Community

Rowan taking on ultimate climbing challenge

Published

10 years ago

December 29, 2015

Sarah-Jane Absalom

Dream Team: Rowan and friends fundraise in Birmingham

18-YEAR-OLD Rowan Staden- Coats from Pembrokeshire is to undergo the challenge of a lifetime in 2016 by climbing the highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation. Currently a first year student at the University of Birmingham, in September 2016 Rowan will be travelling to Tanzania with a group of 27 students from the University, to undertake a 6-day trek to the summit to raise money for this worthy cause. Having lived in the village of Treffgarne for her whole life, Rowan has always been and will continue to be an active part of the local community.

She is a member of Keyston YFC, with whom she has helped to raise money for local charities including PATCH and Paul Sartori. She has used her musical talents to perform in charity concerts, both as a vocal soloist and part of small ensembles and larger choirs raising money for various local and national charities. She has been well-prepared for her challenge as during her school years, she completed the bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh awards which as well as including tough physical activity, also meant that she spent a considerable number of hours volunteering in her local primary school, working with the children there.

In summer 2013, Rowan spent two weeks volunteering in rural Malawi with the Fisherman’s Rest Charity, helping to build schools and teaching English. Meningitis Research Foundation is an excellent charity to which Rowan has a strong personal link. The charity is close to her heart, as when she was a toddler, she lost a friend to the disease overnight. More recently, a very c l o s e friend is thought to have contracted viral meningitis, which meant that she could not attend school for two years, meaning she missed out on completing her A-Levels. For such a bright, hardworking and enthusiastic pupil, this was very upsetting.

Thankfully, she has now recovered from the episode and is attempting to resume her studies. However, this is not the case for a lot of people who are permanently affected by the disease. The charity carries out research projects all over the world and in the UK into both Meningitis (bacterial, viral and fungal) and Septicaemia. Their current research projects include experimentation with new vaccines, which in future years will help to combat the disease, but they also work very closely with people who have already been affected, and raising awareness in order to prevent the spread.

Recently, Meningitis Research Foundation were responsible for attaining a free vaccination for the ACWY strain of the disease for all first year university students – only since starting university did Rowan realise just how important this is, as students are the second highest risk demographic category, following babies, to contract the disease. Symptoms can be very similar to that of hangovers, meaning lots of students may dismiss the symptoms, which could prove fatal. Many people are very unaware of many of the symptoms and effects of the disease, and the charity does great work to try and raise a w a r e n e s s . It provides lots of s u p p o r t f o r families and victims already affected, and has rehabilitation programmes in order to help them to re-establish normality to their lives.

The fundraising target is £2990, which the charity will be spending on a variety of projects, including the genome research library and rehabilitation programmes. The trek up Kilimanjaro itself will take place over the course of 6 days, in early September 2016 and the group should reach the summit on day 4, at a height of 5,895m (19,336 ft.) they will be at the highest point in Africa. This will be a hugely challenging experience, and will take lots of commitment to physical training, as it will be Rowan’s first experience of high altitude, as well as overcoming mental and emotional obstacles and of course the fundraising challenge. Throughout the course of the year the intrepid teenager will be organising multiple fundraising events, both in Pembrokeshire and in Birmingham, but will also be taking part in other activities such as the Birmingham 10k run and the Tenby Boxing Day Swim in order to reach the personal target of £2990. If you would like to donate to Rowan’s challenge and help the fight against meningitis then you can do so by going to the fundraising page: https://carnivalrag.everydayhero. c o m / u k / r o w a n – c l i m b s – kilimanjaro-2016 For more information on events or to contact Rowan you can get in touch via her email address:rowanstadencoats@gmail. com

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.

Community

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

3 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.

Community

Lord Rhys emerges from the mist in St Davids

Published

6 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Giant puppet begins historic journey marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod

MIST swirled around St Davids Cathedral on Friday evening as a giant Lord Rhys puppet emerged from the fog to begin a journey celebrating 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod.

Accompanied by traditional musicians and followed by crowds of spectators, the towering figure cut an imposing sight against the backdrop of the ancient cathedral.

The procession marked the start of Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys (The Journey of Lord Rhys), a cultural pilgrimage retracing the legacy of the Welsh prince whose gathering of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176 is widely regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod.

As fog drifted across the city and church towers faded into the background, the scene felt more like a chapter from Welsh folklore than a modern-day celebration.

The giant puppet, accompanied by fellow performers and musicians, travelled from St Davids Cathedral to Oriel y Parc before beginning a wider journey through west Wales.

The travelling celebration will visit communities across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion before culminating in Cardigan, where Lord Rhys originally staged his famous cultural gathering eight and a half centuries ago.

Video and photographs shared by DrifterStDavids captured the remarkable atmosphere, with many describing the spectacle as one of the most memorable cultural events seen in St Davids for years.

Photo caption: Lord Rhys emerges from the mist outside St Davids Cathedral as celebrations begin to mark the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod

(Pic: SmallWorld – Video: Drifter St Davids)