Community

Review: Flamingo Bingo, a carnival of colour and chaos

Published

4 years ago

April 20, 2022

BINGO may sound like something your Nana would do on a Friday night at the local social club, but unless your local includes smoke machines, loud music, and confetti cannons, Flamingo Bingo is a whole different game.

What a sight I was greeted with as one of the last people to arrive — The Parkhouse Centre, Withybush on Easter Sunday (April 17) evening full of Pembrokeshire people drinking and singing their hearts out, all ready for the night ahead. We were given our books and bought decently priced beers in quantity and shoved them under our arms before making our way to our table.

Dancing and singing followed, with djs Jack Evs and Jonno T warming up the party mood with cheesy pop and upfront house music. By 8 p.m., the venue is hopping, with girls dancing around their tables.

The evening’s MC, Steve Bartram, then took the stage with his guitar, playing major sing-along hits like Delilah and that one Stereophonics song everyone knows before putting the crowd in line for the bingo!

The games function similarly to traditional bingo, or at least how I imagine bingo to function despite never having played it myself. There are five games in all, and each has two opportunities to win: the first is to earn a full line, and the second is to get the first full house. The numbers come in thick and fast, so focus is required, but there are plenty of dance breaks as well.

I had come prepared with my own sparkly bingo dabber, a dabber I will never use again because after the many bottles of Corona I consumed, I lost my poor dabber amongst all of the confetti that fell from the ceiling that night. This fast-paced game is a whirlwind and obviously it’s tough to keep track with the game after a couple of beers. But it was totally worth it!

According to what I’ve heard, most bingo in the UK is played in silence with the grannies, with no music playing and a monotone voice reading the numbers, but this event has entirely transformed the game.

After every three to four numbers called, an absolute classic song (imagine Mousse T’s- Horny) was blasted out every time 69 came up then every single person was up on their feet dancing away. Wow, what an atmosphere! Every single person in the Park House Centre Haverfordwest, had a smile on their face, including the security!

With multiple false calls and faces in the spotlight, the game is like a marathon, with opportunities to win wacky prizes like a vacation to Bendidorm, a Henry Hoover, along side many other prizes…I mean who doesn’t want to take a Henry Hoover home at midnight?

This night is not to be missed! 5/5

EXCLUSIVE: The next Flamingo Bingo at The Park House Centre, Withybush will be held on the 25th June, with info TBA, tickets will be available soon, keep an eye on their Facebook page HERE

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

19 hours 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

20 hours 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)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).