Community

Family footsteps lead from Australia

Published

11 years ago

January 21, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Strong connections: Beau, Samantha and Anne Flaherty with Pembroke
Dock Heritage Centre founder, Margaret Black

AN APPEAL for volunteer supporters for the Pembroke Dock Sunderland Trust’s has reached as far as Australia. Three members of a New South Wales family have made a return visit especially to follow the trail of parents and grandparents who lived in the town in wartime. Anne Flaherty and her son, Beau, and daughter, Samantha – both studying in the UK at the University of Gloucester – spent time in the town just before Christmas and made a beeline for the Heritage Centre in the Dockyard Chapel. In 1944 Anne’s father, Merv Pike – a Sunderland pilot with 461 Squadron – and his new bride, Barbara, set up their first home in Wellington Street, Pembroke Dock. Anne and her children had previously visited ‘PD’ in 2011. Anne said: “We were made most welcome at the Flying Boat Centre, and The Sunderland Trust has made great progress since. We are so impressed by what has been achieved at the Heritage Centre. “I am planning to come again before long and to work as a Volunteer at the Heritage Centre.” Anne and her family are very active among a network of flying boat contacts in Australia, and Anne has raised considerable funds for the Sunderland Trust through the sale of her father’s memoir, entitled ‘Just As It Happened’, which spotlights his time on Sunderlands at PD. His story also features in displays at the Heritage Centre. Copies of Merv Pike’s book are on sale at the Heritage Centre which is open during winter months Mondays to Fridays, 10am to 4pm.

Community

Festive creativity shines as Kurtz MS meets card competition winner

Published

54 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, visited Pembroke Dock Community School on Friday 12th December to present a prize to the winner of this year’s Christmas Card Competition.

The competition invited pupils to design a festive Christmas card, with entries received from schools across the area. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, showcasing the creativity, imagination and talent of young people in the community.

During the visit, Samuel Kurtz congratulated the winning pupil and thanked all those who took part, as well as the teachers and staff who supported the competition. Each child who entered also received a certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.

Speaking after the presentation, Samuel said, “It was a real pleasure to visit Pembroke Dock Community School today and announce the winner of my Christmas Card competition. This year the winner is Mair Moseley, aged 10, and she designed a wonderful Santa image that really stood out. She has won a chocolate selection set and a £20 book token to enjoy over Christmas.”

He added, “ The creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the children was fantastic, and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult. I want to congratulate all the entrants and thank the staff for their ongoing support.”

Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher, Mrs Katie Crockford-Morris, added, “We were delighted to welcome Samuel Kurtz MS to the school to present the prize. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition, and they were incredibly proud to receive their certificates.”

The winning design will now be used as Samuel Kurtz’s official Christmas card this year, with one copy already on its way to His Majesty, King Charles.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

20 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.