Community

A novel way of raising money

Published

11 years ago

February 10, 2015

A LIGHT-HEARTED romance and mystery novel set in Pembrokeshire has been published as an e-book in aid of the UK’s leading prostate cancer charity.

St Davids-based author Julia Horton-Powdrill has set her debut novel Single or Double? in Porthcwm, a small sleepy town on the Pembrokeshire coast.

Julia wrote the book while her husband Brian was ill with prostate cancer. After his death in April 2014, Julia decided that she would like to donate all proceeds from the e-book sales to Prostate Cancer UK which has invested millions of pounds into research, services and awareness over the last decade.

This January, Julia is encouraging all men over 40 to make one extra New Year’s resolution: to get a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) screening test.

Julia said: “So many men are still unaware that only a simple blood test is needed to detect prostate cancer and prostate disorders, so I really want to raise awareness.”

Julia believes that men’s wives, girlfriends, daughters, mothers and sisters have a huge part to play. She added: “Annual testing is recommended for all men over 40 years old but most men fail to have themselves tested for this disease.Prostate cancer kills one man every hour in the UK, which is over 10,000 men every year, a shocking statistic. Let’s try and encourage the men in our lives to have this test.

“And just so you know, my book, Single or Double? is not about cancer at all. It’s upbeat and a bit romantic, which is exactly how we should all try to remain, even during our darkest times,” Julia added.

The story is about twin sisters,Cass and Jo, who leave the bright lights of Paris and London to meet with their Godmother’s solicitor in a small, sleepy Welsh seaside town after her passing. They don’t expect their lives to change at all, but they find themselves embroiled in the weird and wonderful carryings-on in Porthcwm with its larger-than-life inhabitants.

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)