Community

Rare 1588 Welsh Bible goes on display in Pembrokeshire for first time

Published

6 months ago

June 16, 2025

A RARE copy of the first full translation of the Bible into Welsh is being exhibited in Wales for the first time—more than 430 years after it was printed.

The 1588 edition, translated by Bishop William Morgan, has been kept in the library of Westminster Abbey since its publication during the reign of Elizabeth I—the same year as the Spanish Armada.

The Bible will be on public display at St Davids Cathedral from Monday (June 17) until Tuesday (July 9).

Morgan was commissioned to produce a standard Welsh-language Bible by uniting earlier translations of different sections of scripture. He travelled to London to supervise the printing process, which took several weeks due to the printers’ unfamiliarity with the Welsh language.

During that time, he stayed at the Abbey’s deanery as a guest of Gabriel Goodman, a fellow Welshman and then-Dean of Westminster. Upon completion, Morgan gifted a copy to the Abbey with a Latin dedication, and the book has remained in its library ever since.

Although 900 copies were originally printed—with the aim of placing one in every church and chapel in Wales—most were heavily used and are now in poor condition. The Westminster Abbey copy is in exceptional shape, having been used only once in service, at a Welsh-language church in London in 1988.

Tony Trowles, librarian and head of collections at the Abbey, said: “Because they were used weekly or even daily, surviving copies in Wales are often in poor condition. Ours is unusually well preserved.”

The volume was originally chained to a library shelf to prevent its removal. It was printed using a complex method that involved typesetting every letter in reverse and printing multiple pages on single sheets, later bound in leather over wooden boards.

“This is the first time it’s returned to Wales,” said Mr Trowles. “And we believe it’s the first time it’s ever been publicly exhibited.”

The Right Reverend Dorrien Davies, Bishop of St Davids, said: “It is a special treasure of the Welsh language and we are honoured to host it at St Davids Cathedral.”

The Dean of St Davids, the Very Reverend Dr Sarah Rowland Jones, added: “It seems fitting that its first visit to Wales should be to the home of our patron saint, and we’re pleased to share it with Christians of all traditions.”

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)