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

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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.

Community

Tractor run lights up Pembrokeshire and raises funds for charity

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THE PEMBROKESHIRE ILLUMINATED TRACTOR RUN took place today (Dec 21), raising funds for two vital charities: the Catrin Vaughan Foundation and Wales Air Ambulance.

Starting at Clarbeston Road AFC at 6:00pm, the brightly lit convoy of nearly 200 tractors made its way through Withybush Hospital and Haverfordwest High Street before finishing at the Pembrokeshire County Showground.

The annual event has become a highlight of the festive calendar, drawing large crowds to witness the spectacle of tractors adorned with colourful lights and decorations.

Funds raised from the event will support the Catrin Vaughan Foundation, which provides crucial assistance to families facing hardship, and the Wales Air Ambulance, delivering life-saving emergency medical care across the region.

Organisers praised the dedication of local farmers and volunteers, whose commitment ensures the event’s continued success year after year.

(Image: Nia Marshall/Facebook)

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Business

Ferry Terminal ‘extremely busy’ due to ongoing Holyhead closure

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PEMBROKE DOCK Ferry Terminal has been experiencing significant congestion today as ferry services remain under immense pressure following the closure of Holyhead Port earlier this month.

The disruption, caused by storm damage, has rerouted ferry traffic through Pembrokeshire, leading to long queues and crowded facilities at the terminal.

The Herald can confirm that it has been very busy today with cars, lorries, and foot passengers queuing in large numbers. Staff are working tirelessly to manage the influx, directing vehicles and assisting passengers as they prepare to board the heavily booked ferries.

A spokesperson for the Port of Milford Haven said: “We are working closely with ferry operators and local authorities to ensure traffic flows as smoothly as possible, but the sheer volume of vehicles is causing unavoidable delays.”

Travelers are being urged to arrive early for their sailings and to remain patient as the terminal operates at full capacity.

Both Stena Line and Irish Ferries have increased capacity on their Pembrokeshire routes, deploying larger vessels, including the Stena Adventurer and the MV James Joyce, to handle the surge in demand.

From our position at the terminal, our photographer has captured photos showing long lines of vehicles, groups of foot passengers carrying luggage, and port staff coordinating efforts to ease congestion.

Authorities are advising non-essential travelers to consider rescheduling their journeys where possible and to monitor updates from ferry operators closely.

(Photos: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

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Community

Festive celebrations at St Davids Cathedral this weekend

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ST DAVIDS Cathedral is set to host two special events on Sunday (Dec 22), offering a blend of joyful participation and traditional carol singing to mark the Christmas season.

In the morning, families are invited to the Scratch Nativity at 11:00am. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed as wise men, angels, sheep, or shepherds and take part in an unrehearsed retelling of the Christmas story. Canon Leigh described the event as: “Complete, wonderful chaos for an hour… but with some poignant, thought-provoking moments to centre ourselves on the real meaning of Christmas.”

Later in the evening, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight will take place at 7:00pm, featuring the Cathedral Choir. The event, steeped in tradition, will see the cathedral bathed in candlelight as carols and scripture readings fill the historic space.

Doors will open at 5:45pm for those seeking unreserved seating, and a large turnout is expected for this beloved Christmas celebration.

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