THE PAUL SARTORI FOUNDATION held its Volunteer Long Service Awards on Sunday 13th of October 2024 at Crundale Community Hall. This heartfelt celebration recognised the dedicated volunteers’ unwavering commitment and contributions to the end-of-life charity. The event celebrated 5-, 10-, 15, 20 and 25-year milestones of those who give their time to help their community. 

This year’s event was made extra special through the generous support of local businesses, whose contributions allowed Paul Sartori to honour remarkable individuals in a meaningful way. “A sincere thank you goes to Morrisons, who provided a voucher that contributed towards the event. ; to Richards Bros for their assistance in transporting our volunteers to the event and a special mention and heartfelt appreciation goes to the Ascona Group, whose generous donation of £500 made the event possible,” said Judith Williams, Grant Development Officer, “ Their support allowed us to add thoughtful touches to the event, celebrating each milestone with a badge and a certificate to acknowledge the value volunteers bring to the Foundation.” 

Eleanor Evans, the Paul Sartori Volunteering Officer, led the event, expressing her gratitude to all those who make the Paul Sartori Foundation’s mission a reality. “Our volunteers are the lifeblood of this charity,” Eleanor shared. ” They play a vital role and make a big difference. We are so grateful for their support and commitment.

“A huge congratulations to each volunteer honoured today.” 

The certificates were presented by Mr Phil Thompson MBE, Trustee of Paul Sartori who acknowledged their dedication and compassion which enables the charity to provide end-of-life care to those in need across Pembrokeshire. 

The Volunteer Long Service Awards will now continue as an annual event and serve as a moment of recognition and a testament to the community’s spirit of giving and solidarity. Through the support of local businesses, and the heartfelt efforts of the charity’s team, the event was a reminder of the power of people coming together and giving of their time for one great cause. Together, we continue to make a difference! 

The charity has one of the largest volunteering programmes in Pembrokeshire with a wide variety of roles. They support many areas, and roles include Sorters, Till Operators, Warehouse Drivers and Assistants, Community Fundraisers – to name a few.

Volunteers are always welcomed and individuals who are interested in volunteering for Paul Sartori Hospice at Home can contact Eleanor Evans, Volunteering Officer to have an informal discussion on 01437 763223 or email [email protected]. 

IN ST DAVID’S Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA will hold an Open Evening on Thursday, October 24 at its Dewi Campus in Millard Park, St Davids, Haverfordwest.

The event, scheduled from 5:00pm to 7:30pm, invites prospective students and their families to learn more about the school’s offerings.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the campus, meet with staff, and discover the school’s emphasis on achievement, inclusion, and respect. This event is designed to provide a comprehensive insight into the academic and extracurricular opportunities available at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA.

Prospective families can expect a warm welcome from the staff and a chance to engage with current students, gaining a firsthand understanding of the school’s community and values.

For more information, please contact Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA at [email protected] or call +44 (0) 1437 809200.

TORCH THEATRE audiences are in for a treat this October and November as the Comedy Club – Clwb Comedi comes to town. With well-known artists featuring on both nights, and programmed in conjunction with Little Wander, the people behind the iconic Machynlleth Comedy Festival, get prepared for two nights of serious belly-laughs.

The first Comedy Club-Clwb Comedi night will be held on Saturday 26 October at 7.30pm with the second night, and different acts on Friday 29 November at 7.30pm.

On the first night, the Torch Theatre welcomes Brighton based Dan Jones, (MC): Dan won Breakthrough Comedian of the Year in Amused Moose National New Comic awards 2019, and also Rising Star New Act of the Year finalist in the same year. He was also Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year 2022 Finalist and described by Rhod Gilbert as “Definitely one to watch.“

Dan will be joined by the ‘Welsh delight’ Anna Thomas – Winner of the BBC New Comedian of the Year, 2021 and nominated for the Sean Lock Award on Channel 4, 2023. Anna Thomas is an award-winning comedian, originally hailing from Carmarthenshire, south Wales.

The award-winning Paul F Taylor,one of the UK’s most exciting and distinctive stand-up performers with his unique brand of humour fuses quirky offbeat one liners with surreal observational flights of fancy to fantastical effect and will also appear on the Torch stage this October. Nominated as NATY New Act Of The Year and more recently GQ Magazine’s comedian of the week, Paul’s persona of a lost bewildered fool sits perfectly alongside his gleefully madcap ideas. Paul co-wrote and performed in The Claudia Winkelman Show on BBC Radio 2.

The second Comedy Club-Clwb Comedi night at the end of November will welcome Sam Williams (MC) – an award-winning comedian, writer and actor from Maidenhead. His vivid brand of confessional standup has been met with acclaim on the live circuit, winning the Komedia New Comedy Award in 2023, before making his TV debut on BBC Three’s New Comedy Awards in the same year.

In 2024 he is set to appear on Season 6 of ITV2’s Standup Sketch Show, and has been selected for the Pleasance Comedy Reserve, one of the Fringe’s most prestigious mixed bill showcases. His writing credits include Late Night Mash (Dave), Almost Never (CBBC), Newsjack (4Xtra), and Breaking The News (BBC Radio Scotland).

Next up will be Amy Mason, described by Bridget Christie as “A born comic. Can’t wait to see her progress to a national treasure.’ Amy is a comedian, writer and theatre maker who performs comedy across the U.K. A Funny Woman finalist, Amy has multiple TV projects in development with production companies, has written and performed two monologues for Radio 4 and has written for The News Quiz and Hypothetical (Dave). She has made 3 acclaimed autobiographical shows with Bristol Old Vic and has a current development commission with the theatre. In 2014 Amy won the Dundee International Book Prize with her novel The Other Ida.

And last, but most definitely not least – Harriet Dyer (as seen on Rosie Jones’ Disability Comedy Extravaganza, Comedy Central Live, The Russell Howard Hour). Harriet was a main writer for both seasons of Jon Richardson’s Channel Hopping and wrote and starred in Meet the Richardson’s. Winner of Neurodivergent Representation Award at Edinburgh Fringe 2022. A full-time comic since 2013, she’s had numerous critically acclaimed shows, works for many of the big clubs and festivals, regularly gigs overseas, and prides herself in being totally original! – An experience to behold, if you will.

Comedy Club – Clwb Comedi will appear on the Torch Theatre stage on Saturday 26 October at 7.30pm and Friday 29 November at 7.30pm. Tickets are £14.00 for each night. For tickets, phone the Box Office on 01646 695267 or visit torchtheatre.co.uk.