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Monkton’s hidden history to be explored at Pembroke talk

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Local history society’s final event before summer break will spotlight the rich past of one of Pembrokeshire’s most historic communities

PEMBROKE AND MONKTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY will hold its next Coffee Morning and Talk on Saturday, May 2 at Pembroke Town Hall, with this event marking the final talk in the society’s current programme before its summer break.

There has been a change to the original line-up, with the advertised speaker having withdrawn. However, Society Chairman Linda Asman will now present a talk titled Monkton: A Hidden History, a subject closely connected to the group’s roots and one which has already attracted strong interest.

Linda previously gave a similar talk to the Pembrokeshire History Society last October, following the success of the book she co-authored with Keith Johnson, drawing on the memories and contributions of many former members of the Monkton community.

The society itself has deep ties to Monkton. It was originally based at Monkton Church Hall, and its first public event was a guided walk through the village led by the late Pauline Waters. That early project encouraged residents to share old photographs, stories and memories, laying the foundations for what would become a valuable local archive.

Its first publication, Monkton: A Sense of Place, was written by Linda, illustrated by George Lewis and funded by Planed. Continued research later led to the publication of a full book on Monkton, which proved so popular it is now out of print, although it remains available to read online through the society’s website.

The upcoming illustrated talk will explore Monkton’s rich and often overlooked past, including its nationally important cave, Norman Priory, and once-thriving quayside. It will also look at the impressive Georgian mansion that once stood there, complete with terraced gardens still surviving today, along with the area’s shipbuilding heritage and the arrival of ocean-going vessels carrying timber from Nova Scotia.

The talk will also trace Monkton’s rapid growth following the establishment of Pembroke Dock, when Victorian terraces were built to house dockyard workers and a vibrant, self-contained community emerged. Much of that old settlement was later lost during the demolitions of the 1960s, but its history has not been forgotten.

Doors open at 10:00am for coffee, with the talk beginning at 11:00am. Pembroke Museum and the Council Chamber, both located on the first floor of the Town Hall, will also be open during the event. A lift is available for disabled access.

Entry is free, with proceeds from the coffee morning and raffle helping to cover costs.

For more information visit the society’s website or contact [email protected].

 

Community

Hospital staff to climb Pen y Fan for Ward 4 fundraiser

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STAFF from Ward 4 at Withybush Hospital are preparing to climb Pen y Fan to raise money for their surgical ward.

The team will take on the challenge on Saturday, September 5, 2026, climbing the highest peak in South Wales in Bannau Brycheiniog.

The fundraiser aims to raise £500, with money going directly towards improving the ward environment for patients.

Staff said: “We have organised this event to raise funds that will go directly towards enhancing the ward environment for patients, including purchasing items such as TVs to improve comfort and wellbeing during their stay.

“We’re hoping to raise £500.”

Katie Hancock, Fundraising Officer, said: “A huge thank you to the team on Ward 4 for embracing the challenge and choosing to raise funds for their ward. We hope you have a fantastic day and truly enjoy the experience.

“The generous charitable donations we receive do not replace NHS funding. Instead, they support additional items and activities outside core NHS expenditure. These small extras make a big difference, and we are so grateful for every donation we receive.”

Donations can be made to the Ward 4 Pen y Fan fundraiser at: https://hyweldda.enthuse.com/cf/ward-4-staff-at-withybush-hospital-s-pen-y-fan-cha

For more information about Hywel Dda Health Charities and how to support local NHS patients and staff, visit: hywelddahealthcharities.nhs.wales

Pictured:

Staff from Ward 4

 

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Community

Charles Street to come alive for Milford Haven Founders Day

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CHARLES STREET will once again be transformed into a bustling pedestrian zone as Milford Haven celebrates its annual Founders Day on Saturday (June 6).

Milford Haven Business Circle, in collaboration with Milford Haven Town Council, is bringing the much-loved community event back to the town centre to celebrate the town’s heritage, history and community spirit.

The event will run from 11:00am until 4:00pm, with a programme of free family entertainment including bouncy castles, face painting, local stalls, community groups, activities for all ages and live entertainment organised by the Boulevard Theatre.

The day’s celebrations will also be professionally photographed by Captured Soul Photography.

Founders Day gives residents and visitors the chance to come together to celebrate Milford Haven’s past while supporting the businesses, organisations and community groups that continue to make the town a vibrant place today.

To allow the event to take place safely, a road closure will be in force from the junction of Francis Street to Dartmouth Street between 10:00am and 5:00pm. Once the closure is in place, Charles Street will become a pedestrian-only zone.

Medical and event safety cover throughout the day will be provided by Pegasus Ambulance Service.

Milford Haven Business Circle has thanked Milford Haven Town Council, Taste of Haven, PATCH, Tesco Milford Haven, Ambulance Friends, The Ascona Group and Green Light Traffic Management for their support in helping make this year’s event possible.

Business Circle members supporting the event include Cast N Craft Fishing for Health, Pegasus Ambulance Service, Elizabeth Christie Bridal Wear, Taste of Haven, Phoenix Yarns, Phoenix Bowl, Alf Seren Collectables, Granby’s, Captured Soul Photography, Moon Goddess Emporium and Milford Haven Town Council.

Everyone is welcome to attend and entry is free.

 

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Explore Pembrokeshire after hours with lighthouse tours and bat walks

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A SERIES of special evening events will offer visitors a different way to experience the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park this summer.

The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority is running exclusive after-hours events at Strumble Head Lighthouse and in St Davids, giving people the chance to explore the area’s heritage and wildlife as dusk falls.

Explore the Lighthouse tours will provide rare access to one of the coast’s best-known landmarks at Strumble Head. Led by National Park Authority staff, the small-group tours will begin with a first-hand account of lighthouse life from the current keeper.

A Ranger-led session will then look at the station’s maritime heritage, including the history of nearby shipwrecks, before exploring the lighthouse’s links with the Coast Path, surrounding farmland and the native wildlife that becomes active after dark.

The tours will take place on four Friday evenings this summer: June 19, July 3, July 17 and August 7. Two timed slots will be available each evening, from 5:00pm to 6:30pm and 7:00pm to 8:30pm.

In St Davids, Brilliant Bats will give visitors the chance to discover more about the wildlife that emerges from the nooks and crannies around the city’s iconic cathedral after dark.

Bat detectors will be provided, with guidance from a Park Authority Ranger on how to use them, as well as information about the elusive nocturnal creatures.

The bat walks will take place on Friday, August 14, from 8:15pm to 10:15pm, and Thursday, August 27, from 7:45pm to 9:45pm.

Rachel Perkins, Manager of Oriel y Parc, National Park Discovery Centre in St Davids, said: “These events offer a chance to experience familiar places in a completely different way.

“From stepping inside Strumble Lighthouse and hearing stories from the current keeper, to listening for bats around St Davids Cathedral after dark, each event brings people closer to the landscape, heritage and wildlife of the National Park.”

Booking is essential. Tickets for both Explore the Lighthouse and Brilliant Bats cost £10 per person and can be reserved at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/events.

Caption: Enjoy a different way of experiencing the Park this summer with special evening events run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority.

 

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