Community
Urdd celebrates centenary of Welsh Women’s Peace Petition to America
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THIS WEEK (Feb 19), Wales’ largest youth organisation, Urdd Gobaith Cymru has announced that this year’s Peace and Goodwill Message will celebrate the centenary of Welsh women’s remarkable Peace Petition, and continue the call for peace a hundred years later.
Exactly 100 years ago today, on 19 February 1924, an oak chest containing a petition signed by 390,296 Welsh women was presented to the women of America at the Biltmore Hotel, New York by a peace delegation from Wales.
The petition was a campaign for co-operation and world peace and has inspired the Urdd to encourage a group of young women to come together to help write this year’s Peace and Goodwill Message, which will be shared with the world in May.
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The Creative Director of this year’s Message is poet and singer Casi Wyn. Casi will write the words following workshops with young female ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students from Cardiff and Vale College along with some of the Urdd’s staff, apprentices, and volunteers.
Siân Lewis, Chief Executive of the Urdd, said: “The Urdd is keen to pay tribute to the generation of Welsh women who arranged a truly remarkable Wales-wide, door-to-door campaign in their effort for peace and equality. Unfortunately, the reality is that a century later, we’re still asking for peace.”
Mererid Hopwood, on behalf of the ‘Hawlio Heddwch’ (transl. Pursuit of Peace) Committee added: “The original peace petition was an act of hope, one that had a firm view of the future, and one that acknowledged opportunity and responsibility to create a world without war. Academi Heddwch Cymru and its ‘Hawlio Heddwch’ project, which celebrates the centenary of the Appeal and its extraordinary petition, is therefore particularly pleased to see that the 1923-24 Petition has inspired Urdd members in 2024 and motivated them to consider its message and accept its challenge.”
Casi Wyn added: “It was a pleasure to accept the Urdd’s invitation to direct this year’s Peace and Goodwill Message. Being able to bridge the historic petition written back in 1924 with the vision of today’s Welsh women during a series of workshops was inspiring. In due course Efa Blosse Mason, my artistic partner for years, will be bringing the words to life in her own unique way.”
The Urdd will publish the words of this year’s Peace and Goodwill Message on International Women’s Day (8 March), before releasing the Message in short film form on Friday, 17 May.
The Urdd’s Peace and Goodwill Message is unique to Wales. For over a century every May the young people of Wales have thrown a spotlight on themes that are important to them whilst sharing a message of peace to the world. Last year’s anti-racism Peace Message was seen in 50 countries, shared in over 50 languages, and supported by celebrities and hundreds of schools across Wales and beyond.
Since last year the oak chest and the 1924 Welsh Women’s Peace Petition are back in Wales and reside at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth where specialist staff have been involved in the conservation and digitisation of seven miles’ worth of Petition content to enable public access.
Community
Community rallies to support family of Chris ‘Mucker’ Boyle
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THE local community has come together to raise thousands of pounds in memory of Chris ‘Mucker’ Boyle, a beloved taxi driver who tragically lost his life in a road traffic accident earlier this week.
Mr Boyle, 57, from Kilgetty, was killed in a collision involving two vehicles near Tenby on the evening of Monday, 2nd September. His death has sent shockwaves through the area, where he was widely known and respected. In the days since the accident, friends, family, and customers have expressed their grief, remembering Mr Boyle for his generosity and kindness. His family remarked that he was “the kind of man who would do anything for anyone”.
A fundraising campaign to assist with funeral expenses and to support Mr Boyle’s five children has so far raised almost £13,700, with nearly 400 people contributing. One particularly generous individual has donated £750.
Gabriel Nowak, a colleague and fellow taxi driver, organised the fundraiser, stating: “I don’t think there’s anyone in Tenby or Pembrokeshire who didn’t know Mucker. His friendly face and his sense of humour will be missed by so many.”
“Chris was always there for people, whether it was squeezing in an extra lift or knocking a bit off the fare to make sure someone got home safely. Now it’s our turn to give back to him,” Mr Nowak added.
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Tributes have poured in, with friends and colleagues sharing fond memories of the late cabbie and expressing their sorrow over the loss of someone who was seen as a key figure in the community.
Chris Boyle’s funeral is set to take place at St Mary’s Church in Tenby on Friday, 27th September at 10:00 am, followed by a committal service at Parc Gwyn Crematorium at 12:15 pm. The funeral procession will pass through Kilgetty at approximately 11:45 am, allowing those who wish to pay their respects to do so.
Funeral directors W. & M.J. Rossiter & Sons, based in Tenby, shared a heartfelt message on behalf of Mr Boyle’s family: “Chris was a deeply loved son, father, brother, uncle, and friend. He will be sorely missed by his children Daniel, Chloe, Leah, Jimmy, and Tommy J, as well as his siblings Liz, David, and Lisa.”
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Firefighters Charity in Chris Boyle’s memory. Donations can be sent via the funeral directors.
Additionally, local rock and blues band Karma will be dedicating their upcoming performance at the Lawrenny Arms on Saturday, 14th September to Mr Boyle. A collection will be held during the event, with proceeds going to The Firefighters Charity.
A man has been charged in connection with the fatal accident. Mateusz Sikorski, 30, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after his silver Volkswagen collided with a brown BMW near Penally on the A4139.
Mr Sikorski appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 5th September and was remanded in custody. He is due to appear at Swansea Crown Court on 7th October.
Dyfed-Powys Police have asked anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 101, quoting reference number 405 of Monday, 2nd September. Alternatively, those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The loss of Chris ‘Mucker’ Boyle has deeply impacted the local community, and the outpouring of support for his family is a testament to how cherished he was by those who knew him.
Community
Saundersfoot Annual Vintage Motorcycle Event showcases classic machines
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ON SATURDAY (Sept 7), Saundersfoot came alive with the roar of nearly 100 vintage motorcycles as the annual Saundersfoot Vintage Motorcycle Event hit the coastal roads of South Pembrokeshire. Enthusiasts and spectators alike were treated to the sight of beautifully restored bikes from a bygone era, as they cruised westward out of the village.
The event, a local favorite, drew riders and fans from across the region to celebrate the engineering marvels of the past. It was a day filled with nostalgia, as the sound of classic engines echoed through the scenic routes.
Check out the photos from the event, captured by Malcolm Richards, to relive the vintage spectacle, on our Facebook page.
Community
Blue Lagoon temporarily closed to protect seals and their pups
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ONE of Pembrokeshire’s most popular coastal attractions is to be temporarily closed to swimmers in a bid to protect breeding seals and their pups.
The National Trust will be closing the Blue Lagoon at Abereiddy on Saturday, September 21, and it will remain closed until the beginning of November. The date of its re-opening is yet to be decided.
The nearby beach at Traeth Llyfn will also be closed for the same period.
Visitors will still be able to watch the seals and their pups in their natural habitat from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path.
Anyone who may come across seals and their pups in other parts of Pembrokeshire is asked to avoid disturbing them and follow the Marine Code. This involves staying quiet, keeping at least 50 metres away from them, and never coming between a seal and her pup. Dogs must also be kept on leads at all times and kept away from the breeding areas.
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