Service led by Archdeacon welcomes Revd Tim Nelson to new role

THE DIOCESE of St Davids has welcomed Revd Tim Nelson as the new Priest in Charge within the Local Ministry Area (LMA) of Bro Dyfri.

A licensing service was held recently where Archdeacon Matthew Hill formally licensed Revd Nelson to the post. The service was supported by Father Neil Hook, LMA Dean, alongside members of the Bro Dyfri ministry team.

Members of several congregations from across the ministry area gathered for the occasion, offering a warm welcome to Revd Nelson and praying for him and his family as he begins his ministry in the community.

The Diocese said the service marked an important moment for the Bro Dyfri LMA, bringing together clergy, ministry team members and parishioners in a shared act of worship and commitment.

Revd Nelson now takes on responsibility for pastoral leadership and ministry across the Bro Dyfri churches as part of the Diocese of St Davids within the Church in Wales.

THE FAMILY of Alex Edwards have paid an emotional tribute after an inquest examined the circumstances surrounding his death in a road traffic collision near Llandrinio.

The hearing was told that Mr Edwards died following a crash on the B4393 on Monday (Sept 16), 2024.

In a statement released following the inquest, his family said Alex had been a “blameless victim” and urged drivers to reflect on the consequences of dangerous decisions behind the wheel.

They said: “Alex didn’t just die; he was killed by a reckless and selfish decision to overtake in impossible conditions. The evidence shows that on that foggy morning, Alex was doing everything right, simply trying to get home to his family.”

Police previously confirmed that a man had been charged in connection with the collision. However, the suspect later died, meaning there were no ongoing criminal proceedings relating to the case.

Despite this, Alex’s family said the circumstances of the crash remained clear.

They said: “While the van driver’s subsequent death means we were denied justice in a criminal court, it does not change the facts. Alex was a blameless victim. We hope that by speaking out, other drivers will realise the lethal power they hold in their hands.”

Describing Alex as a much-loved member of a close family, relatives said his loss had left a permanent void.

“Alex was kind, gentle and funny. One impatient moment has destroyed our tight-knit family of four, leaving us with a lifetime of ‘what ifs’ and a void that can never be filled,” the statement continued.

“Alex’s future has been stolen from him and us. We will never see him get married, and we ache for the grandchildren we will never get to hold. Our grief has no end.”

The family also thanked Dyfed-Powys Police and members of the public who came to Alex’s aid after the crash.

“We especially wish to thank those members of the public who were first at the scene; though there was nothing more that could be done for Alex, we are grateful for the care and dignity they showed him.”

In a final message, the family appealed directly to motorists.

“To every driver: please think of Alex. Don’t let your decisions behind the wheel become another family’s nightmare.”

Alex, they said, will be “loved and missed forever by all his family and friends.”

Photo:

Alex Edwards: Family say he was “kind, gentle and funny” (Pic: Family handout).

A REFORM Wales MS launched a sharp attack on the Welsh Government’s default 20mph speed limit policy during an exchange with the First Minister in the Senedd on Tuesday.

South Wales East regional MS Laura Anne Jones criticised the policy, arguing that it has damaged the Welsh economy and ignored public opposition.

Speaking in the chamber, Ms Jones said improvements in vehicle safety had already contributed to a reduction in road casualties across the UK.

“Road casualties have gone down right across the United Kingdom because cars are getting safer. It is a known fact,” she told the Senedd.

She went on to question the economic impact of the Welsh Government’s 20mph policy, claiming official analysis suggests it could cost the Welsh economy around £9 billion.

“It needs to be asked: has this ill thought out policy already cost our country a lot of money? Yes. Will it cost an awful lot to reverse? Yes. But how much has it cost our Welsh economy? By the Government’s own calculations, this has cost £9 billion,” she said.

“So you cannot say it has been a good policy. It has been a disaster from start to finish.”

Ms Jones also referred to the record-breaking Senedd petition calling for the policy to be scrapped, which attracted around 500,000 signatures — the largest petition ever submitted to the Welsh Parliament.

She added that there is broad agreement that 20mph limits should apply in specific locations.

“No one across this Chamber disagrees that 20mph should be the case outside schools and hospitals and where it is appropriate. It is disingenuous to say anything else.

“But this default 20mph policy needs to be reversed.”

Reform Wales has pledged to scrap the default 20mph speed limit if elected at the next Senedd election, scheduled for May 7.