Community

Those lost at sea to be remembered

Published

11 years ago

February 10, 2015

A TWO-year planning battle with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park has been won – and the names of 79 servicemen who died in the Freshwater West

“Common sense has prevailed”: MP Simon Hart and Dai Boswell
inspect the memorial stone

maritime disaster will now be on permanent display.

Only three people survived the sinking of two Landing Craft Guns Ls 15 – 16 and the HMS Rosemary in April 1943. In 2000 a simple stone memorial was erected in the car park at Freshwater West to commemorate one of Wales’s worst maritime disasters.

For the 70th anniversary of the disaster in 2013, Dai Boswell, District Parade Marshall for Pembroke Dock, commissioned two new plaques bearing the names of all who died.

But he was ordered to remove them because he did not have planning permission and the National Park drew up a list of stringent demands so he went to local MP Simon Hart for help. A two-year battle over planning followed.

“Considering that we are talking about a site on the edge of a car park and between a public loo and large red emergency signs, I thought the National Park demands were a bit over the top,” said Mr Hart.

The National Park planning officer originally stated that he wouldn’t support the application as he was worried about the “cumulative effect” that such a memorial would have and added that aprotected species and habitat report would have to be submitted, as well a traffic management plan.

“I fully support the Parks’ objective of protecting the landscape but this was clearly going well beyond that. What other disasters with the loss of 79 lives are there to commemorate in Pembrokeshire? We were talking about one extra boulder with two plaques on it, nothing more,” said Mr Hart, who then entered into a spirited exchange of letters with NP boss Tegryn Jones on the matter.

After a lengthy exchange, the landowner (the National Trust) applied for an additional boulder with the plaques and a change of use to a “memorial site” and permission has now been granted.

“I am so pleased that common sense has prevailed,” said Mr Hart. “Now we are working hard to find the right boulder and get the plaques up in time for the anniversary in April.”

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

18 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.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

2 days 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)