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Pembroke Christians send aid to Croatia

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The Kalaš family: Now have a home thanks to Omri and Betty Arnold

The Kalaš family: Now have a home thanks to Omri and Betty Arnold

RETURNING from a two week visit to Croatia, which was organised to celebrate 25 years of links with Croatian churches, Pastor Rob James of Westgate Chapel in Pembroke said: “People say a week is a long time in politics but, as far as I am concerned, a quarter of a century is but a fleeting moment when it comes to Christian fellowship.

“I first got involved with Croatian Baptists when civil war broke out in 1991 and a close friend felt he ought to take humanitarian aid which could be distributed through their newly formed organisation ‘My Neighbour’.

“It has proved to be a deeply humbling and hugely inspiring experience.

“We have built long lasting and very deep friendships with our Christian brothers and sisters and we can look back with a sense of wonder when we think about the staggering amount of aid we have been able to take there over the years.”

“It was particularly moving to meet up with two members of the Kalaš family, former Bosnian refugees who now have a new home thanks, not least, to Omri and Betty Arnold of Pembroke who simply could not rest until they had done something to help them.”

The current trip was no humanitarian mission, explained Rob: “More than 70 of us travelled by coach to Rijeka. We wanted to celebrate our 25 years of partnership in the new pastoral centre currently being built by the local Baptist Church.

“We have been intimately involved in this project from the beginning. The foundation stone was laid in 2004 and we are amazed when we think of the progress that this small group of people has made. The new building (which has a roof shaped like praying hands) is in use, even if not completed, and has cost more than 1m euros to date.

“They have raised much of the cash themselves – although they have hugely encouraged by two amazing donations in particular. A German businessman gave a gift of half a million euros and even their bank gave them a further 100,000 euros to further the work. As I see it, their story is both a testimony to their commitment and to God’s goodness and can’t wait to see it completed.”

Expressing his deepest thanks on behalf of Rijeka Baptist Church, Srecko Ilionsovic said: “When the war started, there were some 80 or 90 people in our church. Things were very different then and because of this the church had a very different mindset.

“The repressive communist regime did not welcome social engagement and we could do no work in the community. That meant we were closed in on ourselves. However, things began to change in the two years before the war, and when it finally broke out we seized our opportunity and began to distribute humanitarian aid. This was our biggest form of outreach and as a result of it we developed good links and great credibility within our community.

“But now we are facing new challenges. We do not need humanitarian aid in the way we did before, although there are some 400,000 unemployed in Croatia and we do some work with refugees fleeing through Bosnia. Standards have changed too. Institutions that we once helped, such as the hospital, would not be content with secondhand equipment now. This new multi-functional centre will help us continue to engage with the community, although our main goal is still that of reaching people with the message of the Christian gospel. The centre will allow us to do much more than hold Sunday Services. If it were just used for that, we would not need it at all.”

Reflecting on the past 25 years, Skewen-based team leader John Thomas said: “I’ve been planning this trip for over a year. The original intention was to be present at the official opening of the Pastoral Centre but, when we realised they would not be able to complete it in time, we turned it into a holiday and celebration of a quarter century of mission and fellowship.

“Our Christian brothers and sisters gave us a truly wonderful welcome and we had a really blessed service on the Sunday morning. It was a very, very special occasion for every one of us. We worshipped together, we sang for them and I was privileged to preach the sermon.

“We reflected on all that had happened and I was presented with a plaque to mark the occasion. The service concluded with communion, with Pastor Rob James assisting at the table. This was followed by a fantastic lunch that had to be seen to be believed.

“As for the future, we hope to be present at their official opening but, looking back on this trip, I think I am reflecting everyone’s feelings when I say it has been a wonderful time and we thank God for his travelling mercies. I was in my mid-fifties when all this started and never ever dreamed that it would end up like this, although we all know that it hasn’t ended yet.”

To everyone’s amazement, Project Nehemiah was soon helping refugee families to purchase new homes! Pembroke-based Omri Arnold, a regular member of the teams, met the Kalas family while he and his wife, Betty, were on holiday in Croatia in the summer of 2001.

Stipo Kalaš suffered from epilepsy and he had escaped from Grgići in central Bosnia with his wife and two children, Ivana and Dragan, some 10 years before. The family had lost everything – even Stipo’s medication. Relocated in Croatia, the family found themselves the only Croats in a hostel full of Muslims (their persecutors in Bosnia) and girls who had turned to prostitution.

The family of four had been forced to live in one appalling room for eight years. Confronted with this harrowing situation, Omri said that he and Betty knew they ‘had to do something’. “That hour’s experience was unforgettable,” he explained. “It made us realise without any doubt that ‘we were their neighbours’.”

On returning to Pembroke, the Arnolds shared their concerns with their neighbours and especially with the staff and pupils of Monkton School, where Omri’s daughter was the school secretary. In fact, he told them that they would love to help the family to obtain a ‘cosy little house with a garden big enough to grow their own vegetables and even keep some chickens’.

Omri was then told that there was a suitable house for sale for £7,000 and so he immediately set about raising the necessary cash. And it didn’t prove difficult. As he explained: “People sent gifts from all over South Wales. Less than six months later we were able to give the family enough money to purchase a three bedroomed home in the peaceful village of Lic.”

Omri was overwhelmed by the generosity he encountered, especially from the pupils of Monkton School. “The school is itself in a very needy area,” Omri said. “But some of the children even went without a piece of toast in their breakfast club to support the Kalaš family.”

It gave Omri an immense sense of joy to report back to the school. “We are greatly encouraged by the gifts you have given,” he told one packed school assembly. “It means the family have been able to buy a wonderful house and pay for the 5% land tax. This is really important because it means they can get passports as citizens of Croatia.

“The house has been beautifully refurbished and will allow Mr and Mrs Kalaš, their two children and their aged mother and father, to live in their own new home and garden in peaceful surroundings. What a difference to having to live in a single room of 14ft by 10ft for the rest of their lives.”

All of this had an enormous impact on Omri; years later, he still recalls standing in the kitchen of his own home reflecting on how the Kalaš family must be feeling. He said: “When there were sufficient funds to instruct Srećko to buy the home, I felt as if a physical presence took a heavy weight off my shoulders and it was replaced by a joy in my heart. It became a quiet assurance that the waiting for the money was over.

“For me, there was nothing more to be done and all my anxieties were swept away. Calmness. Finished. Oh Hallelujah.”

It reminded him of the joy he had felt when he had bought land to build his own home some 30 years before. He remembered thinking: “It’s my very own – I belong to Pembroke,” he said. “My mind instantly went to the village of Lič and to the Kalaš family.

The vision wasn’t limited to the Kalaš family because there were soon enough funds to purchase homes for the Gavrić and the Lesic family as well as help other refugee families with their varying needs.

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Port supports Cruising Free’s Atlantic Dash with donation of safety equipment

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THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced a donation of vital safety equipment to support local group Cruising Free, who will be embarking on a challenging 3,200-mile rowing journey across the Atlantic Ocean. The crew of Cruising Free will row from Lanzarote to Antigua to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Port of Milford Haven’s donation includes a comprehensive range of safety gear designed to support the crew’s journey and ensure their safety during this extraordinary expedition. Items provided include:

  • Flare Kit
  • Satellite Phone
  • VHF Radios
  • First Aid Kits
  • GPS Equipment
  • Lights
  • Safety Lines
  • And more

The Port of Milford Haven, the UK’s leading energy Port, is committed to supporting local maritime initiatives. This donation is a key part of the Port’s ongoing efforts to promote safety in all aspects of maritime activity, particularly for adventurous projects like Atlantic Dash.

“We are proud to support the amazing crew of Cruising Free as they undertake this monumental challenge,” said Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster at the Port of Milford Haven. “Safety is paramount for anyone taking to the sea, and we hope that the equipment we’ve provided will support them as they navigate the Atlantic. Their journey will not only raise vital funds for two incredibly worthwhile causes but also inspire people across the UK and beyond. We are excited to be part of their journey and wish them the very best of luck.”

The Atlantic Dash will see the team of experienced rowers tackle the gruelling transatlantic journey, which is expected to take several weeks. The funds raised by Cruising Free will directly benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, which supports research and care for people living with cystic fibrosis, and the Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which provides specialist palliative care services to individuals in West Wales.

“We are truly and eternally grateful to Port of Milford Haven who have provided us with the essential safety equipment needed to embark on our 3,200 mile journey from Lanzarote to Antigua. We are hoping not to need to use the flares or safety lines, but the satellite phone and VHF radio will keep us connected with land and loved-ones through the entire 2-month journey. Thank you!” said Polly Zipperlen, team member of Cruising Free.

Cruising Free’s row across the Atlantic will begin in January 2025, and the crew’s journey will be tracked in real time to allow supporters to follow their progress. The team is already actively fundraising and plans to hold several community events in the lead-up to their departure.

To learn more about Cruising Free’s Atlantic Row and how you can support their cause, visit their Linktree here.

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Pembs Agricultural Society’s Christmas Fair expands to an all-weekend event

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PEMBROKESHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S Christmas Fair will be an all-weekend event next month. The Christmas shopping extravaganza is all set to take place on Saturday, 14 December as well as Sunday, 15 December.

The Parkhouse building on the Haverfordwest Showground will be transformed into a Christmas paradise. There will be even more stalls this year with a wide variety of quality local businesses exhibiting as well as festive music, Santa in his Grotto and an outdoor food court.

Judith Roach and Emma Thomas, the event organisers, said, “We are excited to be able to announce that our Christmas Fair will be on for two days rather than just one this year. We continue to build on the success of last year’s event with twice the opportunities to attend and even more stallholders. It will be the perfect start to the festive season as the Parkhouse Building will be transformed into a one-stop-shop for those preparing for Christmas.”

The Fair will be open from 10am until 4pm and admission is free. Visitors will find unique gifts, handmade decorations, art and beautiful homeware.  Some of the county’s very best food and drink producers will also have stalls to give visitors the opportunity to stock up on all their festive treats. From decadent chocolate brownies, fudge, festive spirits to Welsh cheeses, there’s something to tantalise everyone’s tastebuds. There will also be a range of outlets for ‘on the go’ eating and drinking.

One special guest at the event will be everyone’s favourite bearded gentleman in red – Santa will be taking time out from his busy schedule to attend the event. There will be a charge of £3 per child to visit Santa and all proceeds will go directly to Sandy Bear charity to support their work. Each child will receive a small gift from Santa as part of their visit. Parents can book in advance via the website: www.sandybear.co.uk/santa

Adam Thorne, Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society’s President is looking forward to the festive event. He said, “The Society would like to thank Judith and Emma for all the hours they have put in, voluntarily, to organise the two-day Christmas event. We’re delighted to be able to offer visitors the opportunity to do all their Christmas shopping whilst enjoying the festive atmosphere.”

Follow Pembrokeshire County Show’s Christmas Fair event page on Facebook for a full list of stallholders in the run up to the event.

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Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

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THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.

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