Community

Historic lifeboat Pentland donated to West Wales Maritime Museum

Published

3 months ago

March 7, 2026

A HISTORIC former lifeboat has found a new home in Pembroke Dock after being donated to the West Wales Maritime Museum.

The vessel, R.N.L.B. Pentland (Civil Service No. 3), was formally handed over during a small ceremony on Saturday (Mar 7) attended by museum representatives and civic leaders. The lifeboat has been gifted by Rev Mike Brotherton, a former Royal Navy serviceman, who previously owned the vessel.

The handover took place with the boat positioned on the slipway, where supporters and volunteers gathered to mark the occasion. The donation ensures that the historic vessel will now be preserved and displayed as part of the region’s maritime heritage.

Rev Brotherton, who has maintained and cared for the boat during his ownership, said he wanted the vessel to remain in a place where its history could be appreciated by the public.

Also present at the ceremony were Chris Barlow, chairman of the West Wales Maritime Museum, and the Mayor of Pembroke Dock, Cllr Michele Wiggins.

The event included a symbolic presentation involving a folded Union flag, marking the formal transfer of the vessel into the museum’s care.

Chris Barlow welcomed the donation, describing it as an important addition to the museum’s growing collection of maritime artefacts and historic vessels.

He said the Pentland represents an important part of Britain’s lifeboat heritage and will help tell the story of the bravery and dedication of lifeboat crews who risked their lives to save others at sea.

The vessel is a classic RNLI lifeboat design from the mid-twentieth century and was originally built to operate in demanding conditions. Lifeboats of this era were designed for strength and endurance, often launching into severe weather to carry out rescue missions.

Over the decades, boats such as the Pentland played a crucial role around the British coastline, responding to ships in distress, fishing vessel emergencies, and other incidents at sea.

The arrival of the Pentland at Pembroke Dock strengthens the maritime connections of the town, which has a long and proud naval and shipbuilding history.

Pembroke Dock was once home to one of the largest Royal Dockyards in the world and later played an important role in aviation and naval operations during the twentieth century.

The West Wales Maritime Museum works to preserve and share that heritage through its exhibitions, artefacts, and historic vessels. Volunteers continue to develop the museum’s collection and encourage visitors to learn more about the region’s strong links to the sea.

Cllr Michele Wiggins said it was fitting that such an important vessel should now be based in Pembroke Dock, where maritime history remains a central part of the community’s identity.

The Pentland will now be cared for by the museum and is expected to become a feature attraction for visitors interested in lifeboat history and the story of coastal rescue services.

Museum volunteers hope that the donation will also help raise awareness of the RNLI’s long tradition of lifesaving work around the British Isles.

With the lifeboat now safely transferred into the museum’s care, plans are being considered for how it can best be displayed and interpreted for the public.

For the West Wales Maritime Museum, the arrival of the Pentland marks another step in preserving the rich maritime heritage of Pembrokeshire for future generations.

Images: Martin Cavaney/Herald

Community

Bellringers praised at St Davids Cathedral service

Published

9 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SERVICE was held today at St Davids Cathedral for the annual meeting of the Diocesan Guild of Bellringers.

Fr Jim, the guild’s chaplain, led the service, during which the Bishop of St Davids preached and thanked members for their dedication to churches across the diocese.

He spoke about the important role bells play in marking moments of worship, celebration and remembrance, and said he had been personally moved when bells marked significant points in his own ministry.

The guild is keen to encourage new people to take up bellringing and says it is a friendly and approachable group for anyone interested in getting involved in church life.

Community

Hundreds of pupils unite for special Eisteddfod song

Published

9 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

MORE THAN 500 CHILDREN FROM 50 SCHOOLS HELP CELEBRATE BRO’R GARREG LAS

HUNDREDS of primary school children from across west Wales have come together to release a special song celebrating the communities, language and landscape of Bro’r Garreg Las.

The song, Croeso i Fro’r Garreg Las, has been recorded by pupils from 50 schools across Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire ahead of this summer’s National Eisteddfod in Llantood.

The project marks the countdown to the festival, which will be held from August 1 to August 8.

More than 500 children have taken part, with the song celebrating the area’s Welsh language, local communities, culture and sense of identity.

The track has been released on digital platforms alongside a colourful video filmed at some of the region’s best-known locations.

Pupils travelled to sites including Cardigan, Tenby, St Davids, Pentre Ifan and Drefach Felindre to perform and help bring the song to life.

The lyrics were written by poet Ceri Wyn Jones, with the melody by Einir Dafydd. The track was produced by Mei Gwynedd and the video was filmed by Gareth Bull.

Pembrokeshire County Council leader, Cllr Tessa Hodgson said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the National Eisteddfod to Llantood this summer.

“It’s been a pleasure to see young people from the three counties come together to create a special song that celebrates the area, and builds excitement as we look forward to the Eisteddfod.

“Collaboration across Bro’r Garreg Las has been at the heart of this project.”

Cllr Catrin M S Davies, Ceredigion County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Culture, said: “This song celebrates the Welsh language and the unique character of the whole area – from the coast to the countryside.

“Ceri Wyn’s lyrics also offer a taste of our history and heritage. There will be an opportunity for the whole of Wales to enjoy our area in August and to hear some of our stories – come along!”

Cllr Glynog Davies, Carmarthenshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, said: “It has been a privilege to work with Welsh and English-medium schools across the counties to create this special song.

“Over 500 children have contributed to it, which is an incredible achievement. It is wonderful to see that the Welsh language and the Eisteddfod belong to everyone.”

The song can be heard on digital platforms now, while the video is available to watch on YouTube.

Photo caption: Children from schools across Bro’r Garreg Las have joined forces to record a special song ahead of this summer’s National Eisteddfod.

Community

Ceremonial gown linked to Prince Charles’ 1969 investiture discovered in Saundersfoot

Published

10 hours ago

June 13, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A CEREMONIAL gown worn by the grandson of former Prime Minister David Lloyd George during the 1969 investiture of Prince Charles has been discovered at an antiques roadshow in Pembrokeshire.

The gown, worn by Owen Lloyd George, 3rd Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor, was found alongside his original invitation from Queen Elizabeth II to take part in the historic ceremony at Caernarfon Castle.

The items were brought to a WeBuyVintage roadshow in Saundersfoot by a member of the public who had acquired them after they were removed from Ffynone House, near Boncath, the Earl’s former Pembrokeshire country seat.

The Earl, who lived from 1924 to 2010, was the grandson of David Lloyd George, Britain’s wartime Prime Minister. He was given a prominent role at the investiture on July 1, 1969, carrying the ceremonial sword during the nationally televised event.

The red ceremonial gown bears the Earl’s name on a label inside and is believed to have been made especially for him for the ceremony. It was kept at Ffynone House for decades.

The current owner said she rescued the items in 2021 after seeing possessions from the house being advertised for sale.

She said: “The owner explained that many historic possessions connected to the Lloyd George family were likely to be discarded following the sale of the house and its contents.

“I felt I could not let that happen with the gown and the letter, as these felt like genuine pieces of Welsh history and I wanted to make sure they were preserved.”

Antiques specialist Neil Church, of WeBuyVintage, said the discovery was immediately significant.

He said: “Every so often, something comes through the door that truly stops you in your tracks, and this was one of those moments.

“Far more than an old ceremonial garment, it was a remarkable discovery directly connected to one of the most significant royal and historic moments in modern Welsh history, the investiture of the now King Charles.

“What made it especially fascinating was its provenance, tracing it back to the grandson of the former Prime Minister of Britain and the family’s historic country seat, Ffynone House.

“While we valued it at around £600, its historical significance reaches far beyond its monetary worth.”

The gown and invitation are now being described as a rare surviving piece of Welsh and royal ceremonial history, rediscovered in west Wales more than half a century after they were used at Caernarfon Castle.

Photo caption: Historic find: The ceremonial gown worn by Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor at the 1969 investiture of Prince Charles was discovered at a Saundersfoot antiques roadshow (Pic: WeBuyVintage).