Community
Garden launches artistic competition
THE NATIONAL BOTANIC GARDEN OF WALES will be hosting its own ‘Watercolour Challenge’ this summer.

Garden launches artistic competition
The celebration will coincide with the biggest project in the Garden’s history, a £6.7 million restoration project that aims to restore the site to its former glory. With falls, cascades, lakes and weirs, the Gardens will resemble the way the site looked 2 centuries ago.
The competition marks 200 years since Thomas Hornor was commissioned by Sir William Paxton of Middleton in Llanarthe to paint “one of the finest water parks in Britain.” The National Botanic Gardens are now situated in this place.
To celebrate the anniversary, the Garden is challenging artists from across the country to attend the attraction and capture the beauty of it.
The best of the artworks will feature in an exhibition in the Garden’s gallery. There will be prizes in each of the three categories; the winner of the under 12s contest will receive £250, the winner in the 12-18 category will win £500 and the winner of the adult’s competition will take home £1,250.
“The 5 year plan to restore our Regency landscape began in January,” said organiser Rob Thomas, “and the main source material for the project in the Hornor watercolour collection. So it is very fitting that, two centuries after Hornor created his brilliant body of work, we try and capture what we have here today.”
The competition, however, is not restricted to watercolours only. All mediums are welcome. Thomas commented that it will “in time, prove as compelling a record of the estate as Thomas Hornor created all those years ago.”
The ‘Watercolour Challenge’ runs from May 23 to August 15. All ages and abilities are welcome, and half price entry is available for all entrants. Entries from a range of age categories will be displayed in the Garden’s gallery in the Autumn.
Community
Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes
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
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
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).
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