ST. DAVIDS: NEWS, SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM BRITAIN'S SMALLEST CITY

New Organist & Master of the Choristers at St Davids Cathedral

2011-07-25T16:42:00.003+01:00

The Dean and Chapter are pleased to announce that Mr Daniel Cook, Assistant Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral, has been appointed Organist and Master of the Choristers at St Davids Cathedral.

Daniel was born `in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1979 and received his early musical education at Durham Cathedral with Keith Wright. Following a year as Organ Scholar at Worcester Cathedral, he moved to London to take up a place at the Royal Academy of Music where he studied with Nicolas Kynaston, James O'Donnell, and Patrick Russill and performed in master classes with many of the world’s leading organists including Marie-Claire Alain, Lionel Rogg and Jon Laukvik. While at the Academy, he worked as Organ Scholar at Southwark Cathedral and Westminster Abbey before graduating with first-class honours in July, 2003. While still a student, he was appointed Assistant Organist at Westminster Abbey where he participated in many important national and international services including the 50th anniversary of the Queen's Coronation.

Mr. Cook moved to Salisbury Cathedral as Assistant Director of Music in September 2005. In addition to his work with the cathedral choirs, he is the principal organist of the cathedral, playing for all major services, broadcasts, concerts and recordings as well as being founder of the Cathedral Chamber Choir. Outside of Salisbury he is Musical Director of the Grange Choral Society (a 160-strong mixed choir based in Christchurch), and holds a similar position with the Salisbury based chamber choir, the Farrant Singers.

He has twice been a finalist in the St Albans International Organ Competition. As an organist he has performed throughout the UK and in Europe and the USA. Recent years have seen engagements in most of the cathedrals in Britain, several Oxbridge College Chapels and in Westminster Abbey's Summer Organ Festival. He is also well known as an accompanist and has worked with many of the distinguished vocal ensembles and choral groups in the UK such as the BBC Singers and the Holst Singers. He has made several solo CD recordings for Priory Records both at Salisbury and on other important British organs and is currently in the middle of a series of recordings of English romantic music by Brewer, Sumsion and Stanford. Recent projects have included a performance of the complete organ works of Olivier Messiaen in six recitals to celebrate the centenary of the composer’s birth, and a CD recording of contemporary organ music for the John Armitage Memorial Trust and Choir and Organ magazine.

Daniel said ‘I am thrilled to have been given this wonderful opportunity to direct the music in St Davids Cathedral. I can’t imagine a more inspiring place to work and I am looking forward to building on the excellent work of my predecessors.’

The Dean of St Davids, the Very Reverend Jonathan Lean, said ‘I am delighted that Mr Daniel Cook has accepted our offer to be the new Organist & Master of the Choristers here at St Davids Cathedral. I look forward immensely to welcoming him and his family to St Davids as we begin this exciting new chapter in the musical life of the cathedral.’

Welcome to St. Davids!

THE 7th ST. DAVIDS REALLY WILD FESTIVAL IS COMING!

2011-07-23T16:52:00.003+01:00

Held within sight of the sea and the ancient Cathedral, the 7th Really Wild Festival will take place in St Davids on Friday 29th & Saturday 30th July. 10am -5pm each day.

Julia and Brian manage the wildest two days of culinary delights, rural traditions, storytelling and countryside fun you could want, and regular favourites and exciting new exhibitors have already been booking in for this year’s weekend of fun and madness!

For the first time they are holding a Really Wild Musical Evening on the Festival Saturday.

It will feature local bands and groups, soloists, and dancing.

There will be plenty of choice of freshly cooked local foods, ciders, beers and ales etc. to keep you happy and the event will be suitable for the whole family.

A 100 meter marquee will provide cover to cope with whatever weather that might get chucked at us but outdoor seating is available too. Do bring cushions and rugs for extra comfort just in case!!

Ticket allocation will be limited.

Click here to see the full program

THE RETREATS GROUP READY TO OPEN THE NEW PENRHIW PRIORY

2011-05-30T21:20:00.006+01:00

The Retreats Group is working in three magnificent properties around Pembrokeshire: Roch Castle and, in St. Davids, Twr-y-Felin, and the Penrhiw Priory.

In the Retreat Group website you can read this description of the last one:

"Penrhiw Priory was originally built in 1884 by the Church in Wales as a Vicarage. It was built on the site of a large longhouse farm building. The design was carried out by John Middleton and Son of Cheltenham.

Penrhiw is a fine example of high Victorian architecture, built in Tudorbethan style with squared Caerbwdi rubble stone, limestone ashlar dressings, steep slate roofs with bargeboards, terracotta ridge tiles and tall stone stacks. The interior woodwork is pitch pine; deep skirting boards. Large panelled doors, panelled window reveals and a lovely staircase. There are also two fine fireplaces with decorative tiles by William De Morgan the celebrated Arts and Crafts ceramics maker.

During the 20th Century Pen Rhiw ceased to be a vicarage and saw other uses. The local Doctor lived there and then Colonel and Mrs Weir ran it as a guest house for many years. During their tenure Anthony Eden [later Prime minister of the U.K.] stayed at Penrhiw a number of times.

In the 1960's the property became a Priory for the Community of St. John the Evangelist and was extended to 20 bedrooms, three reception rooms and a chapel. In 1985 the nuns left the Priory and it was sold by the Church in Wales in 1988 to Steve and Lis Cousens who ran it until 2000 as a centre for groups, hosting up to 30 people at a time. Tim Sime ran it as a Retreat for 4 years and then it was sold it to Adam Hill and Rachael Knott in 2004. Penrhiw was acquired by The Retreats Group Trust in 2009. A restoration contract was awarded to Carreg Construction in July 2009 under the design and supervision of Architects Acanthus Holden.

Penrhiw will re-open as a Retreat in May 2011."

This picture was taken today, May 30th.

ST. DAVIDS AT ITS BEST

2011-05-29T20:16:00.007+01:00

From 24th May to 6th June in St. Davids Cathedral Cloisters Gallery you can admire great paintings of Sarah Young & Graham Hurdwood.

This view of St. Davids is a masterpiece by our friend Graham: a brilliant and moving painting about the city.

Go there, you will enjoy a great art show!

A CORGI IS LOST AND FOUND

2011-05-29T19:56:00.003+01:00

Yesterday our friend Sheila found near St Noons a beautiful Corgi.

As nobody was around she came home and Tam David had the idea to post in one of our street windows a note about the Corgi.

This morning, Jane saw the note and said: "I have a friend that lost a Corgi yesterday. This must be her dog"

Yes, she was.

ST. DAVIDS SUNSET

2011-05-14T19:21:00.005+01:00

Pembrokeshire's National Park has been selected by National Geographic as the second of the 10 best coastal destination of the world, but today St. Davids is looking greener than ever.

These are pictures taken a few minutes ago during a dramatic sunset.

As the magazine said:

Visitors flock in droves each year to the Pembrokeshire Peninsula to take in the beauty of the castle-clad cliffs that line its coast. Thankfully, a "very mature and established tourism industry" has preserved, rather than eroded, the qualities that make this region so unique.

Here is a representative sampling of additional anonymous comments from the panelists. They are not necessarily the views of the National Geographic Society:

"Magnificent protected coastline from both ecological and geological perspectives. Land-based and marine-based conservation tourism appeals to all ages. Current stewardship practices maintain quality and integrity."

"Wales has done a terrific job of sustainable development, including its coastline. The newly linked coastal walk will be one of the most scenic hiking paths in Europe. Citizens work hard at making sure that their coastal environment remains authentic and unspoiled. The seafood and food grown in the adjoining fields are culinary treats."

"A future issue will be one of getting ‘loved to death,’ such as segments of the coastal path. But still magical."

"Fabulous example of coastal protection with a very established tourism industry."

WELL DONE!

2011-04-29T16:50:00.004+01:00

As we are out the country, we watched the Royal wedding from TV.

What a great day, and what a great ceremony.

Amazingly well done.

Congratulations to them and to all!

In the pictures, Prince William leaves Buckingham Palace in his father's Aston Martin as JUST WED.

Brilliant!

Printmaking Exhibition in The Tower Gallery, Oriel y Parc Information Centre

2011-04-05T10:28:00.003+01:00

Creativity, colour, and design all come together in an imaginative Printmaking Exhibition on now in The Tower Gallery, Oriel y Parc Information Centre, St. Davids.

The original monoprint work on display has been created by the students of Learning Pembrokeshire's Printmaking without a Press course along with a paper on fabric mural created by students of Using Colour in Art + Design.

Learning Pembrokeshire's tutor, Deborah Withey, has been leading lively creative courses for all levels of experience in the Discovery Room of Oriel y Parc for 2 years and this is just one of several exhibitions showcasing student work.

The current exhibition runs until April 11, gallery hours are 9:30am to 5pm. Pictured are several members of the art classes in St. Davids, from left to right: Victoria Hill, Andrea Taylor, Sheila Leicester, Sue Williams, Deborah Withey, Helen Aspden, David Rowlands.

SAINTS IN STONES EHIBITION IS OPEN

2011-03-21T19:36:00.003Z

Illustrators Wales reports:

Pembrokeshire based Illustrator Deborah Withey is currently exhibiting work at the Cloisters Gallery, St. Davids Cathedral, St. Davids. ‘Saints in Stones’ features work that specifically fits the glorious Cloister Gallery atmosphere in the Cathedral Refectory. Everything is original, with hand-printed papers in collage with glass, fabric and stone. To see more of Deborah’s fascinating work please visit her website http://www.deborah-withey.com

Saints in Stones, 15th-28th March 2011, Cloisters Gallery, St. Davids Cathedral, West Wales.

SAINTS IN STONES EXHIBITION IS COMING

2011-03-08T10:49:00.007Z

Work in progress for the upcoming exhibition of Deborah Withey at St. Davids Cathedral Cloisters Gallery.

As the artist says:

"Inspired by the Celtic and medieval art which surrounds me, I have created new work made in the collage of found objects and hand-printed (by moi) paper. This justifies my magpie ways of picking up stones and bits each day and my creative urges to create with what I've found!

The exhibition opens this Wednesday, March 16, opening reception on Friday from 7 to 9pm, at The Cloister Gallery, St. Davids Cathedral, St. Davids, Wales.

The show is on until the 29th of March in the most lovely of settings.

All work is for sale and will be posted on my site at the end of the month."

SAINTS IN STONES EXHIBITION: MARCH 15-28 MARCH

2011-03-05T20:46:00.004Z

Deborah Withey will present the first exhibition of her most recent work of Saints in Stones.

Place: The Cloisters Gallery, St. Davids Cathedral.

Dates: March 15-28, 2011

Opening Reception: 18 March, from 7pm to 9pm.

ANOTHER GREAT REALLY WILD CAWL COMPETITION

2011-02-26T14:24:00.017Z

The very well attended 2011 Competition just ended a few minutes ago.

Julia Horton and Brian Powdrill were the Really Wild Food masterminds of the show.

And the winners were: The Farmers Arms Pub, Cwtch Restaurant and The Cathedral's Refectory.

Deborah, Tam David and Thomas were serving some of the best Welsh Cawls, and many people came to taste and vote the best Kings and Queens of the St. Davids Cawl.

And our St. Davids Mayor, John Lloyd, presented the certificates to the winners.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM A BEAUTIFUL AND SNOWY ST. DAVIDS!

2010-12-21T15:42:00.017Z

Pictures taken today with my iPhone.

Merry Christmas!

St. DAVIDS JEWELS (2)

2010-12-14T16:20:00.002Z

St. Davids Book Shop.

Another little treasure of our city.

ST. DAVIDS JEWELS (1)

2010-12-12T16:14:00.006Z

Taken with my iPhone.

One of the unique stone faces in St. Davids Cathedral.

CHRISTMAS GIFT PARTY

2010-12-06T12:46:00.003Z

Next week Deborah Withey be hosting a last-minute gift party for Hilton Court on Dec 16 in her studio.

The lovely ladies from Hilton will be bringing some fab jewellery and scarves and she will add some tree/window ornaments.

Join us for mulled wine, holiday nibbles and gifts! Please RSVP by December 14th to her phone or email: cheesepicklesstudio@gmail.com

VOTE NOW TO GET BETTER INTERNET CONNECTIONS IN ST. DAVIDS!

2010-11-12T11:30:00.005Z

Please, click here to get a better and faster Internet broadband in St.Davids.

It's a shame that ONLY 34 votes have been casted until today.

We need a MASSIVE RESPONSE to this survey.

If not, the quality of life and business opportunities in St. Davids will be at risk.

Vote now!

NEW COVER ILLUSTRATION FOR A SONGS BOOK IN NORWAY

2010-10-14T16:05:00.003+01:00

Deborah has been working with our friend Norvall Skeien in Bergen, and this is his new book with her illustration.

Norvall is the past president of the Scandinavian Society of News Design.

His new books includes a large selection of traditional choir songs from Norway.

INNOVATION'S UNFOLDING NEWSSLATE PROTOTYPE

2010-10-10T20:50:00.006+01:00

I am back from Hamburg (Germany) where my company, INNOVATION, presented at the WAN-IFRA World Editors Forum the first prototype of what we call the Unfolding NewSSlate.

Watch here the video, and see here a slide show about what we consider the newspaper of the future.

NEW ART WORKSHOPS

2010-10-09T14:08:00.003+01:00

MONOPRINTING CLASSES

2010-10-02T07:32:00.002+01:00

2010 ST. DAVIDS REALLY WILD FOOD AND COUNTRYSIDE FESTIVAL (3)

2010-09-04T17:59:00.011+01:00

Great show!

Food, traditional crafts, arts, drinks and very interesting people.

Free parking.

Easy access.

In a walking distance from downtown St. Davids.

Tomorrow expect again good weather and if it rains, all is cover, so don't worry and don't miss it!

2010 ST. DAVIDS REALLY WILD FOOD AND COUNTRYSIDE FESTIVAL (2)

2010-09-01T12:32:00.002+01:00

Are you ready?

The 2010 St. Davids Really Wild Food & Countryside Festival is coming.

This weekend, September 4th and 5th.

The program looks great and you will find activities for everybody.

Read here the full program.

From Pig Racing to Chef Demos, Puppets, Storytellers, Walks, Talks and Really Wild Food!

There are limited spaces on the Walks, Talks & Workshops etc. so book early on 01348 840242 or julia@reallywildfestival.co.uk

Bookings may also be made at the Information Desk on Saturday or Sunday on the Festival Field.

2010 ST. DAVIDS CARNIVAL

2010-08-30T18:33:00.022+01:00

Today we had a well attended Carnival.

A sunny day and a great parade.

Well done!

Watch the video and see some pictures.

CHEESE + PICKLES STUDIO NEW ART CLASSES

2010-08-30T12:55:00.005+01:00

More information at 01437 729304 or cheesepicklesstudio@gmail.com

2010 ST DAVIDS REALLY WILD FOOD & COUNTRYSIDE FESTIVAL (1)

2010-08-23T10:36:00.005+01:00

Again, an amazing program.

And a lot of fun:

Wild and Welsh food and drink, traditional rural crafts, environmental and countryside groups.

Wild walks, talks, demonstrations, wacky entertainment and activities.

Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th September 2010.

In Whitesands Road, St. Davids, Pembrokeshire.

From 10 am - 5pm.

More information here.

Be there!

YSGOL BRO DEWI SUMMER CONCERT

2010-07-17T12:14:00.011+01:00

Pictures from yesterday's Summer Concert that included music, acting (Noah's Ark and Aladdin), dancing and singing by the Ysgol Bro Dewi pupils.

A great show.

Congratulations to all the teachers and students.

Well done!

SUMMER FETE

2010-06-30T14:08:00.000+01:00

Be there!

ST. DAVIDS NEW POOL MEETING

2010-06-29T07:26:00.005+01:00

I got yesterday the June newsletter from Susan Preece, Secretary of the St Davids Community Pool Group:

"Plans to build a community swimming pool in St Davids have moved a step forward following the results of the public survey carried out earlier this year and the special interest group consultation meetings in May. Many thanks to those who participated in these.

The results established overwhelming support for the establishment of a new pool and provided essential information for the development of the ultimate specification of the pool and its facilities.

The final consultation meetings for everyone in the St Davids Peninsula Community will be held at:

Ysgol Bro Dewi on Tuesday 6^th July

5pm for the under 18s

6:30pm for everyone else

This is an opportunity to meet with Mike Lawless of LA Architects who is leading the project.

Everyone in the community is urged to attend so that their views can be taken into account in order that the Community gets the pool that it needs, which will ensure its long term sustainability. Please note that under 13s should be accompanied by an adult..

St. Davids Community Pool Group Newsletter (9): April 2010

2010-04-24T15:31:00.008+01:00

Susan Preece, Secretary of St Davids Community Pool Group, reports very good news in the last newletter:

"During February and March we carried out a market research exercise to find out more about what the community needs in respect of a swimming pool and additional integrated facilities to make it financially sustainable. We issued a questionnaire to obtain feedback from the community about the likely usage of various options. The questionnaire was made available through primary schools and other locations such as Post Offices, doctors’ surgeries and public houses across the peninsula.

Approximately 600 questionnaires were completed and returned and the data is now being collated. A big thank you goes to all who took the time and trouble to complete one of these questionnaires. Further consultation is planned with pool user groups over the next few months – any group interested in taking part in this consultation should e-mail their contact details to the email address below.

We have identified two potential sites for the pool and have been presented with a design concept that has given us a lot to think about in terms of defining our specification.

All of this has prompted us to establish the St Davids Pool Project Enablement Board to take things forward to the planning application stage. The Board initially consists of the Community Pool Group’s Chairman (David Lloyd), Secretary (Susan Preece), Member (Andy Dixon) and Jon Bowles of Perpetual Legacy. Project management for the enablement phase has been placed with LA Architects. The Community Pool Group Steering Committee’s role will be to keep the community informed of developments and in turn inform the Project Board of local concerns/issues.

In addition we have been working with a website developer to produce a dedicated website that will be updated with details about the project as it develops. The website has gone live so why not have a look at www.stdavidspoolandcommunityfacility.org .

In due course the website will have a Donate Button to enable you to support the project with donations that can benefit from Gift Aid (claiming back tax from the government)."

Bravo, and let's keep fighting for our new pool!

ASH CLOUD OVER THE UK (THE MANDARINS SAY) BUT BLUE SKIES IN ST. DAVIDS

2010-04-20T20:47:00.006+01:00

Pictures taken with my iPhone today at 6:35 pm after the Evening Song in St. Davids Cathedral.

No editing.

No re-touching.

Nothing!

Niente!

Nada!

But the Mandarins say that airplanes cannot fly...

Gwanwyn Festival 2010

2010-04-20T15:10:00.004+01:00

THE BOYS' CHOIR ENJOYED LIVERPOOL

2010-04-18T13:16:00.005+01:00

THE ST. DAVIDS CATHEDRAL BOYS' CHOIR SINGS IN LIVERPOOL

2010-04-14T21:06:00.006+01:00

Today's Evening Prayer in Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King was sung by the visiting Boys' Choir of St David's Cathedral.

The Metropolitan Cathedral's Director of Music, Tim Noon, worked in St. Davids before coming to Liverpool.

Tomorrow at 12noon they will conduct an informal concert.

The children and some of the parents lead by the Organist and Master of the Choristers Mr. Alexander Mason left yesterday in a bus.

Deborah told me that today's Evening Song went very well and the Choir did a great job.

In its web page they explain that since 1958 choir of men's voices was formed by Canon Edward Murphy to sing in the Crypt.

In 1960 a Boys' Choir was established under the direction of Christopher Symons and amalgamated with the Men's Choir.

Since then music has been at the heart of the worship in the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The original Choir School was The Gables in Woolton.

In 1974 St Edward's College became the Choir School.

Today, the Cathedral Music Department is responsible for providing music at ten services every week in term time, plus numerous extra services when called upon to mark a particular occasion.

This work is shared between the Cathedral's four choirs and four organists under the guidance of the Director of Music.

(In the picture, the choir of Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral)

WE WON ONE OF THE AWARDS

2010-03-01T21:54:00.001Z

Thanks to the judges!

SUNSET IN ST. DAVIDS DAY

2010-03-01T21:53:00.001Z

A GLORIOUS ST. DAVIDS DAY

2010-03-01T17:10:00.006Z

A sunny St. Davids Day, and the joy of the Cathedral bells announcing the Gwasanaeth Dydd Gwyl Dewi attended by the children of our schools.

VIDEO FROM THE 2010 DRAGON PARADE

2010-02-27T16:52:00.002Z

THANKS TO ALL FOR SUCH A GREAT PARADE

2010-02-27T14:48:00.003Z

Final words from Lucinda Hall at the end of the Dragon Parade

THE 2010 ST. DAVIDS ANNUAL WINDOW DISPLAY COMPETITION

2010-02-27T14:32:00.010Z

The City looks wonderful with so many houses and windows with daffodils, Welch flags, St. Davids and Dragon's images for the 2010 Window Display Competition.

Deborah did this morning this St. Davids that now is in the front of our house, Ty Withey.

THE REALLY WILD CAWL COMPETITION

2010-02-27T14:04:00.012Z

Cawl is considered by many to be the National Dish of Wales.

So today after the Dragon's Parade, different cooks from St. Davids area made the best of the best cawls, and the winner were:

1. The Farmer's Arms.

2. Cwtch.

3. The Refectory.

The winners received the certificates from St. David's Mayor Cllr Stephanie Halse, and Julia Horton-Powdrill and Brian Powdrill, the Really Wild Cawl Competition organizers.

2010 DRAGON PARADE (5): THE CROWD

2010-02-27T13:05:00.002Z

2010 DRAGON PARADE (4): THE LITTLE ONES

2010-02-27T12:58:00.009Z

2010 DRAGON PARADE (3): THE ORGANIZERS

2010-02-27T12:51:00.004Z

2010 DRAGON PARADE (2): THE BAND

2010-02-27T12:29:00.011Z

The Air Training Corps Band from Haverfordwest lead the Parade.

2010 DRANGON PARADE (1): THE YOUNG DRAGONS

2010-02-27T12:24:00.009Z

Another great Dragon's Parade.

TOMORROW IN ST. DAVIDS, THE SECOND DRAGON PARADE

2010-02-26T18:58:00.011Z

The 2010 Dragon Parade is coming.

Tomorrow, leaving at 11:30 am from Oriel y Parc, hundreds of people will see the handmade dragons made St. Davids and Pembrokeshire pupils.

This is the second year of a popular and very artistic parade.

More pictures tomorrow in this blog.

These are pictures from last year's parade, including the former Mayor of the City, David Chant.

NEW ART CLASSES

2010-01-14T11:38:00.005Z

Deborah is announcing her new Art classes for St. Davids and Haverfordwest.

Click on the posters to see them bigger.

A DISGRACE

2010-01-13T18:51:00.005Z

Sean Davies writes in today's Western Telegraph:

"The main roads all over Britain were all treated, so why was Pembroke such a disgrace?"

Yes, he is absolutely right.

(In Richard Rees picture, the road between LLanychaer and Dinas)

SNOW CREATIVITY

2010-01-13T13:35:00.001Z

Time to be creative.

MORE AND MORE SNOW

2010-01-12T20:08:00.003Z

A dramatic picture from today's BBC Wales website with a snow-bound vehicle in the Preseli hills.

WEATHER ALERT FOR TUESDAY MIDNIGHT

2010-01-12T08:51:00.004Z

BBC Wales SA2 weather forecast for tonight.

Right now, the heavy snow projected for today at around 3 p.m. has been downgraded to this new map.

But strong winds, rain and snow are here to stay.

Take care!

WEATHER ALERT IN ST. DAVIDS PENNiNSULA FOR TOMORROW AROUND 3 PM

2010-01-11T20:32:00.003Z

From BBC Wales, this Weather Alert for Tuesday around 3 p.m.

THAT'S IT

2010-01-10T19:13:00.003Z

Amazing picture of the frozen islands.

SNOW AND ICE

2010-01-09T21:15:00.003Z

BBC's Jon Brain reports as the UK is caught in the grip of one of the coldest winters for decades, with snow and ice set to continue causing problems as temperatures could plummet to -20C.

WEATHER FORECAST

2010-01-09T20:51:00.005Z

The weather.

Not good news.

Thanks to 102.5 Radio Pembrokeshire that is offering, as always, a great news information service to the community.

Its website is a must to know what's going on this County.

You will get there constantly updated news about which schools are closed.

If you have any news, call them at: 01834-861071

NO GRIT

2010-01-09T20:35:00.006Z

How the Pembrokeshire County Council can manage any business if they are not able to provide enough grit to our local roads?

People are furious about the lack of planning and emergency resources.

Many old people from St. Davids have been this week in state of almost isolation.

Like a Third World city.

What a shame!

(Cartoon from the Daily Mail)

WHITE ST. DAVIDS

2010-01-07T21:16:00.007Z

Pictures taken on January 6th, 2010.

SNOW IN ST. DAVIDS

2010-01-02T17:10:00.005Z

January 1st 2010, snow in St. Davids.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-02T16:27:00.001Z

Our son, Tam David Withey-Giner, now in the Boys Choir at St. Davids Cathedral, leads a children's choir during a Christmas family party in Wilkes-Barre, Pensylvania, USA, on December 28, 2009.

A TUDOR CHRISTMAS

2009-12-10T19:56:00.008Z

Tam David wrote today his first post:

This Sunday at 3 pm at the St.Davids Cathedral, the Ysgol Bro Dewi School Juniors years 3-4 will be doing a play based on a Tudor Christmas at the time of Anne Boleyn.

There will be drama and hint of comedy in the years 5-6 play.

The following years 5-6 are doing a play about what happens up above not in a tree or a light house but in Heaven faces like thunder!

The little ones (reception to years 1-2) will be doing the most common performance, The Nativity.

There will be dancing people probably falling asleep from the lullabies and some loud voices .

I would give them a 10/10

A PRESENTATION FOR THE BBC SENIOR EDITORS TEAM

2009-11-26T18:05:00.005Z

Today, I had a great time with Mark Byford, Deputy Director General of the British Broadcasting Corporation and head of BBC Journalism, and his Senior Editors Team.

They wanted me to present the INNOVATION experiences and models on Newsroom Integrations.

They understand that this is a crucial issue for their future.

The BBC doesn’t buy the “us” against “them” idea and they have decided to reorganize the newsroom facilities around “content and audiences”, our mantra in this field.

So they were really interested in how to create new working flows, how to build an agnostic platform super-desk, etc.

After the presentation and many questions from this group, I have the feeling that the BBC can lead better than anybody else the new online journalism narratives of the 21st Century.

They have the talent, credibility, reputation, people and leadership to re-invent journalism in these new new platforms.

The old Regent Street Bush House or the BBC Broadcasting House will become, for sure, the biggest and most advanced state-of-the-art multimedia newsroom of the world.

The huge new rebuilding project will cost over 200 million pounds.

In less than 2-year time, more than 5.000 BBC people will move there and work together under one roof.

BH has been the BBC’S headquarters since 1932 and has survived every attempt of Hitler to destroy it.

The architects will have produced an estimated 10,000 drawings by the end of the project that will include 80.000-square meter of production areas, studios and staff facilities, plus a 4.000-square meter newsroom.

64,000 tonnes of debris will be removed from the site.

Around 17,000 lorry loads of rubbish will be taken from BH

During excavation, work will be taking place 4 meters from the Victoria tube line.

There will be six new studios for television news.

The new News studio will be one of the largest live newsrooms in the world

There will be 140 acoustic spaces for Radio & Music, News and World Service.

There will be 10,000 miles of cabling in the new building.

The focus of the complex is an atria-lit newsroom at the base of the main building.

See here more pictures from the old and future newsrooms.

(iPhone picture of Mark Byford introducing me to his team)

DEBORAH AND TAM DAVID WITH THE CHILDREN OF STEPHEN CRABB

2009-11-24T13:17:00.004Z

Last Saturday, Deborah led the children of Stephen Crabb in a papier mache lantern workshop. Deb was invited to bring her Cheese + Pickles Studio craft-making to the fantastic Really Wild Farm Shop "opening day party."

Stephen, the very popular Member of Parliament for Preseli Pembrokeshire that in January 2009 was promoted to the Conservative front-bench team as an Opposition Whip, was born in 1973, grew up in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, where he attended Fenton Infants, Barn Street Junior School and Tasker Milward VC School. After a gap year spent working with voluntary projects in USA and Colombia, he studied at Bristol University and graduated in 1995 with first class Honours.

Following a year spent working in the House of Commons as Research Assistant to Andrew Rowe MP, Stephen became Parliamentary Affairs Officer of the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services in 1996.

From 2002-04 Stephen completed an MBA at London Business School. During this period, and leading up to the 2005 General Election, he worked as a Marketing Consultant.

In 2004 Stephen and his family returned to Pembrokeshire and settled a few miles outside Haverfordwest.

(Picture by Debbie James, via Brian Powdrill )

THE "OPEN DAY PARTY" AT THE REALLY WILD FARM SHOP

2009-11-22T10:25:00.029Z

These are pictures from yesterday's Really Wild Farm Shop "opening day party" in Wolfscastle at the Nant y Coy Arts Centre, "the Watermill with Art and Soul" that adds unique "Food" to its description thanks to the smart efforts of Brian Powdrill and Julia Horton-Powdrill.

The Wild Farm Shop was born with Adam Vincent of Trehale Farm, Mathry, who's vision was to open an outlet for the high quality produce of the rare breeds meat and charcuterie, from his family farm.

Today it's a magnificent reality.

Yes, this is a lovely and magical place, even on a rainy and windy day (nothing special here in Wales!)

The Really Wild Farm Shop is a spin-off of the five-year old Really Wild Food & countryside Festival that got the attention of the Online Micheline Guide.

The shop, which is managed by Katie Kerpner and assistant manager, Adrian Clifton, is open six days a week from 9am to 7pm and on Sundays from 10am to 5pm.

Deborah brought her Cheese + Pickles Studio workshop to the event with craft activities for children.

As you can see, we had an eight-hour roasted pig, warm Gethins Welsh Cider, fabulous premium quality coffee roasted near Solva by Rafael Hernandez-Ariaza, local cheeses, great fresh fish from the onshore tanks of Claws Shellfish in Mildford Haven... and the company of ducks, gees, wild board cross Berkshire pigs and "Ozzy", a fantastic Manx Loghtan ram.

Thank you to all of you!

MORE CREATIVE COURSES AT ST. DAVIDS ORIEL Y PARC

2009-11-21T09:55:00.006Z

Learning Pembrokeshire has added more creative classes beginning January 2010.

All the classes will be held in the lovely Discovery Room, at Oriel y Parc.

The tutor is my wife, Deborah Withey, of Cheese + Pickles Design Studio, who currently leads the Color in Art + Design class at the same location.

For questions about the courses offered contact cheesepicklesstudio@gmail.com.

Booking is going on now, call Learning Pembrokeshire at 01348 872 488

(Click in the picture to see it bigger)

FOUR NEW ST. DAVIDS CATHEDRAL CHORISTERS

2009-11-15T19:03:00.006Z

Last Friday November 13, the Dean and the Organist and Master of the St. Davids Cathedral admitted four new choristers.

One of them was our son, Tam David Withey Giner.

The present Cathedral Choir is unique in the UK in that its top line consists of girls aged 8-18.

The choir sings at four services each week and has recorded several CDs and broadcast many times on BBC radio and television.

In the last ten years the choir has toured widely in Europe, Australia and the USA (three times).

JOHN WILLIAMS SLATE WORK IN COLOMBIA

2009-10-23T12:14:00.007+01:00

More than 10 year ago, my friend Marta Botero de Leyva, a former editor of El Mundo and director of INNOVATION, commissioned this beautiful slate plaque to the late John Williams.

A few weeks ago I was in Marta's country house, "Lejanias" in Rio Negro, Medellin, Colombia, and I took this picture in memory of a great artist, person, neighbor, and former City Mayor of St. Davids.

Click on the picture to see it bigger.

MILITARY PARADE IN ST. DAVIDS

2009-10-06T13:51:00.011+01:00

Today, around 70 soldiers of the 245 Squadron 14th Signal Regiment (Electronic Warfare) who spent six months in Afghanistan tuning in to Taliban groups, marched through the streets of St. Davids.

The 14th Signal Regiment was formed in 1959 from the United Kingdom Commonwealth Communications Army Network Signal Regiment, taking on the responsibility for world-wide communications on behalf of the British Army.

The Regiment has been honoured with the Freedom of St Davids since 1997.

The regiment, based at Brady, near Haverfordwest, was welcomed by a big crowd.

The Band of the Royal Corps of Signals marched, too.

These are images from today's parade.

They were presented with medals by the mayor of St Davids, Councillor Stephanie Halse.

Miss Wales attended the celebration congratulating the soldiers.

SURFING IN NEWGALE

2009-07-23T18:35:00.008+01:00

We went today to Newgale, one of the best surfing beaches of Great Britain.

Tam David has a new skimboard.

For more information about surfing in Newgale please go here.

And this is the forecast for the weekend.

CARMARTHEN ANTIQUES AND FLEE MARKET

2009-07-20T17:24:00.013+01:00

We went yesterday to the Carmarthen Showground Antiques and Flea Market.

It was, oh Lord, a very rainy morning for hunters and sellers.

But just 50 minutes from St. Davids, Tam David found and got for 6 GBP an UK manufactured 1940's Six-20 Folding Kodak Brownie camera in excellent shape.

Except for the optical frame finder, the meniscus lens model is essentially the same as the pre-war version.

DINNER AT MORGAN'S

2009-07-10T18:45:00.004+01:00

Leaving now for dinner to Morgan's, just across the street.

YSGOL BRO DEWI SUMMERT CONCERT

2009-07-10T15:04:00.008+01:00

Headteacher Raymond Griffiths and all his dedicated team produced yesterday, with the terrific students of our local school, a fantastic concert and a very creative Mary Poppins show (in less than half an hour) lead by Amy Barwick.

Our son, Tam David, was one of the proud urchins acting as a poor and mischievous city child.

What a joy and how much talented people behind this end-of-the-year program.

Congratulations to all of you!

"SAVE OUR POOL" BECOMES A MASSIVE POPULAR MOVEMENT

2009-05-11T20:52:00.012+01:00

Deborah, Tam David and I went this evening to the City Hall to support our pool.

More than 200 hundred local people attended the AGM of St Davids Community Council, an open meeting held at 6:45.

A historical record.

Young ad old, children and parents, holidaymakers, pensioners, lifeguards... and all of us upset, and very disappointed by the poor and passive reaction of the City Council, unable to lobby the County Council. The popular reaction shows that this community is going to fight until a new pool is build.

Here there are some pictures from the meeting, inside and outside the City Hall.

ST. DAVIDS POOL ON BBC NEWS

2009-05-11T20:44:00.003+01:00

BBC News reports:

Campaigners claim a decision to close a swimming pool in Pembrokeshire will leave fewer children able to swim.

They have urged the county's cabinet to reconsider its decision to replace the pool at St David's with a sports hall.

Two protests are now planned with organisers warning closing it will endanger the lives of youngsters.

The council said campaigners had failed to deliver "sustainable or deliverable" plans to keep it open and Pembrokeshire was well served by six swimming pools.

Andy Dixon of the St Davids Community Pool Group said: "We strongly believe that closing the pool will lead to a dangerous situation for local children on this peninsula, which is surrounded by the sea.

"They need to be competent swimmers. The decision to close the pool will endanger lives."

He said the pool, which was built in 1975, was partly funded through public donations as a response to a spate of drownings in the water around the coastline.

LET'S SAVE OUR POOL!

2009-04-29T20:09:00.005+01:00

The fight to save St Davids swimming pool continues.

The Pembrokeshire County Council announced plans to close the pool must be crazy!

We will have to travel 15 miles to use pool facilities.

And our schools and families will have no swimming pool.

Plans to build a £1.3m sports hall, using deficit funding from the pool’s closure, were outlined last November.

Now the St. Davids Pool Users Group will make the case at the St. Davids Community Council AGM on Monday May 11 at 6:30pm at the St. Davids City Hall.

You can keep informed in Facebook (Save St Davids Pool, a group that right now has more than 400 members) or joining the mailining list of the Pool Users Group by emailing stdavidspool@hotmail.co.uk

Picture by the Western Telegraph.

SUNSET

2009-03-11T16:53:00.006Z

Sunset on March 1st, St. Davids Day.

I took this picture minutes before the Sunday Choral Evensong.

ST. DAVIDS DAY SCHOOL SERVICE

2009-02-27T14:34:00.006Z

This Sunday is St. Davids Day.

Today, the students of St. Davids had their traditional Cathedral School service.

Music, songs, prayers and a sermon by the new St. Davids Bishop, former dean of the Cathedral.

There are some students from Chernobyl (Ukraine) visiting St. Davids.

And the main tower of the Cathedral had the big St. Davids flag.

SUNSET FROM OUR WINDOW

2009-02-11T16:38:00.004Z

Each day the weather here is different.

But the sunset is always as dramatic as this one.

ANOTHER VIEW FROM OUR WINDOW

2009-02-10T13:48:00.005Z

No snow today.

A very sunny day.

Looking to the Irish sea and the St. Davids Cathedral.

THE VIEW FROM OUR WINDOW

2009-02-03T11:12:00.006Z

Snowing in Wales.

Snowing in St. Davids.

Picture taken this morning.

ST. DAVIDS CATHEDRAL CHOIR (EST. 1132)

2008-12-11T17:08:00.005Z

The earliest reference to choristers at St. Davids Cathedral was in 1132 during the reign of Richard II when there were two choirboys who were given instruction in grammar and singing.

In 1535, the number of choristers had risen to eight.

Thomas Tomkins, the famous church music composer, was born in St. Davids in 1572 and he became a chorister in the cathedral while his father was the organist and master of the choristers.

St. Davids Cathedral Choir, like most British cathedral choirs, was made up of boys singing the treble line and men singing the lower voice parts until, in the late 1960s, an epidemic of influenza in the run up to a live broadcast caused the cathedral organist, Peter Boorman, to take the prudent step of introducing girls to strengthen the treble line.

From that time until 1991 the cathedral choir included girls' and boys' voices mixed in a single line with the result that girls rather took over.

The main cathedral choir is unique in the United Kingdom in that its top line currently consists of girls aged 8-18.

The lay clerks of the choir work locally in a variety of occupations.

The choir sings at four services each week and has recorded several CDs, one of which sold more than one million copies in the US, and broadcast many times on BBC radio and television.

In addition to the Cathedral Choir, there is a separate Boys' Choir. The boys sing Evensong on Tuesdays and Fridays (fortnightly with the lay clerks).

The Junior Choir is open to boys and girls in Years 3-6 and currently has 25 singers from the primary schools of St. Davids, Croesgoch and Solva. The choir rehearses at 3:45 p.m. on Fridays and sings two services in the cathedral each term.

All three choirs benefit from a first-rate musical education.

For the Cathedral Choir and Boys' Choir there are other perks: they receive payment and the girls have a number of singing lessons each year with a professional singer, subsidized by the Dean and Chapter.

In 1991, the Cathedral Singers, an adult choir of mixed voices, was established. Under the expert direction of Simon Pearce (Assistant Organist) since 1998, the choir sings evensong every fortnight and occasionally deputizes for the cathedral choir during half term holidays.

Picture from the St. Davids Cathedral Web site.

SAINT DAVID (C. 500–589)

2008-12-10T16:11:00.004Z

(Welsh: Dewydd; Latin: Davidus; English: David)

According to tradition, St. David was the son of King Sant of South Wales and St. Non.

In contrast with the other national patron saints of the British Isles, Saints George, Andrew and Patrick, David is a native of the country of which he is patron saint, and a relatively large amount of information is known about his life.

However, his birth date is still uncertain; suggestions range from 462 to 512.

He was ordained a priest and later studied under St. Paulinus.

Later, he was involved in missionary work and founded a number of monasteries.

St. David's Cathedral now stands on the site of the monastery he founded.

The monastery he founded at Menevia in Southwestern Wales was noted for extreme asceticism.

St. David journeyed throughout the West, founding or restoring twelve monasteries (among which are the great names of Glastonbury, Bath, and Leominster).

David and his monks drank neither wine nor beer - only water - while putting in a full day of heavy manual labor and intense study.

Around the year 550, David attended a synod at Brevi in Cardiganshire.

His contributions at the synod are said to have been the major cause for his election as primate of the Cambrian Church.

He was reportedly consecrated archbishop by the patriarch of Jerusalem while on a visit to the Holy Land. He also is said to have invoked a council that ended the last vestiges of Pelagianism. David died at his monastery in Menevia around the year 589, and his cult was approved in 1120 by Pope Callistus II.

He is revered as the patron of Wales.

His staunch adherence to monastic piety bespeaks a fine example for modern Christians seeking order and form in their prayer life.

His symbol, also the symbol of Wales, is the leek.

His last words to his followers, in a sermon on the previous Sunday, were:

"Be joyful, and keep your faith and your creed. Do the little things that you have seen me do and heard about. I will walk the path that our fathers have trod before us."

"Do the little things in life" ('Gwnewch y pethau bychain mewn bywyd') today is a very well-known phrase in Welsh.

David was buried at St. David's Cathedral where his shrine was a popular place of pilgrimage throughout the Middle Ages.

His feast day is March 1.

STAINED GLASS CATHEDRAL WINDOWS

2008-12-09T02:01:00.002Z

Some of the magnificent stained glass cathedral windows.

CHOIR SEATS

2008-12-08T08:40:00.002Z

Some of St. Davids Cathedral's unique choir seats.

CAERFAI BAY PRUNE ROCKS

2008-12-08T01:14:00.011Z

While Whitesands beach is quite big, Caerfai Bay is small.

But there is something magic in these prune rocks.

They are the same ones used to build our St. Davids Cathedral.

See the pictures, and notice the color of the rocks.

ST. DAVIDS LIFEBOAT STATION

2008-12-07T20:26:00.006Z

Martin Waters took this fantastic picture a month ago.

This is the traditional St. Davids Lifeboat Station in St. Junstinians.

The second picture, by Lyndon Lomax, opens the Lifeboat Web site and shows the rescue boat in full action after the launch.

For visits, please call Coxswain David John at 01437 720215.

Station hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., daily

WHITESANDS SUNSET

2008-12-07T20:15:00.006Z

Welsh Bloke has a collection of great pictures here about the best beach in St. Davids.

BACH CANTATAS

2008-12-07T13:59:00.004Z

Czech mezzo soprano Magdalena Kozõená leads a top lineup of soloists for three of Bach's most admired Cantatas (BWV 113, 179 & 199), with Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducting the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists in the St. Davids Cathedral, May 2007.

WHITESANDS

2008-12-07T03:15:00.006Z

A recent picture from The Guardian of St. Davids' Whitesands, one of the most beautiful beaches in Wales.

NEW BISHOP OF ST. DAVIDS

2008-12-07T02:55:00.007Z

The Dean of St. Davids Cathedral, the Very Reverend John Wyn Evans, was elected as the 128th bishop of the diocese by the Electoral College of the Church in Wales, at a lock-in meeting at the cathedral on Sept. 1.

Rev. Evans, 61, has served as dean for the past 14 years, during which time he was the driving force behind the £10m cathedral restoration project, which included the acclaimed rebuilding and expansion of the historic cloisters area.

Evans grew up in Aberystwyth, the son of the vicar of Aberystwyth, Efion Evans. He was educated at Ardwyn Grammar School, Aberystwyth, then studied archaeology at the University of Wales, Cardiff. He trained for the priesthood at St. Michael's College, Llandaff 1968-71 and has served all his ministry in the Diocese of St. Davids.

Ordained as a priest in 1972, Wyn served as a minor canon at St. Davids Cathedral from 1972-75.

A keen historian, the dean is an honorary fellow of the University of Wales, Lampeter, and a leading expert on the lives of the early Welsh saints and St. Davids Cathedral. He has recently edited a book, titled 'St David of Wales - Cult, Church and Nation'.

He is married to Diane, a professional potter in St. Davids.

Watch video footage of the election here.

(Via BBC Wales)

Pictured: the former Dean of St. Davids Cathedral, the Very Rev. John Wyn Evans, with the Archbishop of Wales, Dr. Barry Morgan.

A NEW INSHORE LIFEBOAT

2008-12-07T02:28:00.005Z

A few days ago, St. Davids had the Naming Dedication Ceremony for its new inshore lifeboat.

The lifeboat, which cost £31,000, was donated to St Davids Lifeboat Station by Mr. Richard Gurr from Solihull in the West Midlands in memory of his late parents, Myrtle and Trevor Gurr.

The ceremony was held in the St Davids Cathedral due to the bad weather.

The service started with Mr. Richard Gurr saying how proud he was that a lifeboat was to be named after his parents.

Captain James Wilcox, St. Davids lifeboat operations manager, accepted the lifeboat on behalf of St Davids Station and thanked the donor for his generosity.

St Davids Lifeboat Coxswain David John gave a vote of thanks to the donor and invited Mr. Gurr to name the lifeboat "Myrtle and Trevor Gurr."

Mr. Gurr said:

"Despite the fact I couldn't live further from the sea now, our family home was in Southend-on-Sea and my father especially enjoyed building small boats and being on the water. My parents would be delighted to know their memory lives on in such a worthwhile voluntary organisation. They would be incredibly proud that a lifeboat had been named after them, especially in such a wonderful location. Having lived in and around cities for most of my life, I was impressed by the friendliness of the people of St Davids during my recent visit. I received such a warm welcome from the St Davids RNLI crew and recognise the lifeboat is an integral part of the community life and will be delighted to be associated with her."

(Information and picture from the St. Davids RNLI)

WALKING ON LEGENDARY LAND

2008-12-07T01:47:00.007Z

St David, St Patrick, King Arthur ... In Pembrokeshire Christopher Somerville finds himself walking on legendary land.

The lead of his great Daily Telegraph piece:

A blowy Sunday morning in westernmost Pembrokeshire after a week of grey, horizontal weather – and boy, were we keen to see the sun. When the clouds began to shred away off the moor tops and the hint of a tint of blue shone through, we were out of our holiday cottage and down in St David's before you could blink... St David's is one of those neat little towns you don't want to leave in a hurry.

(Picture by Christopher Somerville)

WELCOME TO ST. DAVIDS!

2008-12-07T00:49:00.003Z

We came to St. Davids on our honeymoon in 1996.

We loved the people and the landscape of this unique Welsh city.

And we bought a very cozy house here: Ty Withey.

Since then, we have been occasional residents of St. Davids.

Deborah's dad was a Welsh emigrant, and Wales was in the blood of our family.

So, now that we are returning to St. Davids, we want to welcome you to our city and invite you not just to read this blog, but to come and visit us.

Welcome home!

Croeso gartref