Community

New year, learn to surf the web?

Published

11 years ago

December 17, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Getting connected: Using the internet opens up a whole new world!

NOW is the time to get online as Canolfan Hermon is gearing up to get local communities linked to the net in the New Year with a series of different training courses. The courses will roll out over a number of weeks, starting in January, with the aim of helping beginners find their way around personal computers and tablets for the first time, in order to access online services and information. Four in five people in Wales use the Internet and are able to take advantage of the opportunities that the digital world presents.

Canolfan Hermon is committed to helping some of the ‘one in five’ living locally, who are not yet part of the digital revolution with the help of funding from Communities 2.0, a Welsh Government project which tackles digital exclusion across Wales. The courses are free of charge, and hope to encourage certain groups within our communities including the over 50s, people with disabilities, or those who are economically inactive; although the criteria is quite broad and anyone interested shouldn’t be discouraged from making an enquiry about the courses.

Phil Hughes, Centre Cocoordinator at Canolfan Hermon said: “The courses are really aimed at improving people’s lives, particularly people who may feel that digital technology has somehow passed them by. Going online can help people communicate more easily with family and friends, shop for goods at competitive prices, which is particularly helpful in rural areas like ours where transport and access can still be a problem. Also more and more public services are only available online, so a certain level of computer skills is essential to access these services.”

Phil Hughes continued: “With Christmas coming up it’s likely that some people will receive a laptop or tablet as a gift, and may not know how to use it. Our iPad or tablet course can help with that. One of your New Year’s resolutions might be to sort out your finances – our course ‘Money Made Clear’ could be the ideal solution. Maybe you need to look for a new job, Web for Work’ could help you out. Ultimately getting online is about people not feeling isolated and helping them to benefit, both as citizens and consumers.

We’re delighted that Canolfan Hermon can play such a vital role in driving forward this important community learning by using the bespoke training facilities at Community Resource Centre.” The courses will be run at Canolfan Hermon, during the daytime, for small groups of people – generally no more than 4 – 6 people in a group. There will be plenty of individual intuition in a non-competitive environment. If you want to take advantage of these courses, or know a friend, relative or neighbour who would like to learn how to use a computer or tablet to surf the web, we want to hear about it. We can help to train people how to email, browse the web, uuse an online service, communicate with social media or get connected to the Internet at home.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

18 hours 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

19 hours 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)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).