Community

Two local hospice charities present a musical night to remember

Published

2 years ago

February 4, 2024

A MOVING evening of music and commemoration was held last Saturday, 27th January 2024, at the hauntingly beautiful venue of St Davids Cathedral.

In their first-ever joint concert, hospice charities The Paul Sartori Foundation and Shalom House collaborated successfully to host a Light up a Life concert, an annual event that unites people together in remembering loved ones whom we have lost. Part of the Hospice UK movement’s calendar of events, the two foremost hospice charities in Pembrokeshire were thrilled to be working together to provide a moment of reflection and comfort and raised an incredible £00000 to keep providing vital end-of-life care to the county.

Shalom House caters to people with life-limiting illnesses from their Palliative Care Centre in St Davids, offering day care options as well as counselling, future care planning, and respite care for patients and their families. The Paul Sartori Foundation offers hospice at home services, including home nursing care, equipment hire for mobility and comfort, night care, bereavement services, and complementary therapy.

Both organisations offer a lifeline to those in need and were keen to work collaboratively to raise funds and awareness of their much-needed services.

The evening lived up to expectations; a packed-out audience was treated to many fantastic melodious performances. Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir filled the air with atmospheric traditional harmonies under the expert guidance of choir leader Sarah Sharpe, while the Paul Sartori Community Choir embraced more modern songs, ending their set with an incredible rendition of Adiemus by Karl Jenkins, led by choir leader Mark Heron.

Libby Noakes, Emma Louise Burton, and Jenny Noakes, also known as Gioelli, each performed a solo, with music ranging from musical theatre to Puccini. Each performance was so spellbinding that you could have heard a pin drop in the audience.

The reflective sounds of clarinet soloist Julie Conybeare, accompanied by Margaret Blackledge, echoed around the peaceful venue as audience members were invited to take a moment and light a candle in memory of loved ones lost. Then all the evening’s artists joined in singing ‘The Rose’, a very moving moment that was felt right around the Cathedral.

The evening could not have taken place without the sponsorship of local businesses Castle Hot Tubs, Calon Cymru Fostering, Richard Brothers, A Way with Flowers, KO Carpets, TBS Skip Hire, Thomas Turf, Lloyd & Pawlett, Nature Woodland, and The Retreats Group. Their support means that both hospice charities have benefitted greatly from this sold-out event and can continue to work together to provide hospice care options for the residents of Pembrokeshire.

Pictured above: The Paul Sartori Community Choir, Haverfordwest Male Voice Choir, Libbie Noakes, Emma Louise Burton, Jenny Noakes, Clarinet Soloist Julie Conybeare and Accompanist Margaret Blackledge, and representatives from the Paul Sartori Foundation and Shalom House. Photographs courtesy of RawPhotography https://rawphotography.me.uk

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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)