Community

Narberth dad runs marathon for diabetes

Published

9 years ago

May 4, 2016

Tom Sinclair

44-year-old father-of-two Martin Bowen: Running his third London Marathon

A NARBERTH man will be tackling this year’s London Marathon to raise both money and awareness for Diabetes UK, and Type-One diabetes in particular.

This will be 44-year-old Martin Bowen’s third London Marathon, having completed the race for the charity previously in 2006 and 2009.

Raising awareness of diabetes is a cause that is close to father-of-two Martin’s heart, as he has been living with Type-One diabetes for nearly 16 years.

The London Marathon, held this year on Sunday (Apr 24), will see dozens of Team Diabetes UK runners take to the streets to run the 26.2 mile course.

Martin, who has been training hard for the upcoming event, said: “Having diabetes has never stopped me from doing anything and completing the London Marathon three times will prove that.

“I try and lead an active life by running two or three times a week when I’m in training for the marathon and refereeing junior rugby matches most weekends.

“I continued to play rugby for a number of years after being diagnosed with Type-One diabetes and decided to enter the London Marathon again this year to raise money for Diabetes UK, to help fund their research and hopefully find a cure.

“I’m sure with the great work they do in this field, a cure is just around the corner.

“I have had great support from my wife, Rachel, and my children, George and Lily, and from Dr Underwood and my diabetes specialist nurse, Linda Atherton, at Withybush General Hospital. I’m hoping to beat my personal best of three hours and 59 minutes, but we’ll see.”

There are currently approximately 18,300 adults living with Type-One diabetes in Wales. It isn’t known what causes the condition but it cannot be prevented and has nothing to do with being overweight.

Type-One diabetes is usually diagnosed when you are a child or young adult, where the signs and symptoms are usually very obvious and develop quickly.

Symptoms include feeling tired, thirsty, needing to urinate often and losing weight. However, as in Martin’s case, it can develop at any age so it is important to be aware of the symptoms.

Joseph Cuff, Diabetes UK Cymru’s Fundraising Manager, said: “The London Marathon is an amazing event to be a part of.

“The months of training and dedication from Martin will be turned into a one-of-a-kind way to see London at its best on the day. Together with the rest of Team Diabetes UK, they will raise vital funds to help people living with diabetes.

“I want to thank Martin for his continued support and wish him the best of luck. Every penny raised will help us to support people living with diabetes in the UK, so please give generously to back Martin and support his amazing effort.”

Community

Shire horses to visit Canolfan Bethlehem for heritage talk

Published

11 hours ago

May 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Special event explores Dyfed Shires’ journey from Pembrokeshire to Horseguards Parade

A PAIR of magnificent Shire horses will be the star attraction at Canolfan Bethlehem in Trefdraeth (Newport, Pembrokeshire) on Wednesday evening, 28 May 2025, as part of a special heritage talk titled The Dyfed Shires Story – From Pembrokeshire to Horseguards Parade.

The popular community talk series at Canolfan Bethlehem continues with a unique opportunity to meet two of the Dyfed Shire horses in person. The horses will be on display on the lawn in front of the chapel from 6:00pm, with the talk itself beginning inside the chapel at 7:00pm.

The evening’s speaker, Mark Cole of Dyfed Shire Horse Farm, will share the story behind the farm’s founding and the remarkable journey that saw its horses selected to appear in ceremonial duties at Horseguards Parade in London.

Canolfan Bethlehem is a thriving community-run centre based in the former Bethlehem Chapel, which was saved at auction in August 2024 thanks to an ambitious local fundraising effort. Supporters raised £146,000 to secure the building for £145,000, transforming it into a Welsh heritage, arts, and culture hub.

The project received vital support from PLANED, the Narberth-based community development organisation. PLANED’s Community Assets Coordinator, Cris Tomos, praised the initiative: “The Canolfan Bethlehem community enterprise shows what can be done when people come together to preserve key assets for future generations. It’s fantastic to see the growing support for these regular talks.”

***Important project:*** *Cris re-opening the doors of the chapel once purchased by local investors.*

Community

Tenby Coaster returns for summer season

Published

11 hours ago

May 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Open-top double-decker back on scenic Pembrokeshire route from Sunday

PEMBROKESHIRE’S popular open-top bus service is set to return to the roads this weekend, offering stunning views of the county’s coastline throughout the summer.

The Tenby Coaster, now in its fourth year of service, resumes its route between Tenby and Saundersfoot on Sunday (May 25), following a brief appearance over Easter.

The eye-catching blue and yellow double-decker, operated by First Bus, was the first of its kind to run in Pembrokeshire since the 1990s and has since become a firm favourite with both visitors and locals.

Each day, the bus travels from its Haverfordwest depot to the route’s starting point in Tenby, passing key attractions such as Carew Castle and Manor Wildlife Park—making it possible to enjoy an extended journey for those catching it early or late in the day.

Passengers can hop aboard the Tenby Coaster from the stop by the town walls in Tenby, with First Bus promising “breathtaking views and a scenic descent into Saundersfoot”.

The service will operate daily until September 6, with hop-on, hop-off tickets available for those wanting to explore along the way. Fares match those of other local services, with singles starting at £1.60, returns from £3.04, and group day passes for up to five people available for £17.50.

Contactless payment is accepted via the Tap On Tap Off system, and both Welsh Concessionary Travel Cards and mytravelpass cards are valid on the route.

More information is available at the First Cymru website.

Community

Public invited to explore Pembroke Port at Open Day and Stakeholder Meeting

Published

1 day ago

May 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the public are being invited to go behind the scenes at Pembroke Port as part of a special Open Day and Annual Stakeholder Meeting hosted by the Port of Milford Haven.

The event will take place on Wednesday, 18 June, at Catalina House, Pembroke Dock (SA72 6JD), offering a unique opportunity to discover the inner workings of one of Wales’ busiest ports.

Running from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, the Open Day will include guided bus tours around the site, giving visitors a rare, close-up look at port operations and activities across the facility. Port staff, local business representatives, and partners from across the supply chain will also be on hand to discuss their work and answer questions.

From 6:00pm to 7:30pm, the Port’s Annual Stakeholder Meeting will be held, where attendees will hear updates from the Chair and Chief Executive, meet members of the Board and senior management, and take part in a Q&A session. Questions can be submitted in advance via email to [email protected].

Throughout the day, visitors can explore the wide-ranging roles of the Port of Milford Haven – from commercial marine services and energy sector support to community initiatives and leisure activities. A number of external organisations will also be present, including emergency services, marine experts, and conservation groups highlighting Pembrokeshire’s diverse wildlife.