A Pembrokeshire farming couple will be taking the bull firmly by the horns next month after  agreeing to take part in one of the toughest cycling challenges in Wales’ cycling  calendar – the Carten100.

Mark and Caroline Davies – who run the 265-acre dairy farm at New House, Little Newcastle – have agreed to do the 108-mile cycle to raise  funds for ‘Anna’s Song’, which is a charity set up in memory of Caroline’s 13-year-old  niece who died in a swimming tragedy in Florida in 2024.

“When my sister, Liz, first mentioned that she’d be cycling  the Carten100 to raise funds for ‘Anna’s Song’, I started googling it and decided  it would be a good idea to take part too,” explained Caroline.  “Liz did it five or six years ago, but  when I told them about my idea to take part too, they all laughed!”

But a week later, Caroline received a road bike, complete with a helmet, from Liz’s husband Pete, who is himself a highly accomplished cyclist.

“Pete had every faith in me, and this has helped to spur me on and start training for an event that I never imagined  would be possible.”

Last December Caroline’s husband, Mark, decided that he, too, would take part in the Carten100 which extends from Cardiff city centre to Cowbridge, Swansea, Llanelli, Burry Port, Carmarthen, St Clears and Tavernspite before finally terminating at Tenby Harbour.

But with around 400 head of cattle to manage as well as  three young daughters aged 11, 7 and 2, the couple’s training schedule has been challenging..

“It goes without saying that our lives are very hectic, but we’re managing to find time to either get out onto the roads  or have half and hour on the turbo,” continued Caroline,  “Obviously turbo training can be pretty boring, but at least there’s a little wild rabbit who comes out into the garden which I can watch  which helps relieve the monotony.

“This morning  I managed to do half an hour and I’lll be doing another 30 minutes  later this evening.  Over the weekend we’ll be going out for a much longer ride, but this takes a lot of planning.  The vet is coming out for a routine visit first thing on Saturday morning, I’ve got a meeting scheduled for later that day and then we have to make sure we have a babysitter on hand to look after the children.

“And when we get back from the ride, it’s back on with the wellies to do some more farming.”

‘Anna’s Song’ was launched following Anna Beaumont’s tragic death in May, 2024.  The 13-year-old was a highly accomplished singer, who had performed extensively with Only Kids Aloud and Only Girls Aloud on platforms across the UK as well as at Disneyland, Paris, and St Davids Hall in Cardiff.  The charity is raising funds to help support talented teenage singers with professionally led workshops, live events and partnerships to help them pursue a career in singing.

“The first workshop was held at the end of March at the Welsh College of Music and Drama and the feedback we’ve had from the families of the six young people who took part has been phenomenal,” said Caroline.

“The charity’s aim is to offer opportunities to inspire young singers by hosting workshops, events and mentorships.”

Meanwhile, with just three weeks to go before the Carten 100 takes place on May 10, Caroline and Mark are doing everything they can to step-up their training regime so they can complete the challenge together with Liz, Pete and their son, Jake Beaumont who, at  12 years old, will be one of the youngest cyclists taking part.

“Now that it’s getting closer, the stress levels are definitely starting to kick in, and it’s getting to the point where  I’m beginning to wonder whether it might be easier to sit all  my A’ levels again,” laughs Caroline.

“There’s no way that I would be doing the Carten100 if it wasn’t for the family circumstances, and at the end of the day, I’m determined not to fail.  Mark and I are doing absolutely everything we can to ensure our fitness levels are capable of completing it, and I know that once we set off from Cardiff on May 10, the adrenaline is going to kick in.  All we want to do is help to boost ‘Anna’s Song’ just that little bit more.”

If you would like to make a donation to Anna’s Song, click on the link.

FISHGUARD RNLI volunteers are celebrating a week of outstanding achievement, with multiple crew members successfully completing key assessments for both shoreside and seagoing roles.

The intensive week was made possible by a visiting RNLI coxswain from another station who was training to qualify on Fishguard’s class of all-weather lifeboat (ALB). Their presence provided a valuable opportunity for local crew to progress, as several assessments required oversight from a regional RNLI assessor.

On the first day, crew members Bryn and Cedwyn completed their Tier 2 ALB assessments. This involved demonstrating advanced competencies including anchoring, towing, and helming the Search and Rescue vessel without supervision, as well as the ability to assist in supervising others.

Simultaneously, crew member Jessica undertook her practical navigation assessment, followed by a theory paper onshore. She proved her expertise in using the lifeboat’s electronic navigation system, radar, and paper charts, along with a solid understanding of maritime navigation rules. Already a Tier 2 crew member for the inshore lifeboat (ILB), Jessica has now been appointed navigator for both the ALB and ILB.

Day two saw further ILB assessments. Bryn passed both the practical and theory components to qualify as an ILB navigator, while crew member Florian successfully completed his assessment to become an ILB helm. This key role involves commanding and controlling the lifeboat during service launches. Florian achieved this milestone in just two and a half years, thanks to his commitment, residential training, and determination to support the station.

On the third day, Jessica completed another assessment—this time for helming the station’s boarding boat. This retired ILB, normally used as a raft between the ALB and access stairs, requires a qualified helm when used independently, such as when the ALB is on the outer mooring or during training exercises.

The week concluded with a final success: crew member Jayne passed her assessment to become Fishguard’s newest Launch Authority. Having joined the station as a trainee in late 2024, she now serves as the first point of contact for HM Coastguard, authorising launches and briefing the coxswain or helm. She also gathers post-launch information for RNLI Headquarters in Poole.

Fishguard’s strong start to 2025 also saw ILB crew member Rhodri and ALB crew member Nick complete their Tier 1 assessments earlier this year. This stage requires demonstrating competence under instruction and supervision. Both are now working towards Tier 2 qualifications.

Shoreside roles were not left out, with assessments for Plant Operators responsible for launching and recovering the ILB. Cedwyn completed his first assessment, while Chris, Rhys, and Warren successfully underwent their scheduled re-evaluations. All four also qualified as Head Launchers—a new requirement for those overseeing ILB launch preparations.

Station coxswain Gemma Gill praised the team’s efforts, saying:

“It is fantastic to see the achievements of crew who were still relatively new when I joined the station last year. The charity introduced a new training and assessment framework last April, and these enthusiastic crew picked up the baton and really ran with it. They have all shown determination over the last 12 months in training, and pushing themselves to achieve, putting them in a position of real value to the station.”

“Everyone who joins us on the crew here in Fishguard is on their own journey and travels at their own speed, but they’ll always have the support of a great group of volunteers.

If anyone is interested in starting their journey, please get in touch with us via our social media channels—we’re on Facebook and Instagram.”

A VIRAL social media post accusing a man of stealing £4,000 from a veterans’ charity has been described as “unauthorised and irresponsible” by a senior member of the organisation.

The post, shared over 2,100 times on Facebook, was made by campaigner Eddy Cooper and alleges that Darren Edmundson – also known as Pembrokeshire Patriot – took money raised for PTSD Camp Bath while entrusted with access to the charity’s accounts.

However, when contacted by The Herald, a man who identified himself as the second in command at PTSD Camp Bath — and asked not to be named — strongly criticised the post and distanced the charity from its claims.

He told The Herald: “The post put out by Eddy Cooper was done without authorisation from the camp. He did this of his own volition and if he is going down to Pembrokeshire to find [Darren], then he is doing that on his own.”

“It was very irresponsible of Eddy Cooper to have shared that post on Facebook. I am not on there myself so I have not seen anything.”

He added that he remains in contact with Darren Edmundson, who has reportedly lost his phone but is communicating via email. “We understand that he is down in Pembrokeshire as he has ‘welfare business’ there and we expect him to return.”

On the key allegation of financial misconduct, he said: “Darren has no access to money which is ringfenced, and as of yet the accusation is unsubstantiated, as we have not seen the account to see that any money is missing.”

The man also disputed one of the more serious claims in the post — that Mr Edmundson had “ripped off” a 73-year-old former Royal Marine staying at the camp.

“That accusation is false,” he said. “Because that is me. I shall be having a word with Eddy Cooper.”

“If we see money is missing then it becomes a police matter”

He confirmed that the organisation is aware of the concerns raised and said a formal statement will be issued shortly.

The Herald spoke to Jo Drayson who runs the camp with her husband Dion. Mrs Drayson confirmed that she had been in contact with the police, and that she was advised it could be a civil matter.

This is because Darren is generally legally authorised to make payments from the charity’s account as the account holder.

She said that she had not yet contacted her bank, SumUp, to find out if the money had been spent but was intending to contact them shortly.

She said she thought it may be difficult to access the account because she was told Darren had allegedly changed the passwords and taken her off as a signatory.

The Herald has approached Avon and Somerset Police for comment.