Community
Historic church set to close after more than 1400 years
A CHURCH that was founded by a pupil of St David, is closing after 1,439 years due to dwindling congregations.
St Madoc of Ferns in Haroldston West, Haverfordwest, is believed to have opened in 583.
The church was founded by Madoc, a follower of St David, the patron saint of Wales.
With an average of two people attending the service every few weeks, which is on a rotation with a number of other churches who share the same vicar, the dwindling congregation means the church will close its doors after a final service in July.
The church has been earmarked for use as a community centre.
Speaking on the closure, Church Warden Diana Thomas said: “ “I’m devastated, I’ve been using the church for 40 years.”
“As a place of worship it was started by St Madoc in 583, he was a follower of St David.
“He set up a little cell with the idea of going into the countryside and bringing people into the church.
“Obviously it would have been nothing like the building there now but just a little wooden building.
“Madoc finished up as Bishop of Ferns in Ireland.
“I have had a lot of family connections with it. Marriages and funerals, that sort of thing.
“It’s a real shame but things change and that is the position we are in.
“It was a flourishing little church but people have moved away and people die and new people are not coming in.”
Ms Thomas feels that holiday lets have played a part in the dwindling congregation numbers, adding that she doesn’t feel there are enough people to sustain the services, which can hold up to 50 people.
Reverend David Mortimore, also feels that holiday lets have played their part.
He said: “It’s in a farming area where there are only 100 houses in the parish and some of them are holiday homes.
“So we only have two ladies who are getting elderly and are unable to keep going.”
A meeting was held on May 11, by the Havens History Group, and a plan was set for the building to be taken over by a community group.
A further meeting is due to be held on June 8.
A member of the history group, Shirley Norman, who also runs Littlehaven’s Boathouse Gallery said: “”We have 12 people who are definitely willing to help and who left their contact details.
“One lady from Broad Haven has offered to apply for funding because that is her full-time job.
“Our immediate problem is that the electricity will be cut off at the end of June if we do not take action soon.
“We still hope the new group will have ideas about recruiting someone with building knowledge.”
A FAMILY has been left with nothing after a devastating house fire tore through their home in Tregunnor on Monday (Apr 7).
The blaze destroyed everything inside the house, leaving the homeowner, his children, and their family dog with only the clothes on their backs. Thankfully, no injuries were reported, but the emotional impact of losing their home and belongings has been described as “immeasurable.”
In the wake of the tragedy, a GoFundMe page has been launched by the homeowner’s nephew, Kian Evans, in an effort to help the family rebuild their lives. The fundraiser, titled “Tregunnor House Fire,” has so far raised £40 from two donors, with hopes that more support will follow.
Mr Evans praised the emergency services for their swift response and thanked the local community for their messages of support and solidarity.
He wrote: “They have lost everything, from furniture to cherished memories. The goal is to help them get back on their feet after such a traumatic experience. Every little helps.”
The family now face the daunting task of starting over, but thanks to the generosity of those around them, they are not facing it alone.
To donate to the fundraiser, visit: gofundme.com/f/tregunnor-house-fire
Photo caption:
The fire which destroyed a family home in Tregunnor (Pic: Herald).
PEMBROKESHIRE JUNIORS IMPRESS IN CARMARTHEN FIXTURE
PEMBROKESHIRE JUNIOR CHESS CLUB travelled to Carmarthen on Monday (April 7) for a friendly fixture against their slightly older, but less experienced, counterparts. The match marked Carmarthen’s first official game.
Thanks to Peter Evans for organising the event, which saw 20 young players competing in a friendly but competitive atmosphere. A terrific evening of chess followed, with players mixing and matching across boards, ensuring each had at least two games—some even playing three or four.
The result of the first match was a tightly contested draw, finishing 5-5.
Standout players on both sides
For Pembrokeshire, standout performances came from:
- Suki, with 3 wins
- Huw, with 2 wins
- Joe, with 1 win and a draw
For Carmarthen, Matthew, William, and Eric stood out with impressive performances.
A return fixture in Pembrokeshire is already being planned before the season concludes. The club also hopes to arrange additional matches against Redhill Prep School and Castell Nedd Chess Club on May 29.
Strong performances in Redhill Festival
Ten Pembrokeshire players also took part in the Redhill Primary School Festival over the weekend, all performing with distinction. Special mention goes to Joe and Harry, who both won their first four rounds and competed in the final—Joe winning Gold, and Harry securing Silver.
Coach Martin Jones said he has been delighted with the progress made by all players this season, including the club’s younger and less experienced members, who are also showing great promise.
Martin also recently competed in the Bristol Chess Congress, where he took first place in his section out of 62 entrants.
“It’s great to see chess flourishing in Pembrokeshire,” he said.
Pembrokeshire Team (in board order)
- Barnaby Hinman – Ysgol Preseli
- Joe Othen – Home Schooled
- Harry Harling – Cosheston VC School
- Huw Holliday – Redhill Prep
- Sebastian Kummer – Neyland Community School
- Jude Taylor – St Mark’s VA School
- Henry Malone – Redhill High
- Suki-Rose Heulwen – Ysgol Bro Penfro
- Emily Thomas-Ward – Redhill Prep
- Carys Callan – Redhill Prep
Photos:
- Pembrokeshire Team
- Combined Pembrokeshire & Carmarthen Teams
FOUR original paintings of Sunderland flying boats have been donated to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre by one of its leading supporters, Welsh aviation and military artist John Wynne Hopkins.
John, who lives in Llanelli, has also gifted several large prints and a collection of greetings cards, all depicting iconic images of the Sunderland aircraft.
“I have followed the excellent progress of the Heritage Trust over many years and I am so pleased that my art can support them,” said John. “The Sunderland is a favourite subject of mine and its long connections with Pembroke Dock have provided me with many topics to paint. I shall certainly continue this.”
The Heritage Centre already displays one of John’s earlier works — a dramatic World War I battlefield scene created in 2018 for its trench exhibit. The painting is featured in the original entrance of the Centre, housed in the former Royal Dockyard Chapel.
The Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
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