Community

RAF airman’s logbook donated to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre

Published

1 year ago

August 5, 2024

An RAF airman’s logbook donated to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre has added key information to the story of the wartime Sunderland flying boat which sank off the town in 1940.

Brothers Ross and Chris Burrows made a special visit to Pembroke Dock, bringing the logbook of their RAF navigator father, Pilot Officer (later Wing Commander) David Burrows, who was among the crew which made the last flight of Sunderland T9044.

That flight – from Oban in Scotland to ‘PD’ on 9th November 1940 – is listed as a ‘calibration flight’, proof that T9044 was involved in early radar equipment trials.

Said Ross: “When researching our father’s story we discovered that T9044 had sunk days after his only flight in the aircraft, and that many artefacts from the Sunderland are displayed at the Heritage Centre.”

Added Chris: ”We are delighted that the logbook has come ‘home’ to ‘PD’ and we are also so pleased to donate Dad’s uniforms, copies of photos and other items.”

Their guide at the Centre was Trustee Rik Saldanha who pointed out an especially relevant artefact from T9044 – the Perspex astrodome now incorporated into the replica Sunderland cockpit.

“This is where navigators often stood and it is most likely that Ross and Chris’ father was the last crewman ever to look out of the astrodome,” said Rik. “It was recovered from the seabed and is like new, 84 years on.

“Thanks to the logbook we now know what trials our Sunderland was engaged in.”

The Heritage Centre, which has permanent displays on Sunderland T9044, is open Mondays to Fridays, 10 am to 4 pm.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

16 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)