News

Pembrokeshire youth invited to compete for £2,000 in prestigious music contest

Published

1 year ago

August 29, 2024

YOUNG musicians across Pembrokeshire are being called to showcase their talents in a newly launched competition that offers a grand prize of £2,000.

The Pendine Young Musician of Wales competition is a significant addition to this year’s North Wales International Music Festival, which is scheduled to run from 12th to 21st September. The event, which promises to be a highlight of the Welsh cultural calendar, is generously sponsored by the Pendine Park care organisation through its Pendine Arts and Community Trust.

The winner of this esteemed competition will not only receive the £2,000 prize but will also be awarded the Pendine Trophy. Furthermore, the victor will secure a coveted performance slot at next year’s festival, providing a remarkable opportunity for a young musician to gain exposure on a prominent platform.

This initiative is the brainchild of the festival’s new artistic director, Professor Paul Mealor, a royal composer of significant repute. The competition is open to all young musicians who were born in, reside in, or are studying in Wales.

Professor Mealor shared his enthusiasm for the competition, stating, “We’ve already received considerable interest from some extraordinarily talented young musicians. To ensure as many as possible can participate, we’ve decided to extend the entry deadline by a week, until Friday, 6th September.”

The competition will culminate in a Grand Final at the historic St Asaph Cathedral on 18th September at 7pm, where the finalists will perform before an audience and a distinguished panel of judges. The panel includes Alun Jones, a respected singer and former principal of Chetham’s School of Music; Alis Huws, the former harpist to the Prince of Wales; Cyrill Ibrahim, an acclaimed concert pianist; and Lisa Tregale, the director of the BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales.

This year’s festival will also feature the world premiere of a community opera and performances from the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the celebrated Foden’s Band, and Welsh folk group Ar Log. Additionally, the festival fringe will offer a diverse range of events, including an RnB/hip-hop concert, traditional Welsh folk music, a poetry and literary evening, and a North Wales Comedy Night.

For those interested in entering the competition or attending the festival, further details, including ticket information, can be found on the festival’s official website at www.nwimf.com.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 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:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.