Charity

New piano strikes a chord for Paul Sartori Community Choir

Published

9 months ago

September 19, 2025

HAVERFORDWEST Town Council and Haverfordwest High VC School have helped the Paul Sartori Community Choir hit the right note with the purchase of a new digital piano.

A grant of £699 from the Town Council and a £100 donation from the school, combined with the choir’s own funds, have allowed the group to replace their ageing keyboard with a modern, portable instrument. The new piano will provide improved sound quality and volume control for weekly rehearsals and public performances, as well as giving the choir flexibility to perform at community venues across Pembrokeshire.

Formed just over three years ago, the Paul Sartori Community Choir now numbers around 90 members – making it the largest community choir in the county. It was originally set up after the pandemic with support from the Community Changemakers Fund and later the National Lottery Awards for All, aiming to boost wellbeing through music while raising awareness of the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home service.

Since then, the choir has become a familiar feature of Pembrokeshire’s cultural calendar, with appearances at St Davids Cathedral, St Mary’s Church in Haverfordwest, Haverfoodfest, and the Haverfordwest Town Council Civic Carol Service.

Councillor Roy Thomas, Mayor of Haverfordwest, said: “Music has a unique power to bring people together. The choir’s work in promoting wellbeing and community spirit is truly inspiring, and we are delighted to support them with this grant.”

Reg White, Community Liaison Lead at Haverfordwest High VC School, added: “Many of our staff have fond memories of Father Sartori, and a number of our families have benefitted from hospice care. We’re proud to support the choir and the wider charity.”

Judith Williams, Grant Development Officer at Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, said: “We are so grateful for these generous contributions. The choir has become a vital part of local life, and this new piano will ensure it continues to thrive.”

The Paul Sartori Community Choir’s next major performance will be at the Voices at the Castle event on Friday, September 12 at Pembroke Castle. Tickets are available from the charity’s website or by phoning the head office.

Paul Sartori Hospice at Home is a registered Pembrokeshire charity offering a wide range of free services for people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. More information is available at www.paulsartori.org or by calling 01437 763223.

Photo: Councillor Roy Thomas, Mayor of Haverfordwest (centre), with representatives from Haverfordwest High VC School, Paul Sartori Community Choir coordinators Amanda Elmes and Judith Williams, Musical Director Mark Heron, accompanist Peter Griffiths, and choir members alongside the new digital piano (Pic: Paul Sartori).

Charity

Busy Saturday for VC Gallery as veterans, families and pupils rally behind charity

Published

5 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Community spirit shines across Haverfordwest with museum displays, breakfasts, workshops and school sleep-out

THE VC GALLERY enjoyed one of its busiest Saturdays of the year as staff, volunteers, veterans and supporters spread across Haverfordwest for a packed day of community events.

From military artefacts at Pembrokeshire College to a riverside art exhibition, a veterans’ breakfast and a charity sleep-out involving local pupils, the veteran-led charity was at the centre of activity across the county town.

At Pembrokeshire College, the charity’s popular “Speak to a Veteran” initiative proved a success, with the VC mobile museum drawing attention from students and visitors alike. A range of military artefacts on display sparked conversations and helped veterans share stories and experiences with members of the public.

Meanwhile, the Pembrokeshire Veterans Breakfast at Waldo Lounge saw the VC minibus deployed to help bring people together, with staff at the restaurant praised for making attendees feel welcome.

The charity thanked Myles for driving and Gareth for helping organise the event.

On the riverside in Haverfordwest, the VC Gallery showcased artwork at its new gallery space, where RAF veteran Mark hosted members of the public throughout the day.

Back at Waldo Lounge, Charles, Donna, Phil, Rose, Lucy, Nia and the wider VC team kept busy with duck sales and jewellery workshops as families gathered for the afternoon activities. Pembrokeshire’s Armed Forces Liaison Officer, Hayley, was also among those lending support.

As day turned to night, pupils from Haverfordwest High VC School took part in a sponsored sleep-out to raise money for the charity, hearing first-hand about homelessness from veteran Pete.

The event saw pupils spending the night outdoors alongside former military personnel to better understand the realities faced by some ex-service men and women.

The day also included the Waldo duck race on the river, helping round off what the charity described as “an amazing community” effort.

Photo caption: Busy day: VC Gallery teams, veterans and supporters took part in events across Haverfordwest on Saturday, including museum displays, breakfasts, workshops and a charity sleep-out (Pic: VC Gallery).

Charity

Family’s £570 donation in memory of devoted RNLI supporter

Published

1 day ago

June 12, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE FAMILY of the late Gerald Hartry, of Tonypandy, Mid Glamorgan, have donated £570 to the RNLI in his memory.

Gerald was a long-standing supporter of the RNLI and had a particular affection for Tenby Lifeboat Station, which he visited many times over the past 40 years while staying at the family’s caravan near Narberth.

Relatives recently visited the station to present the cheque to the crew.

Tenby Lifeboats RNLI said it was a pleasure to welcome the family and thanked them for their generous donation.

Pictured, from left, are members of Gerald’s family with Tenby Lifeboat Operations Manager Carl Evans.

Charity

Henry Tufnell visits St Davids RNLI lifeboat station

Published

3 days ago

June 10, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MP pledges to raise funding and regulation concerns after meeting volunteer crew at St Justinian

HENRY TUFNELL MP has visited St Davids RNLI lifeboat station to hear first-hand about the work of its volunteer crew.

The Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP met crew members at St Justinian, where he was briefed on some of the rescue missions carried out by the station off the Pembrokeshire coast.

Mr Tufnell said the visit had highlighted both the dedication of the lifeboat crew and the pressures facing the service.

He said: “It was a privilege to visit the RNLI St Davids Lifeboat at St Justinian and hear first-hand about some of the remarkable rescue missions the crew have undertaken.

“They do extraordinary work keeping our community safe.”

Mr Tufnell added that crew members had also raised concerns about ongoing challenges, including funding and regulation.

He said: “It was also important to hear about the ongoing challenges they face, particularly regarding funding and regulation.

“As your MP, I will continue to champion and protect the interests of our community heroes in Westminster.”

The RNLI station at St Davids is one of Pembrokeshire’s key coastal rescue bases, serving a busy and often challenging stretch of coastline popular with walkers, kayakers, boat users and visitors.

The charity relies on volunteer crews and public support to continue its lifesaving work.