Community

Army to conduct major training exercises at Castlemartin

Published

7 months ago

May 28, 2025

Hundreds of troops and tanks to descend on Pembrokeshire base

CASTLEMARTIN Training Area will host three major military exercises in 2025, involving hundreds of personnel and some of the British Army’s most advanced armoured vehicles.

The Royal Tank Regiment Battlegroup will be the first to arrive, conducting live-fire and manoeuvre training from 9 to 27 June. They will be followed by the Queen’s Royal Hussars from 13 October to 7 November, and then the Royal Welsh Battlegroup from 17 November to 5 December. Routine training will continue around these larger exercises.

***Royal Anglian Foxhound vehicles conducting both static and mobile ranges with the General-Purpose Machine Gun (Pic: MOD)***

The training is described as critical to the operational readiness of the units involved. The Royal Tank Regiment, the oldest tank unit in the world, and the Queen’s Royal Hussars, the Army’s senior armoured regiment, both operate the Challenger 2 main battle tank. The Royal Welsh is an armoured infantry regiment with roots dating back to 1689.

Castlemartin is one of only a few locations in the UK capable of hosting live-firing exercises at battlegroup level. The area supports complex, high-intensity training with multiple armoured fighting vehicles, helping ensure the Army’s frontline units remain prepared for deployment both at home and abroad.

Each exercise will involve significant military movement, with tanks and heavy vehicles transported to and from the area during the build-up period, roughly a week before training starts. This may result in some disruption to local traffic.

Live firing will take place Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 6:00pm, with night firing scheduled from Monday to Thursday between 8:00pm and 3:00am. These are the permitted windows, although activity may be limited on certain days.

Officials have pledged to keep disruption to the local community to a minimum. Firing schedules will be publicised locally to help residents plan ahead.

The site is managed by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, with support from Landmarc Support Services, which oversees the provision of training facilities across the UK.

Senior Training Safety Officer for Castlemartin, Major John Poole, said: “Castlemartin Training Area provides essential training opportunities for large-scale exercises that support the preparation of military personnel from multiple units. We remain grateful to the local population for their continued support.”

Further information and firing notices can be found on the official government website at www.gov.uk by searching ‘Castlemartin firing notices’.

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)