Community

Falkland Islands flag raised in Milford Haven to mark Liberation Day

Published

2 years ago

June 14, 2024

THE Falkland Islands Government flag was raised at Pembrokeshire County Hall and the British Legion in Milford Haven to commemorate Liberation Day, marking the end of the Falklands War on 14th June 1982. This solemn event was carried out by veterans of HMS Ardent, a Royal Navy frigate that played a crucial role in the conflict.

The Mayor of Milford Haven, Cllr William Elliott was joined by his mother, Mrs Wendy Elliott and the Deputy Mayor Cllr Eddie Davies for the HMS Ardent Association Flag Raising and Reception at Royal British Legion Club. Also in attendance were a number of Pembrokeshire County Councillors including Milford Haven’s Cllr Viv Stoddard, and Cllr Terry Davies.

On 21st May 1982, HMS Ardent was lying in Falkland Sound when it came under fire from the Argentine Air Force. Twenty-two of the 199 crew members on board were killed, and the ship sank the following day after suffering devastating damage.

As the first wave of Argentine aircraft attacked HMS Ardent, cook Jon Major threw himself to the floor and prayed. He survived, but 22 of his shipmates, including a close friend, did not, and dozens more were injured.

Speaking anniversary of the attack, Mr Major, then 62, recounted the terrifying moments. “Anyone who said they weren’t scared would be lying. It was extremely frightening,” he said. “We were all told to take cover when we saw the aircraft coming in. We all lay on the floor with our hands on top of our heads. When the first bombs hit, the whole ship shuddered. The first thing I did was pray.”

Mr Major was one of eight cooks onboard the Type 21 frigate. Three members of the close-knit team were killed. “Cooks were used for what is known as ‘defence watch’, watching out for incoming aircraft. It was eight hours on, eight hours off,” he explained. “When we were off-duty, we tried to get our heads down as best we could, but there was always something to do. We’d often be involved in moving shells and other ammunition around the ship.”

Mr Major was also a first-aider, although the scale of the damage inflicted in the raids meant he could do little to help. “Most of the damage was down aft (the back of the ship),” he said. “The bombs took out the galley. Because of the smoke, we couldn’t get down there.”

As the attack continued, the captain, Commander Alan West, gave the order to “abandon ship”. According to the official report into the loss of HMS Ardent, the ship “succumbed to two determined multi-aircraft attacks, which she had little chance of deflecting, and was seriously damaged”. The report added that the damage to the vessel would have been greater had a number of the bombs dropped not failed to explode.

Mr Major recalled, “To us, it all seemed to happen in seconds.”

Survivors of the attack were transferred to HMS Yarmouth and taken to South Georgia, before making the long voyage home where they were greeted by their families. “My mum and dad came down from Hull,” Mr Major said. “I remember just feeling numb.”

After returning to the UK, he and his fellow crew members were given four weeks’ “survivors leave” before being redeployed. “It was basically a case of ‘get on with the rest of your lives,'” he said. “Back then people didn’t really talk about mental health. I think it would have helped people if they had talked.”

Mr Major remained in the Royal Navy for another 20 years before leaving the service. “I had some great times, but I also had some pretty bad times, like losing 22 shipmates. It’s something you don’t forget,” he said.

Liberation Day commemorates the victory and liberation of the Falkland Islands from Argentine occupation, a conflict that lasted 74 days and concluded with the surrender of Argentine forces. The raising of the flag serves not only as a remembrance of those who perished but also as a celebration of the enduring freedom and sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.

The bond between Milford Haven and HMS Ardent remains strong, symbolising the town’s support for the Royal Navy and its dedication to remembering those who served and sacrificed. The flag-raising ceremony is a testament to the bravery of the crew of HMS Ardent and the resilience of the community that honours their memory.

In total, 255 British military personnel, three islanders, and 649 Argentine soldiers died during the 74-day Falklands War. A service to mark the 40th anniversary of the Falklands conflict will be held at 14:00 BST on 19th June at Hull Minster.

Community

Bongo Clive brings rhythm and smiles to VC Gallery celebration

Published

19 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

LEARNING DISABILITY WEEK MARKED WITH MUSIC, LAUGHTER AND INCLUSION IN PEMBROKE DOCK

THE VC GALLERY in Pembroke Dock was filled with music, laughter and energy as visitors came together to celebrate Learning Disability Week.

The event saw popular entertainer Bongo Clive lead a lively session of singing, drumming and participation, with those attending joining in throughout the day.

The gallery said the session had created a joyful atmosphere, with music helping to bring people together and celebrate inclusion, creativity and wellbeing.

A spokesperson for The VC Gallery said: “The smiles said it all. A huge thank you to Bongo Clive for bringing your incredible energy, enthusiasm and positivity to The VC today. You certainly had everyone moving to the beat.”

Learning Disability Week celebrates inclusion and the abilities, creativity and individuality of people with learning disabilities.

The Pembroke Dock event highlighted the role of community spaces such as The VC Gallery in supporting wellbeing, friendship and confidence through shared creative activities.

Community

Sir Karl Jenkins named Eisteddfod President for 2026

Published

20 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

SIR KARL JENKINS has been named President of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for 2026.

The internationally acclaimed Welsh composer, one of the world’s most performed living composers, will take on the role as the festival prepares to welcome performers, competitors and visitors from across the globe.

Sir Karl is best known for works including The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, Adiemus and Requiem.

His appointment comes in a landmark year after The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace was voted the most popular work in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026.

Opening night return

Sir Karl’s presidential year will begin with the opening night concert, Uniting Nations: One World, on Tuesday, July 7.

The concert had been due to take place in 2025 but was postponed, causing disappointment for volunteers, performers and audience members who had travelled from across the UK and overseas.

The Eisteddfod has now brought the event back with support from the Arts Council of Wales.

Sir Karl said: “I’m delighted to be returning to the Llangollen Festival this year and especially honoured to do so in the role of President.

“Llangollen is always a very special place to be, with its unique sense of community and international spirit.

“I’m greatly looking forward to conducting my most recent choral work, One World, particularly following the postponement of last year’s performance.

“It’s a piece that I feel reflects the very essence of the festival, bringing together outstanding musicians from across the globe to form one powerful collective voice.”

Global chorus

The evening will feature a full performance of One World, conducted by Sir Karl and performed by an international massed chorus made up of WorldChoir and NEW Voices, accompanied by the Llangollen International Orchestra.

The work blends Jenkins’ distinctive musical style with themes of humanity, compassion and environmental stewardship.

The concert will also include a complete staging of Peace Child: The Musical, which places young people at the heart of its message of peace and global citizenship.

Opening the evening will be the world premiere of Greeting the Dawn, a newly commissioned bilingual work by emerging Welsh composer Sam Buttler.

The piece was written for the 2026 Eisteddfod through the Harmony Without Borders initiative, continuing Llangollen’s tradition of supporting new talent and giving Welsh composers an international platform.

‘Great cultural ambassador’

John Gambles, Chair of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Sir Karl Jenkins has agreed to serve as President of the Eisteddfod for 2026.

“Few musicians have done more to promote the values of peace, friendship and international understanding that lie at the heart of our festival.

“Sir Karl is one of Wales’s greatest cultural ambassadors and his music has inspired audiences across every continent.

“The fact that The Armed Man has just been voted the nation’s favourite classical work is a testament not only to his extraordinary talent, but also to the universal appeal of the messages of peace, hope and humanity that run through so much of his music.”

Mr Gambles added: “The postponement of One World last year was heartbreaking for everyone involved.

“We knew how much the concert meant to audiences, performers and volunteers alike, and we were determined to find a way to bring it back.

“Thanks to the support of the Arts Council of Wales, we can now finally give this extraordinary concert the audience it deserves.

“With Sir Karl as our President, the return of One World, the world premiere of a major new Welsh composition and the powerful message of Peace Child, this promises to be one of the most memorable and significant opening nights in the Eisteddfod’s history.”

Festival programme

The Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod returns for its 79th year on Tuesday, July 7.

This year’s programme includes performances from Michael Ball, Emeli Sandé with the Absolute Orchestra, Uniting Nations: One World featuring Sir Karl Jenkins, and the Choir of the World competition.

Thousands of competitors from around the world will also take part in the daytime programme, with the Parade of Nations returning on Friday, July 10.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from £33.

Further information is available at llangollen.net.

Community

Lord Rhys emerges from the mist in St Davids

Published

22 hours ago

June 20, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Giant puppet begins historic journey marking 850 years since the first Eisteddfod

MIST swirled around St Davids Cathedral on Friday evening as a giant Lord Rhys puppet emerged from the fog to begin a journey celebrating 850 years since the first recorded Eisteddfod.

Accompanied by traditional musicians and followed by crowds of spectators, the towering figure cut an imposing sight against the backdrop of the ancient cathedral.

The procession marked the start of Taith yr Arglwydd Rhys (The Journey of Lord Rhys), a cultural pilgrimage retracing the legacy of the Welsh prince whose gathering of poets and musicians at Cardigan Castle in 1176 is widely regarded as the first recorded Eisteddfod.

As fog drifted across the city and church towers faded into the background, the scene felt more like a chapter from Welsh folklore than a modern-day celebration.

The giant puppet, accompanied by fellow performers and musicians, travelled from St Davids Cathedral to Oriel y Parc before beginning a wider journey through west Wales.

The travelling celebration will visit communities across Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion before culminating in Cardigan, where Lord Rhys originally staged his famous cultural gathering eight and a half centuries ago.

Video and photographs shared by DrifterStDavids captured the remarkable atmosphere, with many describing the spectacle as one of the most memorable cultural events seen in St Davids for years.

Photo caption: Lord Rhys emerges from the mist outside St Davids Cathedral as celebrations begin to mark the 850th anniversary of the first recorded Eisteddfod

(Pic: SmallWorld – Video: Drifter St Davids)