News

Local activists will be in London for mass climate demonstration

Published

3 years ago

March 12, 2023

A LARGE group of residents from Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire are preparing to take part in the mass climate demonstration in London on 21st to 24th April, according to organisers.

The demonstration has been nicknamed ‘The Big One’, The Herald has been told.

Sarah Wright, who was previously on the Cardigan Town Council and a teacher at Coleg Ceredigion, is one of those going. She explained, “The Big One is designed to be a non-disruptive, all inclusive, family friendly demonstration of the breadth and depth of concern amongst ordinary people about the climate crisis. There will be tens of thousands of people demonstrating outside the Houses of Parliament on Friday 21st April, with many returning every day until Monday 24th. The police have been consulted in the arrangements from the start. We want to get the Government’s attention, not to disturb the public. I’m a grandmother and I intend to be there to speak up for a better future for my grandchildren. Unless the UK Government takes radical action the future will be very bleak for all of us, and especially for young people.”

Bus transport has been hired to take people to London for the day from Pembrokeshire, south Ceredigion and Carmarthen, and the bookings show that places are going fast. Similarly, rooms at a hostel have been booked for those who can stay for the whole 4 day demonstration, and this has over half the beds booked already.

Jane Mansfield, a retired nurse, is one of the organisers of the transport and the hostel, and she said, “The bookings show that lots of people are coming who have perhaps never been on a demonstration before, but they feel ‘now is the time’ as the effects of climate change become more and more obvious. We hear about it from world scientists, we see its effects on the news from across the world, with wildfires, floods, storms, rising sea levels, and astonishingly high temperatures. And we see it all around us in the changing climate affecting our lives. I am a gardener and see how the normal seasonal patterns to our weather have changed; it is now a lot more unpredictable. This has big consequences for our food production not just in my garden, but around the globe as we have seen in the shops this winter.”

The demonstration will bring together many movements such as The West Wales Climate Coalition, Friends of the Earth, CND, local Resilience groups and Extinction Rebellion, as well as many individuals of all ages and backgrounds who may not belong to any particular organisation. Banners have been seen in Cardigan, Carmarthen, Pembroke, St.Davids, and Fishguard, declaring ‘April 21st – Unite to Survive’ and ‘Yr Hinsawdd – yn ein dwylo’ (The Climate – in our hands). Many feel that the UK Government is leading us in the wrong direction, actively making the climate worse by granting new licences for coal, oil and gas. The Government’s own climate advisors are saying that they’re not on track to reach net zero in time.

“I am a volunteer at the Cardigan Oxfam shop and we are very aware of how it is a question of climate injustice,” explained Philippa Gibson, who will also be going to the demonstration. “Those in the developing world, such as many African countries, are feeling the effects of climate disaster first and most deeply, although they are the ones who have contributed the least to the problem, as their carbon emissions are tiny compared with those of us in developed countries. ”

Anyone interested in joining the bus to the demonstration, or just finding out more, can contact [email protected] 07717 391611

Community

The gentle giant behind the tattoos

Published

7 minutes ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Pembrokeshire security worker Josh Davies praised for professionalism, kindness and proving first impressions can be wrong

JOSH Davies is hard to miss.

With tattoos across his head, face, neck and hands, he is the kind of man people notice before they know anything about him.

But those who know him, work with him, or have simply crossed paths with him after a long night on duty, tell a very different story.

They describe him as a gentleman. A grafter. A man with a big heart. Someone who would do anything to help another person.

Now Josh, who completed his Door Supervisor course with RM Training and Security Solutions last year, is being praised for the way he has built a career in the security industry and become a valued member of the team.

The Pembrokeshire-based company said Josh had gone “from strength to strength” since gaining his licence, working across licensed venues, events, customer-facing roles, response duties and other security work.

A spokesperson for RM Training and Security Solutions said: “From day one, Josh showed a natural ability for the security industry.

“Since gaining his licence, he has thrown himself into every opportunity presented to him, working across a variety of roles including licensed venues, events, customer-facing positions, response duties, and much more.

“There genuinely seems to be nothing Josh cannot turn his hand to. His willingness to learn, adaptability, reliability, and positive attitude have made him a valued member of the RM team.”

But it is not only his employers who have noticed.

After RM Training shared Josh’s success story online, dozens of people came forward to praise him, with many saying his appearance should never be mistaken for the man underneath.

One woman said she had met Josh on a Sunday morning after he had finished a night shift.

She said: “He was an absolute gentleman. Someone you would say from first impression of meeting, nice guy, good guy.”

Another person, who said she had known Josh since he was young and treated him like a son, said: “I can’t thank him enough for what he has done for me in my life. He is one in a million.

“People look at him like a big boy, but he has got a heart and he will do anything to help anyone.”

Others described him as a “great bloke”, “absolute gentleman”, “sound bloke”, and someone who was “built to be a doorman”.

In an industry where first impressions, calm judgement and public confidence matter, RM Training said Josh’s professionalism had become one of his strongest qualities.

The company added: “What stands out most is his professionalism. Whether dealing with members of the public, clients, colleagues, or challenging situations, Josh consistently demonstrates the highest standards expected within our industry.

“He represents both himself and RM Training & Security Solutions exceptionally well at all times.

“We are incredibly proud to have Josh as part of the team and look forward to watching his continued growth and success within the security industry.”

Security staff are often seen only when something goes wrong, but much of the work involves preventing problems before they happen, reassuring the public, supporting event organisers, and knowing how to deal with difficult situations calmly.

Josh’s story has struck a chord because it challenges the quick assumptions people can make.

To some, the tattoos may be the first thing they see.

To those who know him, they are simply part of a man who has worked hard, taken his chance, and earned respect through his attitude and actions.

One supporter summed it up simply: “Life loves a grafter.”

Photo caption:

Josh Davies has been praised by RM Training and Security Solutions and members of the public for his professionalism and kindness (Pics: DarthMartyMedia).

News

150 years of Mothers’ Union marked at St Davids Cathedral

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SPECIAL service has been held at St Davids Cathedral to celebrate 150 years of the Mothers’ Union.

Members and officials gathered for the anniversary celebration on Sunday (Jun 21), where Bishop Dorrien welcomed those attending and spent time speaking with the Provincial Chaplain.

The occasion had particular significance for Bishop Dorrien, who is the third generation of his family to be a member of the Mothers’ Union.

The organisation, founded in 1876, continues to support families, communities and church life across Wales and around the world.

Those attending said the celebration was a fitting tribute to the work of generations of members, with hopes expressed for the next 150 years.

Caption:

Celebration: Members and officials gathered at St Davids Cathedral to mark 150 years of the Mothers’ Union (Pic: Diocese of St Davids).

Entertainment

Harbour Fest to bring music, food and maritime magic to Milford Waterfront

Published

3 hours ago

June 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Free family festival will celebrate Milford Haven’s seafaring history and coastal community

MILFORD WATERFRONT will burst into life on Saturday, June 27, as the first Harbour Fest sails into town for a day of music, food, family fun and maritime celebration.

The free event will run from 10:00am to 6:00pm at Mackerel Quay and across the waterfront, bringing together local traders, live entertainment, coastal organisations and independent businesses for a packed day beside the water.

Organisers say the festival will celebrate everything that makes Milford Haven special, from its seafaring history and working harbour to its growing reputation as a destination for food, shopping, culture and family days out.

Visitors will be able to browse stalls from local makers and producers, enjoy street food and live performances, and explore a Marine Zone featuring organisations involved in sea safety, marine conservation and coastal life.

The Marine Zone will include Seagrass Network Cymru / Project Seagrass, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Dyfed-Powys Police, NCI Wooltack Point, Rudders Marine Training, RNLI Milford Haven and RNLI Angle Lifeboat.

RNLI Angle Lifeboat is expected to be based on the Mackerel Stage, while the Sea Cadets will be giving rope-tying displays at Milford Haven Museum, where craft activities will also be taking place.

Live entertainment will run throughout the day, with performances from Tom & Abz, Will Scott, Ryan Bristow, Milford Haven Town Band, Kyle Kirkhouse and ShantyJacs Sea Shanties.

Businesses across the waterfront are also joining in. All Pets Vet Care will hold a family-friendly open day with a bouncy castle, treasure hunts, quizzes, craft activities and behind-the-scenes tours. Aurora Artisan Crafts will host vocal performances, Biffy’s Bar & Restaurant will feature solo acoustic music from Laurence Lewis, and Martha’s Vineyard will offer seafood street food with live music from Ryan Bristow and Steve Bartram.

At Tŷ Milford Waterfront’s outdoor plaza there will be face painting, children’s activities, pop-up artists and an afternoon DJ set, while Phoenix Bowl and Pirate Pete’s Adventure Play will have inflatables and glitter tattoos outside.

The Waterfront Gallery will host introduction to felt-making workshops with textile artist Carole Fletcher, giving participants the chance to create a woollen felt flower pin brooch or phone/glasses case. The workshops start at 10:30am, 1:00pm and 3:30pm and cost £5 per person.

A wide range of traders will also be attending, including 5th Flock Spirits Co, Cinnamon Grove Distillery, Cwm Deri Wines & Liqueurs, Ferncraft, Get Loaded, J.J. Pottery, Major Nuts, Orange Garden Design, Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm, Pembrokeshire Gold, Pembrokeshire Lottery, Plumstone Welshcakes and SlateArtSJ.

With music drifting across the marina, food stalls lining the waterfront and lifeboats, sea safety teams and coastal groups adding a strong maritime flavour, Harbour Fest is expected to bring a lively summer atmosphere to one of Pembrokeshire’s best-known waterside destinations.