Community

A portrait of St Davids: Local artist captures the faces of Britain’s smallest city

Published

10 months ago

March 2, 2025

A REMARKABLE art project, over a decade in the making, is bringing the faces of St Davids to life in a way never seen before. The ambitious City of Portraits (Dinas Portreadau) project by artist Grahame Hurd-Wood is a love letter to the tight-knit Pembrokeshire community, aiming to paint every one of the 1,800 residents of Britain’s smallest city.

So far, Hurd-Wood has painted 1,000 portraits, each a vivid depiction of the people who make St Davids unique. From the local butcher and shopkeepers to a Welsh international rugby player and even the Bishop of St Davids, the faces tell a story of community, connection, and belonging. This weekend, in a fitting tribute to Wales’ patron saint, the portraits will be displayed in Cardiff for the first time, coinciding with St David’s Day.

“It’s been a huge undertaking,” said Hurd-Wood. “But it’s become a joyful celebration of the people in my life—those who have shaped me, supported me, and been part of my journey.”

Yet, the project’s origins are rooted in grief. It began when Hurd-Wood’s fiancée, Debbie Best, asked him to paint her portrait as she battled cancer. Though he finished it only after her passing, she had urged him to keep painting others. What started as a personal act of remembrance evolved into a visual chronicle of the people of St Davids.

“The project is about more than just Debbie,” he said. “It’s about my parents, my sister, and everyone who experiences loss. Painting these portraits helped me process my grief, and I hope they bring something to those who sit for them.”

Hurd-Wood prefers his subjects to sit for him, though the pandemic forced him to work from photographs at times. He doesn’t follow a strict selection process—word of mouth and casual encounters in the city often lead to new portraits. Some from neighbouring areas have even asked if they “count.” His answer? Absolutely.

Each portrait is painted in oils or acrylics, arranged in grids of 35 faces per canvas. With the population ever-changing, the project may never be complete, but that’s part of its charm. “It’s a lifetime’s work,” said Hurd-Wood. “There will always be new faces, new stories.”

While the Cardiff exhibition has the backing of First Minister Eluned Morgan—who herself has Pembrokeshire roots—this project belongs firmly to St Davids. It is a celebration of its people, past and present, and a lasting tribute to the community’s spirit.

For those in Pembrokeshire, the hope is that City of Portraits will return home for a local exhibition, allowing the community to see itself reflected on canvas—a true testament to the vibrant life of this small but mighty city.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

15 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

2 days 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 days 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)