Twmbarlwm sunset hike to celebrate summer solstice
The hike will take place on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at Twmbarlwm, starting at 6.30pm, and is in aid of St David's Hospice.
The walk will take in the views from the hillfort, which overlooks Newport and the Severn estuary.
As part of the event, musician Anna Young will be playing a range of songs to enjoy before the walk and on departure.
Welsh bagpiper Matthew Bartlett will perform at the summit as walkers enjoy the sunset.
The five-mile route will begin at Cwmcarn Forest Drive, with signs and marshals pointing the way up the Twmbarlwm path, before descending via the forest drive back to the start/finish area at the bottom car park.
The hike, which has a light to medium difficulty level, will take walkers up to the peak of Twmbarlwm, which stands at 419m (1,375ft) high.
Event organisers are urging participants to bring a blanket to enjoy the sunset across the picturesque landscape.
The summer solstice walk can also be the perfect occasion to walk and remember a loved one, organisers say.
Participants are encouraged to take a moment at the top of the hillfort to reflect and remember those who have been lost.
Participants will meet at 6.30pm for a 7pm start and is set to finish at 10pm.
Registration will take place at the Cwmcarn Forest Drive visitor centre car park.
Entry fees begin at £5.
Although there is no set amount to be raised, all funds raised will help provide free hospice services.
For example, £10 pays for a patient to have lunch and afternoon tea in the day hospice, £120 pays towards one night of Hospice at Home Care, and £200 pays for a clinical nurse specialist to visit a patient and their family twice in a week to help stabilise their symptoms.
The registration fee includes refreshments at the start/finish, a bottle of water, a glow stick, walker number and pins, first aid cover, marshal support, a finishers medal, and support with fundraising.
For more information or to book a place, visit the St David's Hospice website.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Powys County Times
an hour ago
- Powys County Times
Delay Llanidloes hospital decision, Powys Health Board told
Calls have been made to Powys Teaching Health Board to delay the imminent decision on the potential permanent "downgrade" of Llanidloes Hospital. People living in town and surrounding area feel there has been a "consistent failure" to involve them in important decisions that could affect the town's hospital. Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Jane Dodds MS has shared her "deep and urgent concerns" with Powys Teaching Health Board (PTHB) about the future of healthcare provision in Llanidloes. She has called for PTHB's decision to be delayed until "meaningful" community engagement can be demonstrated with residents in the Llanidloes area. Ms Dodds says adopting the recent changes permanently would have a "profoundly detrimental" impact on Powys residents who heavily rely on the hospital's services. " Llanidloes Hospital holds significant value for the people of the town and surrounding areas, both practically and symbolically," the party leader told PTHB. "There are serious concerns about the lack of transparency and democratic engagement demonstrated by the Health Board throughout this process. "Many residents feel that there has been a consistent failure to adequately consult or involve the community in decisions that directly affect their healthcare provision. "The future of Llanidloes Hospital, and the wellbeing of those who depend on it, must not be determined without the meaningful input of the community it serves. "In light of this, I respectfully request that you delay your imminent decision on the potential permanent downgrade of the hospital, until you can demonstrate meaningful community engagement with the residents of the Llanidloes area. "Furthermore, I am calling for a reversal of the downgrade, and in particular a restoration of the ability of local GPs to admit local patients to the Hospital." Llanidloes county councillor and prospective Senedd member Glyn Preston also joined his party leader's criticism of PTHB's approach to engaging with the community following the temporary downgrade to the hospital's services last year. 'The Health Board promised a full and proper consultation with the local community during this trial period of the hospital being used as a 'Ready-to-go-home-unit',' Cllr Preston said. 'Despite that, there has been no meaningful in person consultation with Llanidloes residents, and the Health Board seemed poised to rubber-stamp the downgrade for good at their board meeting next month.' "Earlier this year we asked people and partner organisations across the county to share their views on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges for health services. We are grateful to hundreds of people who shared their views. 'Building on the what we heard this spring, the next stage of this work is now under way. This asks for ideas about how adult physical and mental health community services should be delivered in future. "There are lots of ways to get involved including by visiting our engagement website, popping in to your local library where printed information packs are available, or contacting us by phone, email or post to request a copy of our discussion document. 'The focus of our Better Together conversation during 2025 is on adult physical and mental health community services. After this, we will focus on planned care (such as routine outpatients, surgical day cases and investigations which help to identify a health condition or disease) followed by services which support children, families and women's health.
Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
'Inspiring' hospital chaplain dies as tributes paid to 'passionate and compassionate' woman
Reverend Captain Katie Watson has been described as a "unique, inspiring, passionate and compassionate" person who had touched thousands of lives. A popular hospital chaplain died just a month after being discharged from an inpatient mental health ward where she had been "treading water" for months, an inquest heard. Reverend Captain Katie Watson has been described by her partner Dr Emily Watson as a "unique, inspiring, passionate and compassionate" person who had touched thousands of lives. Capt Watson, who was an ordained deacon, appeared in the Channel 4 documentary Geordie Hospital and through her work at the RVI and the Freeman Hospitals she had become a much-loved local figure before her death on September 20 last year. The show, which highlighted work at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary and Freeman Hospital during the later periods of the Covid-19 pandemic, featured her on the wards supporting colleagues and patients, along with welfare dogs Poppy Jingles and Fern. As reported by the Chronicle, acting senior coroner Karin Welsh heard at the inquest how Rev'd Capt Watson's mental health had worsened through 2023 and she had struggled with issues including suicidal ideation. Welsh ruled In her conclusion that Rev'd Capt Watson's death was suicide. In her remarks, however, the coroner added that Rev'd Capt Watson had been absent from work due to her mental health for a period in late 2022, and then again from October 2023 - this latter absence followed a colleague's death. She had also experienced an interpersonal issue at work which contributed to her stress. Welsh also referred to how Rev'd Capt Watson had not had a named psychologist for a seven week period during her time as an inpatient- but said it would be "conjecture" to draw any firm conclusions about the impact this would have had on her discharge from hospital - or when that might have been. Another issue saw details of a discharge letter shared with Rev'd Capt Watson via the NHS App, causing her distress as elements of her "formulation" had not be discussed with her. Welsh also said she could "understand the position that Katie was treading water" when on the ward, rather than making progress with regard to her recovery. She added that issues at work had "clearly caused Katie distress" but added: "In my view these issues were managed appropriately by the trust." The coroner paid tribute to Rev'd Capt Watson, saying: "As an army captain, but then Chaplain Katie had great empathy for those she was involved with at work, where she went above and beyond." She said that "underlying issues" appeared to have come to the fore - and added: "In short, although some elements of her care could have been done differently, it's my view this would not have altered the outcome for Katie. Therefore my conclusion must be one of suicide." Acting senior coroner Welsh added that those she worked with in pathology had spoken highly of Rev'd Capt Watson - and that she was described as "exceptionally helpful" in complex and difficult cases involving the deaths of children. Following the inquest, Dr Watson paid a moving tribute. She said: "Katie was a unique, inspiring, passionate and compassionate person who touched the lives of thousands of people. I am very grateful for the many hundreds of cards and messages I received when she died, and all the stories of how her ministry supported people at some of their darkest times. It is desperately sad that she wasn't able to see for herself how loved she was, and I am sorry that mental health services in their current condition were not able to help her. She is deeply missed by us all." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The inquest earlier evidence both from the psychiatric consultants - employed by the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Trust - who were responsible for Rev'd Capt Watson's care in hospital and in the community. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust joint medical director Dr Michael Wright also gave evidence as to the issues experienced at work. Dr Wright said: "It's of immense concern to me and many others that a member of staff - one of our members of staff most valued by others - clearly at times did not feel that way. We have all reflected as to whether we did all we could to make her feel valued and [to show her] quite how important she was to our organisation. Procedures and processes were followed but does that mean there isn't anything we can learn from this? Absolutely not." He agreed that Revd Capt Watson was a "huge miss" and said work was ongoing to embed an NHS England "toolkit" designed to prevent NHS staff from dying due to suicide. The inquest had heard how her "exceptionally high standards" may have put herself under significant strain, while psychiatrists also referred to her experience of trauma during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic. In court, Dr Watson queried why the trauma that her partner had experienced was not considered a greater factor in her diagnostic "formulation" while an inpatient - which instead focussed on "personality traits" and "emotionally unstable personality disorder". It was an element of this diagnosis was mentioned in a letter that one of Rev'd Capt Watson's consultants had not realised would be uploaded to her NHS App - and this caused her "significant distress" in the weeks prior to her death. However, Dr Faheem Ahmad said the opinion of staff at the inpatient ward during her months-long admission had been that Capt Watson's struggles were focussed around situations at her workplace and her "anger" at those. Dr Rachael Hall spoke in court to say she had not realised this would be the case and had made an urgent effort - accepted by Rev'd Capt Watson, to speak with her, explain the situation and continue their work together. Rev'd Capt Watson's death last autumn saw huge numbers of tributes - including from the senior Church of England Bishop of Newcastle and Northumberland. Right Reverend Dr Helen-Ann Hartley and the Right Reverend Mark Wroe. They said: "It is with a profound sense of sadness and grief that we received the news about Katie, and our first thoughts are with her partner Emily and their children and all who knew and loved Katie. "From her much valued work as a hospital chaplain, which reached beyond the bounds of the North East, to her many colleagues from her past career, and the sporting and running communities she was a part of, to all of us here in the Diocese of Newcastle, we mourn her death with a deep feeling of loss."
Wales Online
7 hours ago
- Wales Online
Welsh tourist vanishes on holiday and found on life support in hospital
Welsh tourist vanishes on holiday and found on life support in hospital It's thought 29-year-old Ashton Jones, from Cwmbran, was violently attacked after he became separated from his friends Ashton Jones is gravely ill in a Thai hospital (Image: Wales News Service ) A British tourist who mysteriously vanished on a night out in Thailand was found on life support in hospital – and his family fear he won't survive unless he is brought back home. Ashton Jones, 29, went on a last-minute trip to Bangkok but was separated from his friends on a night out. His family have no idea what happened before he was found in a hospital having emergency brain surgery – and is now fighting for his life nearly 6,000 miles away from home. And to make it worse Ashton didn't take out holiday insurance before jetting off 6,000 miles to Bangkok. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here. His worried grandmother Beverley Walker, of Cwmbran is desperately trying to raise money to pay for his medical care and bring him back home to Wales. She said Ashton had travelled to Thailand with a lifelong friend on May 30 and on arrival met up with another friend. Article continues below Ashton Jones with his grandmother Beverley Walker (Image: Wales News Service ) But five days into his trip the family received the worst news that he had gone missing after a night out partying. His friends spent hours searching for Ashton after he went missing from the nightclub they were in. He was found in hospital in Thailand and medics believe Ashton, who has epilepsy, was violently attacked. Beverley said: 'I am deeply concerned that without immediate financial or diplomatic assistance my grandson may not survive. 'The emotional toll on our family is immense. We are heartbroken and fearful, watching from afar while Ashton suffers without the care he urgently requires.' Beverley said on Monday, nearly a week after Ashton went into hospital on June 3, workers at Chonburi Hospital tried to wake him up. She added: 'It was a success but he still has a long way to go. He's bedbound and suffering with fits, cannot talk, eat, or drink and isn't aware. 'We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home.' Ashton's trip was only booked at the last minute and he didn't have any travel insurance (Image: Wales News Service ) But Ashton's treatment and funding to bring him to the UK will cost the family thousands, which is way more than they can afford to pay. As he went out to Thailand at short notice Beverley said he 'did the unthinkable' and travelled without taking out any insurance. The family have set up a GoFundMe page in a bid to raise £50,000 to help cover medical expenses and to bring him home. So far more than £3,000 has been raised by more than 100 donors since the fundraiser was launched. Beverley said: 'The hospital in Thailand is asking for the cost of his treatment on going that is far beyond what our family can afford. 'In the meantime Ashton's condition continues to deteriorate and it feels as though we are being left helpless as time runs out. 'We have already put together life savings for medical bills, flights, travel, accommodation to be with him but would never be able to afford to get him home to better health care and his family. 'We all as a family are worried sick with fear for Ashton and how we can bring him home. 'So please any donations made towards getting Ashton home is appreciated beyond words can describe. 'From the bottom of our hearts thank you.' You can donate to the fundraiser here. Article continues below A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'We are supporting a British man who has been hospitalised in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.' Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.
