Community

Llangwm’s DNA deal

Published

11 years ago

May 21, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Graham Stevens: Provided a DNA sample last week

A CALL for people who may be descendants of Flemish invaders in Llangwm published in the Pembrokeshire Herald has received such an enthusiastic response that the organisers have agreed a deal with a leading DNA testing organisation.

The Heritage Llangwm Team, supported by organisations including the Heritage Lottery Fund, is working to uncover the village’s Flemish roots, testing the DNA of men who’ve already managed to trace their ancestry back over 200 years or more in the Llangwm area.

Heritage Llangwm’s research officer, Elizabeth Rawlings says the plan is to see if the saliva samples of volunteers match those held by geneticists in Flanders.

She said: “We had planned to test six people whose history looked promising, and we managed to stretch our funds to increase this to seven.

“More people contacted us, and we managed to agree a deal with DNACymru, who’ve been testing Welsh DNA, which means that if they’re happy to pay they can have their DNA tested for £166 rather than the usual £250.

“They’ll need to have already traced their male line back more than 200 years, and ideally have one of the surnames we know that has a higher chance of having Flemish ancestry, which include Brock, Stevens, Roche and Cousins.

“The original seven people have already received their kits and have provided saliva samples for the testers”.

One of the suspected descendants, Graham Stephens has traced his Llangwm ancestors back to 1763, and provided his sample last week.

He said: “People didn’t move around too much pre 1800. If I can trace my male line that far,we may be able to go back several hundred years before that.

“It’ll be something really interesting and quite exciting if I can go back to the 1200s.”

The Flemings, who’d come to Britain with William the Conqueror in 1066, were sent to Pembrokeshire by William’s son Henry I in part to curb what were called ‘the troublesome Welsh’.

The project also includes renovations to Llangwm’s medieval church and while they’re taking place archaeologists will be able to check for graves under the floor. There’ll also be an archaeological dig at a nearby manor house involving volunteers.

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)