Nathen Amin draws a crowd of 120 with Owain Glyndŵr lecture, while John Brandrick is set to speak in Pembroke on Saturday, 7 February

PEMBROKE & MONKTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY began the New Year in fine style with a talk by Nathen Amin, which proved hugely popular, with 120 people filling Pembroke Town Hall. Nathen is nationally recognised for his work on the history of Henry Tudor, but this time he delivered an impressive and engaging talk on the great Welsh patriot, Owain Glyndŵr. So warmly received in Pembroke, he has already promised to return as part of next year’s programme – something to look forward to.

The Society’s next talk will take place on Saturday, 7 February at Pembroke Town Hall, continuing the Welsh theme. We are pleased to welcome John Brandrick, who will speak on: ‘The foundation, development and decline of Whitland Abbey’.

Whitland Abbey was an important Cistercian abbey founded in 1151. Under the patronage of powerful Welsh princes, it developed a strong Welsh cultural identity and grew in influence to become the motherhouse of the Cistercian order of monks in Wales. Several daughter houses were established, including Strata Florida, Strata Marcella, and Cwmhir. The abbey flourished during medieval Wales, before gradually declining and eventually being dissolved by Henry VIII in 1539.

John Brandrick is a retired engineering draughtsman whose main interests now include illustrating and researching Whitland Abbey, as well as drawing the machinery found in wind and water mills throughout Wales and beyond, helping to preserve an important record for the future. His talk is a detailed, illustrated presentation covering who the Whitland Abbey monks were and where they came from; how the abbey was built; how it interacted with the nobility; and how it weathered the upheavals of the period from 1150 through to the dissolution. John will also explore the abbey’s later story – its gradual disappearance from view, its rediscovery in the 1800s, and the excavations carried out since, as well as its future. He is a member of the Friends of Whitland Abbey, a voluntary group that helps care for the site, which is open to the public at all times.

As usual, Pembroke Town Hall opens at 10:00am for the Coffee Morning, followed by the talk at 11:00am. Also open on the day will be Pembroke Museum and the Council Chamber, situated on the first floor of the Town Hall. A lift is available for disabled access. All are welcome to attend, and entry is free.

For more information, visit www.pembrokeandmonktonhistory.org.uk, and follow the Society on Facebook. Queries can be sent to [email protected].

THE PAUL SARTORI FOUNDATION is celebrating an act of generosity from local classic car enthusiast Roger Handcock, whose donation of a cherished Mazda MX5 has helped raise £5,500 plus Gift Aid for end-of-life care across Pembrokeshire.

Roger made the decision to donate his 1990 MX5 after a period of ill health over the summer meant the car was no longer being driven. He said he wanted it to be enjoyed — and properly cared for — by someone who would appreciate it as much as he had.

A long-standing member of the Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club, Roger said: “I was ill this summer and my 1990 MX5 was not getting any use, so I decided to part with it in the hope that it would bring some enjoyment and be maintained properly. However, I didn’t have the energy to try to sell it for the highest possible price.

“Being a member of Pembrokeshire Classic Car Club, I decided to donate the car to Paul Sartori Hospice at Home which is one of their favoured charities. In the end a great price was secured for the vehicle, and I am pleased to say that it will still be seen on Pembrokeshire’s roads.”

The Foundation said donations like Roger’s provide a vital source of income, helping to fund free hospice at home support for people nearing the end of life. The service enables patients to remain in the comfort of their own homes, supported by specialist equipment and professional care, while also offering help to families at an incredibly difficult time.

A spokesperson for the Paul Sartori Foundation said they were grateful for Roger’s kindness, adding that the impact of his gift would continue long after the MX5 begins its next chapter on Pembrokeshire’s roads.

Brave donation: Roger Handcock with Paul Sartori Events and Fundraising Officer Joanne Lutwyche (Pic: Paul Sartori Foundation).

Welsh-language text spray-painted at North Beach and other tourist hotspots as council arranges clean-up

TENBY’S Welsh-language signage has been targeted by vandals in a spate of graffiti attacks across the town.

Black spray paint has been daubed on a number of bilingual information boards at some of the resort’s busiest visitor areas, including around North Beach. In each case, the markings appear to focus on the Welsh-language text, while the English information has been left untouched.

Signs affected include those giving practical guidance to visitors – such as parking instructions, motorhome information and notices about dog restrictions on local beaches.

A newly formed campaign group, Mudiad Eryr Wen, said it felt “compelled to respond” after images of the vandalised signs circulated online. The group – which describes itself as youth-led and focused on defending Wales and campaigning for independence – claimed the graffiti amounts to an attack on the Welsh language itself.

In a statement, a spokesperson said the incidents differ from previous cases where Welsh place names were targeted, arguing that this time the Welsh wording on everyday public signage appears to have been deliberately singled out. The group alleged the vandalism was driven by anti-Welsh sentiment and criticised figures and parties it believes have helped to fuel hostility.

Pembrokeshire County Council confirmed it is aware of the damage and said arrangements are being made for signs to be cleaned or replaced where required.

A council spokesperson said: “Pembrokeshire County Council is aware of the vandalism of a number of signs around Tenby. The Council is currently arranging for the signs to be cleaned or replaced where necessary. Deliberate vandalism of this kind diverts time and resources away from important public services.”

Tenby’s Mayor, Cllr Dai Morgan, also condemned the graffiti, describing it as unacceptable and costly.

He said: “Tenby Town Council strongly condemns graffiti and vandalism anywhere in our town. Such behaviour is unacceptable. It damages property, spoils public spaces, and costs the community time and money to put right.

“It shows a lack of respect for Tenby and for the people who live, work, and visit here. The vandalism will be reported, and we encourage anyone with information to do the same.”