Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020

63 Bush St, Pembroke Dock SA72 6DE 01646 681114 68 PACKED FESTIVE PAGES

STILL THE BIGGEST AND BEST LOCAL FREE MAGAZINE

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Welcome Pembrokeshire is beautiful at every time of the year, it’s award-winning coastline attracts people from across the globe who venture around our county in the warm, summer months.

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Top Toys 2020 P8

But Pembrokeshire during the winter is, to us at least, equally as beautiful and equally as warm as the summer, but it’s a different kind of warmth.

Pembrokeshire’s winter warmth comes from its people, its Christmas lights and its elegantly decorated high streets that call to us all. Ok, you have to wear a good, rainproof coat but it’s there and this year that community spirit is the most important thing.

It’s been a hard year and we all deserve a peaceful and tranquil Christmas as a reward for following the rules.

Pembrokeshire This Christmas is crammed with everything you need to ensure that Christmas 2020 is worth the wait, the stress and the anxiety we’ve all been exposed to this year.

So, put your feet up, grab your favourite socks and a cup of something and let our magazine get you into the yuletide spirit.

We’ve got pages focussed on Christmas Dinner, those all important Winter car checks and even a behind the scenes look at ITV’s ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ AND an interview with its stars!

Christmas Dinner Lonely this Christmas

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Meet the team Thomas Sinclair Publisher

2020 has made us feel more proud to live, work and play in Pembrokeshire and we hope our magazine does just that and, fingers crossed, makes you feel great!

Luke Sinclair

Editor & Creative Director

Gavin Young

Magazine Sales Director

Mike Nics

Sales Executive

Laura Fenning Shopping online... P36 Fitness Trends 2021

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Pets...

Sales Executive

Dai Garland

Distribution Manager

Contributors:

Andy Chandler, Dave Glover, AgeUk

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Winter warmth...

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PRODUCED

BY THE Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020 - 5

The Spa at Celtic Haven Festive gift sets Get brilliant Elemis Christmas sets directly from our spa at great prices. Whether it’s for him or for her, we have a fabulous array of box sets that are perfect stocking fillers or for putting under the tree.

20% off!

From nourishing Superfood gift sets, to radiant Procollagen option or our Men's Grooming Duo, we have 20 per cent off across our entire range of sets - meaning you'll have more to spend on mince pies!

Christmas gift vouchers Only a very special gift will do for a very special person!

We don't think anything can put a smile on someone's face quite like a luxurious spa treatment or pamper day here at Celtic Haven.

If you know exactly what your loved one likes you can purchase a gift voucher for any of our luxurious spa treatments, pamper packages and spa breaks or you can gift a monetary amount to spend on their favourite treatments, packages or beauty products.

Relaxing spa half-days just £75 per person This spa package is a great opportunity for you and your loved ones to spend time relaxing and catching up in a safe spa environment!

Enjoy two fabulous 25-minute treatments, exclusive use of our relaxation room, pool-time, a robe and slippers, afternoon tea and a glass of prosecco and a choice of tea or coffee.

Available Thursday - Saturday

Get in touch or learn more...

01834 871 850 celtichaven.co.uk/spa 6 - Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020

Lydstep, Tenby SA70 7SG

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Where possible, please try to...

1, THE SUSTAINABLE SCOOTER

3, THE CODING ROBOT

2, THE TECHIE TRAIN SET

4, THE FLASHCARDS WITH FEELINGS

Suitable for 5-12 years A slick design with practical benefits too, the Micro scooter is made from recycled fishing nets. ‘This new model from the best-selling brand feels relevant in a year when families have put real value on time outdoors,’

Suitable from 3 years This tactile train set from Brio uses new technology that allows you or your child to record your voice and own sounds.

‘Brio is one of our most loved toy brands and this is the perfect move on for a traditional trainset,’

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Suitable from 5 years Encourage problem solving and critical thinking with a cute robot that lets kids programme endless challenges. ‘With children learning coding from an early age in school, Botley is a fun way to introduce the concept,’

Suitable from 3 years Forty-eight cards with various everyday scenarios encourage kids to talk about how they’re feeling, which feels more poignant than ever this year. ‘These cards are a useful tool to encourage conversations about emotions,’

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6 3 10 5, THE BEST BOOK

Suitable from birth Profiling 20 environmental heroes from David Attenborough to Greta Thunberg, this beautifully illustrated book is sure to inspire the next generation of eco activists.

6, THE TACTILE BABY TOY

Suitable from 2 years Shiny, bright and irresistibly tactile, this fun toy encourages children to express their emotions. ‘It’s a great tool to encourage open conversations about how kids are feeling, using the peacock’s feathers to articulate,’

7, GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Suitable from 12 years Lego is a fail-safe buy at Christmas and this delightful gingerbread house will keep older kids – and parents – busy for a few hours. Once it’s built why not work it into your decoration theme?

Ta-da! Your perfect Boxing Day centrepiece.

8, THE PARTY-READY DOLL

Suitable from 3 years For some kids nothing beats a classic doll and better still one that dazzles.

Meet Isabelle, who is all dressed up and ready for the party season.

9, THE BABY WALKER

Suitable from 12 months Made from FSC wood, this baby walker will aid your child in the early stages of learning to walk. The colourful bricks have letters and numbers to provide extra value, helping them learn to count and understand the alphabet.

10, THE BOARD GAME

Suitable from 8 years The classic Monopoly board game but not as you know it, with more pieces, properties and money. ‘A game to be enjoyed by the whole family, this exclusive Mega Edition comes with new rules to speed up play and stop arguments,’

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Joules Floral Print Waterproof Tall Wellington Boots, Navy A stylish way to keep the rain out, these tall wellingtons from Joules are feminine and versatile. Boasting a slim silhouette with adjustable back gusset with popper fastening and a cute floral print running throughout. Fully waterproof, they are finished with a printed fabric lining.

This cute and quirky design will leave you hoping for a rainy day.

Only £49.95 From John Lewis

Dyson Airwrap™ Styler Complete Exclusive Copper Gift Edition with Travel Bag & Case

All the precision engineering of Dyson’s Airwrap™ is now offered in this special gift edition. Offered in a contemporary silver and copper colour, this set comes complete with a neat Dyson copper-edged storage bag.

Engineered for multiple hair types, the Dyson Airwrap Hair Styler Complete includes all Dyson Airwrap styler attachments to curl, wave, smooth and dry multiple hair types without extreme heat.

Only £449.00 From Currys PC World

Molton Brown Hand Care Collection Gift Set Blended with softening shea butter, these Hand Creams are infused with our signature fragrances, leaving refreshing fruity and alluring floral scent trails wherever you go.

Carry one with you for a dose of on-the-go hydration; a treat for the senses.

An enticing trio of nourishing hand creams perfect for on-thego pampering. Let them choose from sultry spice, blissful floral and radiant citrus notes, blended with moisturising shea butter.

Smouldering. Escapist. Unmistakable.

Only £25.00

from www.moltonbrown.co.uk

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John Lewis & Partners Sirius Crystal Glass Decanter & Tumbler End the evening in style with this Sirius Crystal Glass Decanter and Tumblers Set from John Lewis & Partners.

Made from quality crystal glass, this set includes a striking square decanter and stopper along with six matching tumblers to enhance your table or sideboard. It’s ideal for pouring dinner party guests and colleagues a glass of whisky, brandy or cognac. The set comes in a gift box, making a perfect present for connoisseurs of fine spirits.

Only £60.00 From John Lewis

LEGO: Old Trafford - Man United Don’t be daunted by how challenging a build this might seem.

For an epic set of this size (and being one of the largest LEGO sets on offer), part of the fun comes with the experience of the build. Although you could channel your inner Giggsy, go solo and whizz past half the Arsenal team as the Welshman did in 1999, we quite like the idea of calling on Scholesey (or whoever your other die-hard united fan may be) and building this together, reminiscing in the memories of United and reminding yourselves why you fell in love with the club in the first place.

Only £249.99

Hotel Chocolat ‘The Gin Collection’ Made in the UK For devotees of the finest gin, a collection of Hotel Chocolat’s best loved gin-inspired recipes makes for the perfect gift, or luxury self-indulgent treat. Presented in a beautiful box that celebrates Hotel Chocolat’s crisp and refreshing English dry gin, infused with a kiss of cocoa and macadamia nut.

Milk chocolate puddles 6 x Dark Gin Truffles made using premium London dry gin truffle with a fresh, citrus zing 2 x 50ml bottles of our Great Taste Award-winning Cocoa Gin

Only £20.00

From www.hotelchocolat.com

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TheWeirdGiftGuide HEAD CASE™ PERSONALISED SUITCASE COVER Hate the drama at the carousel where you’re not sure if someone has picked up your bag? Check out these personalised suitcase covers. Nothing quite says “hands off my bag!” better than wrapping it in your own or a loved ones face.

Suitcases all look pretty similar nowadays – you can happily assume that at least 2 or 3 of the suitcases on your typical carousel will look identical to yours. Sure, you could tie a carrier bag, sock, scarf or some other way of identifying its yours – but that feels a little half baked and is likely to get lost or fall off when the luggage handlers play rugby with your case out the back.

So, it’s time to go one further in the battle of the luggage collection lounge. Why use an ordinary luggage label which everyone else has when you can personalise your suitcase in your own, amazing face?

£23.99

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Luxury Wooden Monopoly Board

Self-making 2 Zone Climate Control Duvet

Even if you hate Monopoly and end up flipping the table every time you play, you have to admire this beautiful, luxury wooden Monopoly board.

Ready for a high-tech bedroom addition? This smartphone controlled, adjustable temperature duvet allows you and your partner to set your preferred temperature on each side.

If that’s not enough then via a tap on your phone, the bed will even make itself!

This luxury burled wood Monopoly board turns the World’s most popular friendship ending game into a piece of art for your living room, including die cast metal houses, hotels and tokens, plus a faux-leather die rolling area.

Made by Winning Solutions, it’s gold foil game path, integrated drawers for banking and storage and the clever recessed faux-leather area for your dice rolls, really do scream luxury.

However posh this may be, we still can’t guarantee you will manage to get through a game argument free!

£299.99

Fed up of being too hot or cold in bed? Bored of making your bed every morning? This amazing new duvet solves both problems in one high tech duvet!

Who knew duvets would ever become this cool?

Disclaimer: This product is still in crowdfunding phase and is not guaranteed to ever be completed.

£153.00

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FITNESS TRENDS 2021

WHAT FITNESS WILL LOOK LIKE POST COVID-19 Around about this time of year we like to share our predictions for the fitness trends set to emerge in the forthcoming year, but this year is slightly different. As Big Ben tolled and we all raised a glass to welcome 2020, none of us could have ever predicted how much our lives would change come the end of March. Mask wearing, social distancing, curfews, lockdown, and restrictions have all become the norm. For the foreseeable future this is how we must live our lives now, or at least until a we all have the vaccin for COVID-19 and we can perhaps go back to doing some of the things we once took for granted.

In previous years, fitness trends have been a lot more faddy, with unusual twists on basic fitness principles and group classes geared towards fun and sociability. 2021 however is focused much more on practical solutions to help get people fit and healthy in a safe way. And there are two big trends that are clearly paving the way in terms of how fitness is looking in 2021… online and outdoor!

• Saves you money – No more gym membership or class fees, most at home workouts are free.

Offers more variety – there are so many different things to try and because no one’s watching you (well, unless you’re on Zoom) it doesn’t matter if you don’t get it quite right. Always fancied trying yoga?

Give it a go, there are tonnes of good yoga videos out there. Or how about Clubercise, Salsa, or Zumba? If you’ve got the space, then give it a go, you never know you might find something new that you absolutely love. And when you love something, you’re much more likely to stick at it.

Online Fitness

Online workouts have been providing people with not only fitness, but structure, a sense of community, and a chance to socialize, albeit virtually. Whether it’s scheduled Zoom calls with your mates, Facebook live sessions with your regular fitness class or pre-recorded YouTube vids, we’ve all managed to adapt the way we workout to suit the current situation. And it’s a good thing too, as it’s looking highly likely that this is going to continue in 2021.

Whilst it may not be an ideal solution, many of us are discovering that we’re a lot better at working out at home than we thought we’d be. In fact we’ve discovered that exercising at home: • Is way more convenient – you can workout whenever it suits and fit it in around your own timetable.

• Saves you time – there’s no more time wasted on traveling to the gym, not when all you gotta do is roll out of bed and stagger downstairs.

• Means you can wear what you want – you don’t need to get togged up in your best Sweaty Betty’s when it’s you, yourself and I sweating it out in your living room. Can’t be bothered to get out of your jammies… hey, who’s gonna know!?!

But of course, there are some drawbacks to exercising at home on your own, one of which is lack of motivation. Because let’s face it, there are evenings when you could quite easily bin off that HIIT sesh in favour of a nice hot bath and a glass of wine, I mean who wouldn’t?!? Which is where a scheduled Zoom class would probably work out better for you, and at least hold you accountable and therefore much more likely to attend. Lack of space and lack of equipment have also been cited as reasons against home workouts, but if this is the new ‘norm’ we need to find ways to make this work for us. Whereas in 2020 we may have dithered about and thrown excuses around left, right and centre, 2021 is the year we sort our crap out and come up with solutions. Bodyweight exercises will be crucial for this, things like squats, knee raises, sit ups etc. all require very little space and zero equipment, so there really are no excuses.

Before many of us would have shied away from video link ups and live streaming, but our lives have changed so much and we’ve all become a lot more technologically adept, and so this way of working out

has become completely normal to us. In a strange way it has in fact connected us more, we actively seek out opportunities to connect with like minded people and to work out together, whereas we may not have even given eye contact to someone at the gym – other than ourselves in the mirror obvs.

Outdoor Fitness

Another fitness trend for 2021 is outdoor fitness. OK, OK so we get that this is hardly a new thing, we’ve been exercising outdoors for like forever, but the thing with trends is that you kind of need something new to happen and at the moment we’re in limbo, which means we’re simply doing what the situation allows us to. Even when we were in the darkest days of the strictest lockdown restrictions we were still allowed to go outside for exercise, and this meant that lots more people ventured out into the great outdoors to take up new leisure pursuits.

From couch to 5k’s, hiking, walks with the family, and small group boot camps, we have embraced al fresco fitness with open arms as a way to not only keep fit but to also help with our mental health too. And with so many of us now working from home, it’s a lot easier to head out for a run first thing or head out on a bike ride at lunchtime because there’s no longer the commute eating up precious minutes from our day. Suddenly we’ve claimed back a bit of extra time, and we’re loving it!  Wilderness activities such as kayaking and sea swimming have also seen a huge boom in popularity, with more and more people throwing caution to the wind and using the ‘new normal’ to venture out of their comfort zones and try new things. It’s made us braver, more resilient and more up for it and this attitude is something we’ll definitely be taking with us into 2021.

The fitness industry has adapted to life in lockdown and so too have we. We are much more appreciative of life’s simple pleasures, we know that it is just as important to have a healthy mind as it is to have a healthy body, we realise that fresh air and nature play an essential role in this and we are most definitely up for a challenge. 2020 has been a funny old year and who really knows what 2021 has in store for us. But whatever comes our way, we’re ready and waiting!

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01646 695341

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If you drink...

DON’T DRIVE! As this year’s Christmas drink-drive campaign gets under way, it has emerged that drivers are nearly three times more likely to be breathalysed in December than in other months of the year.

Home Office figures show that police forces across England and Wales conducted 63,648 roadside breath tests last December – 20% of the annual total.

The December figure was also approximately three times higher than the monthly average of 23,840. And the number of motorists found to be over the drink drive limit last December, including those who refused the test, was 4,816 – a failure rate of nearly 8%.

Many drivers were caught still feeling the effects of the previous evening’s overindulgence with nearly a fifth of drink-drive convictions happening the morning after the night before. A third of all breath tests after an accident are conducted between 7am and 1pm.

How big is the drink driving problem?

Despite 30 years of drink drive education and enforcement, some 200-plus people are still killed in drink drive accidents every year and more than 70,000 people are still caught drink driving annually The insurance comparison website, confused.com, has published data showing that more drink-drive offences were detected last December than in any other month of 2017.

Freedom of Information requests to UK police forces by confused.com revealed that 5,551 drivers were caught driving over the legal alcohol limit during December 2017 – a daily average of 179 drivers and slightly higher than the Home Office figures.

At the same time, statistics released by the Department for Transport (DfT) show an

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increase in casualties and incidents caused by drink driving, while there has been no improvement in drink driving related deaths since 2010.

to see things clearly while you are driving And you’re more likely to take potentially dangerous risks because you can act on urges you normally repress .

Campaigners have called on the Government to lower the drink-drive limit in England and Wales in line with those of Scotland and the rest of Europe in a bid to reduce drink-related accidents and fatalities.

What are the drink driving penalties?

Anyone caught over the legal alcohol limit when driving or attempting to drive will be banned from driving for at least 12 months, of three years if convicted twice in 10 years, face an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison.

What are the legal limits?

In England and Wales, the alcohol limit for drivers is 80 milligrams (mg) of alcohol per 100 millilitres (ml) of blood, 35mg per 100ml of breath or 107mg per 100ml of urine. This is the highest in Europe.

At the end of 2014, the alcohol limit for drivers in Scotland was reduced to 50mg of alcohol in every 100ml of blood and 22mg of alcohol per 100ml of breath, and there was a 12.5% decrease in drink-drive offences in the first nine months of the new limit.

All these factors – the length of imprisonment, period of disqualification, size of fine and related penalty points – depend on the severity of the offence.

Being in charge of a vehicle whilst over the legal limit or unfit through drink could result in three months in prison plus a fine of up to £2,500 and a possible driving ban.

The penalty for refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis is a maximum of six months in prison, an unlimited fine and a driving ban In most other European countries, the of at least 12 months. limit is lower than the UK and in line with Scotland, typically 50mg per 100ml of If the worst should happen, causing blood or less. death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs carries a Why is alcohol such a problem? maximum penalty of 14 years in prison, an People who drive at twice the current legal unlimited fine and a minimum two year alcohol level are at least 50 times more driving ban. There is also a requirement to likely to be involved in a fatal car crash. pass an extended driving test before the offender is able to drive legally again.

Many of the functions that we depend on to drive safely are affected when we drink An endorsement for a drink driving offence alcohol: remains on a driving licence for 11 years, so it is 11 years before a convicted driver will the brain takes longer to receive messages have a “clean” licence again. from the eye processing information becomes more difficult instructions to the A conviction for drink driving also body’s muscles are delayed resulting in means: Your car insurance costs will slower reaction times. increase significantly if you drive for work, your employer will see your conviction You can also experience blurred and on your licence you may have trouble double vision, which affects your ability travelling to countries like the USA

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The loneliest Christmas yet...

This Christmas is set to be the loneliest yet: more than half the older population are concerned they won’t see friends and family this Christmas

1, Age UK’s ‘No one should have no one’ campaign calls for vital donations so it can be there for those who have no one to turn to.

2, New stepped through to keep winter.

findings show the public has up to support older people the pandemic, and we need the support going through the

3, This Christmas is set to be the loneliest yet: more than half the older population are concerned they won’t see friends and family this Christmas Almost 2 million older people are expecting to feel lonely this Christmas – including almost a third of older widows and widowers – according to Age UK’s new research for its No one should have no one campaign, which is asking for urgent donations so it can be there for every older person who will be facing a deeply challenging time alone.

At the beginning of November, 6.1 million people aged 60 and over said that they were feeling lonely . With a second national lockdown in England in place and the future uncertain, around 7.7 million people aged 65 and over – more than half of the UK’s older population – are concerned that COVID-19 restrictions might mean that they cannot see family or friends this Christmas , potentially making

this festive period the loneliest and scariest ever experienced for many older people.

Winter is always a tough time for older people - dark nights, short days and cold, often wet weather make it harder to get outside. These challenges combined with pandemic restrictions mean that chance encounters - like catching up with neighbours on the street or friendly chats at the supermarket - are less likely right now, yet they can make a big difference to those who are almost always on their own, or feeling lonely.

Research carried out by Age UK has previously found that following months of staying inside, some older people have lost confidence in doing day-to-day activities they previously took in their stride, and are no longer taking pleasure from things they used to enjoy .

With the worst of winter still very much to come and COVID-19 continuing to represent a threat to older people, the Charity is worried that many will find the next few weeks and months particularly tough to navigate, especially if they are on their own.

The good news from these new findings is that people have stepped up to support our older population during the pandemic, which has made a huge and much appreciated difference - 5.8 million older people say they wouldn’t have got through the pandemic without their friends , highlighting the power of friendships and human connection, which older people need now more than ever

before.

However, while 45% of older people have had someone call them for a chat because of their situation during the pandemic , sadly this isn’t the case for everyone.

Recent ONS figures show that 2.2 million of over 60s say that they haven’t had anyone to talk to about their worries and sadly 2.2 million said they felt like they are a burden on others.

For older people like these, Age UK will be their lifeline this Christmas. The Charity is calling for donations to help fund its friendship and advice services, demand for which has soared since the coronavirus outbreak began in March.

Marjorie, 98, lives on her own in an independent living apartment and doesn’t have any family or friends nearby. After beginning to feel lonely, Marjorie joined Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service.

“As you might imagine, at 98, it is lonely on your own. When you’ve been like me, being very independent throughout my life, the loneliness is like a nothingness.

I just miss my life. Thinking about the people I knew at school, I think I’m the only one around now. All my old friends and work colleagues in the WAF have been gone ages. People move away, and then they die.

“During lockdown, I didn’t get to see anyone, we couldn’t have visitors, and I had to stay in my flat. Because of the virus, I haven’t been out for over six months, I don’t get up to a lot. I’m going blind, and my hearing has been very bad, so I can’t

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watch the TV, I can’t read or write. I used to like cooking and gardening, but I can’t do either of them. I enjoy listening to talking books from the library. I normally just go to bed and listen to them there because it’s more comfortable.

“I always tell people I’d like to go to sleep on Christmas eve and not wake up until New Year’s Day and miss the whole thing.

In previous years I’ve been invited out to various Christmas lunches, but this means I celebrate early and I’m alone on Christmas Day. This year I’ll take Christmas as it comes, I don’t have any plans, but Christmas without friends is no fun.

“I really enjoy the Age UK telephone calls.

It is something I look forward to because there is a friendship there - I get on with them very well and it does give me a lift, especially when you’re on your own. It’s like having someone else in the room with me. I imagine us there together having a chat. It means a lot that Age UK are there for me when I need them.”

Age UK is also encouraging everyone to be friendly to the older people in their communities – the survey found that almost 2 million older people said they wouldn’t have got through the pandemic without the kindness of strangers .

Age UK’s new figures show that one in five older people (22%) have had someone help them by collecting their prescriptions or medicine during the pandemic and a third (33%) of older people have had someone help them by shopping for essentials (e.g. food and toiletries) .

There are lots of simple things everyone can do to help: • Keep in touch: Try to check in regularly with your older relatives, friends and neighbours to ask how they’re feeling, and find out if there’s anything they need. If

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you’re unable to visit in person there’s still plenty you can do to show you care – a phone or video call, try making homemade Christmas cards, letters or even small gifts.

• Lend a hand: if you’re able to, be a good neighbour by offering simple, immediate assistance to older people nearby, such as offering to pick up shopping or run errands.

When you drop off any shopping knock on the door and step 2 metres back first, leave any bags on the doorstep and make sure your neighbour safely receives them. Visit www.ageuk.org.uk/neighbourly to find out about neighbourly volunteering.

• Share these numbers: for practical information and advice, Age UK Advice: 0800 169 65 65. For a cheerful chat, day or night, The Silver Line: 0800 470 80 90.

• Fundraise for Age UK: With many of us staying at home now’s the chance to get involved, raise much-needed money and support vulnerable older people through the pandemic and beyond. From a physical activity challenge to virtual supper club, fundraising ideas and resources are available at www.ageuk.org.uk/fundraise.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, said: “This seems set to be a festive period like we have never experienced before, and not one any of us would want to navigate on our own. At the best of times, Christmas can be bitter-sweet for many older people, but this year they are going to need our support even more than usual.

At Age UK we were thrilled to hear older people paying tribute to all the friends, neighbours - and strangers - who had reached out to offer them help during the first wave, but the fact is we know that some older people missed out, and are likely to do so again. We want to be there with anyone who finds themselves in that position this winter, but we can only do

it with the public’s support, so please do donate to our campaign this year if you can.”

Dame Judi Dench, Age UK ambassador, said: “We’ve heard so many heart-breaking stories this year of older people being cut off from their loved ones, through the restrictions which we’ve all had to follow and wanting to keep people safe from catching and spreading the virus. And now when we would normally be looking forward to Christmas celebrations and getting together to bring some cheer, many older people are facing their most difficult winter ever.

“I’ve been a supporter of Age UK for many years but their work has never been more important than it is now. We can all do something to help, whether that’s checking on an older friend or relative, helping someone in your area or making a donation, please think about how you can support older people today.”

This winter will be like no other, yet far too many older people are facing this challenging and uncertain time alone. For many older people, Age UK will be their lifeline this Christmas.

Age UK is raising urgently needed funds so it can continue to be there for anyone who needs help: now more than ever, no one should have no one. Find out more or donate at www.ageuk.org.uk/christmasappeal.

Anyone who needs support, is worried about an older relative or friend or wants to find out more about Age UK’s Telephone Friendship Service can get in touch by calling Age UK Advice free of charge on 0800 169 6565 (8am-7pm) or visit www. ageuk.org.uk. Any older person looking for a cheerful chat can call The Silver Line’s free helpline, day or night, on 0800 470 80 90.

Source: AgeUK

Your Local Helping Hand Throughout Pembrokeshire Tel: 07971 817 525

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Keeping Pembrokeshire moving... voluntarily

2020 will go down in memory as the year we were all told to stay home, to socially distance and to not see anyone, even close family, unless we absolutely had to.

They have a fleet of 6 wheelchair accessible minibuses, and 3 wheelchair accessible cars, which are available for the use of nonprofit organisations and individuals.

I’d like to think that most of us followed those rules, that we put the safety of others first and only journeyed outside when it was absolutely necessary.

“Being a wheelchair user makes even the shortest of journeys a bit of an endurance trial. See, not all of the local buses go low enough for a wheelchair user to be able to get on on their own and, when we have to

But what of those who weren’t physically able, how were those members of our society expected to function in a world of ‘social bubbles’ and ‘rules of six’?

When repeat prescriptions needed picking up or vital Doctor’s appointments simply couldn’t be missed, what happened then?

I caught up with the new chair of Pembrokeshire V o l u n t a r y Transport (PVT) Tina Norman, who only took over from Margaret Vickery in October, to find out more about how disabled people in Pembrokeshire managed during the COVID-19 pandemic (AKA 2020).

I’ve known Tina for many years and it’s clear to me how passionate she is about local transport for those who, like her, find mobility (even around her own home at times) a trial as she is now in a wheelchair permanently.

Tina and her son John, who has Aspergers, aren’t drivers, they couldn’t be, midlockdown they also couldn’t turn to family or friends to help them get to where they needed to be.

“I’ve been aware of PVT for a few years now” said Tina “I’ve used their amazing service to get to my voluntary work, further education, adult classes, therapy and to visit my elderly mother, but I never thought we’d be relying on them for things like Doctors or Hospital appointments!”.

PVT are there to help people who have difficulty with transport due to their age, disability, personal situation or because they live in an isolated rural area with limited public transport.

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PVT have 3 cars all VW Caddies with 2 based in Haverfordwest and 1 based in Pennar.

They also provide Minibus hire to community groups, registered charities and not for profit organisations.

PVT have some volunteer drivers who are MIDAS trained and their buses are located in Fishguard, Tenby, St Davids, Pembroke Dock and 2 minibuses situated in Haverfordwest.

PVT were able to help Tina and her son keep important appointments, pick up prescriptions and maintain an important sense of normality whilst the world stopped and, as Tina pointed out, it was far cheaper than relying on Taxis and far less troublesome than relying on friends or family that Tina was very aware of pestering.

socially distance and John can’t come with me, how am I supposed to get on a bus?”

She’s right, whilst the majority of local buses have ramps and lower chassis, many local bus companies are still using older inaccessible vehicles on some routes because the Disability Act is being phased in in Wales.

Tina, like many less-abled people across Pembrokeshire, became quickly and understandably frustrated by this.

“In the height of lockdown, we found it almost impossible to go about our essential tasks, something had to change and it’s not the bus drivers fault but it felt like we’d slipped into some kind of blackhole and been forgotten.”

“That was when we remembered about PVT and we hoped they’d be able to help us.” And, luckily for Tina, they did.

Pembrokeshire Voluntary Transport provide 2 very separate and distinct services, they provide self drive wheelchair accessible car hire that can be booked to come with a driver. Passengers only pay the mileage, so it’s much cheaper than Taxis, but unlike buses, they can take you door to door. A Carer can come too.

“I found them so helpful and eager to help too, they are approachable and if they can do anything for you, they will.

“I don’t think enough people know about PVT.” Says Tina “They’ve existed for 30 years to help people around Pembrokeshire who are disabled, isolated, without transport or are less mobile, and it’s such a boost to mine and John’s confidence, happiness and overall mental health to know that help is just at the end of a phone line. It’s so reassuring.”

“We simply don’t want other people in Pembrokeshire to ever feel cut-off or even left behind, so to launch the Fflecsi service gives us all a warm glow inside and we all get that amazing feeling of giving something back where council funding or private business has left people feeling isolated and alone.”

“But we need volunteer drivers and trustees, now more than ever. We need more amazing, giving people to help us keep Pembrokeshire moving for people who are disabled, elderly, car-less or isolated”.

If you can help PVT, give them a call on 07582 580646 and help support a truly great cause that makes a profound difference to the people who use it.

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Behind the scenes of JOHN COOPER cast a long shadow over Pembrokeshire from 1985 until he was eventually caught and sentenced to life in prison for his horrendous, violent crimes in 2011.

Back in 1996 I was 11, it was my first year in Milford Comp and I can vividly remember being warned to stay out of Mount Woods after the serious sexual assault that was carried out nearby.

Those warnings felt, to an 11-year-old me, very serious, even if I wasn’t given the full facts at the time, it was clear that these warnings were coming from a place of genuine concern or even fear.

Fear was a weapon that, according to the new ITV drama ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’, Cooper, being played by Keith Allen, wielded not only against his victims, but also against his family in order to guarantee their silence and loyalty.

The new drama series, coming to ITV early next year, not only focuses on Cooper’s deplorable crimes, but also on the effects that he had on those closest to him, like his son Andrew.

I got the chance to have a chat with members of the cast and crew over Zoom. Talking to The Herald, ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ writer Nick Stevens said: “Andrew Cooper was left a fragile, damaged and broken man after his father’s spree.

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“Andrew had lost everything and had no happiness in his life because of his bully of a father, who, of course, blamed his son for his crimes.”

His son wasn’t the only one who felt the full wrath of John Cooper’s anger though, Nick went on to speak of Cooper’s wife Pat who also lived in fear of her husband.

“One of the key moments in the series is when Andrew reaches out to his mum, he goes to see her only for her to bring up those Khaki Shorts. At that moment it becomes clear to Andrew that Pat was still a part of Cooper’s agenda.”

That agenda is one of fear, of lies and of violent outbursts that, over the years, ensured their silence, but how is it possible to bring a character as intricate and as predatory as Cooper to the screen?

Executive Producer Simon Heath told me “People remember Keith from years ago but people don’t know his Welsh roots.

“There’s a specific accent that Keith delivers perfectly that gives him the quiet menace that Cooper needed.

When he unleashes his anger you can see the terror he inflicted on those around him.”

I asked Keith what worried him the most about taking on the role of Cooper: “I was worried about my accent” said

Keith “I used to work in Tenby running boats during the summer, so I went back there on a Sunday and just sat in pubs listening to people talk but they were full of Mancs, Scousers and people from Birmingham watching Sky Sports!”

“So what I did was drive out to Cooper’s village and walk around the area, then I went back to Tenby and that got me in the groove.”

“My trigger (for getting into character) was how he says ‘scuba diving’ from the Bullseye footage.

“I saw that and I thought ‘Oh my god, there’s a guy who will kill a couple one month later’ and you can see he’s not a very nice person, he imposes himself on his playing partner and he doesn’t enjoy being on that show.

“When he misses you can see the fury in his eyes and I’ve often thought that if he scored 180 on Bullseye that maybe the Dixon’s would still be alive.”

Putting yourself in the mindset of a psychopath must be one of the weirdest experiences possible, Keith told me: “When you’re playing a real person, you can’t take your eye off the ball. But I’m a bone idle actor, I’m not the type of actor to be affected, but when you’re playing a real person, who did these terrible things, you do end up taking that character home with you.

Coming soon to

f the Pembrokeshire Murders with Andy Chandler

“I’ve never met him but I think I’ve seen enough of him, when you know what he did you can watch him lying on the police tapes and it’s fascinating.”

But Cooper isn’t the sole focus of the new ITV series, we’re also going to see the herculean efforts put in by members of Dyfed-Powys Police to secure a conviction, leading the investigation at the time was Steve Wilkins who is being played by ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ star Luke Evans who relished the chance to work on home soil with ‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’.

Luke told The Herald: “It was wonderful, I miss being home very much. I have such a close connection to Wales and it was lovely to be surrounded by authentic Welsh people, rich accents and wonderful characters.”

When asked about working around the stunning Pembrokeshire coast, Luke told The Herald “It’s just a magnificent place to be at anytime of the year, the juxtaposition of these terrible things alongside the dramatic coastline is incredible.”

‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ finished production just days before the first

COVID-19 lockdown was announced, Luke told me: “We finished production on March 13th 2020 and within 4 days we were in lockdown. We were lucky to get the chance to make this and even luckier to get it finished before lockdown.”

My last question for them was about the victims, did they feel a responsibility to those that were so awfully affected by Cooper’s reign of fear, to which Alexandria Riley, who’s playing Ella Richards, said: “We never forgot that this drama is based on real life, we were so aware that we had a responsibility to do it right. Everyone involved took that responsibility on their shoulders, to be sensitive to those affected by Cooper.

“We filmed close to where those events took place and it kept you focussed on being respectful.”

Keith Allen summed it up too, saying: “I think the program itself answers that question, I’ve seen it and what I like about it is there’s no weird lighting or effects, it’s realistic and in your face.

“It makes you think ‘God, is that what these people went through?’. When the people involved see this, hopefully they’ll think ‘good, now the world knows what we went through’.”

‘The Pembrokeshire Murders’ is expected to air on ITV early next year and we’ll definitely be tuning in.

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PRESELI MP Stephen Crabb is urging shoppers to think local this festive season, as he backs the nationwide Small Business Saturday campaign.

This Saturday (Dec 5) small businesses across Pembrokeshire will be the focus of a UK-wide scheme urging shoppers to support their small, local businesses.

Following a visit to participating business Victoria Bookshop, Stephen Crabb MP said: “The high street and our favourite independent shops have been hit hard by the pandemic this year.

“That’s why the Small Business Saturday campaign is a great way to shine a spotlight on the local businesses that need our support, not just at this festive time of year but throughout the year.

“These businesses are working hard to keep customers and staff safe and continue to provide excellent service. Our high streets and town centres are better places for having independent and family-owned businesses and we must support them as best we can.

“Whether it’s a Christmas gift or essentials, support our county small businesses.”

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Common mistakes made when Christmas shopping online

The build-up to Christmas can be a stressful time for all, and this will only be exacerbated by the second lockdown, with many likely to flock to the shops as soon as measures are lifted.

It’s recommended that you do the majority of your Christmas shopping online this year to avoid additional stress and, in doing so, you could find that you save money in the process.

Our team here at Herald Towers have compiled the following tips to help you avoid common mistakes made whilst Christmas shopping online and to ensure you are always getting the best deal.

Make your budget stretch further Every year people budget for their Christmas shopping but very rarely will people stick to that budget. This year you should try and stick to the budget you have set for yourself as we are in unprecedented times and you cannot say with absolute certainty what your financial situation will be like a few months down the line.

Write out how much you hope to spend on each person and follow this to a T. You can also make your budget go further by looking for discount codes and sales.

Shop around The beauty of online shopping is being able to easily shop around and switch from site to site. If you are doing all your shopping online, you can use this to your advantage. Whilst it certainly does take longer than simply clicking purchase on the first retailer you browse, taking the time to check multiple websites can save you a pretty penny which can then be put in your savings.

Delivery fees You must work delivery fees into your budget even though they are often relatively inexpensive. These fees can cause you to go overbudget which may then eat into the money you’ve set aside for someone else. When you are writing out your budget for each of your loved ones, give yourself £5-£10 extra to play with as this will then allow for any additional expenses.

Most people will cutting back on present costs this year so you’ll certainly be in good company!

Shop at secure retailers It is important to shop at secure retailers to avoid being scammed and your details being stolen. Always check to see if there is a padlock in the search bar when you are entering payment details. Whilst this doesn’t guarantee that your details are secure, these secure connections are harder for hackers to penetrate. If you do have any reservations about a site you want to buy a product from, search for customer reviews.

Monitor prices Prices of products will always go through peaks and troughs, so it is important to keep track of prices in the runup to Christmas to make the most of a product being available at a discounted rate.

Not all places will have the same price for the same product, so it’s certainly worthwhile to keep tabs on the price of a desired product across a wide range of vendors.

Don’t just look for brand new New items obviously come at a premium cost because they are top quality and brand new, but you can often get an equally good item for a discounted second hand. You could look at eBay, Depop amongst many others, to get good quality items at a cheaper rate. Places like CeX are also great for second hand tech if you’re trying to find the best deals on various gadgets.

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There’s no way I’m going to shut myself off alone in the kitchen. The most important part of the day isn’t the food — it’s about being with my family, so I like to share out the jobs. My To-Do list guides me through the Christmas countdown with ease, with time to spare to enjoy everything else.

This year, my husband John and I are hosting Christmas for 10 guests. There will be my Sons, Thomas, Peter & Luke, their partners Nao & Gemma plus the kids, Naomi. Hana and Gemmas son Leon.

I’ve been hosting Christmas at home for over thirty five year s and have honed my plan for the perfect Christmas over many years.

Let me show you, in my special Christmas Clinic, how you can avoid the most common culinary festive pitfalls — if you start planning now!

TODAY: Make the ultimate masterplan A couple of weeks before Christmas, I itemise everything from the dishes I’m preparing to see what I need to make them. I call it my Countdown to Christmas list and I tick off tasks as I go along.

Once I’ve drawn it up, I relax. I’ve made sure I share out tasks with family and friends.

Then, on Christmas Day, the list comes off my kitchen door and goes on my work surface.

Everyone can see what we should be doing.

If people offer to help I am only too pleased to accept.

Start by writing down exactly how many people you will be entertaining over the festive period, so you are clear how much food you need. Maybe you will have five for Christmas Eve, eight for lunch on Christmas Day and six for supper.

Go through your favourite recipes and plan your meals. Make a note of what others have offered to do — in our house, my husband takes charge of all the drink, boozy and soft, and my daughter-in-law’s mother brings the pud.

Once it’s all written down, you’ll find you won’t feel so panic-stricken.

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SUNDAY 17TH: Keep festivities frugal It sounds obvious, but the best way to save money is not to over-buy. With so many tempting things in the shops, it can be hard not to. That’s why I take a copy of my To-Do list with me in my handbag when I shop.

on preparing my canapes. I buy quail eggs, smoked salmon and cream cheese to serve on Christmas Day. I also bake a nice tin of shortbread today. It’s cheap, lasts past Christmas and I can bring it out whenever visitors arrive.

Having a detailed list of the ingredients I need for the whole festive season stops me going off track. I begin my shopping today so I can keep an eye out for bargains. Leave everything to the last minute and it’s so easy to get caught up in the frenzy and over-buy.

THURSDAY 21ST: Ham it up Every year, I make my extra special ham. I buy a big smoked bacon joint which I boil a few days before Christmas. This year, I’ll be boiling it in cider with a handful of peppercorns.

When it’s ready, I’ll glaze it with a mixture of dijon mustard and demerera sugar, before browning it off in the oven. Divine. This can be saved for use after Christmas. In our home, having a ham to pick at on Boxing Day is a tradition.

For example, I love a cheeseboard as much as the next woman. But, instead of buying a selection box of cheeses, I just get two or three individual ones. Add grapes and crackers and you have a relatively inexpensive alternative dessert.

MONDAY 18TH: Start your stockpile This is the day I like to start stockpiling meals. There’s so much going on in those last exciting days before Christmas, I won’t always have time to cook a fresh meal. This way I know I’m covered.

I make a couple of shepherds pies and a lasagne to pop in the freezer. My husband is in charge of the wine, so I’ll be gently reminding him today to check we have everything bought!

TUESDAY 19TH: Essential standbys We all need extra food, especially if unexpected guests turn up. A great way to always be prepared is to buy things now that won’t spoil. That way you’ll know your store cupboard is stocked.

Half-baked baguettes you can use to make sandwiches are a great standby saviour. I also keep tins of chickpeas and black-eyed beans so I can knock up a quick salad.

Scones also make a fantastic standby and can be knocked up in minutes if you make sure you always have enough flour and sugar in the larder.

WEDNESDAY 20TH: Simple nibbles Buying too many pre-packed fancy nibbles leads to waste. I prefer to keep it simple and make my own. So this is the day I concentrate

FRIDAY 22ND: Sweet things Not everyone likes Christmas pudding, so I always serve a trifle, which I like to make today. I also make brandy butter by combining unsalted butter with double its weight in icing sugar and a glug of brandy. It keeps beautifully for days.

The grandchildren love chocolate so I’ll also be making my Yule log —a luxurious chocolate roll filled with double cream — which I freeze ready for defrosting on Christmas Eve to use on the big day.

SATURDAY 23RD: Keep it green I am always determined to make this my last shopping day, so it’s now that I buy all the ingredients that need to be really fresh.

I select my fruit, vegetables and herbs. I also like to double-check my list, make sure everything is ticked off and I’ve made allowances for any updates.

If you haven’t already got your turkey, you will be wanting to buy it today, particularly if it’s a frozen one which will need to defrost.

CHRISTMAS EVE:

Tackle the turkey — part I I usually buy a fresh bird — normally a Kelly Bronze. They are delicious and cook quickly.

However, frozen birds can taste just as good and are a lot cheaper.

To defrost, snip open the bag to let air circulate, put the turkey in a roasting tray and

leave to thaw somewhere cool — like your garage — for 24 hours. Don’t put the turkey in the fridge. It will take too long to thaw.

And I always remove the giblets, which make a fantastic base for my gravy.

Don’t neglect the veg I always prepare my potatoes and parsnips in advance, sometimes even roasting the lot on Christmas Eve if I have time.

King Edward, Maris Piper and Desiree are all great choices for roast potatoes. I cut them into even-sized pieces. I find eighths are better than quarters — more corners means they get crunchier.

I parboil for five minutes, drain and then rough them up a little with a fork, so they absorb more oil. I prefer goose fat. You may also like to toss them in a little semolina to add extra crunch. When they are ready, I pour off the fat, store in the fridge overnight and then reheat in a hot oven on Christmas Day after the turkey is taken out. I also peel and chop my carrots and sprouts on Christmas Eve. The carrots can be kept in cold water overnight. Sprouts — like all green vegetables — shouldn’t be put in water because they will lose their flavour. So I cut them in half to aid speedy cooking, then pop them in a chill bag in the fridge. I also make my celeriac Christmas puree with added full-fat creme fraiche the night before. My husband, who’s not a fan of celeriac, always asks why I bother. But, somehow, it’s always the first dish to disappear...

Gorgeous giblets I boil my giblets into a stock today, ready to make gravy. Then on Christmas Day, all I have to do is strain off the turkey juices from the roasting tin and add them to the stock.

Keep your supper simple Christmas lunch is such a rich treat, so I like to keep the other meals much simpler. On Christmas Eve, I serve a good old-fashioned fish pie. It’s light, easy to make, a great contrast to turkey — and economical too.

THE MAIN EVENT CHRISTMAS DAY:

Forget breakfast Don’t worry about breakfast — let people look after themselves. It helps that breakfast is a light affair in our house. If someone wants to set to and boil an egg, they can, but I don’t do any cooking.

Little ones can help, too Family and friends can get terribly upset if you don’t let them help. They may not do things my way, but I’m always very happy to let them get on with it. My grandchildren love to get involved, so I get them to make name places for the table.

And remember, my To-Do list is always displayed on the worktop so everyone can see what needs doing. No excuses!

To stuff or not to stuff?

There’s something so luxurious about a beautifully stuffed turkey. Although I like making several other stuffings to serve up on the day, I always reserve a special one to put inside the turkey. Don’t be scared that it’ll stop the turkey cooking properly. Just ease it under the skin above the breast, rather than stuffing the cavity, and it’ll be fine.

This year, I’m making a lemon and thyme pork stuffing, and it’s often the first task I undertake on the day. I’ll also pop an onion and lemon peel in the cavity to add flavour.

Then I’ll make a separate dish of chestnut and apricot stuffing for any vegetarians.

Tackle the turkey— part II The secret is to get it ready early. I have the turkey in the oven well before we go to church at 10am.

I start with a huge sheet of foil in my roasting tray. Then I smear butter over the breast, lift the skin and push the stuffing inside the breast end.

Then I wrap the foil around the turkey so it’s like a tent — giving room for steam to circulate. I cook my turkey breast side

up. It might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised! Cooking it upside down is a recipe for disaster, especially if you’ve had a tipple — it’ll wobble all over the place and you risk splashing hot fat on the floor and slipping.

I start my bird off at 220c (200c in a fan oven, gas 7) until it’s pale golden, then reduce the heat to 160c (140c fan, gas 3) for the remainder.

Check it’s ready by sticking a skewer in the thigh. If the juices run clear, it’s done. Or pull the thigh away from the body. If it comes away easily, it’s ready.

I then take the bird out and cover with clean towels. This way, the turkey can hold its heat for two hours.

Don’t despair if you mistime things and the turkey seems to be taking too long to cook — you can speed things up by removing the legs and roasting them separately. The breast always cooks quicker than the rest.

Rescue the roasties The secret to perfect roasties is getting your timing right. But don’t worry. If they’re cooked too early, there are remedies. If, like me, you’re just reheating them on the day, ten minutes in a very hot oven will be fine.

But if you’re starting from scratch, it’s still very simple.

As I said, I cut my potatoes into small pieces and roast them in goose fat, which has to be sizzling hot before I add them. I roast the potatoes for about an hour at 220c (200c fan or gas 7). I turn occasionally and add extra fat if needed. It’s vital that once the potatoes are done, they come out of the oven. But if the rest of your meal isn’t ready, don’t panic.

Drain off the fat and leave the potatoes on the side. When the rest of the meal is done, reheat the spuds for five minutes. Don’t just keep them warm, if you do they will go soggy.

Jazz up your sprouts While my other vegetables are cooking away, I give my sprouts a bit of wow with bacon.

I start by cooking them in boiling water for five minutes. Meanwhile, I fry snipped-up streaky bacon in a pan.

When the bacon’s nicely crisp, I add the sprouts and toss for a few minutes. If you’re short of space on the hob, you can fry the bacon in advance on Christmas Eve and reheat quickly before adding the sprouts.

Pudding for all!

I adore Christmas pudding and always make my own a month or so ahead. But even if yours is shop bought, I suggest boiling rather than microwaving as there’s a danger of burning the fruit.

Most cooked puddings will take three hours to steam or boil on Christmas Day. We always light the pudding. The key is to make sure the brandy and the spoon you use are both hot before you pour it on, otherwise the spirit won’t light. I also serve my sherry trifle for those who find pudding too heavy.

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4 myths about staying warm in cold weather Everyone has tips on how to keep warm in freezing weather. But are they myth... or reality? We investigate five common pieces of advice.

1) Alcohol warms you up If you’ve been out in the snow, what could be better than a nip of something alcoholic to warm you up? Hipflasks have been carried in the mountains since the 18th Century and mulled wine is still popular in ski resorts today as people come off the slopes and head into a bar to warm up.

It is true that if you drink an alcoholic drink when you’re cold you will feel as though you’re getting warmer and you’ll look as if you are. The alcohol sends blood towards the surface of the skin, making you flush. If you touch your face it will feel hotter. The problem is the blood has moved away from the main parts of your body, so in fact your core temperature drops.

Alcohol can reduce the body’s natural shivering response and dampen your perception of cold The good news is that the discomfort starts to lessen and if you’re now indoors a slight initial drop in core body temperature won’t matter. The problem is that if you’re staying out in the cold the effect of blood moving to the skin is not enough to keep you warm for long. Or if you drink a lot and then go back out into the cold, you could put yourself at risk. Alcohol can reduce the body’s natural shivering response and dampen your perception of cold.

Combine this with the impaired judgement that of course goes with being drunk, and you can see why people sometimes end up in dangerous situations. We’ve all seen the stories of people who fall into icy ditches on their way home from a bar in the freezing cold. Figures from the US show that, in a decade, 10% of deaths due to hypothermia involved alcohol consumption.

VERDICT: HALF TRUE – it warms your skin which gives you the sensation of feeling warmer, but your core body temperature can drop. In excess it can increase your chances of hypothermia.  2) Don’t sit on the radiator or you’ll get piles This is a myth that’s been around for a while.

Another is that sitting on cold surfaces gives you piles. Haemorrhoids or piles are itchy, bumpy swellings that develop from the cushions of tissue lining the anal canal. They

affect as many as 50% of people at some point of their lives.

Cooling the region can give some people relief, but there’s no evidence that warm temperatures cause them or make them worse. In fact a German study found that people who had a bath at least once a week (which presumably would be hot) had a lower risk of developing piles.

People are at higher risk if they often have constipation and strain when they go to the loo.

VERDICT: FALSE – sitting on radiators doesn’t give you piles. The best way to lower your risk is to eat plenty of fibre such as vegetables, cereals and nuts, avoid becoming overweight and drink water.

3) Don’t go out with wet hair or you’ll get a cold My guess is a lot of us were told this by our grandparents. I certainly was. The name “cold” even suggests you catch it by going outside in low temperatures. The illness is of course caused by a virus and unless you catch that virus, you can’t develop a cold.

But could getting chilled make you more susceptible?

In research where volunteers’ temperatures were lowered before exposing them to a cold virus, some studies found the shivering group were more likely to develop a cold, others that it made no difference. But Ron Eccles from Cardiff University in the UK tried something different.

People had to sit with their feet in cold water for 20 minutes, before returning to their normal lives. The control group kept their shoes and socks on and simply sat with their feet in an empty bucket for 20 minutes. Five days later twice as many people in the cold water group said they now had a cold. It should be said that the study did rely on the volunteers’ own assessments.  But why should having wet feet or maybe wet hair make you more likely to catch a cold? One suggestion is that because when you’re feeling cold the blood vessels in the nose and throat constrict, meaning that fewer infection-fighting white blood cells reach your nose and throat to tackle the virus.

Others suggest that people simply get more colds in winter because they stay inside together and pass their germs around more easily. When Anice Lowen from Emory School of Medicine in the US studied how easily the flu virus passes from one

guinea pig to another, she found the warm temperatures with low humidity (typical of a centrally heated house in winter) were ideal circumstances for passing on the infection.

VERDICT: MORE DATA NEEDED - going out in the cold with wet hair won’t give you a cold, but it’s possible that if you have already picked up the virus your body might find it harder to fight it.

5) Always wear a hat because you lose the most heat from your head Obviously it makes sense to cover up well if you’re heading out into the snow, but is it true that it’s especially important to keep your head warm?

Hardy volunteers have taken part in plenty of unpleasant research on this in the hope of finding some answers. In one study Thea Pretorius from the University of Manitoba in Canada gave volunteers drugs which prevented the body from shivering. Then they were lowered into cold water wearing scuba tanks for breathing. They wore dry suits, socks and gloves or just a swimming costume. Sometimes their heads stayed above the surface of the water. At other times they were completely submerged.  If they were submerged but wearing the dry suit, their heat loss was mostly from their heads, but they lost only half as much heat as those in swimming costumes with their heads sticking up above the water. Since they were losing heat almost entirely from their bodies, this shows we lose more heat from our bodies than from our heads.

It is also true that if the body is insulated, but the head is exposed to the cold, the body’s core temperature still drops faster than you’d expect, possibly because we don’t shiver if only our head is cold and the reason we shiver is of course to warm us up. Also there are a lot of blood vessels on the scalp close to the surface of the skin, so if blood is cooled as it passes through the scalp, it can then cool the rest of the body as it passes through.

But this concerns the rate of cooling, rather than the lowest temperature your body reaches. When it’s freezing outside, what usually matters to you is how cold you end up. So the ideal is to keep the rest of your body and your head well covered.

VERDICT: TRUE that it’s a good idea to wear a hat if you want to keep warm, but FALSE that you lose most heat from your head.

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Cottage in National Trust Park goes green with stylish Klover wood pellet Boiler Cooker 1890s gamekeepers cottage located in Dinefwr Park had a solid fuel (coal/ wood) range and a log burner for heat.

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From Call The Midwife to Bridgerton, here’s our pick of what to watch on TV over the Christmas break.

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a bumper selection of mustwatch TV shows and films to get stuck into. And this year looks set to be little different, as the merry elves working at the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime have come through with some festive television treats.

There are, as you’ve probably guessed, some familiar faces in the mix, including Strictly Come Dancing, Call The Midwife, Gogglebox, and First Dates. And, for those looking for a nostalgia hit, we have the return of The Vicar Of Dibley (not to mention an actual Bridget Jones’ Diary documentary) to get stuck into, too.

And, for all those in the mood for something brand-new, there’s a lot to choose from: think Black Narcissus, Disney’s Soul, the much-anticipated Doctor Who special, and Shonda Rhimes’ Bridgerton, to name just a few.

CHRISTMAS ON DISNEY+

Soul

Exclusively on Disney+ from Christmas Day, Pixar’s Soul tells the story of Joe Gardner (Jamie Foxx), a middle-school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime to play at the best jazz club in town. But one small misstep takes him from the streets of New York City to The Great Before – a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks and interests before they go to Earth.

Watch the trailer for yourself below:

“He knows he’s coming to London to sing, but he has no idea where or that Vicky’s also arranged for her co-star on Line Of Duty, Adrian Dunbar, to sing with him.”

We have a feeling we’re going to need the tissues for this one.

Call The Midwife

Call The Midwife has become something of a Christmas staple over the years, and this special episode – set in December 1965 – sees everyone at Nonnatus House’s plans for a traditional Christmas go awry.

Poor Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt) is rushed to hospital, while Trixie (Helen George) is left fuming when she is thoughtlessly gifted a subscription to a Marriage Bureau.

Elsewhere, a surprise reunion for Shelagh (Laura Main) sees her become involved in a deeply moving birth, and Nurse Crane (Linda Bassett) is caught up in an exciting adventure when the circus arrives in Poplar.

All in all? The sort of Christmas fare we can’t wait to settle down to, quite frankly.

Sir David Attenborough’s Meerkat: A Dynasties Special Scientists recently discovered that watching Sir David Attenborough documentaries is proven to make us significantly happier, while also reducing our stress and anxiety. Consider Meerkat: A Dynasties Special, all about a young meerkat queen called Maghogho, essential viewing over Christmas.

Ghosts Christmas special

Vicky McClure’s Dementia Choir at Christmas

It’s Christmas at Button House, and Mike (Kiell Smith-Bynoe) is keen to make it perfect for his visiting family. However, Alison (Charlotte Ritchie) quickly becomes distracted as she makes it her mission to inject some festive cheer into her ghostly pals. Will she be able to help them to rediscover the real message of Christmas?

“Mick is living his bucket list while he can and wants to sing on a stage one last time,” reads the official synopsis.

Revolution Of The Daleks Aptly titled Revolution Of The Daleks, this year’s much-anticipated festive episode of Doctor Who will pick up pretty much exactly where the 12th series left off: The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) seems doomed to end her days in a high-security alien prison, while her human companions Yaz (Mandip Gill), Ryan (Tosin Cole) and Graham (Bradley Walsh) go about their

When to watch: Soul will be available to stream from 25 December.

CHRISTMAS ON BBC ONE

In this heartwarming seasonal special for BBC One, Line Of Duty’s Vicky McClure tells us what the Dementia Choir has been doing during lockdown, leading up to a very special Christmas performance with members of the English National Opera at the London Coliseum for one choir member.

50 - Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020

Doctor Who:

normal lives on Earth without her.

But then the trio accidentally stumble across a disturbing plan. A disturbing plan involving (you guessed it) many, many Daleks. Will they, with a little help from an old friend, be able to defeat the exterminators once and for all?

Mary Berry Saves Christmas

You get exactly what it says on the tin with this one: Mary Berry, like the angel she is, rolls up her sleeves to help three hopeless non-cooks create surprise Christmas feasts for their loved ones.

Black Narcissus In this adaptation of Rumer Godden’s classic novel Black Narcissus, Gemma Arterton stars as ambitious young nun Sister Clodagh, who heads a mission to a remote clifftop palace in the Himalayas once known as the ‘House of Women’. As she and her sisters attempt to make the palace of Mopu their home, though, its haunting mysteries awaken forbidden desires that seem destined to repeat a terrible tragedy.

The Vicar Of Dibley: In Lockdown If you’ve been wondering what Geraldine Grainger (Dawn French) has been up to during lockdown, wonder no longer: she’s been conducting sermons over Zoom. And these new thoughts on life and chocolate will be packaged as three brand new 10 minute shows that will precede some of her earlier adventures this Christmas on BBC One. Strictly:

The Christmas Countdown While Covid-19 restrictions have put paid to our hopes of a festive danceoff this year, Strictly: The Christmas Countdown will see hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealing which dances the viewers have voted into their top 25 of all time.

The Big New Year’s In

Social distancing rules mean it’s highly unlikely we’ll be able to celebrate New Year’s Eve as usual, so the BBC is putting on a live entertainment show which will run throughout the evening.

Packed with famous faces, the synopsis promises that this “unforgettable concert leads up to a very special midnight celebration.” For now, though, exact details

of the night remain a mystery.

CHRISTMAS ON BBC TWO

Nigella Lawson’s Cook, Eat Repeat Christmas special

An hour-long special of Nigella Lawson’s Cook, Eat, Repeat will air over the festive period.

While we don’t know which recipes she will be tackling, Nigella has promised us that she will be offering her own unique twist to the Christmas dinner table, featuring food from near and far, to add something a little different to the seasonal set menu.

QI Christmas Quiz With Sandi Toksvig

Sandi Toksvig is here to ensure we all have a very merry quizmas, bringing us plenty of festive-themed questions in a bid to get out brains whirring after our traditional Christmas nap.

Victoria Wood: The Secret List This tribute to the late comedy legend counts down a hand-picked list of Victoria Wood’s favourite career moments, which was discovered in a notebook after she passed away in 2016.

Being Bridget

Can you believe it’s been a whopping 25 years since Bridget Jones made her first appearance via a newspaper column detailing her rocky relationships with men, booze, fags… and knicker elastic. To celebrate our beloved Bridge, then, this BBC Two film explores how Helen Fielding’s character reflects changing attitudes to women, and the way their stories are told.

The Gruffalo and Me:

The Magical World of Julia Donaldson The Gruffalo, Zog, The Highway Rat, Stick Man, The Paper Dolls, Tabby McTat, Tiddler… this documentary film will uncover the surprising stories behind how Julia Donaldson’s iconic characters were created, and what they mean to a generation of readers.

CHRISTMAS ON ITV

The Story Of SM:TV Live

Presenters Cat Deeley, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have all moved on to do big things since they left SM:TV Live 19 years ago. In this nostalgia-heavy ITV special, though, they’ll be reuniting to

look back at the children’s TV show that made them household names.

CHRISTMAS ON CHANNEL 4

Quentin Blake’s Clown

Inspired by a book of the same name, Quentin Blake’s Clown is a half hour animation bringing to life the adventures of a little toy clown, thrown away with a load of old discarded toys, as he goes on a journey to find a new loving home for himself and his friends.

And, yeah, it’s narrated by Helena BonhamCarter herself.

Big Fat Quiz Of The Year 2020 To celebrate the welcome dawn of another year, Jimmy Carr puts a panel of top celebrity teams to test as he presents his big, fat and fiendishly difficult quiz.

Gogglebox: Festive Special We’ve been relying heavily on Gogglebox’s armchair critics to keep us smiling during lockdown, so you better believe that we’ll be tuning in to hear their thoughts on the year’s biggest Christmas TV shows.

First Dates Christmas

First Dates might usually take place at Paternoster Chop House, but this Christmas will see Fred Sirieix and the team head to some seriously cosy countryside pubs in a bid to help a new batch of hopeful singletons find love.

The Great Christmas Bake Off

Paul Hollywood, Prue Leith and Matt Lucas are joined by Bake Off: The Professionals host Tom Allen as they celebrate Christmas in the famous white tent.

CHRISTMAS ON NETFLIX

Bridgerton

Based on the historical romance novels by bestselling author Julia Quinn, Stylist’s Helen Bownass has Bridgerton pegged as an absolute must-watch.

“It tells the story of Daphne Bridgerton and Simon Basset,” she says of the upcoming Netflix show.

“The couple come to an arrangement to get engaged in an effort to get Basset’s mother off his back about getting married.

However, during the engagement Daphne

finds herself falling for her faux lover and has to work out how she can make the fake relationship a reality.”

Helen adds: “In other words, like The Wedding Date – but make it 19th century aristocracy.” We’re in.

When to watch: Bridgerton will be available to stream on Netflix from 25 December.

The Midnight Sky

George Clooney is the director of this scifi film about a lone scientist in the Arctic who races to contact a crew of astronauts returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe.

When to watch: The Midnight Sky will be available to stream on Netflix from 23 December.

London Hughes ’ To Catch A Dick ‘

London Hughes’ stand-up show To Catch A Dick, which was nominated for last year’s Edinburgh Comedy Award, will be available to stream on Netflix this Christmas.

“I’m so excited for the world to see this special,” says Hughes, who recently launched her podcast London, Actually on Spotify.

“After the crazy year we’ve had, we could all do with a good laugh and some good dick.” When to watch: London Hughes’ To Catch A Dick will be available to stream on Netflix from 22 December.

CHRISTMAS ON AMAZON PRIME

Sylvie’s Love

Starring Tessa Thompson and boasting a 100% ‘fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Sylvie’s Love is a must-watch when it drops on Amazon Prime on 25 December.

The film sees Sylvie (Thompson) embark on a summer romance with a saxophonist who takes a summer job at her father’s record store in Harlem.

But, when they reconnect years later, they discover that their feelings for each other have not faded with the years. When to watch: Sylvie’s Love will be available to stream on Amazon Prime from 25 December.

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MOVIE: Christmas Classic

YIPPIE-KI-AY, that’s right, one of my favourite Christmas films is the timeless classic: Die Hard.

There’s no doubt in my mind that this is an essential Christmas movie, it’s main themes are family, togetherness and peace and goodwill to all men.....by any means necessary!

For the uninitiated, Die Hard tells the story of John McClane (Bruce Willis), an NYPD cop who heads over to LA to reunite with his estranged wife Holly (Bonnie Bedelia) and his young family for Christmas.

Holly is a high-flyer who works for the Nakatomi Corporation, a massive multinational company who are celebrating one of their best years to date.

McClane gets dropped off at the 35 storey Nakatomi Tower by limo driver Argyle, and then makes his way up to the Christmas party which is in full flow.

Reunited with Holly, the two start bickering about their relationship before Holly

is called away to give a speech. It’s at this point everything goes a bit wrong.

Hans Gruber, played by Alan Rickman (in his first big role), takes control of the skyscraper with his band of terrorists whilst McClane is able to run, shoelessly, up to the unfinished floors and hide.

Gruber’s gang are there to steal bonds, millions and millions of dollars of bonds from the Nakatomi vault but must masquerade as freedom fighters until luring the FBI in to make accessing the Vault all the more easier.

After witnessing the brutal murder of CEO Mr. Takagi, hiding isn’t McClane’s only plan of action on this Christmas Eve, oh no, with his wife now forced to be Hans Gruber’s go-between to relay messages to the hostages, McClane has to act.

So, this NYPD cop starts to fight back and has to eliminate the terrorists one-by-one until a final, shocking showdown between McClane and Gruber takes place on the 32nd floor.....

Die Hard is chocked full of great acting, great action, great gags and even wears its heart on it’s sleeve, especially during a scene where McClane must seriously contemplate the fact that he might not make it to Christmas Day alive.

It’s these little moments that really add the Christmas sparkle to this action film, John McClane is fighting to save his wife and to have a lovely Christmas together.

He’s willing to go to ANY lengths to insure that he has a chance to get his family back together and it’s that vein of emotion running throughout this film that makes this a must-watch Christmas movie.

The entire cast put in stellar performances with Willis and Rickman in particular putting in performances that must be classed as career-best.

And there’s even a much derided justas-Christmassy yet enjoyable sequel (Die Hard 2: Die Harder) if this isn’t enough to fill you with Christmas cheer.

4/5

Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020 - 53

THEGAMINGGUIDE

Console: PC, PS4, Xbox One Released:OUT NOW

Previews for Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt RED’s highly-anticipated new firstperson role-playing shooter, have been released and while its reception has been generally good, the previews have revealed some concerning flaws with the game. Cyberpunk 2077 was originally set for release last April 16, 2020, but was first delayed to September 17, 2020, then it was recently further delayed to November 19, 2020, with the game’s multiplayer component set to release later on in 2021.

Cyberpunk 2077’s latest delay puts it closer to the release window of both next-generation consoles, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, which could mean that the game has now been set to launch alongside them. CD Projekt RED has already confirmed that the game will be coming to both next-gen consoles and that owners of the game on either the PS4

or Xbox One will get free upgrades to the next-gen version once it’s available, which could come sooner rather than later if the game becomes a launch title for both the PS5 and Xbox Series X. In a gameplay preview of Cyberpunk 2077, GamePressure writes that, while the game generally feels satisfying “due to the diversity of the main missions and the fantastic dialogs” and some interesting features like the Braindance module, there are some serious concerns about the game. Particularly, its shooting and driving mechanics, despite the fact that those are core mechanics that make up much of the game. According to the preview, the driving in Cyberpunk 2077 feels very bland, with no “weight” or “momentum” to the act, and it’s apparently on the level of the notoriously lackluster driving in games like Sleeping Dogs and Watch Dogs.

The all-important shooting is another element that are allegedly “completely bland,” “flat,” and fails to really “show teeth at any point.” The game uses similar shooting mechanics as other RPG shooters such as Borderlands, in which enemies become bullet sponges and don’t die until their huge health pools run out. While that mechanic is fairly standard, it sounds as though it doesn’t match the realism that Cyberpunk 2077 is trying to achieve elsewhere. While it may be too late to overhaul the game’s driving and shooting

54 - Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020

mechanics, the general consensus thus far is that Cyberpunk 2077 is still a very good game whose pros may significantly outweigh its cons, which was also the case with CD Projekt Red’s smash hit The Witcher 3, which is dilsikedby some for its horseback riding and combat.

Cyberpunk 2077 is undoubtedly the biggest game CD Projekt Red has undertaken so far. The studio has put quite a lot of effort into making the game as detailed as possible, even going as far as creating over 1,000 NPCs with hand-made routines. The studio has even partnered with acclaimed animation company Studio Trigger to bring a companion anime series to Netflix. So, hopefully, the concerns with gunplay and driving through Night City’s neon streets will be either alleviated or completely fixed before the game’s release.

MUST HAVES, IF YOU DONT HAVE THEM ALREADY!

MARIO KART 8: DELUXE Console: Nintendo Switch Released: OUT NOW

ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS Console: Nintendo Switch Released: OUT NOW

Mario Kart 8 on the Wii U was already one of the best entries in the franchise, and the Nintendo Switch version is no different.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the first new entry in the mainline Animal Crossing series for almost eight years and the first entry to be playable on the Nintendo Switch - and it was definitely worth the wait.

At its core the game offers the same excellent racing as the Wii U original, but there are also a number of new additions for this version of the arcade racer.

New Horizons whisks you off to a deserted island through an exclusive Nook Inc package.

You’ve got the return of battle mode, new characters, all the previously released DLC tracks, and the ability to hold two special items at a time to add an extra layer of strategy to your racing.

The new game is also a great way of playing the game in multiplayer. You can play online, in split-screen with up to four players, or link up to eight consoles together to play multiplayer wirelessly (where you can also play with up to two players per console).

It’s a versatile release, and well worth picking up for anyone who missed out on Mario Kart 8 the first time around.

DESTINY: BEYOND LIGHT Console: Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC Released: OUT NOW

Your job is to get the island to be a top resort, attracting new islanders by sprucing things up and making your island a tropical paradise.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is packed with charm and the perfect game for those who want to kick back and just take things at their own pace.

It’s familiar and fresh, deftly combining the old enjoyable parts of the series with some much-needed improvements and far greater depth than we’ve seen before.

It just keeps giving, too, with regular seasonal updates to keep you invested.

Bungie’s biggest release since going independent is finally here, but do the secrets of Europa make Destiny 2: Beyond Light a must-have? Destiny has been many things since the franchise’s debut in 2014.

Looking back, the whole series felt like it was constantly trying to reinvent itself, as it figured out exactly what it was.

In a lot of ways Destiny has felt quite experimental, especially for a game as big in stature as it is.

That’s part of what makes it so interesting, but it’s also made it somewhat inconsistent. That’s not true of the moment-tomoment gunplay, which has always been one of the best in the genre. However, Bungie has been laying the track in front of the train while it’s moving.

At times it’s been a bumpy ride, as the developer made sharp turns and chased new ideas and structures. And now, at the height of the game’s popularity, Destiny 2’s third expansion has arrived, but is Beyond Light a welcome entry in the series Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020 - 55

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8 Quick Winter Car Checks

The low temperatures, slippery roads and poor visibility makes driving difficult in winter. What you don’t want is a breakdown or an accident that leaves you stranded in bad weather and possibly in the dark.

Cold temperatures are tough on vehicles.

Fluids become thick, rubber parts become hard, batteries are less efficient and engines have a harder time starting up. While the weather is not in your control, you can minimise the chances of car problems by checking your car before winter sets in.

1. Avoid Starting Problems

Batteries work best in warm weather. The cold winter temperatures reduce their efficiency and performance. It’s risky to drive with a battery that is problematic, low on charge or at the end of its life.

Get the condition of your battery checked well before the onset of winter. This is very important if your battery is over three years old, your vehicle is used sparingly or you mostly drive short distances. Getting it checked gives you a chance to top up the electrolyte and get the battery fully charged. This reduces the possibility of starting problems in winter. If your battery is close to the end of its life, it’s better to replace it. Such batteries are unpredictable and may die at the worst possible moment leaving you stranded.

2. Check The Coolant

The coolant is a mixture of water and antifreeze in equal proportion. In places with very harsh winter, you may need to change this slightly. The antifreeze prevents the coolant from freezing. However, its components deteriorate with age and use.

58 - Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020

Check the condition of the coolant before winter and replace it if needed.

3. Are Your Tyres In Good Shape?

worse with rain or snow. You will depend a lot on your wipers and it makes sense to ensure that they are functioning well.

You need good tyres to maintain your grip on wet and slippery roads. A worn tyre can result in a skid making you lose control over your vehicle.

If a wiper is operating, but not clearing the windscreen, you may need new blades.

Check the level of the windscreen washer fluid and top it up if necessary.

Before winter starts, check the tread depth of all your tyres, including the spare. Special winter tyres are recommended if you are in a region where the mercury drops below 7°C. Winter tyres stay more flexible and perform better at low temperatures than regular tyres.

Lights and indicators are critical. You need them to see the road and be seen by other drivers. Check for and replace worn out lamps. Clean your headlights if they have become yellow or foggy.

Even good tyres won’t perform well if they are not properly inflated. In cold weather, tyres tend to lose pressure. Underinflated tyres reduce your ability to control the vehicle besides increasing fuel consumption. Check tyre pressures more frequently in winter. Don’t forget to check the spare tyre. Always check tyre pressures before your trip if you intend to drive long distances.

7. The HVAC System

You need the HVAC system to keep the cabin warm and the defroster to clear foggy windows. Check it and get it serviced if needed.

Clean or change cabin filters if they are too dirty. They clean the air as it enters the cabin. If they are clogged with dirt or other material, hot air coming from the heater may dislodge the dirt and send it into your car.

4. Brakes

8. Rubber Parts

5. Engine Oil

A pre-season car check is ideal to avoid winter car problems. The best way to do it is to get your vehicle checked by a good mechanic or garage. If you are getting your car regularly serviced, you are less likely to have winter car problems.

The importance of having good brakes on bad winter roads cannot be overstated.

You don’t want to drive in winter with worn out brake pads or faulty brakes. If you have even the slightest doubt about your brakes or the ABS, get it checked and fixed without delay.

Check the level and condition of the engine oil. Top it up or replace if needed.

6. Wipers And Lights

Visibility is poor in winter and it becomes

Cold weather is tough on rubber parts.

They become hard and lose some of their flexibility. A critical rubber component in your car is the engine belt. A damaged belt can snap in winter and leave you stranded.

Check all moving rubber belts and get them replaced if needed.

Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020 - 59

60 - Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020

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The 12 tips for Christmas with your pet

The trees are going up, the presents are being wrapped, the food preparations are beginning, and the excitement is escalating - Christmas is just around the corner!

The festive season provides many exciting opportunities for our furry friends too; decorations to play with, wrapping paper to hide in - the choices are endless! But what might be tempting treats can also be problematic. Here are 12 tips to help the Christmas period with your pets go smoothly.

1. Christmas trees Having a fir or pine tree in the house is one of the wonders of the festive season. But it’s worth bearing in mind that although they look lovely, they can be troublesome for pets. The oils in fir trees can be mildly toxic, causing stomach upsets, and the needles themselves can get stuck in your pet’s paw or throat. Regularly sweep up needles and close the door of the tree room when you go out, to avoid any accidents.

2. Strings of lights The fairy lights which dangle and adorn are tempting chew items for pets. Try to place them out of reach, and always turn the lights off when leaving your pet unattended.

3. Wrapping distractions Keep the door shut when you are wrapping presents otherwise you might see your rabbit hopping away with that ribbon you have just spent time curling. Or the bow you are just about to stick on that present may suddenly be stalked by your cat in a game of pounce. If swallowed these items can cause many more problems than just a wrapping headache.

4. Dangling decorations Baubles, tinsel and dazzling decorations hanging from the branches provide irresistible play opportunities for your pet. Be 64 - Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020

careful, as not only can your carefully decorated branches suddenly become bare, but tree decorations can be dangerous: chocolate is harmful to pets, so hang those yummy decorations out of reach; anything knocked off the tree can be swallowed by our inquisitive friends, and broken ornaments can get stuck in a paw.

5. Tempting treats The smell of succulent turkey wafting from the kitchen is as irresistible to our pets as it is to us. Avoid leaving food anywhere in your pet’s reach - you can’t blame them if it’s left unattended! But it’s not just about protecting your Christmas dinner. Many foods we love can make pets unwell, and turkey bones can become stuck in their throat if swallowed.

6. Pretty plants Poinsettias, mistletoe and holly are Christmas favourites, bringing lots of festive cheer and colour into the home. However they are dangerous for pets; with varying levels of toxicity, the side effects depend on how much of the plant is consumed.

Display out of reach to avoid any tummy troubles.

7. Antifreeze With the onset of winter comes the inevitable frosts and ice, and for our four-legged friends, the smell of antifreeze is extremely alluring. But it is hugely toxic and can be fatal, so be careful not to spill any on the ground, and keep bottles out of reach even the smallest amount can be dangerous.

8. Ornaments ‘Tis the season to decorate your home with special Christmas ornaments. But remember, if your cat, dog or rabbit isn’t used to its usual play spaces being filled with festive objects, they can be knocked over, nibbled, or even swallowed.

9. A busy house Christmas time often means a busy home, with friends and family coming together in seasonal spirit. Remember that new faces and more noise can be scary for your pet, so it’s a good idea to provide them with a safe room so they can escape and be put at ease if it all becomes too much. It’s also important to maintain your pet’s normal routines, especially with feeding and exercise, to avoid them becoming too unsettled.

10. Home comforts As the snowflakes fall and the temperature drops, make sure that your cat, dog or rabbit has somewhere warm to sleep. Preparing your rabbit for winter is important: if your rabbit sleeps outdoors, make sure the hutch is waterproof, and be ready to bring him or her inside over the winter months too. And for your cat or dog, ensure they have somewhere warm and comfortable to come back to after they’ve been exploring in the elements.

11. Fire safety A crackling fire is loved by many on a winter’s day. But be careful if you have an open fireplace - your pet may not be used to it and may try to investigate too closely.

Place any festive candles out of reach too, to avoid accidents.

12. Holiday blues The festive season can be a chance to escape away on a well-earned holiday. But if you do go away, don’t leave your pet for too long - our furry friends deserve the love and a share of the festive fun as much as we do. Spend time with them this winter - it is the perfect opportunity to crack open the pet games you’ve had for months.

Read our guide about holidaying without your pet for more information if you are going away.

Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020 - 65

Fascinating facts at Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre

History is set to surprise you at every corner in Pembroke Dock.

Streets named after queens and kings, ships, military leaders, regiments and iconic flying boats all point to an illustrious past for the community.

At Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre you can turn the pages on the town’s two centuries of history.

This a museum like no other, found inside the understated elegance of the Royal Dockyard Chapel, the only Georgian era military chapel in Wales, dating from the 1830s.

The Heritage Centre gift shop has a range of special gifts for Christmas – including prints, books, kits, badges.

Check out our website www.sunderlandtrust.com or call 01646 684220.

66 - Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020

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Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020 - 67

68 - Pembrokeshire this Christmas 2020