Community
Fellowship help for food bank
NEW Life Christian Fellowship have recently linked with The Towy Community Church, Carmarthen, who are supported by the Trussell Trust Carmarthen Food Bank.
Carmarthern Food Bank has been running from its offices in Hall Street for the past two-and-a-half years and leaders said the number of people requesting help has more than doubled in the last year. Some families who would not normally visit are finding themselves needing help due to low wages, job losses, changes to benefits and child tax allowance.
Rhonwen Evans and Jo-dee Sutton, of New Life Christian Fellowship, who meet regularly in Kilgetty, have responded to their fellowship’s concerns about local people experiencing food poverty by signing up as volunteers with the Trussell Trust.
The two volunteers partake in initiating food collection, and are voucher holders. When a person or family with needs request help the two volunteers perform an assessment, then issue the voucher or emergency parcel, as appropriate. The persons issued vouchers then visit Carmarthern food bank, open on Mondays and Tuesdays, to collect the food where they can receive further help and advice. Lifts are also made available.
Two emergency food parcels are stored by the volunteers, for those with immediate and emergency needs.
“We as a fellowship are deeply concerned about the growing number of people who for various reasons are facing serious food poverty. Anyone in a crisis can either come along to get help after the New Life Christian Fellowship Church meetings after 12.30 1.30pm on Sundays or can contact me directly. After assessing the situation, we may be able to issue and deliver emergency food parcels, or vouchers.” shared Jo-dee.
The Church will also hold a Food Collection Point every Sunday following the service, after 12.30 1.30pm, in Kilgetty Community Centre for anyone wishing to donate.
They have been in touch with Kilgetty shops in hope that they will consider hosting food collection points too.
“At Christmas time especially we celebrate Jesus’ birth, giving gifts and eating special foods. Jesus commands us to love our neighbours. It is horrific to think that people in our villages may be living in food poverty, and this is our opportunity to act. We encourage you to join us.” shared Rhonwen.
The Food Bank food list changes every month, adjusting to its needs.
At present there are two lists:Regular Shopping List: milk, (UHT/powdered) sugar, fruit juice (cartons), cereals, instant mash potatoes, biscuits or snack bars; tinned: sponge pudding, tomatoes, rice pudding, meat/fish, fruit, vegetables.
Christmas Hamper List: mince pies, tinned ham, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, long life cream, box of biscuits, children’s selection box, chocolate snacks and nibbles and Christmas crackers.
Fairtrade items can be purchased and this helps support people in developing countries too.
The Church also have some tickets for a free Christmas lunch and friendship in a church in Carmarthen, and if there is anyone wanting to use it in Kilgetty a lift can be arranged on Christmas day.
Community
Crowdfunding drive launched for documentary on forgotten 1967 football match
A CROWDFUNDING campaign has launched to support a new documentary capturing a nearly forgotten piece of football history—a 1967 charity match in Liverpool featuring Hungarian football icon Ferenc Puskás, alongside British legends Billy Liddell and John Charles.
Daniel Metcalf, director of the film and grandson of Chester FC striker Mike Metcalf, who played in the match, describes the film as “a love letter to the beautiful game,” aiming to highlight community spirit and the unity of sport. “Through personal stories, historic footage, and expert insights, we’ll revisit this unique game and explore 1960s football’s influence over the decades,” he said.
The project has attracted substantial backing, including collaboration with Chester FC, endorsements from notable players like Neville Southall, and the involvement of a skilled production team with narration by broadcaster Kim Thomas.
Supporters can choose from various funding tiers, with contributions starting at £10 for acknowledgments and extending to £5,000 Producer credits. Rewards range from film credits to signed memorabilia and invitations to the UK premiere. The funding target of £3,300 aims to cover initial production costs, with stretch goals set to enhance production quality.
Filming will commence in Chester in May 2025, with the documentary slated for release in early 2026 for the festival circuit.
For more information or to support the project, visit Kickstarter.
Community
Carew Castle triumphs again as Visitor Attraction of the Year at Croeso Awards
CAREW Castle, one of Pembrokeshire’s most treasured landmarks, has once again been named Visitor Attraction of the Year at the prestigious Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards, cementing its place as a top destination for visitors to the region.
The award, presented during a grand ceremony at Pembrokeshire College, recognises the Castle’s ongoing dedication to providing an exceptional visitor experience. This second consecutive win underscores Carew Castle’s commitment to excellence, from its welcoming guides to its expertly preserved grounds and engaging events, drawing visitors year-round.
Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle, expressed gratitude for the continued recognition: “Winning this award two years in a row is a testament to everyone involved in bringing Carew Castle to life – from the knowledgeable guides to the conservationists, dedicated team of volunteers, and our hardworking tearoom team. It’s truly a group effort, and we’re honoured to be recognised once more as one of Pembrokeshire’s premier attractions.”
The Castle has become a hub of excitement year-round, with special charm during the quieter winter months. Seasonal events like Glow, an enchanting Christmas light display, featuring rooms of the Castle dressed for the festivities and live musical performances, draw visitors of all ages. This festive season also includes Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Needle Felting Workshop, and children’s Christmas Craft Workshops – ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the nights draw in.
Carew Castle is open daily from 11am to 3pm throughout the winter, with extended hours on Fridays through Sundays when Glow and Santa’s Grotto are in full swing.
For a full schedule of upcoming events and activities at Carew Castle, visit www.carewcastle.com.
Pictured: Carew Castle is celebrating its second consecutive win as Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Croeso Awards, recognised for its exceptional visitor experience and engaging year-round events.
Community
Pembrokeshire waste centres could soon be open on fewer days
A CALL for waste centre users across Pembrokeshire to “share the pain” in a cut in the number of days they are open rather than close St Davids’ recycling centre is being recommended to senior councillors.
Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s policy pre-decision overview and scrutiny committee, at their November 12 meeting, received a report on the provision of recycling centres in the county, which had been referred from full council at its March budget meeting.
Back at that meeting, St Davids recycling centre, at risk of potential closure against a backdrop of severe budget pressures, was given a reprieve.
A report for the November committee, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said the council’s medium term financial plan identifies “a ‘most likely’ projected funding gap of £84.6m over the period 2024-25 to 2027-28,” with the council needing to deliver at least £70,000 of savings against the waste and recycling centres, adding: “if this is not possible this saving will be required to come from alternative areas within environmental services impacting on collection arrangements and services provided across Pembrokeshire.”
Four options were presented to the committee: no change, with the £70,000 coming from other areas of the service; the closure of St Davids netting the £70,000; its closure along with reductions in the amount of days other centres at Winsel, Waterloo, Crane Cross and Hermon to save £110,000; the final option being a reduction in the number of days all were open, but keeping St Davids running, saving the £70,000.
The choice of the options, complicated by various capital investment requirements for the sites, before committee would take the form of a recommendation to the council’s Cabinet before a final decision is made.
Members heard many objections to the closure of St Davids had been received, with the city council “unanimously” opposed to it on many grounds, including its use by both the Coastguard and the RNLI for the disposal of maritime debris, and the distances involved for members of the public to use the other facilities.
Nearby local county councillor, Cllr Mark Carter of Solva said he had never seen as many responses to an issue in his seven-and-a-half years as a councillor, proposing the fourth option, later described as “a sharing of pain across all sites” be submitted to Cabinet.
He said the facility at St Davids was much valued by local residents.
“They understand Pembrokeshire County Council has got a severe financial problem, they understand doing nothing is not an option; they understand that, I understand that,” said Cllr Carter, adding: “The problem we’ve got with the budget is a county-wide problem, it’s not St Davids exclusively; logic says we should not be inflicting all the pain on this peninsula.”
He was backed by fellow local councillor Cllr Bethan Price.
Members, by nine votes to three, backed the fourth option of a reduction in hours at all sites but keeping St Davids open, be recommended to Cabinet, expected to be heard at its December meeting.
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