Community

50th Anniversary celebrations for Rotary clubs

Published

10 years ago

May 4, 2016

Tom Sinclair

French twin club members: With Robbie and Liz Burns

THE ROTARY CLUB OF NARBERTH AND WHITLAND celebrated their 50th anniversary last week with a dinner at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth, attended by over 100 Rotarians and guests including representatives of Whitland and Narberth Town Councils and other local organisations and supporters.

During the much enjoyed evening Club President Dr Paul Crawford proposed a toast to the Club’s guests whilst South Wales District 1150 District Governor, Rotarian Chris Williams of the Fishguard & Goodwick Club replied on behalf of the guests with a toast to Narberth & Whitland Rotary Club and its Members who he said was a shining example of how a Rotary Club should be run and the enthusiasm and commitment of the members made it a real pleasure to visit. It was no surprise that the Club was so successful he said.

During the evening, District Governor Chris was delighted to be able to present three ‘Paul Harris Fellowships’ on behalf of the Club to Rotarians Robbie Burns and John Hughes and Robbie’s wife Mrs Liz Burns for her unstinting support to Rotary.

The PHF is Rotary’s highest award and recognises the recipients’ contribution to Rotary over many years and during the evening it was asked if a husband and wife had both previously been awarded the highly coveted award previously on the same occasion.

From its inception in 1966 to the present day, the club has strived to be of service to others, nationally, internationally and locally, in and around the communities of Narberth and Whitland.

Their work has included a wide range of activities from providing aid to those affected by natural disasters and supporting the “End Polio Now” campaign to delivering meals on wheels, assisting with transport of disabled sports participants and encouraging young talent in our local schools.

Through promotion of concerts with Welsh pop stars and ‘Racing the Dragon’ in the annual Welsh Dragon Boat Championship, the Rotarians of Narberth & Whitland have provided the funds to support worthwhile causes which improve the lives of those less fortunate both at home and abroad.

It will always remain a bone of contention concerning who actually thought up the idea of the formation of a Rotary Club in Narberth, but there is no doubt that a Mr Eric Shott (Customs and Excise) and Mr Alan Lock (Head Postmaster) were involved, with the assistance of Mr Tommy Nicholas (Groceries) who also had adequate accommodation at a nearby hostelry, the Dragon Inn, of which he was the licensee.

The District Extension Officer was the late Rtn Reg Pickett (Cardiff), whilst Rtn Roger Wright (Llandrindod Wells) was the then R.I. Representative and Chairman of District 1150 Council (to be known later as District Governor). The Tenby Club (President Joe Joseph) agreed to act as sponsors and act as ‘Mother Club’ to steer its ‘Daughter’ through the early difficult days.

A well-attended inaugural luncheon was held on January 19 1966 at the Queens Hall, Narberth and the late Mr John Lee Davies was appointed as the Clubs Founder President. He ably led the club through its ‘Interim’ days and the first year after the granting of its Charter (No.1023) at the Dragon Hotel, Swansea on April 20 1966.

In its earlier days the Tenby members who were frequent visitors assisted the club in no small way. The Clubs original founder members and officers are listed elsewhere.

One or two of the original classifications were a little dubious – Founder Secretary, the late Rtn Alwyn Morgan (Horticulture), was a retired banker and only tended his garden, and the preponderance of farmers was distributed amongst the various sub-divisions of that noble profession so there was room for everyone.

Had the Club been formed in the current climate with the more relaxed approach to classifications there would have been no problem in increasing membership.

And so from a slow start Rotary activities increased and the fledgling club made its presence felt in the community, principally Narberth, as there was only one Whitland member in the early days.

However, it would not be fair to conclude this detail on the clubs formation without a comment that subsequent membership from the Whitland area has had a marked impact on the success and achievements of the club.

The two most significant events to affect the club’s membership development have been the change from lunchtime to evening meetings and the admission of women as members.

Both decisions were taken despite resistance from a minority, some of whom resigned their membership as a result. Several years on from both decisions, there can be little doubt that they have resulted in a sustained improvement in recruitment and retention of new members, many of whom have transferred in from other clubs across the UK.

The club is a successful dual gender club with an enthusiastic and youthful (in spirit) membership. However, they are always looking to increase their numbers and are welcoming of new members. N&W now have a significant presence on social media and a wealth of further information on the World Wide Web.

Membership has remained at a comfortable level of between 30 and 35 for several years. The youngest member is 24 years of age she also happens to be female and is soon to be joined by another lady of the same age. The oldest member is 94 so as you can see they cater for everyone.

The club were delighted to have eight Rotarians visit on the weekend from their twinning club Fontenay le Comte, in France. Rotarian Ken Morgan first started the twinning process 20 years ago. The Clubs visit each other biannually.

The venue for meetings has also changed many times. The club now meets at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel in Narberth where food, service and value-for-money is envied by other clubs in south west Wales. For the future, membership recruitment and retention remains one of the main challenges that the club faces and it is looking forward to the next chapter.

Community

Crowds line streets as tractor run hailed a festive success

Published

4 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CROWDS lined streets and pavements across Pembrokeshire on Saturday evening (Dec 20) as Clarbeston Road AFC’s illuminated Christmas tractor run was hailed a resounding success.

More than 200 tractors took part in the event, travelling through villages and towns including Newmoat, Maenclochog, Llys-y-frân, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Wiston, Newbridge, Poyston Cross, Crundale and Haverfordwest, where large crowds gathered to watch the festive convoy pass through.

Families, children and residents wrapped up against the cold to enjoy the sight of tractors decorated with Christmas lights and festive displays, with applause and waves greeting drivers as they made their way through built-up areas and rural roads alike.

The convoy set off from the Clarbeston Road AFC Knock Playing Fields at 5:30pm and concluded at the County Showground in Haverfordwest later in the evening. At the end of the run, refreshments were available and the raffle draw took place at the Park House building, which was open to the public.

Organisers said the turnout from both drivers and spectators exceeded expectations, with the event once again bringing communities together while raising funds for local causes, including The Catrin Vaughan Foundation, In It With Isaac, and Wales Air Ambulance.

Clarbeston Road AFC thanked tractor drivers, volunteers, sponsors and members of the public for their support, as well as residents and road users for their patience while the convoy passed through.

The illuminated tractor run has become a firm fixture in the local festive calendar, with Friday night’s event described by many spectators as one of the best yet.

Community

Charity tractor and car run set to raise funds for Macmillan and Paul Sartori

Published

6 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A CHARITY tractor and car run in memory of Charles Rees is set to take place in Pembrokeshire later this month, with funds raised supporting Macmillan Cancer Support and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home.

The Charles Rees Tractor & Car Run will be held on Sunday, December 28, 2025, starting and finishing at Dudwell Farm in Camrose.

Participants are being invited to “start their engines” in aid of the two charities, with gates opening at 9:00am and the convoy leaving promptly at 10:30am. Organisers have confirmed that the run will operate with no halfway stops, returning to Dudwell Farm at the end of the route.

The event will begin and finish at Dudwell Farm, Camrose (SA62 6HJ), and is open to tractors and cars. Registration and cash payment will take place on the day, with the price to be confirmed nearer the event.

Additional donations can also be made locally in the run-up to the event at Camrose Country Hardware and Croesgoch Stores.

The run has been organised to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which provides vital care and assistance to people living with cancer, and Paul Sartori Hospice at Home, which supports patients and families across Pembrokeshire during some of the most difficult times of their lives.

Organisers say more information will be released closer to the event and are encouraging the local community to support the run, whether by taking part, donating, or lining the route to show support.

The event is expected to attract strong local interest, continuing Pembrokeshire’s tradition of community-led fundraising in support of much-valued charities.

Community

Cilgerran school could be discontinued as consultation launched

Published

19 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Bruce Sinclair - Local Democracy Reporter

A CONSULTATION on proposed changes for a north Pembrokeshire school, which attracted a near-400-strong petition in opposition to the council, has been launched.

At its May meeting, Pembrokeshire County Council considered a report of the School Modernisation Working Group which outlined the findings of a review of education provision in the Preseli area.

“In particular, the review considered the extent of surplus school places in the area, set against a significant decline in the pupil population,” the council in its consultation on proposals for discontinuation of Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School has said.

A later July meeting of the council, following May’s agreed consultation with St David’s Diocese, backed a general consultation to discontinue Cilgerran Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled School, and to establish it as a 3-11 community school.

The consultation was launched on December 16 and runs to January 30.

Hundreds have opposed the proposed changes, with a petition, on the council’s own website opposing the changes recently closed after gaining 391 signatures.

Any petition of between 100 and 499 signatures triggers a debate at one of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and any over 500 a debate at full council, meaning this petition will be heard by committee members at a later date.

The proposals for Cilgerran are part of a wide range of potential education changes in the county.

Two petitions, opposing the potential closures of Manorbier and Ysgol Clydau schools, were recently heard at full council and a further petition opposing the potential closure of Stepaside School has recently been launched.

The Cilgerran e-petition, created by Louise Williams, raised concerns including the school could become part of a federation, a loss of permanent head teacher on site, a shared head teacher would have to oversee several schools, loss of funding control and the ability to maintain the school’s current healthy and stable funding, and a loss of commitment to the church, in turn could impact on the school’s and pupils values, beliefs and cultural beliefs.

It said: “Ysgol Cilgerran VC school has strong links with the Church community in Cilgerran and we believe this will have a negative impact on the children who attend the school, the community of Cilgerran and the links between the two.

“We are proud of our school ethos and values which are strengthened by our links with the church. The school has close and strong relationships with our Church in Wales federation governors one of which is also our safeguarding governor.

“Our Church Federation governors work closely with the school and are regular visitors to the school and the children. They provide vital support and guidance to the school and have a positive impact on the Children’s education. We believe these links will be weakened by this proposal to remove our VC status and we believe this is an un-necessary action.”