Community

Enjoy pirates, dragons and dark sky spectacles this half term

Published

2 years ago

January 31, 2024

PEMBROKESHIRE Coast National Park Authority’s three visitor attractions will all be hosting a variety of half term fun this February, offering family-friendly experiences and a flavour of the area’s culture and heritage.

At Carew Castle and Tidal Mill, pirates of the high seas will be coming ashore just in time for the school holidays. Younger visitors will be able take part in The Pirate Trail around the Castle between Saturday 10 February and Sunday 25 February for a small fee. Those successful in locating the pillaged treasure hidden by Pembrokeshire’s most notorious pirate can expect a hearty reward for their efforts.

There will also be an opportunity to join Captain Jan Sparrow for a fun free pirate session, featuring songs, silliness, games and the chance to develop swashbuckling sword skills. Pirates Ahoy! will take place on Monday 12 February, Thursday 15 February and Monday 19 February. Sessions last roughly 30 minutes and are scheduled for 11am, 12noon and 2pm. Normal admission fees apply and there is no need to book.

Carew Castle, which was named Visitor Attraction of the Year in Visit Pembrokeshire’s Croeso Awards, will be open between 10.30am and 3.30pm during the English and Welsh half-term holidays, with Nest Tearoom serving a delectable range of homemade cakes and light refreshments during opening hours.

As the countdown begins for Oriel y Parc’s iconic Dragon Parade on Saturday 2 March, there will be plenty of opportunities this half term to fire up your creative side and join in with the fun.

A Dragon Hunt Trail will run in the grounds of the gallery and visitor centre between Saturday 10 February and Friday 1 March. For a small fee, children will be invited to brave the dragon’s lair and complete the challenges to find the dragon’s egg and collect a medal for their efforts.

Free drop-in Art and Craft Days will take place every day at Oriel y Parc between Saturday 10 February and Sunday 18 February (excluding Wednesday 14), offering the chance to use the centre’s art materials and space to explore your artistic talents – and perhaps even make your own dragon for the Dragon Parade.

The Wednesday Club! Cariad Craft Workshop on Wednesday 14 February presents an opportunity for younger visitors to join in with the Valentine’s Day festivities and create a felt heart to give to a loved one. The drop-in workshop will take place between 11am-3pm and costs £4 per child.

As part of the Welsh Dark Skies Week, the Park Authority has organised two events to celebrate the beauty of Pembrokeshire’s dark skies and explore their relationship with the natural world.

An unforgettable Biofluorescent Night Walk will take place at Pengelli Wood Nature Reserve on Monday 12 February between 6pm-7.30pm. Led by Reveal Nature, the walk offers an insight into the secret world of communication taking place right under our noses and the opportunity to see a variety of biofluorescent organisms.

If you’ve ever wondered what our ancestors might have thought when they gazed up at the cosmos, The Wonders of the Night Sky at Castell Henllys on Wednesday 14 February might provide you with some answers. Gather around the warmth of a roundhouse fire, while storyteller Alice Courvoisier explores various constellations and their associated tales, myths and legends from different cultural traditions. The event will take place on Wednesday 14 February, between 6.15pm-7.45pm.

Booking is essential for both Dark Skies Week events. Further information about these and events taking place at Carew Castle, Castell Henllys and Oriel y Parc can be found at https://pembrokeshirecoast.bookinglive.com/.

In addition to all this, you can also explore the National Park’s great outdoors for free on foot. For inspiration on which routes to follow, visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/web-walks.

Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority is also trialling an e-bike rental scheme in St Davids. E-bikes can now be hired from Oriel y Parc and used to explore the local area with the aid of an electric motor. Perfect for conquering steep hills, or cycling a little bit further than you usually would, more information about the e-bikes can be found at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/oriel-y-parc/e-bike-hire.

For those in need of additional mobility support, a range of equipment is also available to help you on your way, including mobility scooters and beach wheelchairs, some of which are available to hire now for free. For further details visit www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/beach-wheelchairs.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

18 hours 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

18 hours 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)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).