Community

Newport community secures Bethlehem Chapel for Heritage Centre

Published

1 year ago

September 1, 2024

THE historic Bethlehem Chapel in Newport has been saved for community use following a successful bid at a public auction on Friday, 30th August. The community-led Canolfan Bethlehem Community Project secured the winning bid of £145,000, ensuring that the chapel will be preserved and transformed into a Heritage, Arts, and Cultural Centre for the West Wales coastal town.

The auction, held at Llwyngwair Manor, marked the culmination of a determined campaign by Newport residents, who raised the necessary funds within just 14 days. The campaign was launched after efforts to negotiate a private purchase agreement for the chapel failed, leaving the community with a narrow window of opportunity to retain the building.

Cris Tomos, the community assets coordinator at PLANED (Pembrokeshire Local Action Network for Enterprise and Development), expressed his gratitude to the supporters who contributed to the campaign. “I’d like to say an enormous thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign to raise enough funds,” he said. “The community has been so supportive in ensuring the funds were raised within just 14 days, and we’re now looking forward to developing this very important heritage centre for Newport.”

The purchase of Bethlehem Chapel is the latest in a series of community-led initiatives in Newport aimed at preserving local heritage and supporting community assets. Previous efforts included keeping the town’s Tourist Centre and library open through volunteer efforts, and the purchase of the 150-year-old Ironmongers shop, which reopened under community ownership in December 2022.

The new Heritage, Arts, and Cultural Centre will be dedicated to promoting the Welsh language, culture, and Newport’s maritime history. The community group envisions the centre as a “thriving, innovative and inclusive” space that will engage both locals and visitors, fostering a strong sense of belonging, or “cynefin,” among those who interact with it.

The successful bid is a testament to the community’s commitment to preserving its historical landmarks and ensuring that they remain in local hands. The project has been supported by local and national organisations, including PLANED, and has attracted interest from community-minded private lenders who have provided short-term loans to bridge the funding gap until a community share offer can be launched.

With the chapel now secured, the focus will shift to developing the heritage centre, with plans to create a vibrant cultural hub that celebrates Newport’s past while serving as a resource for future generations. Further information on the project and opportunities to get involved can be found at www.canolfanbethlehem.cymru.

The Canolfan Bethlehem Community Project’s success in saving the chapel is a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision and determination to protect its heritage.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

20 minutes 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

23 hours 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

24 hours 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)