A GROUP of students from Haverfordwest High School have been recognised on the national stage after winning a prestigious award at the Wales final of the The King’s Trust and TK Maxx Awards.

The students scooped the JD Foundation Community Impact Award during a ceremony held on Monday, January 19, at voco St Davids Cardiff, celebrating their efforts to transform a vandalised and neglected subway into a bright, welcoming mural for the community.

The project was delivered through the Achieve programme run locally by Pembrokeshire Youth Service, giving pupils a more hands-on, practical approach to learning outside the traditional classroom.

Reclaiming a neglected space

The group identified the graffiti-covered underpass, used daily on their walk to school, as somewhere that left a poor impression of the town.

Ffion, one of the students, said: “The subway was really unwelcoming and gave people a negative impression of the town. We wanted to reclaim the space and turn it into something positive.”

Working together, the pupils applied for funding, secured sponsorship from local businesses and organised school fundraising events. They also partnered with local artist Lloyd Griffiths to design and paint a colourful mural celebrating wellbeing, identity and pride in Haverfordwest.

The artwork even features their daily emotional “check-in” system – a tool they used throughout the programme to support each other’s mental health.

Building confidence and skills

Many of the young people involved had faced barriers in mainstream education, including social and emotional challenges or caring responsibilities at home. Several were at risk of leaving school with few qualifications.

Through the Achieve programme, they say they found a more supportive environment where they could develop confidence and practical skills.

Lateesha said: “We were really pushed outside of our comfort zone throughout the project, which helped us discover confidence in ourselves and just how much we’re capable of.”

The students developed teamwork, communication, fundraising and public speaking skills while delivering a lasting improvement to their neighbourhood.

Ffion added: “This project is our legacy. We’ve created something lasting that represents who we are and where we come from. It’s amazing what a cup of tea and a conversation can result in.”

Recognition on the national stage

Aaron Probert, JD Foundation Manager, presented the award on the night.

He said: “It is an honour to present this very special group of young people with the Community Impact Award. The way you have worked together to benefit your community is truly inspiring and the impact you have had is clear to see.”

The win now puts the Haverfordwest students in the running for a national King’s Trust Award, with finalists invited to a celebration event in May at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

The King’s Trust supports young people aged eleven to thirty with skills, training and opportunities, with three in four participants moving into work, education or training.

For these Pembrokeshire pupils, their award-winning mural is already proof of what can happen when young people are given the chance – and the support – to make a difference close to home.

A CONVICTED child killer has reportedly been attacked behind bars for a second time at one of Britain’s highest-security prisons.

Mark Bridger, who abducted and murdered five-year-old April Jones in 2012, is understood to have been assaulted by another inmate at HMP Wakefield in West Yorkshire.

Prison sources say Bridger, now 60, suffered minor injuries during the incident. Staff quickly intervened and separated the prisoners. The attack is being investigated internally, with additional security measures reportedly put in place.

Repeat violence

This is not the first time Bridger has been targeted in custody.

The former machinist, originally from Machynlleth, has previously been moved between prisons over safety concerns and has been attacked before by fellow inmates, reflecting the hostility often directed at prisoners convicted of crimes against children.

Wakefield, known unofficially as the “Monster Mansion”, houses some of the UK’s most dangerous and high-profile offenders and is designated Category A — reserved for inmates considered the highest escape risk or posing serious danger to the public.

Life sentence

Bridger was jailed for life in 2013 after being convicted of April Jones’s murder following one of the most extensive police searches in Welsh history. Despite months of searches, April’s body has never been recovered.

The case devastated the small community of Machynlleth and prompted national debate about child safety and offender monitoring.

He was handed a whole-life order, meaning he will never be released.

Investigation under way

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Police are investigating an assault on a prisoner at HMP Wakefield. Violence in prison will not be tolerated and those responsible will face additional punishment.”

Further details about the extent of Bridger’s injuries have not been disclosed.

It is understood he remains in custody at the prison.

For many across Wales, particularly in Mid and West Wales where April lived, emotions around the case remain raw more than a decade later, and any developments involving her killer continue to draw strong reaction.

A WELSH college farm is successfully lambing triplet-bearing ewes outdoors on exposed hill ground after introducing genetic performance recording to strengthen maternal traits and flock resilience.

At Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, near Ruthin, a flock of 120 pure Welsh Mountain ewes grazes land rising between 1,000 and 1,300 feet above sea level, where winter conditions can be harsh and only the hardiest sheep thrive.

Since joining the Farming Connect Welsh Sheep Genetics Programme in 2023, the farm has used Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to target improvements in maternal ability, growth rates and overall performance. Although genetic gains are often gradual, staff say results are already clear just three years into the scheme.

Historically, ewes carrying triplets were lambed indoors, adding labour and cost. Now, improved maternal strength means they can lamb outside with minimal intervention.

“The ewes are holding their body condition better, we haven’t had any problems lambing them outdoors and they keep their lambs very well,” said shepherd Alun Jones. “We’re seeing fewer losses and far less hands-on work. In the 2025 season we only assisted two ewes out of 120.”

The wider system runs 600 ewes, including Welsh Mountains crossed with Abertex to produce mule ewe lambs, and mules crossed with Beltex or Texel rams for finishing lamb production. Plans to phase out the Welsh Mountain breed were reversed after recognising its value for hardiness and mothering ability in upland conditions.

Performance recording began in autumn 2023 with tissue samples, body condition scoring and regular weighing to create a reliable data baseline.

“Before, we were judging by eye,” said Mr Jones. “Now we’ve got hard evidence to guide decisions.”

By identifying and removing the bottom 20 per cent of performers, the flock’s overall index has risen from £13 to £16.24 — a significant lift in commercial potential.

Lambs are currently creep-fed and sold from November to January at 38–42kg liveweight, with a longer-term aim to finish earlier and reduce concentrate use.

Farm manager Dewi Jones said the data has also changed how they buy rams.

“When you’re at a sale and you’ve got the indexes in front of you, you can draw a red line through the animals that don’t stack up. Type still matters, but figures matter just as much. Data gives you confidence in your choices.”

Some home-bred ram lambs are now matching the performance of sale-topping sires, creating opportunities to retain or market their own breeding stock.

Mr Jones believes the sheep sector could benefit from taking a more data-driven approach, similar to dairying.

“If we don’t measure, we can’t improve. Recording takes time, but the rewards are there. It’s about working smarter and building a more resilient flock for the future.”

Shepherd Alun Jones with Welsh Mountain ewes at Llysfasi.
Performance recording and weighing form a key part of the improvement programme.