Community

Haverfordwest: Gallery brings the ‘woodland into the workshop’

Published

9 years ago

May 4, 2017

THE VC GALLERY at High Street in Haverfordwest held a bluebell workshop on Wednesday (May 3), and drew their interpretations of the wild flowers.

Members of The VC Gallery had gone out into the woods to pick Spanish bluebells amongst other different types of wildflowers, in an attempt to ‘bring the woodland into the studio.’

The Herald spoke to Pete Jones, who regularly hosts workshops at The Gallery. He said: “Bluebells say ‘May’ to a lot of people, especially in Pembrokeshire. In the past, we’ve tried to organise workshops, but they’re only around for a few weeks.”

When asked what the purpose of the workshops is, Mr Jones said: “One of our main aims is to break down isolation and social exclusion. We have 12 people in today, which is small workshop, but there can be up to 18-20 people.

“They’re all from different walks of life, and some are not used to sitting around with each other, but everyone gels together really well into a friendship group.”

After being asked about the subject of next week’s workshop, Mr Jones said: “Next week’s workshop is a bit of a pirate workshop, centered around Black Bart: He was a pirate from Haverfordwest, and he terrorised the Caribbean and Africa for around eight years, so there’s a workshop looking at his career.

“We’ll also be doing maritime tattoos and images of the regent, which was one of his ships that was registered in Milford Haven.”

Mr Jones has been with The Gallery for almost three years, and initially met founder of The VC Gallery, Barry John at the old studio.

Mr Jones said: “It was a 15th century cellar. The only thing it really had going for it was an active haunting!

“I started off as a service user – I suffer with depression myself, and I found the best treatment for my own depression was helping people. It’s a sustainable recovery – I’m always going to down here helping people.”

The Herald also spoke to regular attender of The VC Gallery workshops, Robert Hackett, who was also celebrating his 59th birthday.

He told The Herald that the workshops help him to cope with his mental health, and finds it a great way to expand his art work repertoire.

If you would like to attend The VC Gallery workshops, you can do so every Wednesday between 12.30pm and 2pm.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

3 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

1 day 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

1 day 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)