Community

Cherry Vann elected Archbishop of Wales following Bangor scandal

Published

9 months ago

July 30, 2025

BISHOP Cherry Vann, the Bishop of Monmouth, has been elected as the 15th Archbishop of Wales, succeeding Andrew John, who resigned earlier this summer following damning reports into the culture at Bangor Cathedral.

The Church in Wales confirmed the result after its Electoral College met in closed session, with Bishop Cherry securing the required two‑thirds majority from clergy, lay representatives and fellow bishops. She will be enthroned at Newport Cathedral in the coming months but will continue in her role as Bishop of Monmouth.

Scandal at Bangor Cathedral

The post became vacant after Archbishop Andrew John resigned in June following the release of independent reports into the Diocese of Bangor. The investigations found serious failings in governance and safeguarding at Bangor Cathedral, including a culture of excessive drinking, blurred sexual boundaries, bullying, inappropriate language, and poor management oversight.

Although there were no allegations of personal misconduct against the Archbishop, he accepted responsibility for not addressing the problems sooner. The Church’s Representative Body passed a motion of no confidence in his leadership, and the Charity Commission began looking into related financial and governance issues. Archbishop John announced he would also retire as Bishop of Bangor at the end of August.

The controversy centred on Bangor Cathedral, which is part of the Anglican Church in Wales, and not, as some reports incorrectly suggested, Wrexham Cathedral, which belongs to the Roman Catholic Church.

Background on Bishop Cherry Vann

Cherry Elizabeth Vann, 66, was born in Whetstone, Leicestershire. Initially training as a professional musician at the Royal College of Music, she later studied theology at Westcott House, Cambridge, and was ordained deacon in 1989. She was among the first women ordained priest in the Church of England in 1994.

Bishop Cherry served in Manchester for many years, holding parish posts and serving as chaplain to the deaf community before becoming Archdeacon of Rochdale in 2008. She was the first woman to hold that senior role in the Diocese of Manchester and later became Prolocutor of the Lower House of the Convocation of York, sitting on the Church of England’s Archbishops’ Council.

She was elected Bishop of Monmouth in 2019 after the resignation of Bishop Richard Pain, and was consecrated in January 2020. In her ministry, she has been a strong advocate for justice, reconciliation and inclusion, and is openly in a civil partnership.

Election process

The Archbishop of Wales is elected from among the six serving diocesan bishops by the Church in Wales Electoral College. The body consists of the six bishops and six elected representatives (three clergy and three lay members) from each of the six dioceses.

Meeting in Llandrindod Wells in a tradition akin to a conclave, the college prays, discusses and votes in secret. A candidate must win a two‑thirds majority to be elected. If no decision is reached within three days, the choice passes to the Bench of Bishops. This time, Bishop Cherry Vann secured the necessary majority during the electoral college process.

A new chapter for the Church

Bishop Cherry’s election comes at a challenging time for the Church in Wales, as it seeks to rebuild trust and strengthen governance in the wake of the Bangor scandal. Speaking after her election, she said she was honoured to be chosen and looked forward to serving the people of Wales in her new role.

The enthronement ceremony at Newport Cathedral will be held later this year, formally marking the start of her tenure as Archbishop of Wales.

Community

Sub aqua club marks first serious sea-diving weekend of season

Published

22 seconds ago

May 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

CARDIGAN Sub Aqua Club has completed its first major weekend of sea diving of the season, with 23 divers taking part across four days.

The club rounded off the weekend on Monday (May 4), meeting at Porthgain at 8:30am with two club boats for a dive before returning by 2:00pm.

Ten divers took part in Monday’s outing, with the group diving on the Leysion, where visibility was reported at around three to four metres.

The club said the weekend had been an important opportunity for members to refresh skills, refamiliarise themselves with equipment and procedures, and give newer divers valuable sea experience.

There was also a milestone for club member Katie, who completed her first sea dive.

A club spokesperson said: “This has been the first serious club weekend out in the sea. Lots of refreshing of skills. Lots of refamiliarisation of kit and procedures. Some newbie experiences and some extending of experiences.”

The weekend also helped the club identify maintenance work needed on boats and trailers, with notes taken so the committee can prioritise resources.

The spokesperson added: “It’s been a good weekend for club diving — four days, two different locations and 23 different divers.”

The club said it will now focus over the next month on helping members who have not yet been back into the sea this season to get diving again and continue progressing with training.

Monday’s dive was followed by a debrief at The Sloop Inn, Porthgain.

Community

Cllr marks 10th blood donation and urges others to give blood

Published

8 hours ago

May 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE councillor has urged more people to become blood donors after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.

Cllr Thomas Tudor said he was pleased to receive the recognition and encouraged anyone who is able to donate to come forward.

He said: “If you can give blood, please do so.”

The Welsh Blood Service says hospitals in Wales need around 350 blood donations every day to support patients in need.

A single donation can help up to three patients, as blood can be separated into different components and used in different ways to help people recover.

The service is calling for donors from all backgrounds, including first-time donors and those who have given blood before, to help maintain supplies for hospitals across Wales.

Giving blood is described as quick, simple and safe, and remains one of the most important ways members of the public can help save lives.

Anyone wishing to find out more can contact the Welsh Blood Service on 0800 252 266, Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 7:00pm, or Saturday from 9:00am to 1:00pm. They can also email [email protected].

Caption:

Cllr Thomas Tudor giving blood after receiving his 10-unit donation badge from the Welsh Blood Service.

Community

Tenby lifeboats called out five times in ‘exceptionally busy’ week

Published

20 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Volunteer RNLI crews dealt with reports of people cut off by the tide, a vessel with engine failure and a possible kitesurfer in difficulty

TENBY lifeboat crews have been called out five times in a week, dealing with a series of incidents around the south Pembrokeshire coast.

The latest launch came just before 5:30pm on Sunday (May 3), when the inshore lifeboat was sent to Monkstone Point following a report that people may have been cut off by the tide.

As the volunteer crew arrived on scene, it was confirmed that the people were fishing and did not require assistance. The lifeboat was stood down and returned to station.

The call-out was the station’s fifth shout of the week.

On Friday (May 1), the all-weather lifeboat launched shortly after 10:00am after the occupants of a 21ft pleasure boat reported engine failure between Lydstep and Giltar.

The lifeboat arrived around ten minutes later and found the vessel at risk of drifting onto rocks. The crew decided the safest option was to tow it back to Saundersfoot.

With the tide out, the vessel was moored in the bay and those on board were taken ashore using the lifeboat’s Y-boat, where they were met by Tenby Coastguard Rescue Team. The lifeboat returned to station at 11:25am.

On Wednesday (Apr 29), the inshore lifeboat was launched shortly after 4:30pm after a report that a kitesurfer appeared to be in difficulty between Tenby and Caldey Island. The crew searched the reported area and extended the search towards Giltar Point, but no one in difficulty was found.

Earlier in the week, both Tenby lifeboats were launched at 6:15pm on Monday (Apr 27) after a report that two people may have been cut off by the tide at Gilman Point, near Pendine.

The all-weather lifeboat arrived first, with choppy conditions slowing the inshore lifeboat. Coastguard rescue team members on the cliffs above directed the crew to two people on rocks.

The Y-boat was launched and the pair confirmed they were in difficulty. They were taken aboard and brought ashore at Pendine, where Coastguards were waiting. The inshore lifeboat also collected the casualties’ bags before returning them ashore.

The busy week came as three Tenby RNLI volunteers — Eddie, Alice and Jack — successfully completed their ALB tier one pass-out on Sunday.