Community

Enthusiastic endorsement for history project

Published

11 years ago

November 25, 2014

PEMBROKE TOWN HALL was packed last Saturday morning (Oct 4) as AM Angela Burns gave her enthusiastic endorsement to the Pembroke and Monkton Local History Society’s latest initiative: ‘Through My Eyes: a community history of Pembroke and Monkton. ‘Through My Eyes’, which has been published as a book and accompanying DVD, contains a wealth of local memories which should prove of inestimable value to future historians as well as those interested in the history of one of the most historically fascinating areas of the UK. Speaking on behalf of the project team Linda Asman said: “Pembroke has a prestigious history, and although its distant past is well documented there has been no book written about the history of Pembroke and Monkton in more recent times. It has long been my aim to rectify this”. Ms Asman added: “After many years of recording oral histories, I came up with the idea of telling the history of Pembroke through the individual stories of members of the community.

These stories, like pieces of a jigsaw, would combine to paint a portrait of Pembroke, and illustrate how it has changed through time as well as record them for posterity” “It was the formation of the P&M Local History Society in 2010 which provided the platform to develop the project, the aim of which was to make a DVD of digital stories (short fi lms) of local people and to print the scripts in an accompanying book. Although we were prepared to carry out the work on a voluntary basis, we needed money to provide us with training and ultimately to publish the project.

We applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund which fortunately approved the project and awarded us almost £10,000 in July 2012” “Putting all of this together has been no mean task. We needed to capture personal stories which conveyed social change in Pembroke from differing aspects of community life so it was important to the success of the project that we selected the right people. Fortunately all participants when approached, willingly embraced the project, which is greatly to their credit as making a story is very demanding time wise.

It turned out to be considerably bigger than originally planned: 45 people contributed their stories and so many have offered support. Then there are the professionals without whom we could not have brought the project to a successful conclusion: Matt White guided us through the digital storytelling training, tweaked our fi lms and produced the DVD while Keith Johnson (editor of Pembrokeshire Life) produced the book”. Refl ecting on the large number who turned out for the launch she continued: “I was really overwhelmed.

In just two hours we sold 170 copies! I am very grateful to our Assembly Member, Angela Burns for opening proceedings at the Launch, along with Pembroke’s Mayor Clr Aaron Carey and Mayoress Natalie and to Pembroke Town Council for sponsoring the event. “The previous evening the Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society held a pre-launch get together for the people who had participated in the project, and this proved very popular with around 90 people attending. The Society Committee had worked hard to produce a lovely buffet and everyone who had written a story was presented with a complementary copy of the book. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening”

“I do think that this response illustrates the extent of community involvement in the project and the huge interest in our great past, a past which has been somewhat overlooked. I hope in this project we have at least done something to capture that sense of place which is Pembroke, to preserve the memory for posterity”. ‘Through My Eyes’ is a voluntary community project – no member of the Society received any money for their work and all proceeds from sales will be invested in future projects of the Society and in the Pembroke Museum.

The Museum is the result of a partnership between Town Council and various heritage groups including West Wales Maritime Heritage Society and Pembroke Civic Trust. “It is a much needed facility in Pembroke” Linda Asman explained. “So much has been lost because we have not had a museum, hard to believe for a town with such a great heritage. However, we are working to develop it and for this we rely on community support, for donations of artefacts, photographs and memorabilia as well as for volunteers.

There is much to be done” A clearly enthused Angela Burns AM added “Through our eyes is a story told through 45 sets of eyes and yet it is a story of a community from the turn of the First World War and in some instances even earlier. It is so good to be able to record this because our communities are changing so quickly and we need to have these tales for our children and their children too – to look back on and say this is who we were, this is where we came from and this is where we are going. It’s about the past and the present but above all it’s about saving things for the future” It is a wonderful, wonderful project and a real labour of love” For more information on how to obtain copies of the book (Including the DVD can be obtained from the local history by calling in at the town hall.

Community

Weather presenter spotted filming in Pembrokeshire

Published

11 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A WELL-KNOWN Welsh weather presenter was spotted in Pembrokeshire as he filmed scenes for a new series celebrating the county’s coastline.

Derek Brockway, who has been a familiar face on BBC Wales since 1995, was in St Davids recently working on another instalment of his popular walking series along the Pembrokeshire Coast.

Local resident Thomas Tudor said it was “lovely” to meet the broadcaster during filming, posing for a photograph alongside his mother, Beryl Tudor, and sister, Bethan Thomas Price.

Brockway, who is based at BBC Cymru Wales in Cardiff, is widely known not only for his weather forecasts across television, radio and online, but also for his programmes showcasing Wales’ landscapes and coastal paths.

The latest filming in St Davids is expected to form part of an upcoming series highlighting the natural beauty and walking routes of Pembrokeshire, an area long regarded as one of the jewels in Wales’ tourism crown.

Community

Broad Haven volunteers secure ‘national asset’ status for nature reserve

Published

12 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A SMALL stretch of woodland and former opencast coal mine has been transformed into a nationally recognised biodiversity site, in a major first for Wales.

The Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve has been awarded ‘Naturfa’ status, becoming the first community-managed site in Wales to receive the designation.

The recognition, confirmed by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, classifies the reserve as an “Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measure” (OECM). This means the volunteer-led work of the Support the Boardwalk group will now contribute directly to Wales’ 30×30 target – the global commitment to protect 30% of land, freshwater and sea for nature by 2030.

In a further boost, the site has also been included in the National Forest for Wales, recognising its role in strengthening a connected network of woodlands and habitats across the country.

Once a simple local walkway, the Slash Pond has developed into a thriving wildlife haven. The reserve now supports a wide range of species, including critically endangered European eels, otters, ten species of bat, and more than fifty species of birds, alongside diverse aquatic plants and insects.

Huw Irranca-Davies said: “These special places are a testament to the care and dedication of people working on the ground – securing a legacy for future generations. Nature can only thrive where habitats are resilient, protected and effectively managed.”

The new status is expected to unlock future funding opportunities, supporting long-term plans for maintaining the boardwalk, monitoring biodiversity and water quality, installing new signage, and expanding environmental education work with Broad Haven Primary School and the wider Havens community.

Andy Drumm, a volunteer with Support the Boardwalk, said: “We’ve always known how special the Slash Pond is, but this recognition puts it firmly on the map as a national asset. It’s a tribute to years of hard work and shows that local communities can lead the way in tackling the nature crisis.”

To mark the achievement, a Spring Family Fun Day will take place on Friday (May 9) from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the Slash Pond car park.

The event will feature guided nature walks, pond dipping, a wildlife treasure trail, live music, and family activities including crafts and face painting. The official unveiling of the Naturfa certificate and new reserve branding will also take place, alongside the launch of a new book, From Culm to Calm: A History of the Slash Pond by local author David Meanwell.

Karen Riggs, a long-time volunteer, said: “This achievement belongs to everyone in Broad Haven who has supported the site over the years. We’re not just celebrating a new title – we’re celebrating what our community has built together.”

The day will also see the installation of new benches at the observation decks and the launch of a floating island habitat to support wildfowl and other bird species. Visitors will also be invited to share feedback on plans for an improved picnic area designed to withstand local flooding.

Naturfa is a Welsh Government initiative recognising areas outside traditional protected sites, such as SSSIs, that are managed in ways which deliver long-term benefits for biodiversity.

The Slash Pond Community Nature Reserve is managed by the Support the Boardwalk group in partnership with The Havens Community Council, and is maintained entirely by volunteers.

Further information and updates are available via the Support the Boardwalk Facebook page.

Community

Milford Haven salon named national awards finalist

Published

20 hours ago

March 22, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A local beauty therapist earns recognition in prestigious UK competition

A MILFORD HAVEN beauty therapist has been shortlisted for a major national award celebrating excellence in the hair and beauty industry.

Charlotte Mitchell-Johns, of The Attic Hair & Beauty, has been named a finalist in the Hair Extensions Specialist category at the UK Hair and Beauty Awards 2026.

Ms Mitchell-Johns, who is a Level four beauty therapist, also works as a hair extensions specialist and beauty educator with HB Training.

Speaking about the recognition, she said she was “truly honoured” to be named among the finalists.

She added that she believes the industry thrives on collaboration rather than competition, and that supporting others is key to long-term success.

Ms Mitchell-Johns has been recognised for her technical skill, commitment to clients, and efforts to maintain high standards within the beauty sector.

The UK Hair and Beauty Awards highlight leading professionals from across the country, celebrating talent, creativity and dedication within the industry.