Community

Camera Club news

Published

11 years ago

May 21, 2015

Tom Sinclair

The Bull Ring: Gary Shinner.

THE LAST evening of the Camera Club’s winter programme was held on Thursday April 30 at the St Florence Community Hall. Neil Thomas welcomed Gary Shinner LRPS, ERIAP, PPSA who is a freelance photographer who lives in Llanelli and is a member of the Trostra Camera Club.

Gary’s opening statement was: “We should always be learning to take photographs”, using architectural structures, he showed members that by using strong compositions he could create abstract images. He also felt it was not necessary to frame the entire building, but pick out the elements, the facades of glass and steel, all of his images are shot in raw so that he can fine tune white balances and exposure settings and also using Nik Plug-ins.

” Everyday we come across multiple photo opportunities, but if only focusing on the obvious then it is all to easy to miss the hidden gems. Looking at something in a different way can spark really creative results. ”

Gary explained that by focusing on a particular surface and using a shallow depth of field, the background becomes blurred and thus creating an image that contains both foreground and background viewed on the same plane, to create the abstract image. He told of the funny looks people gave him when he set his camera up for a photo shoot using his son as the model, pretending to spray graffiti on an underpass wall; so often he would make a mental note of the location and either return at dusk or when the street lights came on for a more interesting shot. He loves combining natural light, artificial light, rain, reflections, scratches and graffiti combining to create a unique and altered perspective of what would normally be considered a mundane view.

Neil Thomas thanked Gary for a very informative and enjoyable evening and allowing members into some of the photographic techniques.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

3 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

1 day 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

1 day 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)