Community

A-Level students to work in Africa

Published

9 years ago

July 26, 2016

Bethany Blackford-Jones: Uganda-bound

YOUTH development agency Restless Development will take Pembrokeshire College A-Level students Bethany Blackford-Jones and Kristen Bowen to Africa this autumn.

Kristen will travel to Uganda to work on a sexual health project, while Bethany, working on a HIV awareness project, is Zimbabwe-bound.

Bethany aspires to study Clinical Psychology at Exeter University next September after college, and she anticipates the attainment of new skills that she will learn on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

“I’m so excited to travel to Zimbabwe and stay with a family in a rural community. I can’t wait to experience the culture and I know I’m very lucky to have this opportunity”, she said.

While she is away, Bethany will work on a self-directed mental health project, and once she arrives back in Wales she will follow up her work in her home community for the final six-month phase of the programme.

Kristen wishes to continue working in the field of sexual health and livelihood once she returns from the journey, but is open to new ventures.

She said: “I know that my trip will influence my future plans so I want to keep my options open but intend on working in development to bring positive change to communities.”

The Restless Development agency stands out from other gap year programmes, as it offers volunteers the chance to acquire new skills with more learning opportunities, as well as providing the opportunity to experience new cultures and build personal development whilst working in developing countries.

Although the programme is funded by the government, the girls are required to raise £800 each to contribute to the running costs of the trip, so keep an eye out for Bethany’s fancy dress pub crawl and Kristen’s weekly fitness club held on Thursdays in St Florence.

The college wishes the girls luck on their travels and is eager to hear all about their trip once they return.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

16 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)