On Saturday 25 October 2025, the annual St John Ambulance Cymru Visitation and Investiture service took place at St Asaph Cathedral in North Wales, acknowledging those who have selflessly given their time to support the charity and their local communities.
The Priory for Wales is the Welsh branch of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem, which traces its origins back to the Knights Hospitaller in the Middle Ages.
The occasion saw new admissions and promotions within the Order of St John, including Craig Jones, Commissioner for North Wales, who was promoted to Commander for 36 years of voluntary service and leadership.
Several volunteers were formally admitted as Members, among them Eric Goulden, honoured for raising more than £71,000 by walking over 1,000 miles around Wales, Ceri Hibbert, North Wales Deputy County Training Manager, Hannah Jones of Wrexham Division, and Collette Stanford of Holywell Division.
Long-service awards were also presented, recognising between 10 and 40 years of dedicated contribution. Marion Thomson of Aberystwyth received a 10-year award. Isobel Brandon, Stephen More and Collette Stanford were honoured for 15 years. Alyn Carroll received a 20-year award, Peter Carroll marked 25 years, and David White, Chair of the North Wales St John Council, was recognised for 40 years’ service.
Youth achievements were also highlighted as part of the ceremony. Four Cadets were presented with the Grand Prior Award, the organisation’s highest youth honour, while three members of the charity’s Badger groups received the Super Badger Award for completing over three years of development and community work.
The Prior for Wales also issued a Priory Vote of Thanks to the North Wales Freemasons in recognition of their support for upgrading the charity’s fleet of Community Support Units.
Reflecting on the weekend, Paul Griffiths OBE KStJ JP DL, Prior for Wales, said:
“Our annual service in St Asaph was a reminder of the compassion and dedication our volunteers show every day.
“Their unwavering commitment strengthens communities across Wales and reflects the very best of the Order of St John. I left the cathedral incredibly proud of every person who gives their time so selflessly to our charity.”
St John Ambulance Cymru leaders said the Visitation offered a visible moment of thanks, providing formal recognition while renewing volunteers’ commitment to delivering lifesaving first aid, community training and event support across Wales. Following the service, attendees mingled to share stories and connect across divisions, reinforcing the charity’s strong local presence.
Admissions and Promotions to the Priory for Wales of the Order of St John
Promotion to Commander
Craig Jones – North Wales
Admission as Member
Eric Goulden – North Wales
Ceri Hibbert – North Wales
Hannah Jones – North Wales
Collette Stanford – North Wales
Long Service Awards
Marion Thomson - Dyfed
Awarded for 10 years’ service, currently serving as Deputy Children & Young People Leader at Aberystwyth Division.
Isobel Brandon - North Wales
Awarded for 15 years’ service, currently serving as Divisional Manager of Llandudno Division.
Stephen More - Headquarters
Awarded for 15 years’ service, currently serving as National Clinical Officer (Service Delivery).
Collette Stanford - North Wales
Awarded for 15 years’ service, currently serving as Divisional Manager at Holywell Division.
Alyn Carroll - North Wales
Awarded for 20 years’ service, currently serving as Support Adult Member at Holywell Division.
Peter Carroll - North Wales
Awarded for 25 years’ service, currently serving as Divisional Cadet Leader at Holywell Division.
David White - North Wales
Awarded for 40 years’ service, currently serving as Chair of the North Wales St John Council.
Youth Awards
Grand Prior Awards
Joshua Breckley-Davies – North Wales
Jayden Davies – North Wales
Oliver Gray – North Wales
Callum Headland – North Wales
Super Badger Awards
Reggie Gray – North Wales
Cerys Greenwood – North Wales
Michael Lister – North Wales
Priory Vote of Thanks
North Wales Freemasons
The North Wales Freemasons have been supporting St John Ambulance Cymru for a number of years. Most recently, they have been instrumental in helping us renew our fleet through the purchase of new Community Support Units.
Gwirfoddolwyr yn cael eu hanrhydeddu yn ystod gwasanaeth Ymweliad St John Ambulance Cymru yn Llanelwy
Cynhaliwyd gwasanaeth Ymweliad ac Arwisgo blynyddol St John Ambulance Cymru yng Nghadeirlan Llanelwy yng Ngogledd Cymru ar ddydd Sadwrn 25 Hydref 2025, i gydnabod y rhai sydd wedi rhoi o'u hamser yn anhunanol i gefnogi'r elusen a'u cymunedau lleol.
Priordy Cymru yw cangen Gymreig Urdd Fwyaf Hybarch Ysbyty Sant Ioan o Jerwsalem, sy'n olrhain ei gwreiddiau yn ôl i Farchogion yr Ysbyty yn y Canol Oesoedd.
Gwelodd yr achlysur dderbyniadau a dyrchafiadau newydd o fewn Urdd Sant Ioan, gan gynnwys Craig Jones, Comisiynydd Gogledd Cymru, a gafodd ei ddyrchafu’n Gomander am 36 mlynedd o wasanaeth gwirfoddol ac arweinyddiaeth.
Derbyniwyd nifer o wirfoddolwyr yn ffurfiol fel Aelodau, yn eu plith Eric Goulden, a anrhydeddwyd am godi mwy na £71,000 trwy gerdded dros 1,000 milltir o amgylch Cymru; Ceri Hibbert, Dirprwy Reolwr Hyfforddiant y Sir ar gyfer Gogledd Cymru; Hannah Jones o Adran Wrecsam, a Collette Stanford o Adran Treffynnon.
Cyflwynwyd gwobrau gwasanaeth hir hefyd, gan gydnabod rhwng 10 a 40 mlynedd o gyfraniad ymroddedig. Derbyniodd Marion Thomson o Aberystwyth wobr 10 mlynedd. Anrhydeddwyd Isobel Brandon, Stephen More a Collette Stanford am 15 mlynedd. Derbyniodd Alyn Carroll wobr 20 mlynedd, Peter Carroll wobr 25 mlynedd, a chydnabuwyd David White, Cadeirydd Cyngor St John ar gyfer Gogledd Cymru, am 40 mlynedd o wasanaeth.
Cafodd cyflawniadau pobl ifanc eu dathlu hefyd fel rhan o'r seremoni. Cyflwynwyd Gwobr y Prif Brior, anrhydedd ieuenctid uchaf y sefydliad, i bedwar Cadét, a derbyniodd tri aelod o grwpiau Moch Daear yr elusen Gwobr y Bathodyn Uwch am gwblhau dros dair blynedd o waith datblygu a chymunedol.
Hefyd, cyhoeddodd y Prior i Gymru Bleidlais o Ddiolch y Priordy i Seiri Rhyddion Gogledd Cymru i gydnabod eu cefnogaeth i uwchraddio fflyd yr elusen o Unedau Cymorth Cymunedol.
Wrth fyfyrio ar y penwythnos, dywedodd Paul Griffiths OBE KStJ JP DL, y Prior i Gymru:
“Roedd ein gwasanaeth blynyddol yn Llanelwy yn ein hatgoffa o’r tosturi a’r ymroddiad y mae ein gwirfoddolwyr yn ei ddangos bob dydd.
“Mae eu hymrwymiad diysgog yn cryfhau cymunedau ledled Cymru ac yn adlewyrchu’r gorau o Urdd Sant Ioan. Gadewais yr eglwys gadeiriol yn hynod falch o bob person sy’n rhoi o’u hamser i’n helusen yn mor anhunanol.”
Dywedodd arweinwyr St John Ambulance Cymru fod yr Ymweliad yn cynnig eiliad weledol o ddiolch, gan ddarparu cydnabyddiaeth ffurfiol wrth adnewyddu ymrwymiad gwirfoddolwyr i ddarparu cymorth cyntaf achub bywyd, hyfforddiant cymunedol a chefnogaeth i ddigwyddiadau ledled Cymru.Following the service, attendees mingled to share stories and connect across divisions, reinforcing the charity’s strong local presence.
Derbyniadau a Dyrchafiadau i Briordy Cymru o Urdd St John
Dyrchafiad i Gomander
Craig Jones – Gogledd Cymru
Derbyn fel Aelod
Eric Goulden – Gogledd Cymru
Ceri Hibbert – Gogledd Cymru
Hannah Jones – Gogledd Cymru
Collette Stanford – Gogledd Cymru
Gwobrau Gwasanaeth Hir
Marion Thomson - Dyfed
Dyfarnwyd am 10 mlynedd o wasanaeth, ac ar hyn o bryd yn gwasanaethu fel Dirprwy Arweinydd Plant a Phobl Ifanc ar gyfer Adran Aberystwyth.
Isobel Brandon - Gogledd Cymru
Dyfarnwyd am 15 mlynedd o wasanaeth, ac ar hyn o bryd yn gwasanaethu Rheolwr Adran Llandudno.
Stephen More - Pencadlys
Dyfarnwyd am 15 mlynedd o wasanaeth, gan wasanaethu ar hyn o bryd fel Swyddog Clinigol Cenedlaethol (Cyflenwi Gwasanaethau).
Collette Stanford – Gogledd Cymru
Dyfarnwyd am 15 mlynedd o wasanaeth, ac ar hyn o bryd yn gwasanaethu fel Rheolwr Adran Treffynnon.
Alyn Carroll - Gogledd Cymru
Wedi'i ddyfarnu am 20 mlynedd o wasanaeth, gan wasanaethu ar hyn o bryd fel Aelod Cymorth i Oedolion yn Adran Treffynnon.
Peter Carroll - Gogledd Cymru
Dyfarnwyd am 25 mlynedd o wasanaeth, ar hyn o bryd yn gwasanaethu fel Arweinydd Cadetiaid Adran Treffynnon.
David White - Gogledd Cymru
Dyfarnwyd am 40 mlynedd o wasanaeth, ar hyn o bryd yn gwasanaethu fel Cadeirydd Cyngor St John ar gyfer Gogledd Cymru.
Gwobrau Ieuenctid
Gwobr y Prif Brior
Joshua Breckley-Davies – Gogledd Cymru
Jayden Davies – Gogledd Cymru
Oliver Gray – Gogledd Cymru
Callum Headland – Gogledd Cymru
Gwobrau’r Bathodyn Uwch
Reggie Gray – Gogledd Cymru
Cerys Greenwood – Gogledd Cymru
Michael Lister – Gogledd Cymru
Pleidlais o Ddiolch y Priordy
Seiri Rhyddion Gogledd Cymru
Mae Seiri Rhyddion Gogledd Cymru wedi bod yn cefnogi St John Ambulance Cymru ers nifer o flynyddoedd. Yn fwyaf diweddar, maent wedi bod yn allweddol wrth ein helpu i adnewyddu ein fflyd trwy brynu Unedau Cymorth Cymunedol newydd.