Community

Historic church set to close after more than 1400 years

Published

4 years ago

May 23, 2022

Carli Newell

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.”

Community

Festive creativity shines as Kurtz MS meets card competition winner

Published

52 minutes ago

December 15, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, visited Pembroke Dock Community School on Friday 12th December to present a prize to the winner of this year’s Christmas Card Competition.

The competition invited pupils to design a festive Christmas card, with entries received from schools across the area. The standard of artwork was exceptionally high, showcasing the creativity, imagination and talent of young people in the community.

During the visit, Samuel Kurtz congratulated the winning pupil and thanked all those who took part, as well as the teachers and staff who supported the competition. Each child who entered also received a certificate in recognition of their hard work and effort.

Speaking after the presentation, Samuel said, “It was a real pleasure to visit Pembroke Dock Community School today and announce the winner of my Christmas Card competition. This year the winner is Mair Moseley, aged 10, and she designed a wonderful Santa image that really stood out. She has won a chocolate selection set and a £20 book token to enjoy over Christmas.”

He added, “ The creativity and enthusiasm shown by all the children was fantastic, and it made choosing a winner extremely difficult. I want to congratulate all the entrants and thank the staff for their ongoing support.”

Pembroke Dock Community School Headteacher, Mrs Katie Crockford-Morris, added, “We were delighted to welcome Samuel Kurtz MS to the school to present the prize. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the competition, and they were incredibly proud to receive their certificates.”

The winning design will now be used as Samuel Kurtz’s official Christmas card this year, with one copy already on its way to His Majesty, King Charles.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

20 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

2 days 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.