Community

West Wales nature reserve opens new wildlife trail

Published

2 years ago

February 12, 2024

A NEW nature trail at a Tregaron nature reserve and glamping site was formally opened today by the founder of Lampeter Permaculture Group. Angie Polkey, a leading figure in nature-friendly land management, cut the ribbon at Orchid Meadows to cheers from local small-holding owners and conservation volunteers.

The trail takes visitors around flower-rich meadows, a newly planted wood, sphagnum moss wetland and a wildlife pond, following a series of wooden benches where people are encouraged to relax, take in the surroundings and see what they can spot around them. The trail starts in the reserve’s Evening Meadow, which is rich in orchids. Last summer over 1300 flowering heads of heath spotted orchid were counted in this and a neighbouring field, together with uncommon lesser butterfly orchids and whorled caraway, the county flower of Carmarthenshire but rare outside that county’s borders. Three of the benches lie within an area of new woodland, planted with trees native to the area, including alder, downy birch, aspen, western oak and hazel. One of these is at Bluebell Corner, aptly named because the ground turns rich blue in June.

The trail also crosses wetland, named Cors Caron Fach in a nod to the nearby National Nature Reserve managed by Natural Resources Wales. Here there are unusual plants that are also found in Cors Caron NNR, including bogbean, marsh marigold and marsh cinquefoil. Animal wildlife to get a mention on the trail include red kite, tawny owl, polecat, stonechat, badger, fox, dragonflies and damselflies, and the rare marsh fritillary butterfly.

Site owner Stephen Hounsham said: “There is an abundance of nature interest here at Orchid Meadows and our new trail will help people to experience it. At a time when biodiversity is facing such a squeeze, it is right that people with sites as special as ours share them with others, in our case our glamping guests.”

Orchid Meadows glamping site in Ceredigion offers three accommodation units: Tawny Cottage, Red Kite Yurt and Goldfinch Glampavan. Tawny Cottage is open for the new season now, while the yurt and the glampavan open in May. Many guests who come to Orchid Meadows choose the site primarily so they can explore nature and relax in beautiful surroundings.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

18 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)