Community

The Great Pembrokeshire Charity Gunging is back!

Published

2 years ago

November 7, 2023

AFTER the success of last years fundraising and gunging where almost £1,500 was raised, the same motley crew are back in Pembrokeshire, to raise money for this years BBC Children in Need. Several organisations active within communities across Pembrokeshire, are putting their key personnel forward to participate in another charity gunging!

All those who participated and endured the barrels of gunge last year, are back for 2023, and led by Haverfordwest-based Celtic Timber, and the broadband firm, Ogi. Despite the surreal nature of the actual event, all involved are bonded by the serious facts around raising funds and awareness of what the money donated, could do for our younger residents across Pembrokeshire during this cost of living crisis.

Jon Howcroft from Celtic Timber notes “Having already supported funds being raised for charities including the DPJ Foundation at last years County Show, we were keen to continue to look at opportunities to continue to promote those groups and organisations who can benefit from funds generated by Children in Need. We are lucky to have positive links with partners and individuals engaged in our communities, and when we approached the individuals involved last year, they were all still keen to participate surprisingly!”

Haverfordwest County Football Club are hosting this years Gungeathon at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium on Friday 17^th November, with Tony Pennock from the club, again, getting stuck in, as following his gunging last year, he has been teased that the run of winning form for the club, dramatically increased.

Martin Jones from Ogi is one of the participants who is keen to engage and support this fundraiser. “With a strong community focus that Ogi and the team already do here in Pembrokeshire, I was more than happy to get involved once again. Although last year was very cold and wet, it was still great fun and exhilarating, as we all knew that by doing something like this, whilst fun and stupid, it is all to raise awareness and funds for a great cause.”

Iwan Thomas who, as the others involved mocks, that he wears a number of community organisation leadership hats, from PLANED to Pembrokeshire College amongst others here within the county, is still happy to support. “Doing the work I’m able to do with the amazing organisations I’m involved in, is a genuine privilege. By getting involved again in this fundraiser means we can, by stepping outside of our daily comfort zones, do something which raises funds for those who have the real need for this support, and provide additional benefits in some small ways, to their daily challenges. Working alongside this great crew of people is also a bonus, as we know the aim is to improve lives in West Wales. Our own discomfort and embarrassment potentially is meaningless, when you know what the main aim is, for those who need those projects and services to be funded.”

With other participants soon to be announced as well within the mass gunging, the event will be live streamed through the continued support of Pure West Radio, whose own Breakfast DJ, Tom Dyer also got gunged last year – although it was not planned as he was there originally to simply interview the fundraisers primarily. So this year, we understand Tom is coming prepared!

For those who wish to donate, please go to the Just Giving website, and search for Celtic Timber and “The Great Gungefest V2 for Children in Need” and kindly donate whatever you can. https://www.justgiving.com/page/gunge-fest?fbclid=IwAR3T47YcDkXpd3Okos2DdIG1R80xURcIflb73EZjendPpZq_yPr_mMIg-HM

Community

Crowds line streets as tractor run hailed a festive success

Published

10 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CROWDS lined streets and pavements across Pembrokeshire on Saturday evening (Dec 20) as Clarbeston Road AFC’s illuminated Christmas tractor run was hailed a resounding success.

More than 200 tractors took part in the event, travelling through villages and towns including Newmoat, Maenclochog, Llys-y-frân, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Wiston, Newbridge, Poyston Cross, Crundale and Haverfordwest, where large crowds gathered to watch the festive convoy pass through.

Families, children and residents wrapped up against the cold to enjoy the sight of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays, with applause and waves greeting drivers as they made their way through built-up areas and rural roads alike.

The convoy set off from the Clarbeston Road AFC Knock Playing Fields at 5:30pm and concluded at the County Showground in Haverfordwest later in the evening. At the end of the run, refreshments were available and the raffle draw took place at the Park House building, which was open to the public.

Organisers said the turnout from both drivers and spectators exceeded expectations, with the event once again bringing communities together while raising funds for local causes, including The Catrin Vaughan Foundation, In It With Isaac, and Wales Air Ambulance.

Clarbeston Road AFC thanked tractor drivers, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public for their support, as well as residents and road users for their patience while the convoy passed through.

The illuminated tractor run has become a firm fixture in the local festive calendar, with Friday night’s event described by many spectators as one of the best yet.

Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

Published

11 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

Community

Cilgerran school could be discontinued as consultation launched

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CONSULTATION on proposed changes for a north Pembrokeshire school, which attracted a near-400-strong petition in opposition to the council, has been launched.

At its May meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

“In particular, the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population,” the council in its consultation on proposals for discontinuation of Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School has said.

A later July meeting of the council, following May’s agreed consultation with St David’s Diocese, backed a general consultation to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to establish it as a 3-11 community school.

The consultation was launched on December 16 and runs to January 30.

Hundreds have opposed the proposed changes, with a petition, on the council’s own website opposing the changes recently closed after gaining 391 signatures.

Any petition of between 100 and 499 signatures triggers a debate at one of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and any over 500 a debate at full council, meaning this petition will be heard by committee members at a later date.

The proposals for Cilgerran are part of a wide range of potential education changes in the county.

Two petitions, opposing the potential closures of Manorbier and Ysgol Clydau schools, were recently heard at full council and a further petition opposing the potential closure of Stepaside School has recently been launched.

The Cilgerran e-petition, created by Louise Williams, raised concerns including the school could become part of a federation, a loss of permanent head teacher on site, a shared head teacher would have to oversee several schools, loss of funding control and the ability to maintain the school’s current healthy and stable funding, and a loss of commitment to the church, in turn could impact on the school’s and pupils values, beliefs and cultural beliefs.

It said: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.

“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.

“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the Children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”