Community

Remembering the unknown children

Published

10 years ago

October 29, 2014

Tom Sinclair

Memorial in City Road Cemetery: Huw George and Pat James

HUNDREDS of Pembrokeshire stillborn babies, who now lie in unmarked graves, have been given a permanent memorial.

An estimated 400 stillborn babies were born between 1928 and 1975 when it was common practice to take them from their mothers without any ritual. Now the babies will be permanently remembered at City Road Cemetery in Haverfordwest – where most of the babies were buried. The new memorial is the culmination of years of campaigning by Pembrokeshire County Council employee, Pat James – Crematorium Assistant at Parc Gwyn in Narberth. Pat, from Milford Haven, arrived at Parc Gwyn almost 10 years ago and was given the job of transferring its written burial records on to computer.

“As I was going through the inputs I realised there were an awful lot of still births,” she said. “Many of them were buried in unmarked graves at City Road Cemetery as Haverfordwest was where the local hospital was. “I also received a lot of phone calls from mothers- many of the now quite elderly – who did not know where their babies were buried and who desperately needed some sort of closure. “I have taken some of them to City Road to show them the unmarked grave where their child was buried and always thought it was so sad that all these babies were there and no one knew about it.”

Pat began looking for funds to set up a memorial in the cemetery to mark the spot where the stillborn babies had been buried. Monumental Masons J Cecil Jones of Swansea donated as did Milford Haven funeral director Tom Newing and Sons, while Haverfordwest undertaker Roy Folland and Sons provided four trees to mark the area. “Today parents of stillborn babies are given a chance to say goodbye to their children with proper burials but it wasn’t always so,” said Pat. “In the past it was thought that it was best for the mothers if their babies were simply taken away from them after birth for their own good.

“I hope this new memorial will give these mothers – and fathers- some solace. Hopefully it will be a place for them to come and reflect.” To mark the new memorial a special service will be held on Monday 29th September at 12 noon. Members of the public are welcome to attend. As well as burials at City Road, there are also unmarked stillborn graves at Llanion and Llanwnda Cemeteries. St Michael’s Cemetery in Pembroke already has a memorial commemorating the children buried there and it is also planned to install a memorial at Llanion in the near future.

Charity

Kurtz goes Jurassic as Pantosaurus visits Senedd NSPCC Campaign

Published

9 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Richard Lewis

THIS WEEK, the NSPCC’s annual campaign to safeguard children from sexual abuse reached the steps of the Senedd.

Pantosaurus, the friendly mascot of the NSPCC’s PANTS campaign, appeared to raise awareness among Members of the Senedd and the wider public about the vital importance of child safety. The campaign encourages parents and carers to talk openly with young children about risks and protective measures.

The PANTS campaign is built around five key child protection messages:

Privates are private.
Always remember your body belongs to you.
No means no.
Talk about secrets that upset you.
Speak up; someone can help.

After meeting Pantosaurus, Samuel Kurtz MS, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, expressed his support for the campaign

He said: “I wholeheartedly support this important NSPCC initiative. Since its launch in 2013, it has empowered over six million families to discuss this sensitive subject.

“This issue affects communities across Wales, so promoting the five principles of PANTS is essential for everyone in Pembrokeshire and beyond.”

Community

Crowdfunding drive launched for documentary on forgotten 1967 football match

Published

18 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CROWDFUNDING campaign has launched to support a new documentary capturing a nearly forgotten piece of football history—a 1967 charity match in Liverpool featuring Hungarian football icon Ferenc Puskás, alongside British legends Billy Liddell and John Charles.

Daniel Metcalf, director of the film and grandson of Chester FC striker Mike Metcalf, who played in the match, describes the film as “a love letter to the beautiful game,” aiming to highlight community spirit and the unity of sport. “Through personal stories, historic footage, and expert insights, we’ll revisit this unique game and explore 1960s football’s influence over the decades,” he said.

The project has attracted substantial backing, including collaboration with Chester FC, endorsements from notable players like Neville Southall, and the involvement of a skilled production team with narration by broadcaster Kim Thomas.

Supporters can choose from various funding tiers, with contributions starting at £10 for acknowledgments and extending to £5,000 Producer credits. Rewards range from film credits to signed memorabilia and invitations to the UK premiere. The funding target of £3,300 aims to cover initial production costs, with stretch goals set to enhance production quality.

Filming will commence in Chester in May 2025, with the documentary slated for release in early 2026 for the festival circuit.

For more information or to support the project, visit Kickstarter.

Community

Carew Castle triumphs again as Visitor Attraction of the Year at Croeso Awards

Published

20 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CAREW Castle, one of Pembrokeshire’s most treasured landmarks, has once again been named Visitor Attraction of the Year at the prestigious Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards, cementing its place as a top destination for visitors to the region.

The award, presented during a grand ceremony at Pembrokeshire College, recognises the Castle’s ongoing dedication to providing an exceptional visitor experience. This second consecutive win underscores Carew Castle’s commitment to excellence, from its welcoming guides to its expertly preserved grounds and engaging events, drawing visitors year-round.

Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle, expressed gratitude for the continued recognition: “Winning this award two years in a row is a testament to everyone involved in bringing Carew Castle to life – from the knowledgeable guides to the conservationists, dedicated team of volunteers, and our hardworking tearoom team. It’s truly a group effort, and we’re honoured to be recognised once more as one of Pembrokeshire’s premier attractions.”

The Castle has become a hub of excitement year-round, with special charm during the quieter winter months. Seasonal events like Glow, an enchanting Christmas light display, featuring rooms of the Castle dressed for the festivities and live musical performances, draw visitors of all ages. This festive season also includes Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Needle Felting Workshop, and children’s Christmas Craft Workshops – ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the nights draw in.

Carew Castle is open daily from 11am to 3pm throughout the winter, with extended hours on Fridays through Sundays when Glow and Santa’s Grotto are in full swing.

For a full schedule of upcoming events and activities at Carew Castle, visit www.carewcastle.com.

Pictured: Carew Castle is celebrating its second consecutive win as Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Croeso Awards, recognised for its exceptional visitor experience and engaging year-round events.