Community

Electric car clubs grow in Pembrokeshire

Published

12 years ago

January 6, 2014

THERE ARE now four electric car clubs in the UK, with three of them in Pembrokeshire. The Pembrokeshire Electric Car Clubs are the only ones which are rural, non-commercial and where the members know who has got the car, and can get in touch with each other.

The first club started in April this year with a grant to a community group near Newport. They were able to subsidise a second club, which started a month later in St. Davids. Since then, a third started without funding also near St. Davids. Each club is leasing a Nissan Leaf, and last week the clubs held a Christmas get together to compare notes.

It was found that each is in good health. The last car has done over 4,000 miles in around two months with the car used six days of the week by the nine members. The second club has new members joining monthly and is seeking to include younger drivers, who are excluded from driving by the cost of insurance. The first club’s car is also used about 40 times a month, and is considering a choice of second vehicle.

Chair of Cilgwyn community, Vicky Moller said: “We have enough funding to help groups to start up. We can tell any group of people who live near enough to each other to share a car, how to get on the road and can provide up to £1,000 to help this to happen. We can also help find an affordable vehicle, back up advice and an easy booking system. It is a simple idea that works, it saves money for all the users, and it is also sociable. It makes us environment angels, and that also feels good.”

All the clubs have some renewable energy, which often provides free fuel, though a lack of fast charge points is a limitation. There is a charge point in Haverfordwest car park and half hour rapid points are being installed across Britain so that members have just started taking journeys to London and Bristol for zero fuel costs.

Car sharing is growing rapidly, as people abandon car ownership and join a scheme where they pay as they drive. Users find it saves money in a number of ways and also the headache of ownership. But rural car clubs are in their infancy. The three electric car clubs in Pembrokeshire freely admit they feel like pioneers in a new field. They are meeting and overcoming challenges and enjoying the feeling of being ahead.

For help to start a shared car scheme in your neighbourhood get in touch [email protected] or 01239 820971

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

2 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

2 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

23 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).