Community

Old signs of Pembroke

Published

11 years ago

January 28, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Mr Jonnie Skone (son of John Skone): Pictured
by the new sign with Councillor Melanie Phillips

AS I WAS walking up the small steep hill that leads from the old Victoria Pub to Monkton Priory church, I stopped near the top of the incline and thought to myself: “No wonder they call this The Awkward Hill!” It was then that I realised the hill had no sign on it; nothing to mark this lovely quirky name. I mused that future generations wouldn’t know what it had been called and got thinking about other old Pembroke places that had no names, such as The Cake Walk and Jack Skone’s Lane.

The Cake Walk is the little steep incline that leads up to Paynter Street and Jogram Avenue. It has Halstead’s on one side and Primrose cottages on the other. I was brought up in the prefabs that were situated right at the top of The Cake Walk, and know that it was named after a ride in Pembroke fair, which was a moving steep platform where you tried to stay upright with no handholds to help you!

Who knows, someone who had one too many drinks at the fair m i g h t have fallen down on that little hill and cursed that it was as bad as walking The Cake Walk at the fair! Everybody knows where Jack Skone’s Lane is and it needs no explanation here! Jack Skone had a farm very close by called Golden Hall Dairies. He would lead his cows down the lane and so it became known as Jack Skone’s Lane.

It has no other name, but old families who have lived in the Green for generations and Mr Reggie Williams, a postman for nearly fifty years, refer to it as Union Lane. It was called this because of its close proximity to the workhouse, which is now called Riverside and is opposite Woodbine Terrace. Workhouses were referred to as Unions or Spikes.

Some residents argue that the lane was known as Golden Lane, but it has been pointed out that Golden Lane stops at the railway bridge. I think that these old lanes should be preserved for posterity because after all they are part of our wonderful town’s history. I hope everybody in Pembroke likes the signs, and thanks must go to Pembroke Town Council, Suzie Thomas (Town Clerk) and Mike our caretaker, for all the work they carried out.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

6 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)