Community

Pembrokeshire Zookeeper who cares for 42 penguins to represent Wales at Miss Earth

Published

6 months ago

June 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

‘It’s stinking of fish one minute, and full glam the next’

A ZOOKEEPER from Pembrokeshire who spends her days feeding fish to penguins has been crowned Miss Earth Wales 2025.

Abigail Wood, aged 25, works at Folly Farm Adventure Park & Zoo where she helps care for a colony of 42 penguins, including endangered Humboldt and macaroni species.

The Swansea-born conservationist, who now lives in Pembrokeshire, said the contrast between her day job and evening glamour is something she has embraced.

“It’s very much stinking of fish one minute, and then I’m glammed up the next,” she said.

Miss Wood recently won the national beauty title at the Miss Earth Wales pageant held at the Memo Arts Centre in Barry. She will now go on to represent Wales at the international Miss Earth final later this year, an environmentally-focused global event.

Her background in conservation runs deep. She holds a Master of Science in Environmental Biology from Swansea University and is the founder of the ‘Wild About Nature’ initiative, which encourages children to engage with the natural world. She has also written a nature-themed activity book for young readers and is planning to run summer workshops at Folly Farm.

Speaking to The Herald, she said: “When I was young, we used to spend weeks near Fishguard at my grandparents’ caravan. With no phone signal or screens, we were out in nature every day – flying kites, catching butterflies, exploring. That’s what started it all for me.”

Her job at Folly Farm involves feeding the penguins three times a day and caring for other bird species including flamingos and ducks.

“There’s very little cleaning, but a lot of feeding,” she said. “Working here has been a dream, and the team have been so supportive of everything I’ve done.”

Miss Wood said the Miss Earth competition appealed to her because it combined her love of nature with the opportunity to advocate for environmental education.

“When you compete in Miss Earth, you choose an advocacy. Mine is conservation education. I want to show that you can be passionate about the planet and still enjoy the glamour too. Glamour doesn’t have to come at the cost of your values.”

She added: “It’s about making the outdoors exciting again for young people—and showing that penguin poo and sequins really can go hand in hand.”

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)