Community

My remembrance

Published

12 years ago

December 2, 2014

FOR many , Remembrance Day is more than a commemoration of the thousands of men who gave their lives for our freedom. Men whose stories we hear but will never get to meet. For many of us, it marks a personal tribute to the men of our own families whose lives and innocence was lost and whose bravery must never be forgotten. This year marks the centenary of the First World War and the strength and courage of those men is more poignant than ever. This is my remembrance for the three generations of my family who fought in the First and Second World Wars. My Great Grandfather, George, was a Dockyard worker who spent his spare time repairing clocks. Like many of the young men he was called up with, he had no idea of what War would be like, of the conditions he would live in and the terrible things he would see. He was proud to be fighting for his country, so he left his home in Devon to become a soldier in WW1.

He was part of the machine gun co, spending most of his service in the trenches. He was also involved in the Battle of Somme in 1916 which is most likely where he sustained his injuries. He was lucky not to be one of 58,000 troops killed during the battle. I don’t remember much about Great Granddad, except that he was very quiet and watchful. He never talked about the war or its effects on him. My Granddad, Robert, was a bricklayer and keen motorcyclist from Devon. When he was enlisted, he offered his services as a bricklayer.

There wasn’t any need for builders so he began infantry training in 1942. He later became a motorcycle Dispatch Rider (military messenger), serving for 5 years in North Africa, Italy and Palestine in several antitank regiments. Granddad kept a diary, a very frank account of what he saw and felt during the War. He was badly injured when a passing shell hit a farm house on the road he was walking down. Throwing himself to the ground, he remembers being littered with debris and a sharp pain in his back. It was later found that shrapnel from the shell had gone into his back, leg and shoulder.

This was removed in an operation but years later he could still feel small pieces of shrapnel in his knee and finger. Like many soldiers, Granddad wrote home to his family during the War. We discovered these letters after he’d passed away. There was also a prayer book, with an inscription inside by my Great Grandfather. This little book came safely through World War 1… Darling Bob, hoping you will come safely back to us.

The letters are heartfelt exchanges between a worried mother and a brave son. My Great Gran talks of my Great Grandfather ‘fire watching’ and the ‘Yanks’ nearly running her over in their Jeeps. Also the terrible silence as my Great Granddad works on his clocks and she sits with nothing to do but wait and worry. My Grandfather reassures her that he is well, requesting small items of comfort and to pass on his good wishes to friends at home. On leaving the War, Granddad wrote his diary entries into a book which I typed up for him and he had printed in 2008. Sadly he passed away in 2011, but I will never forget the tall man, who talked modestly about the war, cracked jokes at his own expense and loudly banged the side of the chair in time to the band on the Festival of Remembrance.

My Dad’s Great Uncle John Harris, affectionately known as Jack, left his family in LLanfrynach, Brecon in 1914. He joined the machine gun co and was heavily involved in front line battle. He died in a POW camp in Belgium in Sep 1918 just weeks before the Armistice. My Dad’s Uncle still has the letter from the British Red Cross announcing his death. In 2010 my family travelled out to France, to find the War Grave of Jack. They talk about the rows of grave stones, looking out over the Channel and the way they are beautifully kept by the locals. I think this was a cold realisation of all the lives lost, the Sons, Brothers, Fathers and Grandfathers who will never come home.

I am proud of my family’s military history and of the men and women who continue to fight for us. November 11 is a day to remember these people and the way they suffered to give us the freedom we enjoy today. We should never lose sight of that, of what it means to be alive, to share compassion. It’s the only way we can ever truly be thankful.

Community

Senior councillors to consider call for ‘impartial investigation’ into Manorbier school closure

Published

9 minutes ago

July 22, 2026

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CALL for an impartial investigation into the contentious closure of Manorbier school, is to be heard by senior councillors.

Back in June, the final decision to close fire-ravaged Manorbier school was given the go-ahead, despite a heartfelt last-minute plea by local councillor Phil Kidney to keep it open.

Manorbier Church in Wales VC School and its adjoining schoolhouse was severely damaged by a fire in October 2022, which broke out in the school roof space.

After that, a ‘school from school’ was set up in Jameston Village Hall.

It had been hoped the school would be rebuilt, but last year councillors backed a statutory consultation on proposals to discontinue Manorbier Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School.

The decision attracted strong local opposition, with more than 1,500 people signing a petition on the council’s own website calling for the school to be rebuilt.

At a special extraordinary council meeting held on June 15, members made the final decision on discontinuation of the school, backed by 30 votes to 23, with four abstentions.

At the meeting, local councillor Phil Kidney, who has been a staunch supporter of keeping the school open, said: “We’ve all let these people down, the way this council has handled this situation is appalling; from day one not one of the executives came up to see these children, no-one came out; if that was Haverfordwest or Tenby they’d be all over the place.”

Following that decision, issues around the contentious closure were heard at the July 16 meeting of the council.

In a notice of motion before councillors, Cllr Kidney proposed: “That council considers a full impartial investigation into the process of closing Manorbier school, specifically the time it has taken, broken promises, inadequate insurance, and the involvement of HR department.”

A supporting statement for his motion said: “The review should be carried out by someone not employed by the authority, with powers to recommend disciplinary action if they deem necessary.

“A full impartial review should hopefully stop another school being treated so appallingly.”

Cllr Kidney also, in a submitted question, sought an apology from the deputy leader, who now has responsibility for education: “Would the Cabinet Member for Education [Cllr Paul Miller] like to apologise to the staff and parents of Manorbier School for his comments at the last council meeting, where he stated children would get a better education in St Florence and children in Manorbier were being taught in one room?

“This is both factually wrong and insulting to staff, who have worked tirelessly to provide teaching of an excellent standard, and if he had taken the time to read the last Estyn report, he may not have made these derogatory comments.”

Members agreed Cllr Kidney’s notice of motion would be heard at a future Cabinet meeting.

In response to Cllr Kidney’s question, said he “had no intention of insulting staff,” who were “doing a great job in very difficult circumstances”.

He went on to say that if he had said the words quoted by Cllr Kidney, he would apologise for them but stressed: “I do believe it will be better for them [the pupils] to be in a larger school.”

On July 16, with the summer holidays approaching, the doors of Manorbier Church in Wales Primary School closed for the final time.

Friends of Manorbier School posted on social media: “This isn’t the ending that our children, families, staff, and community hoped for. Yet as we reach this difficult milestone, we are reminded that Manorbier School has always been so much more than a building. For generations, it has been a place filled with friendship, laughter, learning, kindness, and unforgettable memories.”

It added: “As we say goodbye, we do so with immense gratitude and pride.

“Thank you, Manorbier School, for the memories, the laughter, the kindness, and the community you created.”

Community

Narberth Eisteddfod fundraisers celebrate reaching £8,000 target

Published

11 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Community support and a £2,000 contribution from Narberth Town Council help committee achieve its fundraising goal

Narberth Eisteddfod Fundraising Committee is celebrating after successfully reaching its £8,000 fundraising target.

The milestone follows a busy programme of events organised by the committee, each of which received strong support from residents, businesses and community groups across the Narberth area.

Committee chair Glinys Meredydd thanked everyone who had helped make the campaign a success.

She said: “I would like to thank all members of the Narberth Eisteddfod team for their hard work and commitment.

“They organised some fantastic events, which were extremely well supported by the local community.

“I would also like to thank Narberth Town Council, which donated £2,000 on behalf of the people of Narberth.”

The committee will hold one final fundraising event with a last sale of its locally produced and hand-printed Eisteddfod Garreg Las 2026 T-shirts.

Members of the public are invited to visit the committee at Narberth Carnival Field on Saturday, July 25, where they will have a final opportunity to buy or win one of the T-shirts and join the celebrations ahead of the Eisteddfod’s return to Pembrokeshire.

The committee has thanked everyone who attended an event, made a donation, volunteered their time, purchased a T-shirt or helped promote the campaign.

Reaching the £8,000 target has been described as a powerful example of what can be achieved when the Narberth community comes together in support of Welsh language and culture.

Community

New community supper welcomes packed hall in Fishguard

Published

16 hours ago

July 21, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Ford Pawb offers affordable, nutritious meals alongside friendship and community spirit

A NEW community dining initiative has enjoyed a successful opening night, welcoming a packed gathering to Fishguard Town Hall for an evening of affordable food and friendly conversation.

Ford Pawb, also known as Everyone’s Table, has been launched by the Fishguard Bay Sustainable Food Initiative CIC and will serve a low-cost, nutritious meal open to everyone on Monday evenings.

The first event attracted residents of all ages, with tables filling as people gathered to eat, catch up with friends and meet others from the community.

Guests were served vegetable lasagne with potatoes and salad, followed by a fresh garden berry crumble and a selection of non-alcoholic drinks. Much of the food was locally sourced, with diners praising both the generous portions and the quality of the meal.

Flowers decorated the tables, adding to the welcoming atmosphere, while music followed the meal as guests continued to socialise.

Behind the scenes, a team of volunteer cooks and servers worked throughout the evening to prepare and serve the food, clear tables and ensure the new project got off to a smooth start.

Organisers hope Ford Pawb will provide more than simply an affordable meal. The weekly gatherings are also intended to offer a warm and inclusive place where people can spend time together, reduce social isolation and strengthen community connections.

The strong turnout on the opening night demonstrated the appetite for such an initiative in Fishguard and Goodwick, and organisers and volunteers were congratulated for their hard work in bringing the project to life.