A CROWDFUNDING campaign has launched to support a new documentary capturing a nearly forgotten piece of football history—a 1967 charity match in Liverpool featuring Hungarian football icon Ferenc Puskás, alongside British legends Billy Liddell and John Charles.

Daniel Metcalf, director of the film and grandson of Chester FC striker Mike Metcalf, who played in the match, describes the film as “a love letter to the beautiful game,” aiming to highlight community spirit and the unity of sport. “Through personal stories, historic footage, and expert insights, we’ll revisit this unique game and explore 1960s football’s influence over the decades,” he said.

The project has attracted substantial backing, including collaboration with Chester FC, endorsements from notable players like Neville Southall, and the involvement of a skilled production team with narration by broadcaster Kim Thomas.

Supporters can choose from various funding tiers, with contributions starting at £10 for acknowledgments and extending to £5,000 Producer credits. Rewards range from film credits to signed memorabilia and invitations to the UK premiere. The funding target of £3,300 aims to cover initial production costs, with stretch goals set to enhance production quality.

Filming will commence in Chester in May 2025, with the documentary slated for release in early 2026 for the festival circuit.

For more information or to support the project, visit Kickstarter.

CAREW Castle, one of Pembrokeshire’s most treasured landmarks, has once again been named Visitor Attraction of the Year at the prestigious Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards, cementing its place as a top destination for visitors to the region.

The award, presented during a grand ceremony at Pembrokeshire College, recognises the Castle’s ongoing dedication to providing an exceptional visitor experience. This second consecutive win underscores Carew Castle’s commitment to excellence, from its welcoming guides to its expertly preserved grounds and engaging events, drawing visitors year-round.

Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle, expressed gratitude for the continued recognition: “Winning this award two years in a row is a testament to everyone involved in bringing Carew Castle to life – from the knowledgeable guides to the conservationists, dedicated team of volunteers, and our hardworking tearoom team. It’s truly a group effort, and we’re honoured to be recognised once more as one of Pembrokeshire’s premier attractions.”

The Castle has become a hub of excitement year-round, with special charm during the quieter winter months. Seasonal events like Glow, an enchanting Christmas light display, featuring rooms of the Castle dressed for the festivities and live musical performances, draw visitors of all ages. This festive season also includes Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Needle Felting Workshop, and children’s Christmas Craft Workshops – ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the nights draw in.

Carew Castle is open daily from 11am to 3pm throughout the winter, with extended hours on Fridays through Sundays when Glow and Santa’s Grotto are in full swing.

For a full schedule of upcoming events and activities at Carew Castle, visit www.carewcastle.com.

Pictured: Carew Castle is celebrating its second consecutive win as Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Croeso Awards, recognised for its exceptional visitor experience and engaging year-round events.

A CALL for waste centre users across Pembrokeshire to “share the pain” in a cut in the number of days they are open rather than close St Davids’ recycling centre is being recommended to senior councillors.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s policy pre-decision overview and scrutiny committee, at their November 12 meeting, received a report on the provision of recycling centres in the county, which had been referred from full council at its March budget meeting.

Back at that meeting, St Davids recycling centre, at risk of potential closure against a backdrop of severe budget pressures, was given a reprieve.

A report for the November committee, presented by Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services Cllr Rhys Sinnett, said the council’s medium term financial plan identifies “a ‘most likely’ projected funding gap of £84.6m over the period 2024-25 to 2027-28,” with the council needing to deliver at least £70,000 of savings against the waste and recycling centres, adding: “if this is not possible this saving will be required to come from alternative areas within environmental services impacting on collection arrangements and services provided across Pembrokeshire.”

Four options were presented to the committee: no change, with the £70,000 coming from other areas of the service; the closure of St Davids netting the £70,000; its closure along with reductions in the amount of days other centres at Winsel, Waterloo, Crane Cross and Hermon to save £110,000; the final option being a reduction in the number of days all were open, but keeping St Davids running, saving the £70,000.

The choice of the options, complicated by various capital investment requirements for the sites, before committee would take the form of a recommendation to the council’s Cabinet before a final decision is made.

Members heard many objections to the closure of St Davids had been received, with the city council “unanimously” opposed to it on many grounds, including its use by both the Coastguard and the RNLI for the disposal of maritime debris, and the distances involved for members of the public to use the other facilities.

Nearby local county councillor, Cllr Mark Carter of Solva said he had never seen as many responses to an issue in his seven-and-a-half years as a councillor, proposing the fourth option, later described as “a sharing of pain across all sites” be submitted to Cabinet.

He said the facility at St Davids was much valued by local residents.

“They understand Pembrokeshire County Council has got a severe financial problem, they understand doing nothing is not an option; they understand that, I understand that,” said Cllr Carter, adding: “The problem we’ve got with the budget is a county-wide problem, it’s not St Davids exclusively; logic says we should not be inflicting all the pain on this peninsula.”

He was backed by fellow local councillor Cllr Bethan Price.

Members, by nine votes to three, backed the fourth option of a reduction in hours at all sites but keeping St Davids open, be recommended to Cabinet, expected to be heard at its December meeting.