Community

Christmas Fair attracts nearly 10,000

Published

11 years ago

December 17, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Castle Christmas: Local businesses supports Pembroke icon.

LAST weekend saw the Pembroke Castle Christmas Market take place for the third year in succession. The market ran from Friday November 29 through to Sunday December 1 and attracted both tourists and residents alike, who enjoyed local food and drink, a large marquee market and, for the children, Santa’s Grotto as well as various rides.

The Herald spoke with Castle manager, John Williams, who explained a bit more about the event: “It’s our third year of doing the Christmas market and it gets bigger and better every year; this year we have some sixty stall holders selling all sorts of things such as craft items, jewellery, gift items and toys. We’ve had over seven thousand people so far and we expect to get between 8 to 9 thousand people by the end.

We also have entertainment, school choirs, a brass band, as well as a sea shanty band. Also here are Pembrokeshire Falconry and there are rides for the kids along with a snow machine!” He went on to say how the event benefits the castle and the local community: “We don’t look to make money out of this event, as it is a community event. It’s more about profile. We have support from Valero and the Town Council, both for the infrastructure and the financials and we believe it’s a shot in the arm for Pembroke, with a knock-on effect for the Town whereby people come back here.”

“People come to an event like this and it reminds them that this is a magical place to be, that is right on their doorstep. Between 90 to 100 thousand people come here every year, and about 70% of those come between Easter and the end of the summer holidays, so we are a tourist destination first and foremost. However, we get visitors all year round including lots of heritage visitors. An event like this here this weekend gets lots of local families out, and it’s nice to see so many families with young children, who in turn will bring their children. They will have special memories of enjoying the Castle and it bodes well for years to come.”

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

16 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)