News

Ukrainian soprano hopes to rebuild career after war trauma through competition

Published

10 months ago

May 11, 2025

Pendine International Voice of the Future offers platform for classical singer seeking new life in the UK

A TALENTED Ukrainian soprano whose life was upended by the Russian invasion is hoping to revive her career at one of Wales’s most prestigious cultural events this summer.

Khrystyna Makar, now living in Shotton, Flintshire, is one of 25 singers from around the globe competing for the title of Pendine International Voice of the Future at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in July.

The classical singer, who fled her homeland in 2022 with her two sons, Denys, now 20, and Lukian, 15, left behind her husband, Volodimir, and parents in Lviv. Since arriving in the UK, she has lived in Ceredigion and Aberystwyth before settling in north-east Wales, where she continues to pursue her musical passion despite the upheaval.

Before the war, Khrystyna enjoyed a flourishing career performing across Ukraine and at leading venues in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Scandinavia. She hopes the exposure from competing in Llangollen will open new doors in the UK music scene.

“Being separated from your family is difficult but you have to be strong,” she said. “We are a friendly people and we’re very grateful for the support we have had from people in Wales and England.”

Khrystyna recently returned from a visit home to Ukraine, which coincided with a deadly Russian missile strike on an apartment block in Kyiv that killed twelve and injured more than eighty.

“It’s difficult, but people still try to keep going,” she said. “We were able to celebrate Easter together – we don’t lose our traditions even in these times. Everywhere is dangerous, even in the west, but people are trying to rebuild their lives.”

This year’s Pendine Voice of the Future competition features singers from the USA, China, South Africa, England and Wales. The winner will receive the Pendine Trophy, presented by Welsh opera legend Sir Bryn Terfel, and a cheque for £3,000, with £1,000 awarded to the runner-up.

Now in its twelfth year, the competition is sponsored by Pendine Park via its charitable arm, the Pendine Arts and Community Trust (PACT). For Pendine founders Mario Kreft MBE and his wife Gill, who conceived the idea in 2013, the 2025 contest carries extra significance as the organisation marks its 40th anniversary.

Mario Kreft said: “The standard of the competitors in years past has been phenomenal, and I have no doubt it will be just as high again this year. The added opportunity to appear on the same stage as Sir Bryn Terfel is a dream come true for many of these young performers.”

The final of the competition will take place on Sunday, July 13, during the Eisteddfod’s grand closing concert, which will also feature Sir Bryn performing songs from his new album, Sea Songs, alongside The Fisherman’s Friends and Welsh folk singer Eve Goodman.

Artistic director Dave Danford described the competition as “one of the most important” in the Eisteddfod calendar: “For the audience, it’s the chance to see a future star; for the competitors, it’s the experience of a lifetime.”

Two former winners with Pembrokeshire links will also return to the festival this year. Eirlys Myfanwy Davies, winner in 2017, and Shimona Rose, winner in 2024, will appear as featured soloists at a special Karl Jenkins concert on July 9, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.

Sir Bryn Terfel said: “The Pendine International Voice of the Future competition is a brilliant opportunity for emerging vocal talent. It offers a platform that could help launch careers on the global stage.”

Crime

Neighbourhood policing boosted across Dyfed-Powys

Published

1 hour ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS POLICE has announced a significant expansion of its Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Teams (NPPT), with more officers being deployed to frontline roles where demand is greatest.

From Monday (Mar 16), teams across the force area have been strengthened, with a renewed focus on tackling antisocial behaviour and preventing crime at its source.

The force says the move is aimed at reducing repeat demand by addressing the root causes of offending, rather than simply responding to incidents.

To achieve this, a number of officers have been redeployed from central departments back into frontline policing, while new posts are also being created to bolster capacity.

Temporary Chief Superintendent Steve Davies, head of uniform policing, said: “These changes are about increasing frontline visibility and ensuring we have the right resources in the right places.

“They form part of a wider programme of improvements across the force to enhance effectiveness and efficiency, while also supporting the wellbeing of our officers and staff.

“This is positive news for our communities, who will benefit from stronger neighbourhood teams focused on local priorities and proactive policing.”

The expansion has been made possible through Home Office funding under the Neighbourhood Guarantee scheme, which is designed to strengthen community safety and crime prevention.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been allocated £1.4 million for 2025/26, enabling the recruitment of police staff and freeing up officers previously in support roles to return to operational duties.

As a result, four sergeants and 29 police officers have now been reassigned to neighbourhood teams across the force.

Each NPPT area will also have a named officer, with full team details available via the ‘Your Area’ section of the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

The force has also secured early access to 2026/27 Neighbourhood Guarantee funding, which will see a further 12 officers recruited between April and the autumn—adding to overall officer numbers in the region.

Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn said: “Neighbourhood policing is about more than numbers—it’s about relationships.

“Greater visibility helps build trust, strengthens community ties, and reassures the public that policing is present, responsive, and committed to keeping people safe.

“I remain committed to improving police visibility across our communities, and these additional officers will help turn that ambition into reality.”

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

1 hour ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.