Community
Festive creativity shines as Kurtz MS meets card competition winner
SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, visited Pembroke Dock Community School on Friday 12th December to present a prize to the winner of this year’s Christmas Card Competition.
The competition invited pupils to design a festive Christmas card, with entries received from schools across the area. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, showcasing the creativity, imagination and talent of young people in the community.
During the visit, Samuel Kurtz congratulated the winning pupil and thanked all those who took part, as well as the teachers and staff who supported the competition. Each child who entered also received a certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.
Speaking after the presentation, Samuel said, “It was a real pleasure to visit Pembroke Dock Community School today and announce the winner of my Christmas Card competition. This year the winner is Mair Moseley, aged 10, and she designed a wonderful Santa image that really stood out. She has won a chocolate selection set and a £20 book token to enjoy over Christmas.”
He added, “ The creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the children was fantastic, and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult. I want to congratulate all the entrants and thank the staff for their ongoing support.”
Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher, Mrs Katie Crockford-Morris, added, “We were delighted to welcome Samuel Kurtz MS to the school to present the prize. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition, and they were incredibly proud to receive their certificates.”
The winning design will now be used as Samuel Kurtz’s official Christmas card this year, with one copy already on its way to His Majesty, King Charles.
Community
Man found dead near Carmarthen railway line died from hypothermia
A 32-YEAR-OLD man found dead near Carmarthen Train Station died after taking shelter on a bitterly cold night, an inquest has heard.
Edward Mark Owen, originally from Birmingham but living in Ystradgynlais, was discovered in a field beside the railway line on the approach to Carmarthen station on Saturday, January 10.
A Transport for Wales train driver had spotted what appeared to be a body lying face down near the track shortly after 8:30am.
Police and railway staff attended and found Mr Owen lying face down and topless in the field. His coat, T-shirt, phone and cigarettes were found nearby.
Police initially treated the death as unexplained.
Movements traced
The inquest heard that officers later traced Mr Owen’s movements from his home in Ystradgynlais to Carmarthen.
He had nowhere to stay in the town and had taken shelter under a bridge near the railway station during a particularly cold night.
The coroner said Mr Owen had “sadly succumbed to the effects of hypothermia”.
The fact that he had removed his T-shirt and coat was said to be consistent with a confused state brought on by hypothermia.
A conclusion of misadventure was recorded.
The coroner found that Mr Owen died sometime on January 10, 2026.
Community
Milford Haven firefighters prepare for key assessments
ON-CALL firefighters at Milford Haven Fire Station have been put through their paces as part of their weekly drill night.
The crew’s development firefighters were pictured carrying out a “drill by numbers” squad exercise ahead of upcoming assessments.
New firefighters spend their first 24 months in a development period, which is split into four stages and focuses on different operational skills and competencies.
At the end of each stage, firefighters attend a divisional training centre where their progress is assessed against the standards required by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Over the next two weeks, members of the Milford Haven crew will take part in a Stage 2 interim assessment and a Stage 4 final assessment.
One firefighter is hoping to complete the final stage and qualify as a fully competent firefighter.
The station said Wednesday nights remain an important part of training for the on-call crew, helping firefighters maintain the skills needed to respond to emergencies across the Milford Haven area.
Community
Armed Forces Day exhibition opens at VC Gallery’s new Riverside home
A UNIQUE exhibition bringing together military history, art and veterans’ stories will open to the public in Haverfordwest as part of Armed Forces Day celebrations later this month.
The VC Gallery will host a special open day at its new Riverside Gallery on Saturday, June 27, inviting the community to explore an exhibition featuring works from the Imperial War Museum alongside historic wartime artefacts, trench art and pieces connected to celebrated Welsh artist Augustus John.
The event will also showcase contemporary artwork created by Armed Forces veterans who served in conflicts including Korea, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Organisers say the exhibition highlights not only military history and remembrance, but also the role creativity can play in supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.
Throughout the day, visitors will be able to meet members of the VC Gallery team and learn more about an ambitious new project aimed at supporting veterans, families and the wider community.
The exhibition combines nationally significant historical works with personal stories of service and resilience, offering a rare opportunity to view military history through the eyes of those who experienced it.
Families are particularly welcome, with guided family art tours available by advance booking.
The event begins at 10:00am and takes place at the VC Riverside Gallery in Haverfordwest.
Anyone wishing to reserve a place on a guided family tour should email [email protected].
The VC Gallery said it is looking forward to welcoming visitors as it commemorates Armed Forces Day while celebrating the power of art, heritage and community to bring people together.
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