News

Whitland Male Choir’s first Post Lockdown Concert

Published

5 years ago

September 7, 2021

Whitland Choir perform one of their ‘Socially Distanced’ rehearsals at the Garage of Bysiau Cwm Taf

Whitland Male Choir are returning to the stage for the first time since St David’s Day 2020 to star in Narberth & Whitland Rotary, Grand Charity Concert when they perform with Britain’s Got Talent Stars Richard and Adam at the Follies Theatre, Folly Farm on Saturday 9th October this year.

One of the oldest choirs in the country, Whitland Male Choir should have been celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2020. The pandemic meant this was not possible and as a result 19 Choir events have been cancelled in the last 18 months and they are delighted to have been invited to take part in this gala event.

It has been a difficult time for all of us and choirs have been no exception. From March of last year until the end of May 2021, they were unable to get together to practice and Choir spokesman David Thomas said that “However, for 12 months the Choir kept together with weekly online practices. It was not without its technical challenges for all of us, but it meant we maintained contact with each other and kept the camaraderie”.

“Our first get-togethers were socially distanced in the open air, firstly in the lovely garden of Choir Librarian Phil Garrod, then in the stand at Whitland Rugby Club and also in the grounds of Ysgol Dyffryn Tȃf before we were able to meet in the garage of Bysiau Cwm Tȃf, thanks to Clive Edwards. And we soon discovered the acoustics in the garage are superb”!

The Choir has raised many thousands of pounds in recent years. Their members are drawn from a wide area, embracing Whitland, Clunderwen, Llanboidy, Maenclochog, Haverfordwest, Narberth, St Clears and the surrounding areas. The Choir has competed in many competitions and has been successful at the National Eisteddfod and Gwyl Fawr Aberteifi (Cardigan eisteddfod).

The Choir are delighted that their first concert back is on home territory and they look to once again travelling further afield. In the past the choir has travelled abroad giving concerts at Tramore and Killarney in Ireland; Pipriac, St Gregoire and Rennes in Brittany. They have also performed at the Royal Albert Hall, London; St David’s Hall, Cardiff and the M.E.N. Manchester not forgetting trips abroad to Vienna, Holland and the Cork Festival in Ireland. The Choir has also enjoyed singing with other choirs over the years.

Mrs Hefina Jones was appointed Musical Director in 2018 after being accompanist for almost 20 years. Hefina is originally from Capel Iwan near Newcastle Emlyn and currently lives in Llangynin, St Clears. Hefina works at Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland and is also a part time piano teacher. She enjoys working with children to give them the opportunity to enjoy and develop their musical skills. She obtained the A.L.C.M in 1993 and has accompanied various artists and choirs over the years. She has conducted numerous singing festivals in the area, and enjoys singing in her spare time.

The Accompanist is Owain Williams, he is originally from Wiston, near Haverfordwest. He attended Ysgol Glan Cleddau and Ysgol y Preseli, then went on to study professional music at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen, graduating in 2013. Having worked at Nant y Ffin Hotel for many years, Owain is a familiar face to many and currently works as the County Organiser for Pembrokeshire YFC. As well as accompanying Whitland Male Choir, Owain accompanies Bechgyn Jemeima, the Landsker Singers and Criw Harmoni.

Deputy Accompanist is Heather Jenkin Heather lives in Whitland and is a Foundation Phase teacher and music co-ordinator at Ysgol Caer Elen, Haverfordwest. Heather is also accompanist for Corlan, a mixed choir based in Llanboidy, a member of Parti’r Gromlech and is one of the organists at Tabernacle Chapel, Whitland.

Tickets for the concert, which are sure to be in great demand are now on sale and can be bought online at www.nwrotary.co.uk and also for cash at local outlets, Dales Music Shop, Tenby; Rock ‘n Rolla Boutique, Narberth and The Creative Cafe, High Street, Haverfordwest. They are also available from Chorister Huw Jones of Whitland Male Choir.

Crime

Broad Haven man remanded in custody over sexual harm prevention order breach

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Court Reporter

Defendant admitted using Xbox without informing police as required under court order

ANTHONY COOMBES, aged 26, of Sand Banks, Broad Haven, appeared before Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Mar 20) charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

The court heard that between February 26 and March 19, 2026, at Haverfordwest, Coombes repeatedly breached the order by using an Xbox device without informing police within three days, as required.

The offences relate to a sexual harm prevention order imposed at Swansea Crown Court on October 20, 2021.

Coombes indicated guilty pleas to the offences at the first hearing.

Magistrates committed the case to Swansea Crown Court for sentence.

He was remanded in custody ahead of the next hearing, which is due to take place at 9:00am on Friday, April 3, at Swansea Crown Court.

The court refused bail on the grounds that he was likely to offend, citing the nature and seriousness of the offences and his previous record and character.

A pre-sentence report was ordered.

News

Man arrested after suspected drugs-related death in Haverfordwest

Published

16 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Police say death not suspicious as 46-year-old arrested over alleged Class A drug supply

A MAN has died following a medical emergency at a property in Haverfordwest, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called at 3:18pm on Wednesday (March 18) after a report of a medical incident.

A man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the man’s next of kin have been informed and are being supported by officers.

The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time.

However, police confirmed that a man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

No further details about the deceased have been formally released.

Crime

Illegal dog breeders ordered to pay over £129,000 after council probe

Published

17 hours ago

March 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

FOUR people from Mynyddygarreg, Kidwelly, have been ordered to pay more than £129,000 following a successful prosecution for illegal dog breeding.

At Swansea Crown Court on Tuesday (Mar 10), before His Honour Judge Thomas KC, Stacey May June Edwards, Peter John Edwards, Sian Eleri Thomas and David Malcolm James Thomas, all of Sea Breeze, Mynyddygarreg, pleaded guilty to offences under the Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014.

The court imposed confiscation orders totalling £129,873.41 under the Proceeds of Crime Act across the four defendants. They were also ordered to pay £8,000 in costs, while each defendant received a £2,000 fine.

The investigation began in April 2021 after Carmarthenshire County Council’s Animal Health team received an enquiry from Peter Edwards about obtaining a dog breeding licence. Although licensing guidance was provided and a partial application was submitted in February 2022, this was later withdrawn.

In March 2024, the council received a complaint that puppies were being advertised for sale without the required licence. Officers subsequently contacted online advertising platforms and issued data requests to assess the scale of activity.

Analysis of records from Pets4Homes, Freeads and Gumtree revealed multiple litters being advertised by members of the same household.

Correspondence under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act confirmed that up to 25 dogs were kept at the property, including between 16 and 19 breeding females.

While some defendants claimed joint ownership of the dogs, others attempted to minimise their involvement.

The Herald understands that numerous puppy advertisements were posted between July 2020 and April 2025, demonstrating a sustained pattern of unlicensed breeding.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability, Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen, said: “This case demonstrates the council’s firm stance against unlicensed and illegal dog breeding.

“These regulations are in place to protect animal welfare and ensure that breeding activities are subject to proper oversight. The scale of activity uncovered at this property was entirely unacceptable, and we welcome the court’s decision to issue significant confiscation orders under POCA.”

He added: “We urge anyone with concerns about illegal dog breeding to report it. Our Animal Health officers will continue to investigate thoroughly and take action against those who disregard the law.”

Residents are reminded that anyone breeding and selling dogs must comply with licensing regulations designed to protect both animal welfare and consumers.