Community

Christmas message: Bishop of St Davids has hopes for peace

Published

2 years ago

December 26, 2023

THE new Bishop of St Davids, Bishop Dorrien Davies has released a Christmas message for the people of Pembrokeshire and beyond. Here it is in full.

“At Christmas we are reminded of the message of the angels to the shepherds ‘Peace on Earth’, it is an important part of the Christmas narrative. As we reflect on the events of the past year, and all that has happened in the world the hope of the heavenly peace in our lives is more relevant than ever.

“On the night that Jesus was born, the angel appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of the Saviour, the Messiah. The shepherds would find this baby not in a palace or great house, but lying in a manger, a feed trough for animals. Yet in this simplistic, humble way the Incarnate God came into this world. Even though the world kept spinning and the events of that first Christmas went for the most part unnoticed, heaven resounded with the joy of the coming of the Prince of Peace. Lk 2.14.

“This is somewhat of an irony today when we realise that the town of Bethlehem is only forty-five miles away from the horrors and atrocities of conflict.

“Christ comes to bring Salvation, hope, life and peace; in the heavenly message the angels testify and celebrate this peace as being for all people. Through the Saving, loving work of Christ, we can have peace with God, which hopefully will lead us into a peace with one another. Peace in our churches, peace in our communities, peace in the Holy Land, Ukraine and all troubled places in our world, and peace in our lives.

“As we reflect on the life of Jesus Christ we come to realise that he came to bring a more expansive and inclusive peace. His mission was to establish the peace of God. This is more than inner peace. It is more than the cessation of war. It is even more than reconciliation between us and God. The peace of Christ includes all of these and more, it is the peace of his life in us. It envisions a universe governed by God in which all relationships are fully loving and just. This peace is centred in a right relationship with God, and it touches everything else in life.

“As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, may we enjoy the peace we have with God through Christ. And may we be given a foretaste of the peace on earth that is yet to come.

“The peace of Jesus is for everyone, and when we accept his presence in our lives it changes our attitude in everything we do. Imagine the difference made between the shepherds and the baby Jesus, how the shepherds’ lives were changed.

“Having heard the angels’ message and travelled to the stable in Bethlehem; as they kneel before the Incarnate God, they experience that peace, that was beyond their understanding, is now within their reach. We too can have that peace by recognising that Jesus is our hope and that he gives meaning and peace to all our lives.”

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

15 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.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

2 days 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)