Community

West Wales community rallies to raise £50,000 in bid to save historic chapel

Published

1 year ago

August 25, 2024

THE RESIDENTS of Newport, Pembrokeshire, have raised £50,000 in just one week in a bid to save the historic Bethlehem Baptist Chapel. The chapel, which has stood as a cultural and spiritual landmark in the town for generations, is set to go to auction on Friday, 30th August, and the community is determined to keep it from falling into private hands.

The fundraising effort, led by a group of dedicated volunteers, aims to transform the old chapel into a Heritage, Arts, and Cultural Centre that will serve as a hub for the town’s rich Welsh heritage. However, time is running out, as the group must raise an additional £100,000 in less than a week to secure the building at auction.

Support for the project has come from both local residents and people further afield, with donations ranging from £3,000 to £20,000. The project’s organisers have expressed their gratitude to all those who have contributed, emphasising the importance of keeping Bethlehem Chapel as a community asset for future generations.

A recent meeting held at Newport Memorial Hall saw a large turnout, underscoring the community’s passion for preserving the chapel. A video featuring Jean Young, the chapel’s last organist, has also been released on the campaign’s website, where she shares her memories of the chapel and urges others to help save this vital piece of the town’s history.

Bethlehem Chapel, an iconic building in Newport’s town centre, has played a significant role in the community’s life for years. Despite efforts to negotiate an exclusive agreement to purchase the building, the chapel will now go to public auction. The urgency of the situation has prompted the campaign’s organisers to call for last-minute support from those who may be able to provide bridging funds.

Cris Tomos, a coordinator with PLANED, a local community development charity that has been supporting the project, highlighted the success of similar community-led initiatives across Wales. He cited the example of the old Police Station and Courthouse in Cardigan, which was purchased by a local cooperative with the help of a £250,000 loan from a single family, and Ty’n Llan, a Georgian coaching inn, which was saved by a community effort that raised £460,000.

Tomos emphasised that the Newport Bethlehem project offers private lenders competitive interest rates on their loans, with larger lenders receiving a legal charge on the building. Additionally, UK taxpayers may be eligible for a 30% tax relief through the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS).

As the auction date rapidly approaches, the organisers are appealing to anyone who can help to get in touch. “We have a short window of opportunity to save this building,” said Tomos. “If you or someone you know can assist, please contact the project team.”

For more information or to contribute to the campaign, visit www.canolfanbethlehem.cymru, or contact John Harries, a project team member, via email at [email protected].

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

15 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)