Community

Fun Day in Portfield continues despite rain

Published

9 years ago

August 11, 2016

Portfield’s Family Fun Day: Raising money for a safe outdoor play area

FRIENDS of Portfield School (FOPS) hosted their annual Family Fun Day earlier this month and despite the gloomy rain, attendees carried on with the day’s events, which had all been moved indoors. With a range of activities and stalls being held throughout the school, visitors left with big smiles on their faces.

The Family Fun Day saw activities such as a bouncy castle, puppet show, Kelly Williams School of Dance and much, much more. For those who had worked up an appetite, there was a BBQ supplied with local burgers from the Milton Village Shop, along with homemade tea and cakes, and even an ice cream van.

Alison Folder, Chairwoman of FOPS, said: “I am so glad that it turned out to be such a success – the weather was worrying us all. However, the school has fantastic large open spaces, so the Fun Day was moved inside. Even the bouncy castle fitted with plenty of room! We had a great turnout, the children had fun, and we were able to raise money for a good cause.” The Summer Raffle was also drawn on the day, with the top prize of £100 being won by Helen Davies of Johnston.

Proceeds from this year’s Family Fun Day will be put towards outdoor play equipment in the lower school, as it is being refurbished. “The play area is old, built in 1966! It has an uneven surface, which needs to be replaced with soft rubber. The improvements will make it much safer for our students who are unsteady on their feet,” continued Alison.

The play equipment will cost £10,000 and will be fitted into the refurbished rubber floor. All help is appreciated concerning the equipment as it is important that the children have a play area that helps to develop physical and motor skills and improves confidence and independence through experiences that cannot be achieved indoors.

Portfield School is the only special educational needs school in Pembrokeshire, with around 150 students, Ranging from age three to 19, many students have severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties, autism, or sensory and physical difficulties. When pupils are old enough, the school provides opportunities for work, both in-house and with local employers.

Mrs Sue Painter, who has been Headteacher at the school for the past 14 years, said: “The Friends of Portfield School are a fantastic support, providing additional funding to ensure Portfield School can offer the best resources to the pupils in Pembrokeshire, whilst also ensuring we stay in tune with what parents want for their children.”

FOPS would like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended the Family Fun Day, and to all the volunteers who gave up their time to help the day run smoothly.

The Family Fun Day Out and raffle raised a massive £2,400, but they’re still short of the £10,000 they need to build their safe play area. If you can help Portfield reach this goal, or know someone who can, please contact Sue Painter, Headteacher, at Admin.portfield@pembrokeshire. gov.uk .

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

18 hours 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

19 hours 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)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

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).