Community

Posters recall key Airlift role for Sunderlands

Published

11 years ago

December 30, 2014

Panels presented to Heritage Centre: Owen Vaughan with volunteers Malcolm Miles and Steve Fletcher (Pic.
Martin Cavaney).

MEMORIES of the unique part that Sunderland flying boats played in the Berlin Airlift soon after World War II have been rekindled at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, thanks to artefacts donated by a former RAF airman. The centre, in the Royal Dockyard Chapel, has been given two large display panels which show the lifesaving aerial supply routes into besieged Berlin.

These were found in Berlin in the early 1970s by Owen Vaughan, then stationed at RAF Gatow. He kept them for 40 years before donating them to the Heritage Centre. In the late 1940s the Soviet Union and its allies blockaded Berlin and the only way to keep the city supplied was by air. In the early days of the Berlin Airlift Sunderlands played a major part carrying bulky cargos, particularly salt, into a lake, the Waan See, near the city from their base at Finkenwerder on the Baltic.

It was only when ice formed on the alighting areas that the Sunderlands were withdrawn from the operation. Many airmen stationed at RAF Pembroke Dock took part in the Airlift and Owen’s generous gift recalls a very important peacetime role for the Sunderlands. This is one of the Sunderland stories featured in the Heritage Centre’s education programme. Recently Owen, who lives in Pembroke, visited the Heritage Centre and presented the panels to Sunderland Trust Volunteers Malcolm Miles and Steve Fletcher.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

18 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)