Community

Amazing turn out for Palestine evening

Published

11 years ago

January 5, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Delicious: The audience participated in making a group Palestinian meal.

EARLIER this month, a fund raising and awareness evening was held in Newport for Palestine, where the audience lived the lives of people in a different part of the world. Dasa, a film-maker from the Czech republic organised the audience to help with the cooking of a traditional Palestinian dish. Participants got into large groups, washing, whisking, and chopping together for a group meal, as it is the norm in Eastern countries. The full hall then watched films with a food and farming theme.

In Palestine trouble is a part of everyday life. One film showed men arguing light-heartedly and cooking the same dish we had just prepared, but unfortunately they were taken away by the Israeli forces before they had a chance to eat it. The people were left to eat, still debating the best recipe. The next film showed how groups of women are forming cooperatives to get Palestinian produce back on the shelves and in the markets, organically grown. There were some great characters with powerful stories to tell.

Men are now asking to join the women’s coops, and offering double membership to get in. Much of the land they are growing on is now being seized by Israel against international law. At other times olive trees are cut down and livestock killed. Inevitably people asked what they could do. Opportunities for boycotts and letter writing were among the answers. Attendees who had visited Palestine recalled their experiences. A young woman from Narberth was part of a circus group formed to bring joy and laughter into troubled lives.

They had all been held for hours or days by the security forces before they could get into Palestine. They said that the enormous warmth and welcome made it an unforgettable experience, everyone in Palestine speaks English! The day before our meeting there was a passionate back-bench debate in Westminster and the day of our event France voted to recognise Palestine as a nation. There is no doubt this is the hottest international topic not just in the world but in Wales too.

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)