News

Pembroke: Carols to commemorate Christmas truce of 1914

Published

11 years ago

December 29, 2014

Roughly 100,000 British and German troops were involved in the unofficial cessations of hostility along the Western Front

“Silent Night Carols”, which took place in Pembroke Town Hall last Saturday night (Dec 20), was but one of some three hundred similar events arranged to mark the centenary of the famous Christmas truce of 1914.

The unique service included a specially-commissioned, contemporary version of Silent Night, with a new verse and chorus. This new version of Silent Night (Christ The Saviour Is Born) with additional words by writers Ben Cantelon and Nick Herbert, has been recorded by multi-platinum-selling tenor Paul Potts. Through the “Silent Night Carols” and the release of this single, and the Silent Night Carols albums, HOPE Together has linked with Tearfund and Sports Chaplaincy UK in an attempt to bring a measure of help to those affected by the war in Syria.

The Pembroke event, which attracted the enthusiastic support of the Mayor Councilor Aaron Carey,featured a live nativity made up of members of several local churches and was preceded by the results of the local “Find the missing donkey competition”.

Awarding the prizes Councillor Carey said “It’s been a good night with a really encouraging turn out. I am really happy that someone is doing something for the children of Pembroke, and hopefully this will build year on year becoming ever more popular”

The mayor’s enthusiasm was matched by that of local organiser Lyn Edwards who observed “It was very powerful evening indeed, particularly for those members of the armed forces who were present. It was especially moving when we listened to the reading of a poem that talked about the plight of a soldier on the streets.”

“It’s been an amazing evening. This was a time when people from all sorts of backgrounds were able to get together and remember that Christmas is a time for bringing people together. Christmas is a time of hope because it is about the coming of Christ Emmanuel God with us”.

truce Gareth Jones Chair of local Royal British Legion and the local Community Association clearly found the whole experience very moving as he explained: “I was asked to read a piece written by a soldier named Taff Evans entitled “Where did it all go wrong?” It really got through to me because it is a year since I came back from Afghanistan and it really struck me just what it has been like there. I thought of some of my colleagues who have not made it not to mention one who simply couldn’t cope and six months after returning home took her own life”

“But we have to carry on and I am privileged to have a family who are my strength and my reason. Also my military family needs to extend itself so that there aren’t any more that we lose. That’s what drives me”

“I was delighted with the turn out and thrilled with the hard work everyone had put in to make the evening such a success” said Pembroke Pastor Rob James. “I can think of no better way of thanking everyone than to quote the endorsement that these services have received from Prince William Duke of Cambridge. He has said “In the stillness of the night at Christmas one hundred years ago the carol Silent Night could be heard ringing out across No Man’s Land. Soldiers from both sides tentatively came out of the trenches to exchange gifts and to play football. For twenty four hours the fighting stopped for the 1914 Christmas truce. Even at 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 today”

Community

Port launches waterway safety competition with monthly prizes

Published

2 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT OF MILFORD HAVEN has announced the launch of its first Waterway Safety Competition, set to begin in April.

The initiative aims to promote safe and responsible use of the Milford Haven Waterway, one of the busiest and most diverse waterways in Wales. The waterway is used daily by paddleboarders, kayakers, sailors, swimmers, and large commercial vessels, making safety a key priority.

As part of the competition, participants are invited to showcase their own interpretation of the waterway through any creative medium. All art forms are welcome, and entries will be judged monthly.

Each month, winners will receive prizes designed to support water safety, including lifejackets and training sessions.

The Port hopes the competition will encourage greater awareness of safety while celebrating the unique character of the waterway.

For more information or to enter, visit: https://www.mhpa.co.uk/waterway-safety-competition/

News

Reform UK unveils Carmarthenshire Senedd candidates

Published

2 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

REFORM UK Wales has announced its full list of candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin (Carmarthenshire) ahead of the Senedd election on Thursday, May 7.

Leading the list is Gareth Beer, the party’s Carmarthenshire chairman, a local businessman, father of four and Kidwelly town councillor. In the 2024 General Election, he came within around 1,500 votes of winning the Llanelli seat — Reform UK’s strongest result in Wales.

Beer said the party had assembled “a strong team of decent, hard-working people” ready to represent the county.

He said: “We have already started campaigning strongly across the constituency, and the reception we are receiving on the doorstep has been overwhelmingly positive.

“People have had enough of the lies they hear from politicians and want to give a new party a genuine chance to make real changes.”

He added that key issues raised by voters included NHS waiting lists, education standards, the economy and the cost of living.

Full candidate list

The Reform UK candidates for Sir Gaerfyrddin are:

Gareth Beer – Businessman, Kidwelly town councillor and Carmarthenshire chairman for Reform UK.

Carmelo Colasanto – County and community councillor with a background in retail, compliance and multinational business operations.

Sarah Edwards – Retired dental professional and smallholder, known for campaigning on rural and environmental issues.

Christopher Brooke – Retired engineer and manager with more than four decades’ experience in manufacturing.

Alan Cole – Former senior corporate leader and business owner who has worked with small businesses across South Wales.

Michelle Beer – Marketing and PR professional and Reform UK county councillor for the Lliedi ward, elected in a 2025 by-election.

The party said the team brings experience from business, engineering, healthcare and public service.

Reform UK Wales said its campaign in Carmarthenshire would focus on reducing NHS waiting times, improving education, supporting small businesses and addressing the rising cost of living.

The party is positioning itself as an alternative to what it describes as the political “status quo” in Cardiff Bay.

News

Police watchdog investigates after gunshot fired inside Milford Haven flats

Published

2 hours ago

March 30, 2026

Tom Sinclair

A POLICE firearm was discharged inside a block of flats in Milford Haven during an incident on Saturday evening (March 28), it has emerged.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed a single shot was fired at around 6:32pm after officers were called to reports of disorder at Bunkers Hill involving a person believed to be carrying a knife.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has now confirmed it has been notified. A spokesperson said the force had made a voluntary conduct referral, which will be assessed before any decision is made on further action.

Police have stated that the firearm was not directed at any individual and that no injuries were reported.

A witness close to the matter told The Herald that the shot was fired as an officer entered the flats and moved up the stairs, with the bullet striking a breeze block wall. This account has not yet been officially confirmed.

When Herald reporters attended the scene on Sunday afternoon, a significant police presence remained, with officers seen going in and out of the building and carrying out checks around the rear of the flats.

The precise circumstances leading to the discharge remain under investigation.

More to follow.