Community

Illuminated tractor run a glowing success

Published

4 years ago

January 10, 2022

AN illuminated tractor run was a glowing success and has raised over £4,000 for two important charities.

Pontfaen Young Farmers Club held the event following the disappointed of their previous tractor run being forced to be cancelled due to covid-19.

Hundreds of people turned out to see the procession at various places along the route.

Santa and his elves brought a welcome smile to the children and handed out gifts to those gathered at Morrisons Car Park.

Pontfaen Young Farmers Club would like to thank Morgans Family Butchers and Youngs of Brecon for donating money to purchase chocolates for the children and thanks also goes to NFU Cymru for the loan of the model cow attached to Santa’s sleigh!

Club Secretary Sian Healey said: “Thanks to McCartneys LLP for permitting us to start the event at Brecon Market. Judging was adeptly conducted by Mr Gethin Havard, Brecknock YFC County President with the Best Dressed Tractor going to Mr Jamie Bufton of Battle Fawr. We extend our thanks to Gethin for his help and to Wynnstay for donating the prizes.”

The club would also like to offer its sincere thanks to Jo Evans, Grant Community Champion from Morrisons, for accommodating all the tractors in car park, donating food for the drivers, and giving out mince pies and sweets at the end.

The £4,200 that was raised during the event will be split between the Wales Air Ambulance and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Cllr Iain Mcintosh stated “The Pontfaen YFC President’s Illuminated Charity Tractor Run was a fantastic event and hopefully, the first of many to come! Many residents gathered outside their homes and in villages to see around fifty vehicles, with festive lights and decorations, make their way from Brecon Livestock Market, around the route, to finish at Morrisons car park in Brecon.

“I would like to thank Sian Healey, Raiff Devlin, Jan Healey, Gaynor and Alun Morgan, and everyone else from Pontfaen YFC who helped organise the event to raise thousands of pounds for both the Wales Air Ambulance and Macmillan Cancer Support charities. I’d also like to thank Morrisons in Brecon for allowing the event to finish at their car park, where people gathered to view all the decorated tractors, and share a mince pie or two!”

Sian added: “The evening concluded with the raffle, thanks to all members who donated prizes including The Metropole Hotel, The Strand Café, Builth Wells, Fountain Inn, Builth Wells, thanks also to The Greyhound Hotel for selling tickets on the club’s behalf.”

Club Chaiman, Raiff Devlin, proposed a vote of thanks in gratitude to everyone who had helped in any way to make the event such a success.

Helen Pruett, Wales Air Ambulance community fundraiser, said: “A huge thank you to Pontfaen YFC who raised an incredible £4,200 for charity. The illuminated charity tractor run was a huge success, and everyone involved in the event should be immensely proud of themselves. The tractors looked fantastic! This donation will help our medics to be there for the people of Wales when they need us the most – 24/7. Thank you so much everyone.”

The Club would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support of our event; A D G Morgan Agri Contracting, Alpaca My Boots, Agri Torque Ltd, Bbi Group, Beacons Group, Brecon & Radnor Express, Caleb Roberts Insurance Services, Caroline’s Real Bread, CBS Ltd, C & J Davies Cwmachau Cabins, Clee Tompkinson & Francis, Cradoc Golf Club, D T Holloway, Epynt Holidays Ltd, Farmers’ Welsh Lavender Ltd, Hills, Ivor Duggan & Sons, J & C Griffiths, JHS Training, Llandovery Tyres, Lyndon R Jones Heating Services Ltd, Morgan’s Family Butchers, Parry & Pugh Funeral Directors, Phil Davies Haulage Ltd, Pixelhaze, Spa Motors, Sunderlands, T Alun Jones, Ted Hopkins, The Strand Café, Wigwam Brecon, Williams Coaches, WW Bowen, Wynnstay, Youngs of Brecon.

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance Charity. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with innovative ways to fundraise. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com.

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.

Community

St Davids lights up for annual Christmas tree and wreath contest

Published

3 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Menevia WI, Girl Guides and local groups among the winners at a packed Cross Square event

CHARITIES, schools and community groups lit up St Davids on 29 November 2025, showcasing creativity, craftsmanship and festive spirit as hundreds gathered in Cross Square for the annual Christmas Tree and Wreath Competition.

The winners were chosen by public vote. Taking first place in the adults’ category was Menevia WI, whose extraordinary tree, nativity scene and decorations were ingeniously created from a clothes airer and wooden pegs.

Second place went to the City Council Coffee and Chat Group with a thoughtful Christmas-and-Remembrance design, featuring hand-knitted red, white and blue decorations. St Davids RNLI secured third with a lifeboat-themed tree celebrating their lifesaving work.

In the children’s category, St Davids Girl Guides took the top spot with a charming design featuring “Girl-Guide-ified” Santas, tents and the iconic Guide logo. Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi (YPD) came second with a colourful puzzle-themed tree carrying the message: “In this school you are a special piece of the puzzle.” Close behind in third place was Brawdy Hayscastle YFC with an inventive cow-themed Christmas tree.

The wreath category also highlighted the community’s talent. The Drifters claimed first place with a striking star-shaped wreath, while Lego Church secured second with a brilliantly crafted Lego design. Third place went to Rebecca Thornton for her beautifully knitted wreath featuring Santa and his reindeer.

As the Christmas lights were switched on and Cross Square filled with families, the event once again showcased the creativity and community spirit that make Wales’s smallest city shine at Christmas.

Community

Haverfordwest’s first memory tree brings community together this Christmas

Published

6 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Spud Box is delighted to launch a brand-new festive initiative for the people of Pembrokeshire – Haverfordwest’s first Memory Tree, now open to the public at our premises.

The idea, inspired by Drew from The Big Pembs Panto, invites members of the community to write and hang personal messages on the tree. These can be tributes to loved ones, cherished memories, or simple Christmas wishes.

The project has been created to give people a meaningful way to connect during the festive season. All materials – including paper, plastic pockets and ribbon – are provided free of charge. Visitors are also welcome to enjoy complimentary hot drinks, kindly supplied by Connect: Pembrokeshire, along with mince pies donated by Brakes.

Anyone who prefers to create their message at home can bring it in, and the team will be happy to help attach it to the tree.

Donations are being encouraged in support of Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity, making the Memory Tree both a reflective and charitable community event.

The tree itself looks spectacular thanks to Sion from DSR Batteries, who supplied the lighting. The project has also received generous support from Marty at Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity and Pure West Radio. Spud Box welcomes other community groups or organisations who wish to get involved.

Community

Pembrokeshire Lottery makes Superdraw winner’s Christmas extra special

Published

2 days ago

December 3, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ONE lucky Pembrokeshire Lottery player has scooped a festive windfall after winning the £10,000 Christmas Superdraw held on Wednesday 3 December.

The winner, Mr Damon McGarvie, formerly of Milford Haven and now living in Llangwm, was selected with lucky number 41475. He plays through a salary-deduction scheme run by his employer, Pembrokeshire County Council.

Mr McGarvie’s name was announced live on Radio Pembrokeshire, after which the Pembrokeshire Lottery team made contact and presented him with his cheque later that day.

Speaking after the win, Mr McGarvie said he and his wife will be jetting off on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday over the festive period, thanks to the surprise Christmas windfall.

Pembrokeshire Lottery Manager Abigail Owens said:
“I am so pleased for Mr McGarvie. He has contributed to the Pembrokeshire Lottery for many years, and it is only by the continued support of our players that we are able to assist so many local businesses with interest-free funding from the loan fund.”

The regular weekly £2,000 draws continue in the run-up to the January Superdraw, which will offer a £4,000 prize.

To sign up or order Pembrokeshire Lottery gift subscriptions for Christmas, call 01646 690800.

Photo caption: Damon McGarvie with his winner’s cheque.