Charity
Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre welcomes manager of Lucasfilm

THE NEW Millennium Falcon exhibition at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre welcomed a very special visitor recently, one whose major support and contributions made the unique project possible.
Lynwen Brennan, Executive Vice-President and General Manager of Lucasfilm Ltd – who was brought up in Pembrokeshire – had a first hand insight into the Pembroke Dock Falcon exhibition, which opened earlier this year.
Detailing the construction of the first complete version of the iconic Millennium Falcon for use in the Oscar winning ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, the exhibition has been an amazing success over the summer, attracting thousands of Star Wars fans to West Wales.
The spaceship was constructed in a Pembroke Dock aircraft hangar over 40 years ago.
Brennan was welcomed by Trust Chairman Graham Clarkson and Exhibition Project Manager Mark Williams along with Trustees Rik Saldanha, Gareth Mills and Martin Cavaney.
When viewing the many images on display, most of which had been kindly supplied by the Lucasfilm Archives, Brennan paid special attention to the photos that had been taken by some of the workers at the time of the construction.
She remarked: “This is such a wonderful personal story to the people of Pembroke Dock; I am so
happy that this has finally been made possible.”
She also praised the scale model of the Falcon that takes centre stage in the exhibition, demonstrating the stages of construction, “This is a very clever way to show exactly how the Falcon was put together,” she added.
Brennan was given a special preview of the centre’s plans to develop and expand the exhibition by integrating both virtual and augmented reality experiences. Her son particularly enjoyed playing with the virtual Falcon model.
Project Manager Mark Williams commented: “This visit means so much to us all at the centre. After all of the hard work put in by everybody, it was a pleasure to show the results to the person who effectively made the whole project possible. We look forward to when we can welcome Lynwen and her family back to her home county again.”
Remember to vote for the Pembroke Dock Falcon exhibit in the National Lottery Awards Project of the Year competition.
Charity
Veterans rally to repair storm damage in Milford Haven

MILFORD HAVEN’S VC Gallery veterans have stepped up to restore a woodland area hit hard by recent high winds.
The Woodlands in Milford suffered significant damage, with fallen trees crashing onto a farmer’s fence, endangering livestock and damaging the enclosure.
In response, a team of veterans, including trustee Mark Shuttleworth, Simon, Steve, and volunteer of the year Donna Evans, was deployed to clear the trees and rebuild the fencing.
The Woodlands project, run by VC Gallery, offers opportunities for people to connect with nature while learning about biodiversity and conservation.

Charity
New charity offers grants to young people in Pembrokeshire

A NEW charity aimed at supporting young people in Pembrokeshire has been established and is now accepting applications for its first round of grants.
The Tenby & County Trust (TACT) was created using funds from the sale of the former Tenby & County Club on The Croft, with the aim of helping young people aged between five and 18 pursue their aspirations.
Trustee David Blackmore explained: “The purpose of TACT is to provide grants that enable young people in Pembrokeshire to follow their ambitions, whether in the creative arts, culture, sports, adventure, science, or languages.”
Substantial investment
Following the sale of the County Club for redevelopment, club members—who were entitled to a share of the proceeds—voted to establish a charity to benefit local youth.
“The money has been invested, and while we are not disclosing the exact amount, it is a considerable six-figure sum,” said Mr Blackmore.
The trust is managed by local trustees, all of whom have either been involved with the former County Club or played significant roles in education within Pembrokeshire.
How to apply
Young people interested in applying for a grant must submit an application via email. This should include the names and email addresses of two supporting sponsors and a statement of no more than 500 words outlining how they would use the funds, including a breakdown of costs.
Grants will be issued quarterly, with the next application deadline set for March 1, 2025. Grants are only available to individuals.
For more information, email [email protected] or visit tenbyandcountytrust.org.
Charity
Fishing competition aims to raise £2,000 for lifeboat crews

A FISHING competition in Pembrokeshire hopes to net £2,000 to support lifeboat crews in Angle and Tenby.
The Angle and Tenby Lifeboat Fishing Competition is set to take place on Amroth Beach on Sunday, February 16, with all proceeds going to the RNLI teams that provide lifesaving services along the county’s coastline.
Former Pembroke Dock mayor Peter Kraus is leading the fundraising effort and is appealing for sponsors and raffle prize donations to help reach the target.
Mr Kraus said: “We are hoping to raise £1,000 for each of the lifeboat stations. With your help, that can be possible.
“I need kind sponsors willing to give £50, and I also need nice raffle prizes. This is such a good cause and a vital lifesaving service.”
Anyone wishing to support the event can contact Peter Kraus via email at [email protected] or call 07900 324287.
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