends and the general public to show how much we appreciate them and their role as the British Army’s most experienced armoured infantry unit.”
Rob Stewart, Leader of the Council, said: “Swansea is a spiritual home of the Royal Welsh. It’s why they have the Freedom of the City and why we’re delighted that they want to exercise their right to march through the city.
“They’ve served in locations all over the world and it’s fantastic that the regiment is returning to parade in Swansea so soon after the announcement on St David’s Day that the King is to be their Colonel-in-Chief.”
The council’s armed forces’ champion Cllr Wendy Lewis, said the Royal Welsh has served in many conflict zones over the years, including tours of Afghanistan, Iraq and most recently in Estonia as part of the British Army-led Operation CABRIT.
She said: “Swansea has a proud history of welcoming the Royal Welsh to our city. As a council and a community we’ve always been hugely committed to supporting our armed forces who go in harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe.
“That commitment shows itself in support for our veterans every day and I’m sure it will be reflected during the march on Saturday.”
The Royal Welsh can trace it’s lineage back to 1689 and is reknowned for an earlier manifestation as the 24th of Foot which won seven VCs at Rorke’s Drift 1879 – a battle made famous in the movie Zulu.
The Royal Welsh’s antecedent regiments, the Royal Welch Fusiliers and the Royal Regiment of Wales amalgamated in 2006. Both regiments had previously been awarded the Freedom of Swansea.
While its home base is at Tidworth in Wiltshire, it has territorial bases across Wales including one based in Swansea at the Army Reserve Centre in Morfa.
News
Local rugby talent Osian Williams selected for Wales Under-20 clash with England
A FORMER Haverfordwest Blues junior has earned international honours after being selected to represent Wales Under-20 rugby union team in their fixture against England.
Osian Williams, who began his rugby journey at Haverfordwest Rugby Football Club, will pull on the red jersey this evening in what marks a proud milestone for both the player and the Pembrokeshire club that helped develop his talent.
Club members said the call-up reflects years of hard work, commitment and steady progress through the ranks, with Williams recognised locally for his determination and performances on the pitch from a young age.
A spokesperson for Haverfordwest RFC said the whole club is “incredibly proud” to see one of their own step onto the international stage.
They added that it is always special to watch former junior players progress to represent their country, describing Williams’ selection as “fully deserved” and an inspiration to the next generation coming through the Blues’ youth setup.
The match against England provides a stern test for the young Welsh side, but for Williams and his family it is also a moment to savour after years of dedication to the sport.
Friends, coaches and former teammates are expected to be cheering him on from Pembrokeshire as he makes his mark in Welsh colours.
Photo caption:
Osian Williams has been selected to play for Wales Under-20s against England (Pic: Supplied).
Crime
Man arrested for murder following death of pensioner in Pembroke Dock
Officers called to Hawkstone Road property as investigation continues and residents urged to come forward
DYFED-POWYS POLICE officers have launched a murder investigation following the sudden death of an eighty-five-year-old man at a property in Hawkstone Road, Pembroke Dock.
Emergency services were called at approximately 1:30pm today (Friday, Feb 6).
Officers attended the scene and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of the death.
A man in his forties has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody.
Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area while the investigation continues.
Anyone with information that could assist officers is urged to come forward.
Information can be provided online, by 101.
Quote reference: 212 of February 6.
Alternatively, reports can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via their website.
Education
Second west Wales school placed in lockdown within days
Precautionary measures activated at Ysgol Brynteg after morning disturbance outside gates
CARMARTHENSHIRE pupils were kept inside classrooms after a precautionary lockdown was triggered at Ysgol Brynteg on Friday morning (Feb 6), marking the second west Wales secondary school to enter lockdown in the same week.
Police were called shortly after 9:00am following reports of a verbal altercation outside the school grounds.
Officers from Dyfed-Powys Police attended and the Llanelli school activated its safeguarding procedures while the situation was assessed.
No weapons were reported, no injuries have been confirmed and there have been no arrests at this stage. The incident is understood to have involved a dispute outside the site rather than inside the school itself.
Pupils remained indoors under staff supervision while officers made checks. Once police were satisfied there was no ongoing risk, the lockdown was lifted and lessons continued as normal.
A spokesperson said the measure was purely precautionary.
The incident comes just days after armed officers were deployed to Milford Haven School following a serious assault on a teacher, prompting a temporary closure and widespread concern among parents.
While the circumstances in Llanelli were far less severe, the two events occurring so close together have heightened anxiety among families across west Wales.
Schools routinely use lockdown procedures when there is any uncertainty or potential threat nearby, even if the risk later proves minimal. The approach is designed to err on the side of caution and protect pupils while emergency services investigate.
Parents were informed that Brynteg was safe and operating normally once the situation had been resolved.
There is currently no indication that pupils inside the school were directly involved in the disturbance.
The Herald understands enquiries are ongoing.
Both incidents underline how quickly everyday school days can be disrupted, and how safeguarding responses are increasingly becoming part of standard practice across Welsh schools.
Anyone with information about the Llanelli incident is asked to contact police.
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