AS far as Christmas celebrations go Pembroke seemed to have it all last Friday (Dec 28) night with free cookies, an abseiling Santa and to crown it all a “live nativity” featuring the members of various local churches. The number of families supporting the annual carol singing event around the Christmas tree seemed to exceed most peoples’ expectations and it would be no exaggeration to say that at least 500 enthusiastic marchers followed Santa’s sleigh down Pembroke Main Street. Pastor Rob James told The Herald: “This is a super example of what can happen when the community pulls together.

The weather helped of course. It was a clear star lit night, but it was thrilling to see the way in which everyone showed their support for all those who had worked so hard to make the evening such a success”. The evening’s festivities began with Santa abseiling down the castle keep, and was followed by a procession to St Michael’s church where everyone gathered joined in the carol singing before the Vicar of Pembroke, Canon Roger Jones, offered a prayer of blessing for both the town and surrounding community.

“It is my hope that the good will and kindness that we see around us will continue up to the end of the month when we remember the coming of our Lord” he said. “My prayer for Pembroke would be that peace and understanding, reconciliation and forgiveness would begin in our own homes and then spread across the world”.

As members of the local Chamber of Trade offered free mince pies and spiced apple juice the newly formed Street Pastors team handed out hundreds of glow sticks. “These glow sticks are very appropriate because we want to operate as salt and light in our community” said local coordinator Lyn Edwards. “The church is here to show that it is good to have Santa and the lights going on but actually Christmas is all about Jesus, and we have come to show that He is the essential part of Christmas”

While encouraging everyone to remember that carol singing will take place in the Main Street every Saturday morning until Christmas, she added: “We also want as many children as possible to take part in the search for our lost donkeys. There is a rumour going around that after 3rd December, two donkeys will be seen wandering around Pembroke going into shop after shop. Is it just a rumour? Is the story true? Will the donkeys really be in the Post Office to see Father Christmas go past? Will they be seen in other shop windows trying to pretend they are toy donkeys? Where will they end up?”

“More newsflashes will be put up in shops, schools, churches and other places. Keep your eyes open. Strange things happen to donkeys leading up to Christmas. Rumour has it they move on Wednesdays” Those wanting to take part in the “Sight the donkeys competition” are asked to write their names and contact details on a piece of paper indicating where they have been seen, and to post it to the ‘Donkey Search and Rescue Box’ at Dragon Alley, Main Street Pembroke by December 19, The donkey’s story, together with the results of the competition will be unveiled at the Town Hall Pembroke at 5.30pm. that evening.

The day’s festivities will then draw to close with a ‘Silent Night Carol Service’ which begins at 6pm. The Pembroke event will be just one of many such ‘Silent Night Carols’ to be held throughout the UK offering communities an opportunity to remember the remarkable day during World War 1 when peace broke out in the trenches for 24 hours, with enemies exchanging gifts, singing this much loved carol and even playing football. The events have even attracted the backing of the Duke of Cambridge who has said “Even in the bleakest of times, Christmas offers peace and hope. This Christmas, the Silent Night carol services are a powerful way to remember the sacrifice made by so many in the Great War and to celebrate the peace we enjoy”.