Community

Bomber Command veteran visits Heritage Centre

Published

10 years ago

August 16, 2016

Pictured by a Pegasus radial engine at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre are (L-R): John Evans and Stuart Berry of the Sunderland Trust; Roger Baker, Evelyn Brown, Ian Panton, Wing Commander John Bell, Paul Eady, Rod Williams and Bira Semni (Pic. Martin Cavaney Photography)

PEMBROKE DOCK’S Heritage Centre received a very special guest recently, as Wartime Bomber Command veteran John Bell paid a visit.

John was given an insight into into maritime chapters in RAF history during his visit, where he was joined by his sister, Evelyn Brown, and his friends from the St David’s area including Ian Panton, who organised the visit with the Heritage Centre team.

John, a retired Wing Commander, flew 50 operational missions in Lancaster bombers. He was given a tour of the centre and its special displays on flying boats and their many roles in the Battle of the Atlantic campaign and in Coastal Command.

John said: “It’s been fascinating to discover such a different RAF story about flying boats, including the famous Sunderland, and to meet with some of the volunteers who run the centre. When doing my training, I had two very close friends and one of them went to Coastal Command – it was the luck of the draw.”

After completing a tour of 30 operations with 619 Squadron, John and his crew volunteered to continue flying with the famous 617 Squadron – the renowned ‘Dambusters’.

John served as a bomb-aimer in 617 Squadron, and his 20 missions with them included dropping the massive ‘Tallboy’ bombs on German V weapon sites in France following D-Day, and also on U-boat pens on the French coast. In recognition of his fantastic work, John was awarded the Distinguised Flying Cross. He remained in the RAF until the late 1970s.

John and Evelyn also visited Carew Cheriton Control Tower, and have promised to return to Pembrokeshire again to meet with friends soon.

Community

Family safe after major house fire in Letterston, community told

Published

3 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Memorial hall opened to help those affected after blaze in Station Road area

A FAMILY escaped without injury after a major house fire in the Station Road area of Letterston, according to local residents.

The blaze prompted a major emergency response on Wednesday (Apr 15), with fire engines seen at the scene and the road closed while crews tackled the incident.

People posting in the Letterston community group said the family was safe, although one kitten was sadly lost in the fire.

One resident wrote: “They lost a kitten, but the family were ok. Nothing worse than a fire. There were 4 fire engines here at one time.”

Others described hearing multiple sirens and seeing smoke rising from the area, with one local woman saying her partner could see the fire engines from nearby fields.

As news of the fire spread, the local community quickly rallied round. The memorial hall was opened for anyone affected, while residents offered practical help and support to the family.

Messages posted online described the loss of the home as heartbreaking, with one resident writing that while the house had gone, the family were “alive and well to make more new memories”.

The Herald has approached the emergency services for official confirmation on the cause of the fire and the full extent of the damage.

Community

Police investigate reports of door-to-door salespeople in Milford Haven and Johnston

Published

6 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Residents urged to stay alert as officers carry out patrols and work to establish whether the callers are legitimate

MILFORD HAVEN and Neyland Police said they are aware of concerns raised by residents following reports of door-to-door salespeople operating in the Milford Haven and Johnston area.

Local officers, together with neighbourhood policing and prevention teams, are working to establish the legitimacy of those involved and will be carrying out patrols while enquiries continue.

In the meantime, members of the public are being advised to familiarise themselves with crime prevention advice relating to unwanted visitors, which is available on the force’s website.

Anyone with information that could assist enquiries is asked to get in touch online, by email at [email protected], by direct message on social media, or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting its website.

Community

Big plant sale set to bloom in Narberth

Published

8 hours ago

April 15, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Family-friendly spring event will bring together local growers, craftspeople, food and live entertainment

GREEN fingers and creative talents will come together in Narberth next month as West Wales’ popular Big Plant Sale returns for 2026.

The event will take place at Narberth CP School on Saturday, May 2, offering visitors the chance to browse a wide range of plants, locally made crafts and eco-friendly products.

Organised with support from SPAN Arts, the annual sale has become one of the first major plant events of the season in the area, attracting gardeners of all ages and experience levels.

Stallholders are expected to offer everything from windowsill succulents and young seedlings to unusual and specialist plants, giving visitors plenty of choice as they prepare their homes and gardens for spring and summer.

Alongside the plants, there will also be a craft fair featuring handmade and environmentally conscious products, including soaps, textiles and wooden items made by local producers.

Organisers say the event is designed to be more than just a market, with locally produced food, live music and entertainment helping to create a lively and welcoming atmosphere for families and visitors of all ages.

SPAN Arts is also inviting local growers, nurseries, craftspeople and makers to get involved, particularly those working with sustainable and eco-friendly products.

The Big Plant Sale will run from 10:00am until 3:00pm at Narberth CP School, Jesse Road, Narberth, SA67 7FE. Visitors are asked to make a suggested £2 donation on entry.

Anyone interested in booking a stall can contact [email protected].

SPAN Arts, which is based in Narberth, has spent 30 years supporting arts and community projects across Pembrokeshire. The charity runs a broad programme of music, theatre, comedy and wellbeing activities, with a focus on reducing rural isolation and improving access to the arts.

For more information about the event, contact SPAN Arts on 01834 869323 or email [email protected].