News

Senedd: Motion of Condolences was presented bilingually to King Charles III

Published

2 years ago

September 17, 2022

DURING The King’s visit to Cardiff on Friday (Sept 16), The Senedd assembled to present a Motion of Condolence to the King.

A Motion of Condolence is a public expression of sympathy that takes place after the death of an important figure.

During an extraordinary session of the Senedd on Sunday, September 11th, MSs agreed the following motion of condolence without a vote:

“That this Senedd expresses its deep sadness at the death of Her Majesty The Queen and offers its sincere condolences to His Majesty The King and other Members of the Royal Family. We recognise Her Majesty’s enduring commitment to public service and duty, including her support for many Welsh charities and organisations, and her lifelong association with Wales and its people.”

The speech was delivered bilingually with this English interpretation provided by the Senedd, along with the images above and below.

The Llywydd of the Senedd, The Right Hon. Elin Jones MS, said, ”

Your Majesties, Senedd Members, Guests.
On behalf of the entire Senedd, I would like to extend a warm welcome to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen Consort on your first visit to the Senedd since the Queen’s sad passing. We extend our warmest condolences to you and your family.
We welcome your Majesties to our Senedd today and we offer our sincerest condolences on the sad death of your mother, the Queen. We know that so many of the people we represent have been saddened, even shaken, by her loss and hold you and your family in their hearts and prayers at this time.
As we meet here today to offer our motion of condolence, it is poignant for us to think that the Queen’s final visit to Wales was only 11 months ago at the official opening of our sixth Senedd. The Queen was on fine form that day. Many members shared their anecdotes of that visit when we met to pay tribute to the Queen and discussed our motion of condolence in the Senedd on Sunday. And as she left us, eleven months ago, I hope that Her Majesty carried with her the beaming smile of Ffion Gwyther, the last person she met that day in Wales, the young actor from Furnace Llanelli, who smiled broadly as she handed the Queen a posy.
The stories and tributes paid by members to the Queen when we convened on Sunday were warm and witty. As you may imagine, there were many mentions of corgis – her constant, lifelong Welsh companions. Corgi, a Welsh word. Literally small dog. And of course the members here representing Pembrokeshire were particularly keen to champion her preference for the Pembrokeshire corgi. And the member for Ceredigion, me, was silent, and ever so slightly jealous, of the Queen’s choice of the Pembrokeshire corgi over the Cardiganshire corgi.
The Queen was with us for each of the six official openings of this Senedd – and on each occasion, she noted the growth of our powers and the actions that we had taken on behalf of the people of Wales. She respected this Senedd as an expression of the democratic will of the people of Wales.
The Queen was with us in 1999 for the opening of our first fledgling Assembly. She has shared our journey of devolution. She partook in each of our 6 openings, commenting each time on the development of our powers and in becoming a ‘national parliament’ Senedd Cymru. The Queen respected this Parliament because she respected the democratic choices of the people of Wales. She saw us come of age and was interested in our next steps.
From Glyndŵr’s first Senedd of the fifteenth century in Machynlleth to the one in which we are gathered today, our story is old but our democracy is young and ambitious.
It is my sincere hope that the modern relationship between this Senedd, this country and the Royal Family will be rooted in respect and sustained by understanding.
The story of our land, our nation, is a long one, but the story of our Senedd is new and modern. Our eyes are on the future, and I am confident that our co-operation with you, the King, and with the royal family, will reflect that.
And as we remember today the Queen’s enduring commitment to our parliament, we also look forward to the King’s future association with the Senedd and our work on behalf of the people of Wales.
I now invite the First Minister to present the Motion of Condolence to His Majesty the King.

The Motion of Condolences was presented bilingually by the First Minister Mark Drakeford MS, followed by a reply from His Majesty The King in both languages.

Crime

Arrest after £1,800 of items stolen from Boots in Pembroke Dock

Published

21 mins ago

May 7, 2024

Court Reporter

A 27-YEAR-OLD Romanian has been remanded in custody after stealing over £1,000 worth of items from Boots in Pembroke Dock.

Raj Domnu was arrested by police officers after being observed stealing the items on April 13. He appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on April 22 when admitted stealing items totalling £1,818.53.

The matter was adjourned for an all-options probation report to be prepared prior to Domnu’s sentencing, and this week he re-appeared before Haverfordwdest magistrates court via a video-link from Swansea Prison where he has been remanded in custody.

“The report has been prepared, but my client doesn’t understand a word of English so I’m unable to discuss it with him,” said his solicitor, Michael Kelleher.

Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson also stated that to sentence Domnu without the assistance of an interpreter would be judicially unfair to the defendant.

As a result, the matter was adjourned to May 13. Domnu, of Frodingham Road, Scunthorpe, was remanded in custody.

Crime

Farm mechanic admits drink driving after losing control of vehicle

Published

24 mins ago

May 7, 2024

Court Reporter

A PEMBROKESHIRE farm mechanic has been sentenced by magistrates after driving his vehicle at speed towards another car when he was over the drink-drive limit.

William Griffiths was driving his Seat Leon on an unclassified road between Maenclochog and Clarbeston just before 7pm on April 22.

“Another motorist was on her way home and she slowed down when the vehicle in front of her indicated to turn right,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“But she then heard the sound of screeching tyres and saw a car travelling towards her at speed, breaking heavily and swerving across the road.”

The out-of-control car was being driven by William Griffiths, 47, of Clyn, Maenclochog.

“He shunted forward and skid marks could be seen on the road,” continued Ms Jackson. “Police officers were called and when they spoke to the defendant, they could smell alcohol on his breath.”

A roadside breath test proved positive and Griffiths was taken to a police custody suite where he gave two further breath tests, the lowest giving a reading of 67 mcg. The legal limit is 35.

Ms Jackson confirmed that during a police interview, Griffiths admitted drinking three pints of lager earlier that evening.

“It’s sad that someone at the age of 47 comes before the court with a hitherto clean character,” said his barrister, David Griffiths, in mitigation.

“This was an exceptional situation as my client had been told that one of his friends had died suddenly that day.

“Because of this, he called into a pub and drank more than he should have.”
Mr Griffiths said that his client works as a self-employed mechanic on his family farm.

After considering the facts, magistrates disqualified Williams Griffiths from driving for a total of 18 months. He was fined £440 and ordered to pay a £176 court surcharge and £85 costs.

Crime

Convicted sex offender breached register with Morocco holiday

Published

28 mins ago

May 7, 2024

Court Reporter

A CONVICTED Pembrokeshire sex offender has admitted spending a month in Morocco after failing to inform police of his intention to leave the country.

Wayne Mansbridge arrived in Morocco on January 16 and remained there until February 16, despite having been placed on the sex offenders’ register following a conviction of sexually assaulting a soldier in 2014. One of the register’s requirements demands that Mansbridge notifies the police at least seven days before leaving the UK.

“The police received information that he’d gone abroad but he had not informed them of his intentions to travel,” Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson told Haverfordwest magistrates this week.

“But the sex offenders register states that he must notify them at least seven days in advance.”
When officers arrested Mansbridge following his return to the UK, he fully admitted the offence, claiming it had ‘gone out of his head’.

“He travelled to Morocco on January 16 and returned on February 16, so he had travelled for a full month,” continued Ms Jackson.

“He informed officers that he has been abroad a number of times since the offence, but this is the first time he has failed to comply with the sex offender’s register requirements.”

Mansbridge, 57, of Oak Grove, Twycross, Saundersfoot, pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notification requirements.

Following a request by his solicitor, Tom Lloyd, for an all-options probation report, sentencing was adjourned to May 28 and Mansbridge was released on unconditional bail.