Community

Sports sponsorship celebrates 23 years

Published

11 years ago

March 12, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Stephen Thornton: Presenting a
cheque to Sports Pembrokeshire
Manager, Ben Field

VALERO’s Pembroke refinery has chalked up what is believed to be one of the longest-running sports partnerships in the United Kingdom.

The oil giant has signed a cheque for £17,000 to support Sport Pembrokeshire – the sports development arm of Pembrokeshire County Council – in 2015.

When the sponsorship began in 1992, the refinery was owned by Texaco and Sport Pembrokeshire operated under the umbrella of Preseli Pembrokeshire District Council – the present local authority’s predecessor.

During the intervening 23 years, the sponsorship has helped to support the delivery and co-ordination of a variety of sports development programmes.

These include:

Primary and secondary school sport competitions
Special Educational Needs festivals
Girls football and cricket
Table tennis and hockey
Specific Disability Sport events such as boccia and football.

Valero’s assistance also helps to fund a Young Leaders programme, as well as partly funding the popular Sport Pembrokeshire awards ceremony which takes place ever year at Folly Farm, Begally.

The refinery has more than a 45- year history of community engagement in rural Pembrokeshire, supporting not only sport but extracurricular education, environmental projects and initiatives to promote culture and the arts.

The County Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure, Cllr Elwyn Morse, said: “We are very grateful to Valero for continuing this marvellous partnership with ourselves. It is true to say that without Valero’s financial help, Sport Pembrokeshire would not be able to deliver the comprehensive range of events, competitions and festivals that it currently does.”

Valero’s Public Affairs Manager, Stephen Thornton, said the company’s commitment to excellence involved taking a leadership role in the community by providing company support and encouraging employee involvement.

He added: “We are proud to support a sports programme which encourages participation in a variety of disciplines, is inclusive and helps young people to maximize their potential, on and off the County’s sports pitches and courts.”

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)