News

Local students perform with Welsh Guards

Published

9 years ago

February 9, 2017

Fantastic performance: A video of the Welsh Guard playing in the evening

THE BAND OF THE WELSH GUARDS attended The Torch Theatre in Milford Haven today (Feb 6) for a special performance for schools across Pembrokeshire.

The Band gave a presentation in the afternoon to the students, and explained to them all of the fantastic places where they’ve had the opportunity to perform, such as The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, The Royal Albert Hall and Will and Kate’s wedding.

After this, children from local schools enjoyed an hour-long performance by the Band of the Welsh Guards. However, it wasn’t just any performance. Skilled and talented young musicians joined them on stage to perform famous pieces from classical music to hit movie scores.

Before the musical afternoon began, the conductor said: “We have had the great pleasure of welcoming some young musicians from the local area. We’ve had a few rehearsals, but some of the music is very difficult.

“The students have done extremely well, and some are even sight reading.”

Kicking off the performance was the score of the Pirates of the Caribbean. This familiar music was performed so eloquently that it made the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. The students fit in perfectly with The Guards and didn’t miss a beat. So much so, that you would never be able to tell that there were any inexperienced musicians among them. Only their uniforms gave them away.

The score from The Pirates of the Caribbean is beautiful as it is, but played by The Welsh Guards, it lended itself excellently to the majestic sounds that comes with the band itself.

After the first performance, a loud applause erupted from the auditorium.

Next up was the famous pop song, Just Haven’t Met You Yet by the world class vocalist, Michael Buble. Buble’s music is often associated with orchestras and brass bands, and the popular singer has performed live with orchestras in the past.

It was played so beautifully, that you had to stop yourself from trying to sing the melody, which was instead being carried by the trumpets. The break however, was carried by the saxophone, which gave it an extremely romantic feel.

The percussionists at the back of the stage – Guards and students alike – moved around and swapped instruments periodically, showing how dynamic and versatile their musical talents truly are.

A solo performance by Welsh Guard, Davey Jones was up next, who played a 1920s piece, Robin Harry on the xylophone and the vibraphone, accompanied by the band. The imagery created by this piece sent your mind reeling off into thoughts and memories of watching Charlie Chaplin’s famous silent movies.

Using four mallets toward the end of the piece, this enabled Jones to play four notes at once, in order to create chords and harmonies.

After this solo performance, it was time for a bit of fun. The conductor addressed the room, and explained that up next would be a solo performance from Sergeant Dan Evans on he post-horn.

He said: “When the post carriage would come into town, the men on the back of the carriage would sound their horn to inform them that their post had arrived.”

He added: “We were supposed to have two, but the other played has forgotten his and left it in London.”

A bow of shame was performed by the musician who had sadly forgotten his post-horn, and he took his place at the front of the stage, making his way there on crutches. The conductor explained that unfortunately, he has injured his leg since being in Pembrokeshire.

After a huge amount of sympathy given by the audience members, he sat in his chair while Sgt Evans played The Huntsman.

However, minutes into the performance, a fellow guard appeared with what seemed to be a metal tea pot. It was then to our surprise, that he joined in with Sergeant Evans, and began playing The Hunstman.

His next brilliant idea, was to take the mouth piece he had produced from his pocket, and places it on the end of his crutch. And – you guessed it – he started playing that too!

With laughter from the children in the audience, this spurred him on to go a step further. He took the chair he had been sitting on, placed the mouth piece on the end of a leg and began to play that, too.

It was after this fun performance that they decided to get back to business, and performed heir rendition of an ABBA medley they like to call ‘ABBA Gold’, which consisted of popular favourites, Dancing Queen, Mamma Mia, Fernando and The Winner Takes It All.

Finally, the audience were treated to a rendition of Tocatta in D minor by Johann Sebastian Bach – but with a “twist!”

This extremely famous piece of music was performed traditionally to begin with, when it suddenly was accompanied with fantastically accomplished upbeat percussion.

Just when everybody thought it was time to go, the Band agreed to perform one more piece on one condition. The children in the audience agreed immediately without asking what the condition was, whereas the adults in the room weren’t quite so eager to agree before hearing what the bargain was!

The condition in actual fact, was no problem at all. The Band agreed to play Uptown Funk by world class Bruno Mars, on the condition that everybody gets out of their seats, sings along and has a dance. And so, they did! Adults and children alike all joined in, clapping, singing and dancing in their seats.

Before the close of their show, the band thanked the schools for attending the concert, and said they had been “bowled over” by the standard of the young musicians who had joined them on stage.

The Band of the Welsh Guard will play again this evening (Feb 6) at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven.

Community

Kurtz welcomes £4.3m National Lottery boost for local communities

Published

9 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL Kurtz MS has welcomed more than £4.3 million in National Lottery funding awarded to community projects across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire since 2021.

Figures released by The National Lottery Community Fund show that £4,318,484 has been distributed through 122 grants in the constituency since the 2021/22 financial year, the same year Mr Kurtz was elected.

The funding has supported a wide range of grassroots charities, voluntary organisations and community groups through programmes including National Lottery Awards for All, offering grants of up to £20,000, and People and Places, which provides larger awards of up to £500,000.

Projects backed locally include mental health support for young people, environmental and sustainability initiatives, community workshops, outdoor wellbeing activities, support for vulnerable adults, and programmes aimed at building skills and confidence.

Among the organisations to benefit is Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, which received £343,584 for its Routes to Discovery project, helping improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible outdoor activities.

St Davids Diocesan Council for Social Responsibility was awarded £398,078 to deliver its Plant Dewi: Strengthening our Communities initiative, supporting families and local groups.

Other recipients include The VC Gallery, Redberth Croft CIC, The Tenby Project CIC and Neptune’s Army of Rubbish Cleaners, with funding supporting projects ranging from food initiatives and nature-based wellbeing to volunteering and environmental action.

Mr Kurtz said: “Community groups and charities across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire do incredible work supporting people and strengthening local communities.

“It is fantastic to see more than £4.3 million of National Lottery funding invested in projects that are improving wellbeing, tackling isolation and creating opportunities for people of all ages during my time in office.

“The voluntary sector plays a vital role in our area, and this funding is helping organisations deliver projects that bring people together and make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The National Lottery Community Fund is the largest funder of community activity in Wales, supporting initiatives that bring communities together, promote environmental sustainability, help children and young people thrive, and improve health and wellbeing.

Organisations across Wales can apply for funding through the Awards for All and People and Places programmes to support projects that matter most to their communities.

Further information is available on The National Lottery Community Fund website.

Cymraeg

National Eisteddfod unveils legacy framework to boost Welsh language and communities

Published

9 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A NEW national framework aimed at securing a lasting legacy from the National Eisteddfod has been published jointly by the festival’s organisers and the Welsh Government.

The plan sets out how the Eisteddfod’s impact will be strengthened before, during and after each annual event, bringing together partners from across education, community development, culture, the economy and the Welsh language sector.

While each Eisteddfod reflects the identity of its host community, the framework aims to ensure long-term benefits are consistently delivered nationwide, rather than limited to the festival period.

The legacy programme will cover a wide range of areas including education, inclusion, digital innovation, volunteering and economic development, with new national and local structures designed to coordinate delivery more effectively.

A national project board will oversee the strategy, setting direction and sharing best practice year-on-year. At a local level, a steering group will drive community-based work, helping turn the Eisteddfod into a catalyst for lasting change.

Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford said the festival’s impact goes far beyond a single week.

“The Eisteddfod is far more than a week-long festival. It is a multi-year project that leaves a lasting legacy for the Welsh language and culture in the area,” he said.

“By bringing together partners from across key sectors, this framework will help deliver real and lasting change for our communities and support our ambition of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

Nic Parry, President of the Eisteddfod Court and Chair of its Management Board, said the framework strengthens collaboration at both local and national level.

“It allows us to deliver on a long-held ambition to drive language planning through the lens of the National Eisteddfod,” he said.

“It also positions the Eisteddfod as a powerful tool for boosting local economies and supporting sustainable communities for future generations.”

Further details are expected later this year, with membership of the national project board due to be confirmed by mid-June.

A dedicated session at this year’s Eisteddfod will also gather evidence from the 2026 host area to help shape future plans for 2027 and 2028.

More information is available via the Eisteddfod’s legacy framework online.

Community

Former Neyland police officer Louis Knight dies aged 83

Published

9 hours ago

March 19, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Tributes pour in for former Neyland officer remembered as a “true gentleman” and “local legend”

A FORMER Neyland police officer remembered as a “true gentleman” and “local legend” has died at the age of 83, prompting an outpouring of tributes from across Pembrokeshire.

Louis Knight, of Neyland Hill, Neyland, passed away peacefully at Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest on Thursday (Mar 5).

Mr Knight, who served as a police officer in the area for many years, was a familiar and respected figure in Neyland and beyond. In the hours following the announcement of his death, hundreds of messages flooded social media, painting a picture of a man whose impact stretched far beyond his time in uniform.

Many described him simply as “one of the best,” while others called him “a proper local legend” and “a tremendous police officer.”

One resident wrote: “A face and name I will never forget from my youth.”

Another said: “He was a tremendous police officer… a kick up the backside and a word was enough. It stayed with you.”

Others remembered his warmth and humour away from policing.

“He always had a story to tell on the way home in the taxi,” one tribute read, while another added: “Every time you asked him how he was, the answer was always ‘bloody marvellous.’”

Many spoke of his kindness and the time he gave to people.

“Louis was one of the most kindest gentlemen around. Always made time to chat,” one message said.

Another added: “Neyland won’t be the same again.”

While some reflected fondly on a different era of policing, what came through most strongly was the respect Mr Knight earned within his community — something repeatedly highlighted in tributes from those who knew him as children, neighbours, and later as adults.

Mr Knight was the beloved husband of the late Angela, devoted father of Andrew and Alison, and adored father-in-law of Frank. He was also a loving grandfather to Michelle and Laura, and a cherished brother of Jennifer, Charles and Richard.

His family said he was loved dearly and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

The funeral service will take place on Wednesday (Apr 1) at 11:30am at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth.

Family flowers only. Donations in memory of Louis, if desired, are for Ward 8 at Withybush Hospital and may be sent directly to the ward at SA61 2PZ.

All enquiries to Tom Newing & Sons Ltd, Funeral Directors, Dartmouth Street, Milford Haven (01646 693180).

Photo caption:

PC Louis Knight pictured during a Royal Visit, engaging with local children — a familiar sight in Neyland for many years (Pic: Supplied).