Community

Encompass Group welcomes all

Published

11 years ago

March 2, 2015

ENCOMPASS GROUP community Hub in Diamond Street, Pembroke Dock support the local community in a variety of different ways and always provide a warm and friendly welcome to those who visit.

The Hub had been running for around 8 years and has been in Diamond Street for the last 3 years. Their aim is to help those in need, of all ages and backgrounds by providing services to organisations and individuals, fundraising, advice and information in a relaxed and caring environment. They also display a range of second hand products for sale in the shop, including books, clothes and homeware goods.

Yvonne Earl runs the Hub, along with other volunteers Jean Murray and Bina Kingston: “We’re all good friends and we’re always welcoming to those coming in. We get our regular visitors, who sometimes live on their own and just want to have a cup of tea and a chat to break their day up. People wave as they go past and pop in to say hello. It’s lovely.”

They work alongside the town council and community first and are grateful for their continued support.

Yvonne says it’s frustrating that people think they are just a charity shop and knitting group: “There’s so much more that we do here. Jean and Bina knit items such as cushions, blankets and jumpers to sell in the shop and Jean knits many items to order too. We also help the local community by providing items to local families and organisations as well as support to people who come in to see us. We do catering for events at the Town Hall, attend fetes and are involved with schools and community groups.”

The assistance that they offer to the local community is the most important part of what they do at Encompass. They recently held a fundraising event to raise money for the autistic unit at Pembroke Dock Community school and managed to raise £200 by providing a coffee morning and raffle.

Yvonne adds: “We are often at Pembroke Dock community school. Not long after we started, we made items for children’s book bags, so they have things to make the stories come to life. A storyteller came into the school and used our creations in their reading. It was lovely to see the amazement on the children’s faces.”

Last year they also worked together to create a mosaic letter to add to the alphabet display on the front of the school building.

The community Hub was the first base for the men’s shed club, which has since moved to the Dockyard.

“We often find that only women come and chat to us here. But these men were looking for somewhere to hold their club so we offered our space on a Wednesday, when we are closed. They started with 3 or 4 people and now, in their new premises at the dockyard, they have around 30 people, of all ages.” Yvonne smiles, “they have been back, to help put up some shelves and cupboards for us. Everyone helps each other out here.”

Any unwanted donated items, will be given to the Paul Satori charity shop next door. The computer shop across the road have helped print advertisement posters and Select loaned shop dummies for their window display.

Their hard work and dedication has not gone unnoticed. Yvonne has met the Queen and Prince Charles in aid of the work that she has done with Encompass. Jean has also received an award for her services, presented at the town hall.

Despite these admirable achievements, they are keen to do more to give something back to those that have helped them.

“We finally have official status as a registered charity.” Yvonne says, “It’s a great relief as we have struggled over the years. In the past we have taken people to Carmarthen for the day, shopping and for a trip on the Gwilli Railway. We would love to be able to do that again for people.”

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

18 hours 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

19 hours 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)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).