POLICE and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Dafydd Llywelyn, is inviting members of the public to a Public Meeting in Lampeter to discuss local policing priorities and hear feedback from the community. 

The meeting will take place on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, at Victoria Hall, Lampeter, starting at 7:00 pm. It will also feature Superintendent Steve Davies, LPA Commander for Ceredigion, who will join the PCC to address community concerns and provide updates on policing in the area. 

Ahead of the public meeting, an Open Surgery will be held at the 1822 Café, Lampeter UWTSD Campus, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Members of the public are encouraged to attend to meet with representatives from the Commissioner’s Office and share their views. Representatives will be available to speak with community members about any issues or concerns they may have, as well as provide an opportunity to learn more about the role of the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner. Attendees can also explore volunteering opportunities and gain insight into funding initiatives managed by the Office.

Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said:  “Public engagement is at the heart of effective policing. These meetings are a vital opportunity for us to listen to the public’s concerns, provide updates on our priorities, and work collaboratively to address issues that matter most to local communities. I look forward to meeting residents in Lampeter and hearing their views.”

The public meeting is open to all. To learn more about this event, please visit the website.

MORE than 400 secondary age musicians took part in a variety of individual and ensemble competitions at the Pembrokeshire Valero Secondary Schools’ Music Festival held at Ysgol Caer Elen.

Musicians from the County’s Secondary Schools, Pembrokeshire College and further afield took part at the event on November 16th.

Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts said: “Heartfelt congratulations to all the pupils who participated in the festival. It has been truly inspiring to see students enthusiastically sharing their musical talents in a supportive and encouraging environment.”

Mared Phillips from Ysgol Bro Preseli, was announced as overall winner of this year’s festival.

Earlier in the day Mared had sung ‘Le Colibri’ by Ernest Chausson. She was also the winner of the Open Woodwind competition, performing the Second movement of Saint-Saens oboe sonata.

The Open String competition winner was cellist Seren Barrett from Greenhill. She performed ‘Tarantella’ by WH Squire.

Open Jazz was won by pianist Iestyn Barellie, also from Greenhill. He performed ‘Sturdy build’ by Christopher Norton. Another double winner, Iestyn also won the Open Guitar competition, performing ‘Sir Duke’ by Stevie Wonder.

Libby Phillips of Haverfordwest High VC School was the winner of the Open percussion class, performing ‘Toccata’ by David Glynne.

Trombonist Ianto Evans of Ysgol Bro Gwaun won the Open Brass competition, playing ‘Thoughts of Love’ by Arthur Prior.

The Open Piano competition was won by Loti Makepeace of Ysgol Bro Preseli. She performed ‘Jingo’ by Christopher Norton.

The Open Vocal Ensemble class winners were a vocal trio from Haverfordwest High VC School – Mia Burnett, Honey Johnston and Briana Havard – who performed ‘Close to you’ by Burt Bacharach.

A piano and harp duo from Jenifer Rees and Eliza Bradbury, Pembrokeshire College, won the open Ensemble category. They performed ‘Preseli Skies’ by Monica Stadler.

The final performers of the afternoon were the Haverfordwest High VC expressive arts band, who performed ‘I’m still standing’ by Elton John. They were winners of the Rock and Pop ensemble competition.

The invited professional adjudicators – Timothy Angel, vocal; Matthew Jenkins, ensemble; Catherine Hare, woodwind; Robin Hackett, brass; Karin Jenkins, strings; Bethan Harkin, piano/harp and jazz; Ben Richards, instrumental; Philip Davies, percussion and rock and pop – were greatly impressed with the high standard and strength of schools’ music on show from across the County.

Timothy Angel, vocal adjudicator, expressed his admiration for the day: “The wealth of musical talent within Pembrokeshire Music Service is evident to see and made my job both very rewarding and difficult.”

The results of the competitions held during the day were as follows:

WOODWIND

Grade 3 flute

1st – Imogen Holloway, YPD

2nd – Ruby Bunston, YBG

3^rd – Saphire Cook, MHS

HC – Angharad Chin & Caitlyn Sanders-Swales, MHS

Grade 3 clarinet & sax

1^st – Holly Smith, HHVC

2^nd – Katherine Jones, Henry Tudor

3^rd – Jed Cox, Greenhill

HC – Felicity Betteridge, MHS; Sasha Aulehla-Atkin, Caer Elen

Grade 4 woodwind

1^st – Catrin Jones, Caer Elen

2^nd – Erin Dando, MHS

3^rd – Mali Jones-Hughes, HHVC

Grade 5 woodwind

1^st – Ela-Gwennon Jones, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Tom Pounder, MHS

3^rd – Emily Dickinson, Greenhill

Grade 6 woodwind

1^st – Eryn Howlett, MHS

2^nd – Teri Aulehla-Atkin, HHVC

3^rd – Eva Rees, MHS

Open Woodwind

1^st – Mared Phillips, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Libby Phillips, HHVC

3^rd – Gemma Armstrong, Bro Preseli & Harry Armstrong, Pembrokeshire College

BRASS

Grade 3 Brass

1^st – Eliza Wood, Greenhill

2^nd – Tristan George, HHVC

3^rd – Logan Rowe-Davies, HHVC

Grade 4 brass

1^st – Eilidh Frazer, Greenhill

2^nd – Teilo Corp, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Bronwen Corp, Bro Preseli

HC – Luca Talbot-English, YBG

Grade 5 Brass

1^st – Harry Thomas, YPD

2^nd – Owain Williams, HHVC

3^rd – Idris Leeming-Hicks, Caer Elen & Cornelia Harries, Bro Preseli

Grade 6 Brass

1^st – Eliza Wood, Greenhill

2^nd – Archie Noyce, Greenhill

3^rd – Jaap Harries, Bro Preseli

HC – Gwilym Jones, Bro Preseli

Open Brass

1^st – Ianto Evans, YBG

2^nd – Marilla Evans, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Carys Rycroft, Bro Preseli

HC – Ifan Evans, Bro Preseli & Morgan Price, Pembrokeshire College

STRINGS

Grade 3 strings

1^st – Sybilla Couzens

2^nd – Chloe Jenkins-Sims, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Benny Brett, HHVC

HC – Nel Freeman, Henry Tudor & Lily Kingaby, YBG

Grade 4 strings

1^st – Eloise Barry, HHVC

2^nd – Janelle Cabral, HHVC & Brooke Paterson, YBG

3^rd – Rosie Basford-Leslie, HHVC

HC – Izaac Frazer, Greenhill & Eira Kaill-Franks, YPD

Grade 5 strings

1^st – Ruby Rapi, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Nina Powell & Elena Gould

3^rd – Cosmo Karenin, HHVC

HC – Claudia Couzens, Redhill

Grade 6 strings

1^st – Annabel John, YPD

2^nd – Gwenna Kennerley, HHVC

Open strings

1^st – Seren Barrett, Greenhill

2^nd – Mia Burnett, HHVC

3^rd – Maria Cabral, HHVC

HC – Tom Bridger, YPD, Esyllt Corp, Bro Preseli & Sebastian Semaani, YPD

PIANO & HARP

Grade 3 & 4 piano & harp

1^st – Hywel Davies, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Dev Saini, Bro Preseli & Eva Corr, Redhill

3^rd – Elizabeth Evans, HHVC

HC – Toby Slowgrove

Grade 5 piano & harp

1^st – Ruby Kleinjans

2^nd – Roberta Gale, YPD & Elena Gould

3^rd – Amber O’Connor, Bro Preseli & Mischa Orford

Grade 6 piano & harp

1^st – Tom Bridger, YPD

2^nd – Toby Hounsell, Henry Tudor

3^rd – Siddha Saini, Bro Preseli

HC – Gabriel Blackwell & Nikita Vajrala

Open piano & harp

1^st – Loti Makepeace, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Cosmo Karenin, HHVC

3^rd – Ianto Evans, YBG & Sebastian Semaani, YPD

HC – Iestyn Barrellie, Greenhill

PERCUSSION

Drum kit grade 3-6

1^st – Poppy Delaney, HHVC

2^nd – Teilo Kite, YPD

3^rd – Regan Phillips, MHS

HC – Haydon Straviniders, MHS

Overall Open percussion

Libby Phillips, xylophone, HHVC

Open tuned percussion

1^st Libby Phillips, HHVC

Open drum kit

1^st – Osian Ridgway, Henry Tudor

2^nd – Libby Phillips, HHVC

3^rd – Ryan Block, Bro Preseli

HC – Sam Berry, YBG & Will Rowe, HHVC

JAZZ

Jazz grade 3-5

1^st – Matthew Picton, MHS

Open Jazz

1^st – Iestyn Barrellie, Greenhill

2^nd – Matthew Shaw, Greenhill

3^rd – Harry Armstrong, MHS

HC – Tom Pounder, MHS

GUITAR

Open guitar

1^st – Iestyn Barrellie, Greenhill

2^nd – George Penney, MHS

3^rd – Willis Riley, Greenhill

HC – Lewis Murray, YBG, Steffan James, Caer Elen & Leo Argent, Henry Tudor

VOCALS

Musical Theatre & classical vocals years 7-9

1^st – Pixie Coast, HHVC

2^nd – Toby Armstrong, Bro Preseli

3^rd – Hollie Draper, YPD

HC – Ruby Sunderland, HHVC & Benny Brett, HHVC

Pop vocals years 7-9

1^st – Sophia Jones, Henry Tudor

2^nd – Brodie Chalmers, HHVC

3^rd – Izzy Roberts, MHS & Caitlyn Sanders-Swales, MHS

HC – Martha Bhari, Henry Tudor

Musical Theatre & classical vocals years 10-13

1^st – Sara Gwilliam, HHVC

2^nd – Lily Davies, HHVC

3^rd – Saoirse Whitehead, HHVC

HC – Esyllt Corp, Bro Preseli & Arianna Lister, Caer Elen

Pop vocals years 10-13

1^st – Beca Phillips, Greenhill

2^nd – Maisie Tennick, Caer Elen

3^rd – Lacey Mattsen, HHVC

HC – Gwenna Kennerley, HHVC & Mia Young, Greenhill

Open vocals

1^st – Mared Phillips, Bro Preseli

2^nd – Corey Hooper-Rees, HHVC

3^rd – Micah Bealby, Pembrokeshire College

HC – Ruby Panesar, HHVC & Nyah McKee, HHVC

ENSEMBLES

Instrumental ensembles grade 5-

1^st – Roberta Gale, YPD & Eva Corr, Redhill – piano duet

2^nd – Gemma Armstrong, Ollie Towe & Anna Dafydd – Bro Preseli flute trio

3^rd – Toby Hounsell & Isla Hounsell – Henry Tudor piano duet

Open instrumental ensemble

1^st – Pembrokeshire College harp & piano duet

2^nd – HHVC flute ensemble

3^rd – HHVC String quartet

Open vocal ensemble

1^st – HHVC vocal trio

2^nd – Pembrokeshire College vocal ensemble

3^rd – Haverfordwest High Six

Open rock and pop ensemble

1^st – HHVC Expressive arts band

2^nd – YBG folk band

3^rd – The Monarchs, MHS

HC – Caer Elen “Band 2” & MHS Rock Band

Photos: 1. Overall winner Mared Phillips, Ysgol Bro Preseli 2. Open solo class winners l-r Mared Phillips, Loti Makepeace, Ianto Evans, Seren Barrett, Iestyn Barrellie, Libby Phillips with Head of Pembrokeshire Music Service Philippa Roberts, Stephen Thornton of Valero, Miranda Morgan, Music coordinator. 3. Winners of the open ensemble classes – harp & piano duo, HHVC Expressive Arts Band, HHVC vocal trio).

PEOPLE living with the effects of brain injury and neurological conditions have praised the positive impact of Pembrokeshire’s first therapeutic neurorehabilitation gardening group.

The group is run by Hywel Dda University Health Board’s (UHB) community neuro-rehabilitation service, an inter-disciplinary team always looking at ways of improving a person’s health, recovery, and rehabilitation.

In a partnership between Scolton Manor Park and the community neurorehabilitation service, the group provides adapted gardening and outdoor activities for eligible patients as part of their community neurorehabilitation.

Following a successful six-week pilot in 2021, participants named themselves the Heads-Up Gardening Group – or HUG – with further seasonal groups continuing throughout 2024 with varied gardening activities.

Occupational therapy staff from the community neurorehabilitation service have been pivotal in initiating and developing the therapeutic gardening group, alongside invaluable input and support from Scolton Manor Park staff and the wider multidisciplinary team.

This has included physiotherapy, neuropsychology, speech and language therapy, Neuro nurse specialist and therapy assistant practitioners and the head gardener at Scolton Manor Park.

The pilot project in 2021 was led by Phillippa Lee, Clinical Lead Occupational Therapist at Hywel Dda UHB, who said: “It has been an absolute pleasure and privilege to be able to facilitate a local therapeutic group, bringing people together to develop themselves, learn to self-manage their symptoms and support each other’s rehabilitation journey.

“The team felt people’s needs and rehabilitation goals could be met in a therapeutic group setting, which had proved successful in other counties.

“We work as a team with a shared purpose, modifying therapeutic activities within a nourishing environment, to work on individual needs and goals as part of their community neuro-rehabilitation plan.

“We have seen positive patient outcomes, with people moving on from the HUG group to voluntary roles, returning to work and embarking on other life goals.

“We are now in the process of evaluating the impact on people’s recovery and rehabilitation as HUG approaches its eleventh cohort and is due to restart again in spring 2025.”

The gardening group activity is led by Scolton Manor Park’s head gardener, Simon Richards, alongside occupational therapists and therapy assistant practitioners, with support from the community neurorehabilitation service.

Participants of the group have opportunities to become mentors or move onto the voluntary roles and opportunities at Scolton Manor Park, such as being part of the ‘Green Team’. These opportunities can then lead to paid employment.

Here is some feedback from people who have attended the group, highlighting the positive impact HUG has had on their lives:

“When I first went to the group, I felt a bit nervous and awkward to meet new people and I didn’t know what we were going to do. But it only took a few sessions to feel at ease. The staff were very helpful, and it was great to meet people that understand similar situations.”

“Such a brilliant group to be involved with. It’s so helpful to spend time with people who have similar issues. I’ve learnt a lot about gardening and moved forward a lot as a person.”

“I have enjoyed the group very much; it has helped me with my confidence. Thank you all so much for giving me my life back and all the support everyone has given me. A big thank you to Simon for all the help he has given me on this journey of life.”

“Positive supportive environment to learn more about nature and how to manage fatigue and other symptoms of brain injury. Great way to meet and enjoy time with others affected by Brain Injury and make new friends. Diolch o’r galon to Simon and the neurorehab team for great outdoor experiences.”

Phillipa concluded: “We hope to be able to continue this joint venture with Scolton Manor Park and would like to thank all those involved for making this rehabilitation opportunity possible.

“A special thanks to our partners at Scolton Manor Park, Mark Thomas and Simon Richards, and to all the staff working within the community neurorehabilitation service for their enthusiasm and commitment to continuing with this valuable group.

“We would like to especially thank our patients for inspiring us to develop HUG, for all their hard work, dedication and creativity.”