Pembrokeshire’s heavenly host of angels gains spiritual promotion for Christmas 2025

Published

2 days ago

January 21, 2025

The heavenly host of St Katherines angels – all 4,000 of them – have been granted spiritual promotion of the highest order after being told they’re to be exhibited at St Davids Cathedral throughout Christmas 2025.

Their arrival in St Katherine and St Peter’s Church, Milford Haven, last December, resulted in well over a thousand people crossing the west door threshold to engage in their angelic presence in a multitude of different ways.

“When people walk through the door for the very first time and see the angels, many are overawed by their power but also their beauty,” said the Reverend Nicola Davies, curate of Steynton, Hakin and Herbrandston and orchestrator of the angel display.

“Perhaps the most poignant part has been some of the wonderful story-sharing that the angels have prompted, such as the memories of altar boys, choristers and congregation members who perhaps haven’t been inside the church for many years.

“But the display has also attracted lots of younger people. One evening, four teenage boys turned up to see the angels, and asked if they could look around the church. They took selfies of themselves up at the altar after asking what it was used for, and they spent a long time in the memorial chapel, again asking questions about what it was all about. So those four boys received a very personal introduction to the church here at St Katherine.

“Another lady told me that spending time in the church amongst the angels was one of the most restorative times she’d had in a long time, after losing her child.

“Knowing how deeply the seed has been planted as a result of the angels is wonderful, no matter how small that seed may be.”

Rev Nicola had strong convictions that the St Katherine’s angels would engage with a wide cross section of society throughout the Christmas period.

“Christmas is one of the few times of the year when people want to step over the threshold of the church and enjoy the Christmas celebration, but it isn’t always easy for people to do that. I thought the angels would help people to engage with the church and what it stands for.”

Each of the angels was handmade and individually decorated by everyone who took part.

The workshops began at the beginning of November while angel packs were sent out to many local schools. Once completed, each angel was carefully mounted on display strings which run through the nave as well as along both of the church’s side aisles. And the finished display proved a huge hit with locals and visitors alike, with up to 60 people visiting the church on a daily basis.

“We decided on angels because they play such a big part in the Christmas story,” continued Rev Nicola.

“An angel visited Mary, an angel visited Joseph and then we have the whole host of angels visiting the shepherds. So we decided to bring another host here to Milford Haven to help bring the Christmas story alive.

“And what they’ve brought to so many is wonderful. Obviously the younger children were desperate to find their own creations and spent ages hunting their way through the thousands of angels to try and find the one that they made. But others became very tearful, and emotional for a whole range of different reasons. And the news that they’ll be heading off to St Davids Cathedral for Christmas 2025 is the icing on the cake.”

Meanwhile St Katherine and St Peter’s Church is planning some similar community-led projects throughout 2025.

“The display has made us realise how important it is to include the community in church events and activities,” said Nicola. “So we’re currently thinking about what else we can do in the coming year, and we’re open to suggestions from the public.”

A Spring project is scheduled to take place when children and adults will make handmade baskets and flowers for Mothering Sunday which is on March 30. Further details of this project will be released nearer to the date.

But sadly Nicola, who is a native of Rosemarket, won’t be around to enjoy the forthcoming projects because in February she will be taking up her new post as assistant curate of Llandybie, near Ammanford.

“It’s going to be sad leaving my home county, but we’ll have to see what the future holds,” she said. “Hopefully, one day, I’ll be able to come back to Pembrokeshire as a priest and carry on working with the wonderful congregations and communities that we have around us.”

The angel display can still be viewed at St Katherine and St Peter’s church on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, between 4pm and 7pm.

There is no charge to see the angel display, however donations can be made to the Wales Air Ambulance, which Nicola described as ‘the angels of the sky’.

Community

Mid and West Wales Fire Service launches recruitment drive

Published

17 mins ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE MID AND WEST WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE has announced it is halfway through its recruitment window for Wholetime Firefighters. The service is actively seeking individuals from diverse backgrounds to join their ranks and contribute to the safety and well-being of communities across Mid and West Wales.

Chief Fire Officer Roger Thomas KFSM emphasised the evolving nature of the firefighter’s role, stating, “The role of a Wholetime Firefighter goes far beyond tackling fires, road traffic collisions and water rescues. Modern-day firefighters play a crucial part in educating the public and working to prevent risks to life and the environment.”

The MAWWFRS is keen to attract applicants with a wide range of skills and experiences, recognising the diverse challenges faced by today’s fire service. “We encourage people from a variety of backgrounds to apply, emphasising the diverse skill set needed for this challenging yet rewarding career,” added Thomas.

This recruitment initiative is seen as a vital step in ensuring the service has the necessary personnel to respond effectively to emergencies and maintain safety standards across the region. The MAWWFRS covers a vast area, encompassing nearly two-thirds of Wales, making it the third largest Fire and Rescue Service in the United Kingdom.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to visit the MAWWFRS website for detailed information on fitness requirements, the application process, and how to apply. The online registration window closes at 12pm on Monday, 27th January 2025.

As the service continues its mission to create safer communities, this recruitment drive offers an opportunity for individuals to become part of a team that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

Citations:
[1] http://eastwoodacademy.co.uk/docs/How%20to%20write%20a%20newspaper%20article.pdf
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid_and_West_Wales_Fire_and_Rescue_Service
[3] https://midwestwalesfire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s5689/HR%20People%20and%20Well-Being%20Update%20Report.pdf
[4] https://nickdale.me/2023/05/31/how-to-write-a-newspaper-article/
[5] https://www.gov.wales/find-your-local-fire-and-rescue-service
[6] https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/eng/join-us/current-vacancies/
[7] https://www.superprof.co.uk/resources/questions/english/broadsheet-articles.html
[8] https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk
[9] https://www.mawwfire.gov.uk/eng/join-us/
[10] https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/body/mid_and_west_wales_fire_and_rescue_service

Crime

Police investigate as spate of burglaries hits West Wales communities

Published

28 mins ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE have said they are investigating a series of burglaries that occurred in the St Clears, Narberth, and Haverfordwest areas on 22 January 2025. The incidents, which police believe are linked, have resulted in property damage and the theft of valuable items including cash, jewellery, and power tools.

Detective Inspector Owen Lock has reassured the public that enquiries are ongoing and the force is committed to apprehending those responsible. He urged residents to report any suspicious activities, emphasising the importance of community vigilance.

“No matter how insignificant it may seem, please report all suspicious activity to police immediately, and don’t assume someone else would have notified us,” DI Lock stated.

In light of these events, police are advising residents and second-home owners to check their properties, ensure they are secure, and safeguard valuables by using protective marking and secure storage.

This recent spate of burglaries follows an attempted break-in at a flat above the Welsh Bakery in Robert Street, Milford Haven, between 18 and 20 January 2025.

The proximity in time and location suggests a possible surge in criminal activity in the region.

Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any concerns to Dyfed-Powys Police via their website, email, social media, or by calling 101. For those wishing to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111 or through their website.

As investigations continue, local authorities are working to enhance community safety and prevent further incidents. Residents are advised to review their home security measures and stay informed about crime prevention strategies available on the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

Cymraeg

Welsh speakers drop to shocking lowest percentage in eight years

Published

46 mins ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE PERCENTAGE of Welsh speakers has fallen to its lowest level in over eight years, with just 27.7% of people in Wales able to speak the language, according to government statistics.

Data from the annual population survey, which covers the year ending 30 September 2024, estimates there are around 851,700 Welsh speakers in Wales. This marks a 1.6% decline compared to the previous year.

Despite the drop, the Welsh government remains resolute in its commitment to increasing the number of Welsh speakers. A spokesperson said: “We are absolutely committed to our goal of having one million Welsh speakers and doubling the daily use of Welsh.”

The ambitious target of one million Welsh speakers by 2050 is measured using census data, rather than the annual population survey.

Census data paints a stark picture
The 2021 census revealed a further decline in Welsh speakers, with only 17.8% of residents—approximately 538,000 people aged three and older—reporting they could speak the language.

Welsh speakers by the numbers
The annual population survey provides further insights:

Children lead the way: 48.6% of children and young people aged 3 to 15 reported they could speak Welsh, equating to 237,600 individuals. However, this figure has been gradually declining since 2019.
Regional highs and lows:
- Gwynedd boasts the highest number of Welsh speakers (93,600), followed by Carmarthenshire (93,300) and Cardiff (83,300).
- Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil have the fewest Welsh speakers, with 9,500 and 10,600, respectively.
- In percentage terms, Gwynedd (77.9%) and the Isle of Anglesey (63.6%) lead, while Rhondda Cynon Taf (13.9%) and Blaenau Gwent (14%) rank lowest.

How often is Welsh spoken?
Among those who can speak Welsh:

13.9% (428,800 people) speak it daily.
5.6% (171,300) use it weekly.
6.7% (204,700) speak it less often.
1.5% (46,500) never speak Welsh despite being able to.

The remaining 72.3% of people in Wales do not speak Welsh at all.

Understanding Welsh
Beyond speaking:

32.2% (989,300 people) reported they could understand spoken Welsh.
24.4% (751,600) can read Welsh.
22.1% (680,100) can write in the language.

Survey sample size questioned
The annual population survey, conducted by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), has faced criticism over falling sample sizes in recent years. However, the ONS confirmed to the BBC that 14,881 responses were used for the Welsh language questions in the latest survey.

The figures underline the challenges facing efforts to revitalize the Welsh language, even as the government strives to meet its ambitious 2050 targets.