Community
Pembrokeshire and unanticipated cards
BRITISH etiquette is getting the better of Pembrokeshire according to a recent survey, which revealed a third of residents in Pembrokeshire keep a secret stash of Christmas cards to return gestures of unexpected goodwill. Hallmark Cards, unwrapped that a third of Pembrokeshire have a secret stash of cards to avoid being caught out by a stray sender. 18 per cent admits to rushing home to write one to return the next day, while one in seven (14 per cent) will lie and say they’ve not written theirs yet, when they have and you were not on their list! One in six (16 per cent) have a secret Christmas card list they work from each year in Pembrokeshire.
A third won’t include colleagues on it though (39 per cent) yet will include their dog (11 per cent) and children’s’ teacher (12 per cent). They have their pets covered, but the relative they are most likely to forget to send a card to are their cousins. Pembrokeshire feels the greetings guilt, with a quarter running home to write you a card immediately or will add you to their list for next year. 5 per cent feel no shame however, saying it’s the season of giving so you shouldn’t feel bad if you don’t return the favour.
Brits are most confused about sending cards to colleagues, and it differs by region as to who we address it to. Wales knows their colleagues best; addressing them to colleague and their partner’s name. North West address them just to their colleague, North East will make each card bespoke depending on their relationship with colleague and Londoners will hazard a guess at marital status and partner’s names for holiday humour.
The nations also differ with how to sign off a card. Scotland and England will write ‘Best Wishes’ or just write their name, whereas Wales prefer love, luv or lv followed by their name. Tamsyn Johnston-Hughes, Communications Manager at Hallmark Cards, said: “89 per cent of Pembrokeshire send cards to keep the tradition alive, saying it is the easiest way of spreading Christmas cheer.
“79 per cent also told us it allows them to keep in touch with distance family and friends around the world, so they feel they are spending Christmas Day with more than just their immediate family. With this in mind, we want to encourage people to share a simple Merry Christmas with friends, family and colleagues this year. Received a card you hadn’t expected? Be honest. Don’t know who to address it to? Keep it generic.
But above all; remember to check your card list and check it twice!” Pembrokeshire is also hoping for a secret card from The Queen (14 per cent), closely followed by Father Christmas, his reindeer and elves (13 per cent), who came out as the top celebrity figures the Pembrokeshire hoped to receive a card from. The nation as a whole wants to receive cards, even the next generation. 18 per cent of 16-24 year only send cards to receive them in return; 10 per cent want to decorate their home with them.
A FAMILY has been left with nothing after a devastating house fire tore through their home in Tregunnor on Monday (Apr 7).
The blaze destroyed everything inside the house, leaving the homeowner, his children, and their family dog with only the clothes on their backs. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the emotional impact of losing their home and belongings has been described as “immeasurable.”
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been launched by the homeowner’s nephew, Kian Evans, in an effort to help the family rebuild their lives. The fundraiser, titled “Tregunnor House Fire,” has so far raised £40 from two donors, with hopes that more support will follow.
Mr Evans praised the emergency services for their swift response and thanked the local community for their messages of support and solidarity.
He wrote: “They have lost everything, from furniture to cherished memories. The goal is to help them get back on their feet after such a traumatic experience. Every little helps.”
The family now face the daunting task of starting over, but thanks to the generosity of those around them, they are not facing it alone.
To donate to the fundraiser, visit: gofundme.com/f/tregunnor-house-fire
Photo caption:
The fire which destroyed a family home in Tregunnor (Pic: Herald).
PEMBROKESHIRE JUNIORS IMPRESS IN CARMARTHEN FIXTURE
PEMBROKESHIRE JUNIOR CHESS CLUB travelled to Carmarthen on Monday (April 7) for a friendly fixture against their slightly older, but less experienced, counterparts. The match marked Carmarthen’s first official game.
Thanks to Peter Evans for organising the event, which saw 20 young players competing in a friendly but competitive atmosphere. A terrific evening of chess followed, with players mixing and matching across boards, ensuring each had at least two games—some even playing three or four.
The result of the first match was a tightly contested draw, finishing 5-5.
Standout players on both sides
For Pembrokeshire, standout performances came from:
- Suki, with 3 wins
- Huw, with 2 wins
- Joe, with 1 win and a draw
For Carmarthen, Matthew, William, and Eric stood out with impressive performances.
A return fixture in Pembrokeshire is already being planned before the season concludes. The club also hopes to arrange additional matches against Redhill Prep School and Castell Nedd Chess Club on May 29.
Strong performances in Redhill Festival
Ten Pembrokeshire players also took part in the Redhill Primary School Festival over the weekend, all performing with distinction. Special mention goes to Joe and Harry, who both won their first four rounds and competed in the final—Joe winning Gold, and Harry securing Silver.
Coach Martin Jones said he has been delighted with the progress made by all players this season, including the club’s younger and less experienced members, who are also showing great promise.
Martin also recently competed in the Bristol Chess Congress, where he took first place in his section out of 62 entrants.
“It’s great to see chess flourishing in Pembrokeshire,” he said.
Pembrokeshire Team (in board order)
- Barnaby Hinman – Ysgol Preseli
- Joe Othen – Home Schooled
- Harry Harling – Cosheston VC School
- Huw Holliday – Redhill Prep
- Sebastian Kummer – Neyland Community School
- Jude Taylor – St Mark’s VA School
- Henry Malone – Redhill High
- Suki-Rose Heulwen – Ysgol Bro Penfro
- Emily Thomas-Ward – Redhill Prep
- Carys Callan – Redhill Prep
Photos:
- Pembrokeshire Team
- Combined Pembrokeshire & Carmarthen Teams
FOUR original paintings of Sunderland flying boats have been donated to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre by one of its leading supporters, Welsh aviation and military artist John Wynne Hopkins.
John, who lives in Llanelli, has also gifted several large prints and a collection of greetings cards, all depicting iconic images of the Sunderland aircraft.
“I have followed the excellent progress of the Heritage Trust over many years and I am so pleased that my art can support them,” said John. “The Sunderland is a favourite subject of mine and its long connections with Pembroke Dock have provided me with many topics to paint. I shall certainly continue this.”
The Heritage Centre already displays one of John’s earlier works — a dramatic World War I battlefield scene created in 2018 for its trench exhibit. The painting is featured in the original entrance of the Centre, housed in the former Royal Dockyard Chapel.
The Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
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