Community

County pays tribute on 80th anniversary of VJ Day

Published

4 months ago

August 15, 2025

SERVICES were held across Pembrokeshire today (Friday, August 15) to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, honouring those who served and sacrificed during the Second World War’s final chapter.

Ceremonies took place at Cenotaphs in St Davids, Tenby, and Haverfordwest, where wreaths were laid and moments of silence observed in memory of the fallen.

***Wreath laying in Tenby (Image: Gareth Davies)***

In Milford Haven, a service was held this morning at St Katharine’s Church, attended by local dignitaries, veterans, serving members of the armed forces, community representatives, and schoolchildren. The Mayor, dressed in ceremonial robes, laid a wreath at the town’s memorial as the Union Flag bearing the VJ Day 80 emblem was flown.

***Firefighters and staff at Haverfordwest Fire Stat*****ion paying their respects**

Firefighters at Haverfordwest Fire Station also marked the occasion this morning, standing in silence outside the station alongside colleagues and community representatives to remember those who served in the Far East campaign.

***Mayor lays a wreath in the City of St Davids (Image: St Davids Cathedral)***

In Tenby, the town’s mayor joined naval and air cadets for a wreath-laying ceremony at the town’s war memorial, where members of the public gathered to witness the tribute.

VJ Day marks the date in 1945 when Emperor Hirohito addressed the Japanese people directly for the first time in history, speaking via a recorded radio broadcast — the Gyokuon-hōsō or “Jewel Voice Broadcast” — to announce Japan’s acceptance of the Allied surrender terms. The speech, recorded onto shellac phonograph discs and played nationwide, used formal, indirect language, telling the nation it must “endure the unendurable” and bring the war to an end.

While 15 August signalled the end of fighting and is commemorated as VJ Day in the UK and Commonwealth, the formal surrender ceremony took place later, on 2 September 1945, aboard the US battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay — the date recognised as VJ Day in the United States.

Today’s anniversary ensures that the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought in the Far East, and the moment the Second World War finally drew to a close, are never forgotten.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

7 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

1 day 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

1 day 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)