Community
Freemasons bursary awarded to college student

Allison Hatton: Awarded £1,500 bursary towards her studies
ALLISON HATTON, a Pembrokeshire College degree student, has just been awarded £1,500 by West Wales Freemasons to help further her education as part of the annual Colin O’Dare Masonic Bursary.
After being made redundant at the age of 50, Allison enrolled on to the BA (Hons) Business Management course at Pembrokeshire College and has since started-up her own business selling used books online.
Provincial Grand Master of the West Wales Freemasons, Stephen Hookey, congratulated Allison on her achievements, wishing her luck in completing her final year of study in September. Allison was thrilled to receive the bursary and said: “The money will help fund the final year of my degree so I am absolutely delighted!”
Allison runs her business, ‘Ally’s Wholesale Books’, from a warehouse in Pembroke Dock. Sourcing second -hand books, she retails the books on Amazon and is one of their top 20 book sellers. “The whole process takes some time with cleaning stock, putting photos online then dispatching, but I really enjoy it. We are now branching out and selling stationary too!”
Allison puts the success of her business down to her dedication, along with the skills she has learnt on the Business Management degree course at college: “When I became redundant, I knew that there weren’t many opportunities available for the over 50s so I set out to make some for myself. I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the skills I’ve gained at College”.
‘Ally’s Wholesale Books’ most expensive sale to date was a book of lyrics by Thin Lizzy, which sold for £600. The business currently employs an apprentice and a part-time driver with a vacancy for a second apprentice as the business expands.
Community
Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation
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
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)
-
Crime6 days agoPhillips found guilty of raping baby in “worst case” judge has ever dealt with
-
Crime5 days agoKilgetty scaffolder sentenced after driving with cocaine and in system
-
Crime5 days agoHousing site director sentenced after failing to provide breath sample following crash
-
Crime5 days agoMotorist banned for three years after driving with cannabis in system
-
News15 hours agoDyfed-Powys Police launch major investigation after triple fatal crash
-
Education4 days agoTeaching assistant struck off after asking pupil for photos of her body
-
Crime1 day agoMan spared jail after baseball bat incident in Milford Haven
-
News7 days agoJury retires tomorrow in harrowing Baby C rape trial




