PEMBROKESHIRE JUNIORS IMPRESS IN CARMARTHEN FIXTURE

PEMBROKESHIRE JUNIOR CHESS CLUB travelled to Carmarthen on Monday (April 7) for a friendly fixture against their slightly older, but less experienced, counterparts. The match marked Carmarthen’s first official game.

Thanks to Peter Evans for organising the event, which saw 20 young players competing in a friendly but competitive atmosphere. A terrific evening of chess followed, with players mixing and matching across boards, ensuring each had at least two games—some even playing three or four.

The result of the first match was a tightly contested draw, finishing 5-5.

Standout players on both sides

For Pembrokeshire, standout performances came from:

• Suki, with 3 wins
• Huw, with 2 wins
• Joe, with 1 win and a draw

For Carmarthen, Matthew, William, and Eric stood out with impressive performances.

A return fixture in Pembrokeshire is already being planned before the season concludes. The club also hopes to arrange additional matches against Redhill Prep School and Castell Nedd Chess Club on May 29.

Strong performances in Redhill Festival

Ten Pembrokeshire players also took part in the Redhill Primary School Festival over the weekend, all performing with distinction. Special mention goes to Joe and Harry, who both won their first four rounds and competed in the final—Joe winning Gold, and Harry securing Silver.

Coach Martin Jones said he has been delighted with the progress made by all players this season, including the club’s younger and less experienced members, who are also showing great promise.

Martin also recently competed in the Bristol Chess Congress, where he took first place in his section out of 62 entrants.

“It’s great to see chess flourishing in Pembrokeshire,” he said.

Pembrokeshire Team (in board order)

1. Barnaby Hinman – Ysgol Preseli
2. Joe Othen – Home Schooled
3. Harry Harling – Cosheston VC School
4. Huw Holliday – Redhill Prep
5. Sebastian Kummer – Neyland Community School
6. Jude Taylor – St Mark’s VA School
7. Henry Malone – Redhill High
8. Suki-Rose Heulwen – Ysgol Bro Penfro
9. Emily Thomas-Ward – Redhill Prep
10. Carys Callan – Redhill Prep

Photos:

1. Pembrokeshire Team
2. Combined Pembrokeshire & Carmarthen Teams

FOUR original paintings of Sunderland flying boats have been donated to the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre by one of its leading supporters, Welsh aviation and military artist John Wynne Hopkins.

John, who lives in Llanelli, has also gifted several large prints and a collection of greetings cards, all depicting iconic images of the Sunderland aircraft.

“I have followed the excellent progress of the Heritage Trust over many years and I am so pleased that my art can support them,” said John. “The Sunderland is a favourite subject of mine and its long connections with Pembroke Dock have provided me with many topics to paint. I shall certainly continue this.”

The Heritage Centre already displays one of John’s earlier works — a dramatic World War I battlefield scene created in 2018 for its trench exhibit. The painting is featured in the original entrance of the Centre, housed in the former Royal Dockyard Chapel.

The Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre is open Monday to Friday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

£500 grants available to fund local projects across Wales

A NEW funding scheme has been launched by Compassionate Cymru to help communities across Wales come together during times of death, dying, and bereavement.

The Compassionate Communities Grant Fund, supported by Macmillan Cancer Support and administered by Age Cymru, offers grants of up to £500 to support local initiatives that foster care, connection, and compassion in the face of life’s most difficult moments.

Compassionate Cymru is a national movement dedicated to building a more caring and supportive society. It believes that by empowering local groups to respond with kindness and empathy, Wales can become a place where no one faces death or bereavement alone.

The grants are open to a wide range of applicants — from small community organisations and workplaces to care homes and informal neighbourhood groups. Examples of eligible projects include:

• A workplace peer support group for employees affected by cancer
• An art project in a care home exploring themes of end-of-life
• A local Death Café event offering tea, coffee and space to talk openly about dying

The funding can be used for one-off events or longer-term programmes, and projects can be delivered in person or online, depending on local needs.

Heather McLean, Director of Communities and Systems Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support, said:
“Macmillan is proud to support the work of Compassionate Cymru and Age Cymru. When someone hears they are approaching the end of their life, the right support can make a huge difference to their wellbeing.

“Local initiatives like these will play a vital role in ensuring that people in Wales can access support that’s right for them — when and where they need it. And for anyone affected by a cancer diagnosis, Macmillan’s team is always just a phone call away.”

The Macmillan Support Line is available seven days a week on 0808 808 00 00, from 8:00am to 8:00pm, offering free advice, emotional support, and information.

Compassionate Cymru is urging communities across Wales to apply and help create a more compassionate culture around death and dying.

The deadline for applications is Friday, 23 May 2025.

To apply or find out more, visit www.compassionate.cymru, email contact@compassionate.cymru, or call 029 2043 1555.

Together, we can make Wales a place where no one faces loss alone.