LLais Rhian Issue 24 November 2018

Issue 24

November 2018

To Dublin and back …..

Meurig’s Mega Tractor Run!

Raising a massive £17,370 too……

Back in March, while undergoing treatment, Meurig Harries, 76, of M & S Transport, Tresewig, decided to challenge himself and raise money for Prostate Cymru. After discussions with family and friends he decided on a tractor challenge that would cover approximately 400 miles.

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He came up with the idea of driving a modern tractor from Fishguard Show through the Port of Fishguard via Stena Line, to Rosslare, then up to Dublin, back through Holyhead and down the west coast of Wales back to Fishguard.

The next thing was where and how to find a suitable tractor for the challenge. The answer came from an old family friend, Nev (the Rev) Davies who kindly loaned him a Valtra T214 Versu for the duration of the challenge at no cost. A back up team of eight, consisting of six family members and a couple of stowaways were given the use of a minibus, again without any costs from Mrs Sarah Bell, Trecwn, to follow the challenge.

Times and dates were booked and on Friday August 3rd the challenge began. After a display at Fishguard Show a convoy of vintage tractors escorted Meurig and his Valtra down through Fishguard to the Ferry Port at Goodwick. At 1pm the Ferry set sail and Meurig and his team, all dressed in blue polo shirts with Meurig’s Challenge printed on the back, settled down to a lunchtime meal in the dining area. On the way to Ireland, Meurig and his team were lucky to be invited by the Captain, Richard Davies, to visit the bridge, where Meurig sat on the ‘Captain’s’ chair wearing the Captain’s cap looking fully in charge!

Arriving in Rosslare later in the day, the team were met by a group of vintage tractor enthusiasts who escorted them out from Rosslare for approx five miles. Meurig drove on for another hour before reaching the Lemongrove Bed and Breakfast in Enniscorthy, where the team stayed the Friday night.

After a hearty Irish breakfast, Saturday 4th August at 9.30am saw Meurig on the road, the M11, travelling north to Dublin. After a short coffee stop on the way at Rathnow,the port of Dublin was reached in plenty of time for the 3pm crossing back to Holyhead. On arriving in North Wales, a short drive to the Valley Hotel was taken for the Saturday overnight stay.

Sunday morning, 5th August, another fried breakfast set the team up for the day ahead. On leaving Valley, Meurig set off for the Menai Bridge with a short stop for a photo opportunity at Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.

Crossing the Menai Bridge saw the Valtra just squeeze through the arches with all four wheels up on the kerbs. By lunchtime the team had arrived at Aberystwyth, where more members of Meurig’s family were waiting to greet him and follow him back home after lunch. The back-up team had now grown to eighteen (16 family members and the 2 stowaways were still there), with another couple of cars following on as supporters.

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On the way home from Aberystwyth, Meurig’s grandchildren, Angharad and Rhodri, who are members of Penparc YFC near Cardigan, had arranged an impromptu stop at the village hall in Penparc where the YFC members put on a wonderful spread of afternoon tea for all. On leaving Penparc, heartfelt thanks were given and the YFC presented a donation towards Meurig’s challenge. A big thank you goes to Angharad and Rhodri for keeping friends and family at home up to date with the challenge by posting regular reports on Facebook all weekend.

By 6pm on Sunday evening, Meurig and his team were rolling along the Parrog at Goodwick where a large group of supporters were there to welcome them back to where they had started.

During the summer, Meurig and his tractor have made appearances at the following shows - Pembroke, Fishguard, Hayscastle, County Show Haverfordwest, Camrose Vintage Working Day and finally ending up at the ‘All Wales Ploughing Match’ at Crug Glas. At all these shows Meurig has received huge support from the general public and generous donations were placed in the bucket collections. Grateful thanks go out to everyone who visited the team and donated during the summer.

The full amount of £17,370 goes directly to Prostate Cymru. A BIG BIG thank you must go to Nev Davies for kindly donating the tractor for the challenge and also to Mrs Sarah Bell for donating the minibus for the support team. Finally, thank you to all who supported this excellent challenge with donations, small and large. Meurig thanks you all for thinking of him.

And all this led on to ……….

Another successful Big Breakfast at Croesgoch Farm Stores On Saturday November 10th, Croesgoch Farm Stores hosted their second annual Big Breakfast, again in aid of Prostate Cymru. The community spirit in and around Croesgoch came to the forefront with well over 200 breakfast baps served up during the morning.

To boost the morning’s takings were a well-supported raffle and auction. The final amount raised was £2550 and everyone at Croesgoch Farm Stores would like to extend their grateful thanks to all who attended and supported this worthwhile 3

cause. The morning totally captured the spirit of awareness and support for Prostate Cymru within the farming community of North Pembrokeshire.

The highlight of the morning was when Mr Meurig Harries presented Mr Neil Fenn, consultant urologist at Morriston Hospital, a cheque of £17,370. This was the total raised on his recent Tractor Challenge.

Another cheque of £550 was presented during the morning to Mrs Lyn Murray, founder trustee of Prostate Cymru, from Sarah Harries and Simon Thornton from Treffgarne Owen, after they both ran the Cardiff half marathon in October.

A big thank you was extended to Mr Neil Fenn and Mrs Lyn Murray for giving up their time to attend the Big Breakfast at Croesgoch.

During the last two years the Harries and Phillips families of Tresewig have raised in excess of £36,000 for Prostate Cymru.

Many thanks for all the help and support they have received from the local community.

For more information about prostate cancer, please visit www.prostatecymru.com Meanwhile, just down the road from the Farm Stores……..

Re-furb at the Artramont - a case of ‘what goes around comes around’ as some of the bygone artefacts and services make a return.

It’s been clear to anyone passing by, that the Artramont has had a facelift. The pub has been re-roofed and re-painted, and the old conservatory at the back has gone, to be replaced by a sheltered patio area for seating and eating. The back room has been lime plastered and as re-decoration begins inside, old features, once hidden, have been uncovered.

Perhaps of most interest is right in front of you as you walk in.

The landlord, Tom, decided to take the risk and see what was behind the wall, and now the original serving hatch has been re-instated. People soon recalled some of 4

its many previous uses – for dispensing prescriptions, as a post office, an off-licence and a sweet counter for children. But now it will likely be chips from the takeaway that pass through the serving hatch.

Other bygone times at the Artramont can be recalled from old pallets and timbers, and old Goodwick bricks, all of which are now being re-used, along with some of the old seating in the bar which had a cast iron frame made by Ritchie ‘the Forge’.

And under the tiles of the dismantled conservatory lie the old petrol tanks reminiscent of the time when you could fill up your car as well as yourself at the pub!

A use will be found for the old oil barrels.

Back in the days, the Artramont was not only the local petrol station, it was also where you went for the doctor, the dentist, the post office and the bank.

And these last two have made a comeback in the last few years, as John ‘the Post’ sets up his counter behind the bar in Croesgoch on Tuesdays and Fridays. As well as all the usual postal services, most banking facilities are also available – you can pay in cash and cheques, withdraw cash and pay bills, all without leaving the village!

Just like the old days!

And now we hear from someone who perhaps remembers something of the old days in Croesgoch, and went on to travel the world…..

Tony Davies OBE and his globe-trotting life with lorries…….

I was born at the ‘Lodge’ in Croesgoch on 26 May 1938, the same house that my father was born in. I attended Croesgoch primary school and St David's grammar school. My home language was Welsh, and I did not speak English until I was about nine years old.

From around the age of eleven, I worked at weekends and during school holidays for Ewan Thomas at Trevigan farm and often cycled the nine-mile journey to Letterston to wash lorries for Evans and Williams where I learned to drive on the yard.

My main interests were always cars and lorries and in November 1954 I joined ERF Ltd at Sandbach in Cheshire as an engineering apprentice.

I went on to work for that same company for another 43 years.

After completing my five-year apprenticeship, I worked in the design and service departments of ERF and was appointed their very first ‘service engineer’. My first visit outside the UK was to Montego Bay in Jamaica where several ERF trucks were operating. I visited 34 different countries for ERF, spending considerable time in Australia, Africa, New Zealand, the Middle East, Taiwan, India and Singapore, before eventually becoming general service and parts manager worldwide for ERF in 1972.

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In 1975, I was appointed managing director of ERF South Africa (PTY) Ltd and to the main ERF holdings board in the UK in 1984, adding ERF Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, New Zealand and ERF Property Holdings to my list of directorships.

In 1993 I was awarded the OBE for services to the British commercial vehicle industry and British exports.

Although ERF in the UK did not manufacture buses and coaches, we did so in South Africa of which over 2,500 were made which operate throughout southern Africa, including Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi, Kenya, Lesotho, Swaziland and Namibia. I personally designed the very first luxury coach to be manufactured in South Africa - the ERF ‘Cambrian’, named in memory of the mountains in Wales.

A total of 114 of these coaches were made, some of which are still in operation.

In 1963 I married Wendy from Cheshire and we have two sons, Haydn and Martyn, both of whom are employed in the legal profession and reside in South Africa where Wendy and I continue to live. Our home there is called ‘Llenyfryd’.

In South Africa, I am president of our ‘Cambrian Society’, and also of our Welsh male voice choir ‘Cor-Meibion Cymru - de Affrig’.

Although now retired, I continue to write technical articles for ‘South African Truck and Bus’ magazine and from time to time act as a consultant to the truck and bus industry. I have also written two books, ‘ERF: The Inside Story’ and ‘ERF They Said It’.

In 2017 I was honoured to receive the ‘Blue Robes’ and become a member of the ‘Gorsedd-y-Beirdd’ (the Druid Order) at the National Eisteddfod in Anglesey with the Bardic name of ‘Abereiddi’.

Wendy and I continue to have close ties with Wales and have a house in Croesgoch where we frequently visit. We are fortunate to have the same friends in Wales and the north of England as we did all those years ago.

I also still have close ties with the chapel at Berea, where my parents, grandparents and great-grandparents have been laid to rest.

Newyddion Ysgol Croesgoch School News New Class Names Each class now has a name chosen by the pupils themselves to reflect our local community.

The names are: Dosbarth Aberbach – Nursery Class Dosbarth Abercastell – Reception and Year 1 Dosbarth Aberfelin – Years 2 and 3 Dosbarth Abereiddi – Year 4, 5 and 6 6

New Headteacher

The new School Council members for 2018 - 2019 are pictured with Mrs. Kate Moore the new Headteacher, who was previously the Assistant Headteacher at Johnstown Primary School in Carmarthenshire. Mrs. Moore is originally from Caerphilly but began her teaching career in London before relocating to West Wales with her husband and three children.

Links with China We are very excited to have created a link with Times College, in Nanjing, China. Their headteacher, Mr. Gareth Lloyd, visited us recently and we have already exchanged short videos between our two schools and begun to learn about school life in China.

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Head Boy and Head Girl Our Head Boy and Head Girl, Sam Kelly and Victoria Horne, were recently invited for lunch with the Director of Education, Mrs. Kate Evan-Hughes at County Hall, where they participated in a question/answer session.

TERM DATES Christmas Fair - Thursday 6th December Christmas Concert - at Croesgoch Chapel Thursday 13th December at 6pm.

A warm welcome is extended to friends of the school and members of the community to join with us at these two events.

Croeso i bawb.

The Alpacas of Middle Mill Most of us will have driven down the road from Middle Mill to Solva and, glancing over at the long necked woolly creatures grazing peacefully nearby, will have done a double-take, wondering what exactly we’d seen!

They are alpacas - a species of South American camelid, closely related to the llama, and belong to Alan Davies from Solva. Alan is a cousin of Alun ‘Ush’ of Porthgain and his sister, Beryl from Square and Compass, and it was they who suggested we went to talk to Alan to find out more.

As we leant over the gate in the October sunshine, making acquaintance with the friendly, woolly creatures with large eyes and long eyelashes, we could soon see the appeal of these enchanting creatures.

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In his childhood, Alan had an interest in poultry, and then went on to rear sheep in the 1980’s, but it was in 2001, after the foot and mouth outbreak, that he eventually had a change of direction and acquired his first alpacas.

He had first seen the creatures in the 1980’s, but when enquiries revealed that the asking price was £10,000 each, there was no hope.

Twenty years later, prices had halved, but were still unaffordable until Alan had something of a lightbulb moment when pondering what to do with a maturing life insurance policy. It had been earmarked for a new car, but realisation set in that a new car would never buy some alpacas, but some alpacas might buy a new car one day!

So Ophelia, Tiffany and Butterfly arrived in January 2001 and despite being late on a wet Saturday afternoon, their arrival caused quite a stir and they had no fewer than 31 visitors to see them before the end of their first day!

Ophelia had originally been imported from Chile in 1993, and when she arrived in Middle Mill, she conformed to the alpaca behaviour of a matriarch being in overall charge and took on this role from the second she stepped off the trailer. Normal lifespan for an alpaca is about 20 years but Ophelia lived to be 24 and was the oldest alpaca in Wales when she died a couple of years ago.

Alan soon realised that alpacas were much easier to keep than sheep with fewer birthing problems, no dagging chores to be done, no foot rot and as their fleece contains no lanolin which attracts flies, they are not prone to blow fly either.

So the flock soon grew after several years of successful breeding – and all with wonderful names! We were introduced to Pegasus, Celebrity, Moses, Columbus, Raleigh, Moonbeam, Laurel, Sunbeam, Apricot, Lily and Afal.

Pregnancy for an alpaca lasts for anything between 11 months and a year, and during that time males are spat upon or kicked by any female in that condition.

Consequently, they are kept apart! All females in their turn, are kept under control by the matriarch. Newly born cria (young alpacas) soon get a lesson in acceptable behaviour apart from the matriarch’s own, who grow up to have a much more confident air about them when they mature. Alpacas are highly intelligent, and each has their own character.

The fleece from an alpaca can be used for knitting or felting. The best fleece comes from the body (blanket fleece), although on a young alpaca the neck fleece can be just as good. The leg fleece is coarser and tends to be used only for felting.

Alan says he never thought he would be selling alpaca fleece at a stall at Builth Wells, but that is what has happened for several years. On occasions with a knitting demo too, from his cousin, Beryl Holness!

Next time you are down Solva way, take time out to go and see Alan’s alpacas – you won’t be disappointed!

More about Alan Davies in a future issue......

And just up the hill from the alpacas, things have been happening at Llety Farm in Carnhedryn…..

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Llety Farm Moving from Hertfordshire to a Pembrokeshire farm in 2014 was a dream come true for Jacky and Ian and the sun shone for the first 3 months! Here they tell us a little about their project and plans as Llety Farm has been transformed: Llety’s history from its inception in 1874 to today, 2018, has been a story of diversity.

From a mixture of arable farming to animals which have included dairy cows, pigs and horses, Elwyn James and his wife, along with their two daughters, became one of the first farms to diversify into bed & breakfast for the tourists.

At this point in the 1970’s they doubled the size of the house to create six letting rooms with one of the smallest bathrooms you could imagine. They created a very friendly and successful business with guests competing with each other to get back first from the beach so that they had a sand free bath!

That 70’s theme was still the decoration when we arrived in June 2014. Unlived in for several years, the property, although not derelict, needed a lot of TLC as the farmhouse had stopped in a time warp after Elwyn was sadly killed in a car crash several years earlier.

It was all hands on deck as our restoration project got underway. Four months of head scratching and designing led to a way forward. It began with the front garden wall which was a great learning curve of how to use a cement mix - a skill we are still using!

Having made the house watertight with a whole new outside render, taking away the angles and giving it a softer cottage look, we started work inside. The kitchen became the breakfast room and the old breakfast room became the new kitchen. Six bedrooms upstairs were reconfigured to become five (three with ensuite) and a new bathroom.

Of course, it makes perfect sense when all this deconstruction and construction is going on, to get a new puppy! Maggie, our border collie, ran us ragged, enjoying the noise, people and chaos around her, and when we reached a low ebb she tormented us as only a scallywag puppy dog can do!

New electrics and plumbing system followed, along with the re-vamped Aga in the kitchen, and so the house was given a new heart.

It gradually became clear that we should re-visit the past and set up a B&B again, so with that in mind, final finishes were made to support this aim.

(At this point we would like to thank Jacky’s children Tommy, Nick and Laura for all their help and support along the way!)

Now we have just come to the end of our second successful business year. But after the first one we decided to diversify again.....

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Number 1 - the horse lorry was converted by Nick to a glamping experience which many have already enjoyed.

Number 2 - the re-introduction of sheep. Elwyn, I hope, would be proud.

No one said that life would be easy but all of our guests love the area, as we do, which makes living and working here a pleasure.

What next for Llety? Well we are looking into that right now, so watch this space.

The legacy of Llety, we hope, is still moving on.....

Jacky and Ian www.lletyfarm.co.uk Porthgain Rowing Club – the pre-season ‘Scotland trip’ was mentioned in our May issue. Here Linda Evans tells us how it went: For the past few years, when we start up our winter ‘training’, our illustrious cox, Tom, proposes a trip to Scotland for an intensive week of rowing. This year we finally managed to organise ourselves and actually went on said trip!

By a combination of cars and planes we got seven people and one gig boat all the way up to our destination - Loch Sunnart on the western coast of Scotland. And what better way to blow away the cobwebs of a twelve-hour drive than to launch the gig and row from a place called Salen, five miles down the loch to Laga.

Laga Bay was our meeting point with Andrew, from whom we were renting our accommodation. I have never rented a cottage that comes with its own RHIB (Rigid-hulled inflatable boat), but that was the case with this trip, our house was on the Isle of Carna in the middle of Loch Sunnart.

Andrew chatted to Tom whilst us rowers transferred our luggage and a week’s worth of food (mainly cake and whisky!) onto his boat – the training had truly begun! Andrew then towed our RHIB over to the island whilst we rowed the mile or so over to meet him. Anyone who has been to the Scottish Highlands and Islands will testify to their wild beauty and sheer remoteness, but seeing Carna for the first time was exhilarating, not least because it meant we were close to getting some rest after a long day.

Having moored both the gig and our RHIB on the pontoon we all scampered along the short path with our luggage to our home for the week (one of only three houses on the Island). The house was warm and had all we needed for our stay, namely a couple of wood burning stoves with good clothes racks to dry wet gear. It did not however, have electricity! All the lighting was gas, even the fridge ran on gas. There was one socket that could charge our mobile phones but that was it as far as the power went. The other thing that Carna does not possess is phone signal, so the 11

first thing we decided to do was climb to the top of the highest hill on the island to let everyone know we had arrived safely. Still, what Carna lacks in telecommunications, it more than makes up for in views – the view out across the loch towards the Isles of Mull, Muck and Eigg is breath-taking.

Over the following six days, true to Tom’s word, we did at least one (sometimes two or three) daily training sessions in the gig, out on the loch in all weathers.

Interspersed with our rows we managed to climb (nearly to the summit) Beinn Resipol (2713 ft) and explored the neighbouring island of Oransay with its numerous ruined stone cottages, left after the clearances.

We walked along the mainland peninsular out to the Ardnamurchan lighthouse and one day caught a ferry over to the Isle of Mull where we rented bikes and cycled around Loch Frise (we were planning to row over to Mull but were scuppered by some strong headwinds). We had numerous rambles around Carna itself, and even found a mysterious yurt; no one seemed to know who it belonged to! Ella took every opportunity to send the drone up to catch some fantastic shots of the island, the wildlife and us all bobbing about in the gig. And what wildlife! We saw deer, both sea eagle and golden eagle, seals and on one fantastically still evening two otters cautiously came to investigate us in the RHIB. We were powered by some fantastic home-cooked food which included venison bought from the Ardnamurchan estate shop, as well as at least one type of cake for every day of the week. Every evening was finished off with a wee dram in front of the fire.

Our thanks to Tom, Kath and Ella for their organisational skills and endless hard work in getting the gig, and us, there, and for cooking some great meals.

Thanks also to Ruth for fearlessly sharing the driving and generously donating her fruit to the resident mouse. Finally, thanks to Simon for being our walking flora and fauna encyclopaedia and for stepping in, not just to row, but to row on ‘the wrong side’.

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As training camps go, it was exhausting… but absolutely brilliant and we hope to return next year.

To find out more or get involved with next year’s rowing, visit Porthgain Rowing Club Facebook page, email: porthgainrowingclub@outlook.com or phone Tom Sutton on 01437 720026

Diana Hoare is the new local team vicar for this area. She has been rowing with Porthgain Rowing Club for several years, whilst living and working in St Davids, so is already a well-known face. Here she tells us more….

Diana Hoare Hi Everyone I have been asked to write a piece introducing myself to you all as the new Team Vicar of the Greater Dewisland Local Ministry Area.

Most of my working life has been spent as a self-employed artist / craftsperson, a calligrapher and stone carver. For thirteen years I was a full-time professional calligrapher working on decorative maps, family trees and imaginative compositions using lettering. I have had six children, but my second suffered a cot death. This led me to design and carve individual and bespoke headstones for bereaved families.

My way of working on this was to invite the creative input of the individuals concerned to create very personal designs of the headstones, using creativity as part of the bereavement process. I worked in this way for twenty years following the death of my baby son Matthew at six weeks. My five other children’s ages now range from 20 to 36.

For me carving, calligraphy and design have always been inextricably linked with child rearing. The children always went to minders in the morning and came to the workshop for the afternoon with me, where they had their own ‘workshops’ to get on with their own creative work, or simply to fall asleep.

I tried everything I could think of to avoid the call to ministry, feeling that I was the most unlikely person to become a vicar. However, in my experience, God is very demanding and doesn’t let one go, and after three years of training with the West of England Ministerial Training Course in Ludlow, I was ordained in 2005 in Hereford Cathedral.

For more than twenty years, I have had my house and gallery in St Davids and lived here, running my stone business full-time for seven years, before I had to start working away in the Hereford Diocese. I served my curacy in Bishops Castle in Shropshire for four years and then was appointed Priest-in-Charge of seven churches around Bucknell near Knighton. During this time, I came back to St Davids every week on my day off because here is very definitely ‘home’ for me.

I returned to Pembrokeshire to work three years ago in the three churches Walton West, Talbenny and Haroldston. We set up the Havens Beacon Churches and the three now work very closely together in a closely-knit little benefice.

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My latest move has brought me to work closer to St Davids which is a delight for me, and I hope I can make a significant contribution to this beautiful part of Pembrokeshire.

In my spare time I continue to design and carve sculptures and lettering.

Recently I have completed six large pieces of calligraphy, each four feet square, on the theme of the sanctity of all life - God is in everything and everything is in God. For exercise, I ride my horse Toby, a black and white cob who lives near St Davids. I row with the Porthgain Rowing Club and have been with them to the International World Championships in the Isles of Scilly for the past six years.

I very much look forward to meeting you all.

Diana And someone else with an equine interest…..

Molly at the Horse of the Year Show Molly Walsh started riding at an early age and is obviously a natural!

Now 16 years old, she has had success in numerous competitions, culminating this year in qualifying for the ‘Horse of the Year Show’ at the NEC in Birmingham.

Here Molly tells us a bit about what it has taken to reach such a high standard: I have owned Angus for 3 years now and in my first season under saddle with him we only competed locally as I was still getting to grips with such a big pony having moved up from my 13hh.

It’s been a lot of hard work these past few years, a lot of blood, sweat and tears but we managed to get to where we wanted to be.

Commitment has been vital, and my friends and family have supported me throughout and I really wouldn’t have been able to do it without them.

My 2018 results include: 1st and Champion Royal Welsh Spring Festival, 1st and Reserve Champion at BSPS mid-Wales, 1st and Champion at Pembrokeshire County Show, 4th at the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, 2nd at Royal 14

Welsh and 1st at the NPS Championship Show where I qualified for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

At the HOYS final in the NEC Birmingham I was placed 9th in the UK. We were over the moon and my family coming up to support me made the experience so magical.

What an achievement! Congratulations from all of us at Llais Rhian. Now at Pembrokeshire College studying Health and Social Care, Molly will be 17 in December and is looking forward to swapping her saddle for a car seat and learning to drive.

But we hope you’ll keep the saddle too, Molly!

Barbara Price A few years ago, Barbara, from Llanon Farm, was diagnosed with breast cancer.

To give herself something to focus on from day one of the waiting (she says that was the worst part) and treatment, she painted a visual diary. By the end of her treatment, Barbara had amassed over a hundred paintings. Many were sold, and she was able to donate £250 towards breast cancer research.

Now, two paintings have been selected to travel thousands of miles to the Caribbean, where they are currently on show as part of the ‘Breast Cancer Art Project’ exhibition at the University of Puerto Rico.

You can see more of Barbara’s work on her web site www.barbaraprice.co.uk and more about the Breast Cancer Art Project on their Facebook page.

‘Radiotherapy Machine’

‘Journey in Pink’

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A Porthgain Childhood - Glenda Llewellyn recalls happy days growing up in Porthgain a few decades ago: How I love the village that was my home, And all the places where we used to roam.

It came to me in the dark of the night That about these memories I’d like to write.

I’d wander down to the village to play And build little houses and makes cakes of clay.

We made our own fun, each day we did enjoy, There was no boredom then for any little girl or boy.

I’d climb up over that wooden stile on the right Up to the landmark, just out of sight.

I’d sit there for an hour or more, Mind deep in thought, as I gazed at the shore.

Sometimes we’d climb up to Pen Top And in winter, I can tell you, it was a bleak spot!

Amongst the ruins of the Loco Shed we’d amble And over the engine we would swarm and scramble.

We also had our own toboggan run, Always good for hours of fun.

It was in the old quarry at Pen Top, And was, for a while, our most favoured spot.

Eventually, tired, and well past tea-time, The bank, it would steepen ‘til we could no longer climb.

Then for the short cut we would embark, Through that awful tunnel, cold, dank and dark.

I cannot forget that little stream With the wooden bridge, where I’d sit and dream, Only to be woken by the buzz of the dragon fly, As majestically he drifted by.

We played in that grey sand within the harbour wall, With only just room for a game of ball!

We bathed, and fished, and basked in the sun, Lazing, brown as berries – it was such good fun.

I still remember that big brick wall That stood above the harbour, looming tall.

We’d venture over – it seemed grim and bleak, In search of blackberries, or to play hide and seek.

Engine drivers we all wanted to be, But there was never room in the cab for more than three.

Unable to decide who would best play the part A row would erupt, and then home we’d depart.

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Up that steep quarry bank, we’d ascend, And then down, on our bottoms, to the gritty end!

Up and down, twenty times or more, Each time more breathless than the time before.

As we crept through the tunnel – dark as night We’d wish for the end, with the far glimpse of light.

‘Ghost!’ came the inevitable shout – just for fun Then, oh, how fast those little legs would run.

My, what a sight we must have been When we reached home late, and far from clean.

I still love that village that was once my home, And all the places that I did roam, It means so many things to me, My quaint little village by the sea.

I will always visit you, again and again – My lovely village of Porthgain.

The Ryder Cup - many people watched on TV as the excitement unfolded last September. Ian and Fraser Watson were in Paris to experience it first hand: We were there!.....by Ian Watson To golf fans it is the jewel in the crown of sporting events. The might of the USA pitted against the might of Europe.

It is of course, the Ryder Cup and we were there in the sunshine of Paris at Le Golf National, for two epic days.

On the final practice day, our first on the course, we were able to work out the layout of the course and the best vantage points. We were also able to see most of the individual players up closer than anyone could over the three competition days.

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Day 1 of the Ryder Cup saw us up at 5.30am. Three hours later, following a crowd that seemed large enough to fill the Principality Stadium, we reached the golf course and the atmosphere was electric.

From 6am, queues had been forming for the stand around the first tee, although play didn’t start until 8.10am. The singing, cheering, chanting and clapping as each competitor was announced could be heard all over the course. The cacophony of noise was then followed by respectful silence as each golfer teed off. The large TV screens dotted around the course kept us informed of the state of play, so we could gage who was playing, and who wasn’t.

The afternoon session was equally thrilling and exciting and the crowds, spread eagled all over the course, were no less vociferous than they had been in the morning, Europe ended the day 5-3 ahead and there was much to ponder. We rejoined the masses on the trek back to Paris, wishing we were returning the following day. Instead, we spent our last evening enjoying the ambience and cuisine of Montparnasse.

We left Paris Saturday morning with memories to treasure. We had seen a top class, challenging golf course. We had witnessed shots of the highest quality from the best golfers in the world and also seen missed putts from short range, the type that gives us mere mortals hope!

We watched the final day at home, as Europe delivered and won back the Ryder Cup. Rome is the designated venue when the event next hits Europe in 2022 – bring it on!

And Fraser’s take: Growing up, I struggled to fathom the madness of the Ryder Cup. And having attended with my father for the latest edition of the game’s most absorbing spectacle, a convincing win for Thomas Bjorn’s European side in Paris, one thing remains refreshingly obvious - the insanity is as strong as ever.

Where else would Tommy Fleetwood smile as a middle-aged man screamed that he wanted his babies? (It wasn’t either of us I hasten to add).

In searing heat, an American father and son sported ‘Tigger the Tiger’ costumes and at the opening ceremony, guest host David Ginola waltzed about like a children's entertainer at a two-star hotel in Magaluf.

All blended in with the frenzy.

As usual, pre-match predictions re-iterated the old line of ‘the Americans look stronger on paper’.

On the course however, from Friday afternoon onwards anyway, they were anything but.

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Like I said, little about the Ryder Cup ever adds up.

In the end, the scoreline of 17.5-10.5 appeared a hiding, as European passion outweighed golf logic.

And long before Alex Noren provided the Spielberg finish on Sunday, the contest was done.

As a venue, Le Golf National struck gold.

In truth, the city of Paris was scarcely bothered by the Ryder Cup. Sure, transport systems were in place, but advertising was at a premium.

But the event didn’t need the city centre to embrace it. Sellout crowds had already seen to that – and to say the atmosphere was highly charged would have been a ludicrous understatement.

And despite the madness, we wouldn’t have missed it for anything!

And from golf to cricket…..

Clwb Criced Llanrhian Cricket Club After a difficult few seasons, it was a summer to stabilise for Llanrhian, and both teams did just that.

Again under captain Richard Reed, the First XI finished in a creditable fourth place in Division 3 and there were plenty of positives to boot.

The skipper himself enjoyed a stellar season with the bat, passing 500 runs and hitting a match winning century in Llechryd.

Matthew Bennett led the wicket taking with his best display a haul of 6 wickets for 4 runs against a shell-shocked Herbie, while Tom Clarke cemented himself as a first team regular, frequently bamboozling batsmen with the new ball before admitting he had no idea how he was doing it!

Brothers Jack and Ben Jones, Rhys Price, Daf Williams, Anthony ‘Chunky’ Couzens and Rhodri Owen again played vital roles, and the opening partnership of Paul Lewis and the ‘other’ Ben Jones (the Forge) had a day to remember at Carew, with a century stand setting up a winning draw against the eventual league champions.

It was a good to see Russell Watkins back in the first team, and the ever-selfless James Morris was also important, happy to bat low down in the order and proving reliable in the field.

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There was disappointment in the Alan Brown Cup, with a home defeat against Lamphey denying The Cows a final place, but with the competition for teams in Division 3 and below, there is always next year!

The 2nds meanwhile, began life back in Division 4 and after leading the table in the early part of the season, eventually settled for third.

But new captain Iwan James did a great job in blending young guns with ageing bones, and there was great moment for Karl Davies, who scored a first ever 100 down in Burton.

New signing Jack Tucker bolstered the side while RV Jones continued to bat more, bowl more, shout more, and of course drink more than anyone else.

And long may he continue!

A new gym regime helped Tony Kitchell roll back the years and all in all, Iwan created a solid outfit who, like the First XI, are capable of pushing on and challenging for the title next season.

Once again, August brought the much heralded and eagerly anticipated Porthgain World Cup, raising funds for the club and as usual, the comedy outweighed the quality.

For the youngsters, the sterling work of Rob Morris and Rick Walton again allowed the side to run a junior side and participate in the All Stars Scheme.

Our continued thanks to all sponsors, volunteers, and most importantly, bar staff, who help the club continue to run. The Cows will be back out in force in 2019.

Fraser Watson - fraser.watson@gwent-wales.co.uk

Abercastle Boat Owners This season we experienced varied weather conditions ranging from calm sunny boating days to stormy times when most of our boats had to be taken off their moorings for safety reasons.

On six occasions our Habourmaster, Nev George, had to enlist the services of a JCB and willing members to help clear debris from our beach following visits from severe storms. This ensured the beach was safe for boat owners and members of the public to use.

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Back in June a damaged part of our slipway had to be removed and replaced with a new reinforced concrete section. Grateful thanks to Alan Price, Viv Davies, Nev George, Geraint and Callum Owen and others including James Roden of the National Trust, for their help and expertise in carrying out these repairs.

Our Habourmaster arranged a fishing competition on August 4th. A good day was had by all who took part with Tudor Owen and Henny Reynolds taking all the prizes.

They were duly presented with the Viv Davies Shield at our well attended BBQ which was held at The Square and Compass pub on August 17th.

We welcome Alan Price as our Company Secretary. His experience and expertise are appreciated.

Sadly, we lost Lyn Davies who passed away last March. He was our original Habourmaster when the Boating Association was set up some 45 years ago. A true gentleman who will be missed by friends and family alike. Abercastle will never be the same again.

Before next season, major repairs to the sea wall and car park areas will be addressed.

Gerald Williams Chairman And up the road in Trefin……

Hostel in Trefin celebrates 50th Anniversary .

There’s been a hostel in Trefin for half a century now. Here are some key dates in its history over the last five decades: 1968 50 years ago, the Youth Hostel Association opened a hostel in the old school building in the centre of Trefin. Two years previously the school had closed, and the two classrooms were converted to boys and girls dormitories. The toilets were in a separate building and there were no bathrooms, just a Belfast sink in each dormitory.

YHA Trefin had facilities just as basic as when hostels first opened back in the 1930’s and this situation was to continue until well into the 90’s.

1993 With its creaky old metal bunk beds and outdated facilities, the youth hostel had the dubious honour of being voted the ‘worst hostel in the world’ in a German hiking 21

magazine! But in 1993 a major refurbishment was undertaken funded by the YHA, National Park Authority and the Welsh Office and overseen by the GTI and LCC. A complete new floor was installed, and six bedrooms created above the lounge and kitchen, along with part of the ground floor becoming a much-needed Village Community Room.

Five indoor toilets and two showers were fitted too – all mod cons!

2006 By 2006 the Youth Hostel Association had fallen into financial difficulties. It had never recovered from the foot and mouth epidemic of 2001 which caused a crisis for British agriculture and tourism and was struggling with the cost of maintaining its extensive stock of buildings, many of them rambling old country houses.

It decided to close YHA Trefin which, by 2006, had again become a bit run down.

Forty other small rural hostels closed that year too. The hostel re-opened the following year as an independent enterprise renamed The Old School Hostel.

2018 Over the twelve years since then, the hostel has continued to benefit from improvements to keep pace with guests’ changing expectations. There are fewer beds (thus creating more space in the rooms), comfy memory foam mattresses and all rooms have en-suite showers.

An EU grant paid 50% of the cost of installing solar hot water panels, which were manufactured in Llanelli, as well as updates to the kitchen facilities. With its unique bright and funky decor, a clean kitchen for those who wish to self-cater, and tea coffee and a light breakfast included in the budget price, the Old School of today is one of the very best reviewed hostels in Britain on Tripadvisor.

These days the hostel hosts few groups of young friends on a hiking holiday and nowadays our guests are from more diverse backgrounds and have ranged from less than a year old to 99!

One day recently the car park was full of expensive BMWs and Audis belonging to a group attending a wedding, the next there was just one guest and in the car park was a touring motorcycle (a BMW!) registered in Oklahoma.

Over the last couple of weeks, we have had guests from Chile, Romania and Lithuania along with pensioners on a budget who still ask us to stamp their YHA passbook and reminisce about the glory days of hostelling. Many guests have a story to tell. One chap who was walking the coast path last week had climbed Everest and lost a finger to frostbite.

Although the level of comfort is a world away from the spartan hostelling experience of half a century ago, the Old School still tries to hold true to the fine aims and aspirations of the founders of the YHA, as beautifully summarized on the cast iron sign which was left behind in a cupboard when the hostel closed in 2006: “This Youth Hostel is one of many, both in this country and abroad, where young people, regardless of race or creed, may spend the night. The buildings are diverse in character, but they have a common purpose: to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside.”

Tel: 01348 831800 or 07891 407038 Email oldschoolhostel@btconnect.com 22

Methodist Chapel in Trefin - uncovering history The Methodist Chapel in Trefin hosted its third annual Seasonal Book Fair this year, helping to raise funds for the restoration of this fine old Grade II listed building. Many thanks to all who have donated books and a special thank you to the Maddocks family who gave a complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica and many other books.

Over £3000 has been raised to date, from book sales and other fund-raising activities and the first phase of restoring the interior of the chapel has been completed.

John Bennett of Trefin, who is a specialist lime plasterer and enjoys working to restore historic buildings, carried out the work to the south west corner of the chapel and its west wall. These walls bear the brunt of the prevailing weather of course and were in very poor condition. The existing plaster was stripped back to reveal the stonework and was then replaced with lime plaster in keeping with materials that would have been used originally. Because lime is breathable, we hope that this will help solve the damp problem that the chapel suffers from.

Unfortunately, John discovered that the lintel above the arched west window was completely rotten and required replacing. The Properties Manager at the headquarters of the Church in Cardiff agreed to provide the substantial additional funds for this repair and a new oak lintel is now in place. John replaced the complex arched structure around the top of the window using traditional wooden laths and replastered it. It will now be good for whatever the Pembrokeshire weather can throw at it for at least the next 100 years.

Of great interest historically is that when the plaster was stripped back from the west wall, evidence of a large blocked up window behind the current gallery was revealed. This dates from the first, somewhat narrower, un-galleried chapel of 1786 that preceded the current building. This corresponds with a large alcove in the main bedroom of the adjacent dwelling, Chapel House.

The Buildings Conservation Officer for the National Park Authority, Rob Scourfield, visited to inspect the find and asked that the uncovered lintel remained visible and the surrounding wall left rough cast to reflect what the walls of the original chapel may have looked like. Again, John Bennett did a splendid job, blending in the plastering on the rough cast section of wall with the smooth finish of the present 1834 building. He also sensitively made a feature of the newly discovered rough slate and wooden lintel and did so in a way that it didn’t look ‘out of place’.

Attention now turns to the east wall and when funds allow, to see whether it hides evidence of another high end window from the first chapel.

This would prove that the first chapel had the same footprint of the current building lengthways, although we now know that it was definitely narrower. If only these historic old walls could talk, they would surely have a few tales to tell! Occasional services are held in the chapel.

Contact Rev. William Owen for dates on 01437 720588 John Bennett can be contacted on 01348 837441 or 07779 031467 23

New Year’s Eve - Vox Cantab at Trefin Methodist Chapel Trefin Methodist Chapel is a very special building in a very special place, and this New Year’s Eve will see another special performance there by the renowned chamber choir Vox Cantab. The choir members, all current and former Cambridge Choral Scholars, are hugely looking forward to their fourth visit to the area, when they will be singing services in St Davids Cathedral on Sunday 30th December and giving a one-off performance on New Year’s Eve in Trefin. The event will be based around ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ – but with a twist...

This will be Vox Cantab’s last visit to Pembrokeshire before they return for their tenth anniversary celebrations in 2020, and so is not to be missed!

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the whole community and beyond to join us in Trefin Chapel for this night to remember – the perfect way to start your New Year’s Eve festivities.

For up-to-date information and details, please see www.voxcantab.net

Gwelliant Trefin Improvement Gwelliant Trefin Improvement (GTI) is a community led group which fundraises for the maintenance and enhancement of the village of Trefin. The group meets regularly and is open to all local residents. We actively welcome new faces and new ideas. Over the years the GTI has been responsible for: • Grass cutting around the village • Stone steps down to Aberfelin beach • Village hall facilities • The village stone sign and boat floral display • Trefin public-access defibrillator • Many other community improvement initiatives Over the past few months the GTI has been very active, holding various events throughout the summer.

In May the annual duck race was held, and even though the water was low, we managed to run two races and a good time was had by all.

Throughout the rest of the summer, since the lease finished on both chapel house and the village hall, we have been actively engaged with the Presbyterian Church of Wales to re-lease the hall. We have achieved this on the provision that we become a registered charity, and we have been busy preparing the documentation required which was submitted in July. Due to the heavy workload at the Charities Commission, we have not heard back yet, but have been assured that it is being is being dealt with.

The 100 club is still running very successfully, and if you are interested in joining please contact the GTI at gwellianttrefin@gmail.com or by speaking to any Trefin resident. You can join at any time of the year, and the monthly winners are posted in the Mill Café.

We have also been planting bulbs and flowers throughout the village to enhance the appearance of the village, and working parties will be arranged throughout the winter to continue this work.

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We are still running the short matt bowls, which meets very Tuesday during the winter at St David’s City Hall. During the summer we will be back in the park in Trefin, so please come along if you are interested. The park is also available for tennis and football.

There are also a few places left on the allotments, so if you would like to grow your own produce please contact us via e-mail, Facebook or call Anthony on 01348 837385.

For further news and events please follow us on Facebook.

Ship Inn Trefin – Mari-Anne describes how she went back to her roots and took over the running of the Ship: I finally returned home to follow in the footsteps of my mother, grandmother, great great aunties, great great grandmother and many further generations of female licensees before them. The centuries old tradition has finally made its calling and I am so happy to have finally returned to the family home where I, my dad and generations before us have been brought up.

Unfortunately, due to life tending to get in the way, moving away to the cities, finishing law school and work in general, it took me a little longer than expected. I think one of the funniest aspects for both myself and my brother were returning to our old childhood bedrooms and thinking, “That’s where we kept the Ghostbusters and My Little Pony toys – how on earth did we fit everything in! Our rooms seemed tiny to how we remembered them as kids!”

So….. what’s new?

Well, as many people know, it’s been a very difficult year for my family, so I’ve had to reprioritise most things….. food wise, I am ensuring everything is locally and ethically sourced and homemade by my chefs. I make sure there’s a selection of vegan and gluten free options on the menu rather than the “token” gesture I’ve usually found, being vegan myself. Contrary to popular rumours, however, I have not turned the pub into a complete vegan barbie pink gin palace! There are plenty of meat options too. My wine list is entirely vegan, though, and I always ensure product knowledge so customers are aware of what beers are suitable for them, including gluten free.

I’ve got round to refurbishing the older restaurant, and have now started on the function room - a full size pool table and nostalgic 1980’s arcade game selection machine. I’ve spent years collecting old photographs and newspaper articles from relatives and the archives and I can’t wait to get them on display in the New Year.

I’d like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time and I’m sure 2019 is going to be an exciting period for the Ship and would like to thank my team, without whom, none of this could be possible.

Ship Inn Trefin - 01348 831445 Cor Y Felin Trefin Our community choir meets in Trefin Village Hall on a Wednesday evening 7.30pm. New members always welcome, so if you fell like giving it a go, why not come along and join us.

Sue Hood Tel: 01348 837476 25

Audrey – a well-known face in Trefin and a regular contributor to Llais Rhian It was with sadness that we learned at the end of September of the passing away of a great local character, Audrey Millichip. Although Audrey was not born in this area, she had lived in Trefin for well over thirty years and was well known by many, notably as leader of our walking group, the Trefin Ramblers.

Audrey had led many people in her walking tours of Pembrokeshire, opening our eyes to the delights of the area, from the south to the north of the county. She was a remarkable lady, who each week did a ‘recce’ of the walk by herself on Tuesday and then retraced her steps with us walkers on Friday. Our walks were very varied, from coastal stretches to inland highways and byways - Audrey seemed to know them all and was able to tell us the history of the areas in which we walked. She was a very fit lady and was always out in front leading us on. We followed, usually clad in waterproofs and always in our trusty walking boots - Audrey seemed to find and enjoy mud and was never deterred by a bit of rain!

Rucksacks contained our picnic lunches, and Audrey always found a suitable place for us to eat our goodies whilst catching our breath.

Some of our many memorable walks were to Skomer Island, up the Gwaun and down the ‘Secret Valley’, Ty Canol woods and from Cardigan to the wild life centre, as well as numerous walks along the spectacular Pembrokeshire coastal path.

We were a jolly bunch and had great fun together. Fridays just weren’t the same once Audrey wasn’t well enough to take us out walking. We all miss you Audrey.

Rest in Peace.

Rona Williams County Councillor Neil Prior In my third column for Llais Rhian, having been your County Councillor for 18 months, I’ll bring you up to speed on my activities in the community and in the Council itself.

It is a demanding role, but one that I continue to find very fulfilling, so I hope you find the update useful.

Firstly, some progress has been made with highways issues. Following the survey in Croesgoch earlier in the year, the road markings and rumble strips have been repainted which are designed to encourage and remind motorists to slow down, whilst over in Castlemorris, the badly worn stretch of main road has been resurfaced. Work is in progress in Mathry, where recent survey work revealed that a high number of motorists are taking a short cut going the wrong way down the one-way system by the village green. A public consultation will follow to gain residents’ views on proposed plans to address this.

In Square & Compass, a traffic survey has been requested following concerns by residents about speeding.

The ‘Enhancing Pembrokeshire’ grant has stimulated local interest, and with around £14,000 available for the Llanrhian ward (and £7,000 for Mathry), a public meeting 26

was held earlier in the summer to generate ideas to use this community grant to mitigate the impact of second home ownership. At this meeting, held at Ysgol Croesgoch, it was fantastic to see around 40 people attend and come up with ideas, which are now being worked up into formal bids. By the time you read this, Mathry Community Council will have also held their own public meeting to identify community enhancement projects for their area, so watch this space.

I continue to enjoy my Governor role at Ysgol Gymunedol Croesgoch, and with the new term we have a new Headteacher who is making great progress in her work, and this, coupled with the recent Estyn inspection (which saw the school being removed from the list of schools requiring Estyn review), means that we can all work together to create a brighter future for our school.

Something else that continues to be on the agenda, is the parking situation at Abereiddi. Locals will know that there is a significant history here, with multiple stakeholders and strong, often polarised opinions. There is also increased demand to access and use the beach and Blue Lagoon, but the rate of erosion is increasing too. Now that the high season is over, work continues with the various parties to try to find a long-term solution.

I continue to serve on Llanrhian Community Council, and attend Mathry Community Council, believing that it is important to build and maintain strong relationships between both layers of local democracy, and on an individual level I’ve been able to help residents get issues resolved from missed bin collections to bus routes to planning queries, although some issues are simpler to fix than others. As your local county councillor I have strong relationships within County Hall so if there is an issue that needs my attention, I am happy to help.

My work inside the Council is time consuming and challenging, but I really enjoy it.

As the Cabinet member with responsibility for Transformation (which effectively means change), I work with senior officers and staff on trying to help the Council become a modern, cost-effective and efficient council that has a clear focus on helping improve lives in Pembrokeshire. Much of my focus is on the internal workings of the council, finding better ways of doing things, and ultimately trying to save money on unnecessary costs. Over the last few months, the biggest change programme in the history of Pembrokeshire County Council has commenced with the launch of a ‘Smarter Working’ programme. In this, we are replacing as many fixed desks as possible with ‘smarter working zones’, where staff can use any desk to complete their work. This means that staff can work in a more agile way, and ultimately, we’ll be able to reduce the number of administrative buildings across the county, therefore saving money.

In other examples of looking at working practices, we’ve been able to review the handling of calls in the contact centre, and with a few simple steps, we’ve been able to reduce call waiting times. We’ve also recently launched text message reminders of when your bin days are, and people can register for this free service by searching for ‘My Account’ on the council’s website.

I’m sure you’ll all be aware that the Council has significant budgetary pressures, with an estimated £57m savings target over the next five years. Local Government funding is complex (and it’s only partially funded by Council Tax) so there is no doubt that difficult decisions lie ahead. I’m sure that not all of our decisions will be 27

met with unanimous approval, but I do carefully think through the options and I’m always happy to discuss any matters with anyone who wants to discuss them.

I’m available via email at neilprior@outlook.com, you can call me on 07834 093181, or for those who are more inclined to use social media, I’m on Facebook at @CllrNeilPrior or on Twitter @PriorNeil.

Or of course, you can write me a good old-fashioned letter (address details on www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk ). Please do get in touch!

Thanks for reading, Neil Croesgoch Heritage Group We've had a busy year with some entertaining and fascinating talks by Heritage members and invited guests. Subjects included unbuilt harbours, railways and airports of North Pembrokeshire, the recent archaeological dig in Croesgoch, the truly epic ocean journey of Alfred Centennial Johnson, and a guided tour around St. Davids Cloisters in June.

Back in September 2017, several members travelled over the Irish Sea to Charleville, County Cork where we proudly "twinned" with Charleville Heritage Group. Our hosts were magnificent with their hospitality, taking us to local concerts, monuments, and a tour of a local Neolithic site, followed by a Ceilidh. It was then our turn to organise the return visit for our new Irish friends.

After what seemed like a hundred emails, the Irish visitors arrived in August. We had a busy four-day itinerary planned for them starting with a visit to Goodwick Brass Band, organised by Sian Jenkins and a tour of Croesgoch by Ron Thomas, followed by a delightful hour or so inspecting the children's history projects. Then a visit to St Davids Cathedral and St Nons holy well, and a trip to Haverfordwest Show. Their visit finished with both Heritage groups enjoying a delicious dinner at the Square & Compass Inn, with Delun Gibby, of Castell Henllys, telling local legends. Gifts were exchanged, stories were told, songs were sung - all in all a fun time was had by everyone.

New members are always warmly welcomed. We normally meet on the last Tuesday of the month at Ysgol Croesgoch at 7pm. See us on Facebook! Any queries please telephone Sue on 01348 831820.

Cyndeidiau Gorllewin Cymru /West Wales Ancestors Family history, research on homes, buildings, and creating exhibitions are just some of the work that Heather Tomos from Eglwyswrw does daily.

Being interested in history since an early age, she gained her history degree as a mature student at Lampeter University in 2008, studying periods of history ranging from Romans Britain up to the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers in New York. Although grateful for the opportunity of studying such a varied amount of history, Heather has now turned her attention to much nearer 28

home and is nearing completion of her master’s degree at Trinity/St David’s, Carmarthen on the local history of South West Wales.

Being passionate about the history of her own area, over the past few years she has researched over a hundred men from the villages of Cilgerran, (including her grandfather) St Dogmaels and Eglwyswrw who fell in WWI. When people got to know what she was doing, she was fortunate that many descendants of servicemen came forward with photographs and documents for her to copy, thus creating a visual legacy for future generations. According to Heather, “having had their lives cut so short, who knows what these men would have been able to achieve if they had been given the opportunity to carry on with their lives and not been sent to war”.

Heather goes out regularly to speak to historical and social groups on different aspects of history, but is worried that children, being the historians of tomorrow, are losing out with not having the opportunity to learn enough about their own local history, and would welcome the opportunity to be able to visit schools to pass on her knowledge, and to teach children on how to do their own research, free of charge.

If you would like Heather to speak to your group or society, visit your school or would like some advice on your own family history please telephone 01239 891393 or by email heathertomos@live.co.uk Coastline Celebration Local artist Kate Kelly, from Blaen Llyn near Mathry, will be exhibiting her paintings in the St. David Room (at Oriel y Parc, St. Davids) during the month of February.

The gallery is open between 10am - 4pm.

Here, she tells us a bit about herself….

‘Growing up on the Cheshire plain I have always yearned for dramatic scenery.

Luckily for me I have settled close to the coast – to my heart’s content! Initially, I specialised in printed textile design having completed a BA Hons. Textile and Fashion degree in Liverpool (in 1990). Whilst studying there, the structural landscape of the docks and the city provided a valuable source of inspiration.

Later, living in Lancaster I discovered the joys of walking the land and coast in northern England. It was at this time I began painting in earnest using oils and canvas.

Having spent some time working in London I now live a very rural existence on a smallholding. I have spent four years working in a local primary school using my creative skills to help children explore their feelings, emotional responses and to promote a sense of well-being.

Now I devote my time to my family and my art.

In between feeding the pigs and chickens, lambing and weeding the veg patch, I walk the coastal paths of this stunning part of Wales and ponder ideas to paint. My two dogs keep me company and ensure I go out in all weathers. They like to sit on my feet while I stand at my easel and paint!’

To see more of Kate’s work, visit her website www.kate-kelly.com 29

St Davids Flowers – a local florist St Davids Flowers is situated at no 42, Nun Street St Davids. Run by Clare Addicott, the shop has just celebrated its first birthday and what a year it has been!

Flowers are Clare's passion. She loves the way that they make people smile. Her style is to be a natural florist using seasonal flowers to create individual arrangements and bouquets letting the flowers speak for themselves and watching what the flowers do for people.

Clare trained in floristry in such places as Bath Spa, London, Newbury, Bridgend and Pembrokeshire.

She can do traditional creations and loves a bit of research as when she was asked to do a 1960's arrangement for the Llanrhian ‘Swinging Sixties’ Festival earlier in the year. Clare does flowers for weddings (she loves an archway installation), flowers in sympathy and for funerals, for celebrating a birth, for birthdays, anniversaries, thank you gifts or just as a treat for yourself!

Christmas is nearly upon us and Clare will be busy making her Christmas wreaths, table arrangements, boxed and contemporary arrangements, all with free local delivery up to 3 miles. (Ask for a quote for further afield).

Contact Clare in the shop, on Facebook or phone 07791 762718.

The ‘Great Taste’ of Farmers Food at Home After a very hectic summer supplying Pembrokeshire cafes, restaurants, shops and fairs, the Cardiff International Food Festival, the Royal Welsh Show and our own County Show, we are now busy re-stocking in the lead up to the Christmas events around the county.

Our products are being more and more widely recognised, and we are delighted to have been awarded two more national Great Taste stars for our Rhubarb and Ginger Jam and Courgette and Tomato Chutney.

October saw us going to North Wales to the regional finals of the Rural Business Awards.

Now that Christmas is on its way, we have a great range of hampers and gift boxes available, ranging from £9 to £40, making excellent gifts. These can be ordered from Anne-Marie by phone or online and can be posted to your loved ones across the country, as a true taste of Pembrokeshire.

Or you can find our stall at the following: 9th Dec Cardiff Vegan Festival th st 14 / 21 Dec Haverfordwest Farmers Market 15th Dec Aberystwyth Farmers Market th 16 Dec Pembrokeshire Ag. Society Christmas Fahrenheit Anne-Marie can be contacted on 07960 093716 or www.farmersfoodathome.co.uk

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Croesgoch Farm Stores Croesgoch Farm Stores is a small family run business dealing in all your agricultural merchandise from animal foods, including sugar beet and barley, to wood shavings and sawdust, and from protective clothing, wellingtons and boots to silage wrap and net.

Our aim is to provide the highest standard of service to the rural community, supplying to farming, building, plumbing and domestic shoppers.

We sell a variety of pet foods together with coal, and household cleaning products. Also, a large amount of fencing materials, including electrical fencing equipment, galvanised and wooden gates and ironmongery, and the full range of Plasson pipes and fittings.

We also stock cement and lime for local builders.

Open Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, and Saturday mornings www.croesgochfarmstores.co.uk Tel: 01348 831777

Trehale Farm, Hayscastle Cross It’s been busy here at Trehale Farm over the summer with open days, feast nights, pig racing, stand-up comedy nights, live music events, camping, pizza nights, eco workshops and much more.

We’ve now slowed down over the winter, but we will be open Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd Dec from 12 till 4pm, maybe later(!?) with a pop-up Christmas farm shop and open farm event. Enjoy a walk round the farm to see the animals, have a drink, a bite to eat and peruse a great variety of our home-produced pork products and a selection of the best local produce around - from local, seasonal veggies and organic cheese to Pembrokeshire spiced rum and local ales and ciders, including gift packs!

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We are also pleased to welcome local master of illusion Tom Luddington bringing a taste of his ‘Seriously Good Magic’ here......‘The Magic of Christmas’, close up illusions for all the family, will be between 2pm and 4pm on the Saturday. Hot food and drink available at any time from the grill and bar and a free glass of mulled wine or cyder on arrival! All welcome.

Please see our price list and consider a top-quality local produce option for your festive feastings!

Season’s Greetings!

Square and Compass Filling Station and SPAR Convenience Store The Square and Compass Filling Station and Store is open from 6am to 9pm* each day for all your shopping and fuel needs. In the store we stock all your essential items from daily newspapers to milk and teabags plus fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and cheese. Fresh bread and croissants are baked in store daily. We also provide coffee or hot chocolate to go as well as hot snacks such as sausage rolls, pasties etc.

With Christmas just around the corner we have a variety of Christmas goodies including chocolate boxes, biscuits and sweets, wines, sprits and beers. There are also many smaller items for that extra little present or stocking filler.

We stock lots of Welsh produce from jams and chutneys to local craft beers and spirits. As well as Welsh artisan cheeses and ice-cream.

We have a wide range of fresh meat including Spar’s new ‘Tonight’s Tea Sorted’ range which includes a wide selection of Meal and Meat deals, sides and desserts.

The store also has a National Lottery, Health Lottery and Paypoint machines plus a free-to-use cash machine.

Alongside our sister store at Letterston, we’re still committed to matching Tesco and Morrisons petrol and diesel prices making both our garages very competitively priced.

We also have one of the Community Defibrillators in its green box which is located in the entrance to the store. *During the Christmas period the opening and closing hours may vary. Please see notices in the store nearer the time.

Telephone No: 01348 837766

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Boia Gigs – the new hot ticket in St Davids!

Boia Gigs, run by Steve Prior and Rob Marsh, is a new music promotion venture bringing original, world class, international touring acts to St Davids.

Steve is formerly a professional musician having extensively toured the U.S.A and Europe. Rob is former Technical Manager & Head of Lighting at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Steve says ‘with my extensive list of contacts made throughout my time in the music industry, I've been able to secure artists from the U.S, Canada and Europe to come and perform in St Davids.’

Audiences have been wowed by acts such as Small Town Jones, Twin Bandit from Vancouver, Vivian Leva & Riley Calcagno from Virginia, The Hot Seats from Virginia, Hillfolk Noir from Idaho, Canada's Joey Landreth, The Slocan Ramblers and most recently, a sold-out show for Nashville's rising star Becca Mancari.

Quality is important, including everything from the artists to the venue. Rob says ‘By transforming St Davids RAFA Club with a stage, professional lights, and a few other tricks of the trade, we have created an incredible music venue to bring the show together. With stunning sound quality from Owain Fleetwood-Jenkins, we have really got something to be proud of’.

It is not only the packed houses that have loved the shows, the artists too are saying it has been an amazing experience, seeing Pembrokeshire's wonderful coastline, loving the sights of our tiny City and playing in front of a small, attentive and appreciative audience. Many of them have said that their gigs here have been the standout shows of their tours.

Steve and Rob's ambition to put St Davids on the map as an international music destination is well on its way, and they have been contacted by numerous acts worldwide asking for a gig.

Steve says ‘We hope to continue bringing these acts to St Davids and have already started to book for 2019 with some really exciting acts we can announce when we're allowed to contractually!’

To find out what’s on, and to book tickets visit www.ty-boia.co.uk/boiagigs 33

Our Locals Artramont Arms, Croesgoch Pub is open seven days a week.

Good Real Ale and Real Good Food cooked to order.

Wednesday to Saturday 5pm - 8.45pm.

Artramont Chip Shop - using local potatoes and housebattered top-quality fish. Also home-made curries.

Eat in or takeaway. Phoning ahead is advised!

Children and dogs welcome.

Post Office in the Artramont Tuesday 2 - 4 pm, Fridays 12.30 - 2.30pm.

Tel: 01348 831309

Farmers Arms, Mathry Tel 01348 831284 email DesriD@hotmail.co.uk or Facebook Farmers Arms Mathry.

Ship Inn,Trefin

Find us on Facebook Ship Inn Trefin or please call 01348 831445

Square and Compass Inn Traditional family run pub.

Accommodation & Function Room (available for hire) Dogs welcome. Sky Sports.

Friday Steak Night Sunday Carvery from 12.00pm Tel: 01348 831420

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Sloop Inn, Porthgain Christmas Party menus available at the Sloop or on our Facebook page.

1st to 24th December, booking essential (01348 831449) Friday 7th Dec – Live music: ‘The Sleeping Dogs’.

Christmas opening times as usual, except Christmas Day: 11.30 – 1.30, drinks only.

Closed Christmas night.

Christmas Quiz – 27th December New Year’s Eve – Live music from ‘The Stangs’, 9pm till late.

Regular quizzes last Thursday of the month throughout the winter (Jan to May) – 8.30pm start.

Check out Sloop Inn on Facebook for our latest news!

Tel: 01348 831449 Email: eat@sloop.co.uk or www.sloop.co.uk

Mill Café, Trefin First off, I would like to say a big thank you to all our customers and especially our regulars that have made 2018 our best year yet. Right then, on to the formalities......

As the long nights and wild weather approach we will be switching to our winter opening times Monday to Sunday 9am – 4pm with last orders for food at 3pm.

Our Sunday lunches (£8.50) have proved popular. Available from 12 noon we offer a selection of meats and a vegetarian option, all served with roast potatoes, vegetables, homemade Yorkshire pudding and a rich gravy.

We still have our post office coming regularly on a Tuesday between 11am and 1pm, offering a range of postal services including banking. This, along with our pensioners’ lunches, with a choice of two courses for just £7.50, makes for a great opportunity to catch up with friends and post those important letters.

Our Christmas menu is also available. We can accommodate bookings of parties up to 25 people both during lunch times and evenings. Two courses are priced at £20 and three courses is £24. Please feel free to pop in and pick up a menu.

Dishes include: • Potted chicken liver pate with a fig chutney, herb butter and crusty bread • Sea bass fillet topped with king prawns in an Abercastle crab sauce, served on a roasted sweet potato and Brussels sprout hash • Dark chocolate and raspberry tart, served with brandy snap and vanilla pod ice cream 35

We will be closed from Monday 24th December and back open again on Friday 28th December. There are still some spaces left for our annual New Year’s Day breakfast buffet and quiz. However, spaces are limited so get your bookings in early!

James, at the Mill.

01348 831650 themilltrefin@hotmail.co.uk Facebook: TheMillTrefin

The Shed, Porthgain – a relaxed and informal fish & chip bistro, serving locally caught fish and shellfish, landed daily and served within hours.

All of our dishes are made in-house, with two menus running alongside each other fish and chip and à la carte.

Winter Opening Times: November, December and January open every lunch Monday to Sunday 12 - 2.45pm & evenings 5.30 – 8.45pm (Closed Sunday and Tuesday nights) for bistro dining and takeaways.

Teas, coffees and homemade cakes served 10am – 5pm Extended opening hours over the Christmas school holidays but closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Always best to book… www.theshedporthgain.co.uk Tel: 01348 831518 or email: bookings@theshedporthgain.co.uk Congratulations to the Shed for reaching the finals of the ‘Best Welsh Restaurants’ Awards.

Siop Fach, Mathry Winter opening hours 9.30am - 4.30pm, Closed Mondays.

Serving breakfasts 9.30am - 12.00pm, Lunches 12 - 3pm.

Afternoon teas from 2.30pm, booking essential.

Large parties catered for, times flexible Enjoy browsing in our interesting antiques and collectables shop.

Closing for winter holiday – December 23rd, re-opening February 5th 2019 For bookings, please phone Stephanie or Richard on 01348 831104

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Croesgoch W.I. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm, usually in Croesgoch School hall. We are always ready to welcome new friends and in January (15th) at 7pm we will start the New Year with a social event - ‘Tea with Friends’ at The Mill, Trefin.

If you would like more details, find us on Facebook (Croesgoch WI) or ring Kate on 01348 837195.

Mathry WI A look back over the last year has shown our ladies to have been as busy as ever.

From soap-making, metal-detecting and yoga to mosaics and wreath-making, our members have learnt many new skills. We enjoyed personal accounts of working with the Queen and her horses and the mysterious Man in Black as well as hearing from our local National Park ranger about the coast-path and wildlife along it.

This summer, members of Mathry WI took a day-trip to Dewstow Grottoes and Hidden Gardens near Caerwent in Monmouthshire. It was a beautiful day full of sunshine and surprises, as we explored these unique gardens from the early 20th Century, with its informal gardens, vistas of the old Severn Bridge, and the structured subterranean world in the Dewstow grounds.

A tea-party at MamGu Welshcakes in Solva provided an opportunity for members to get together for a good natter and to taste a variety of welsh-cakes and other treats.

Mathry WI’s Annual Show has become a highlight in our calendar. Providing over one hundred exhibits, our ladies excelled themselves in quality and breadth of talent.

Awards for ‘Best in Show’ were made as follows: Fruit and Vegetables: Jill Kane Flowers: Mair Marpole Floral Art: Jane Bayliss Cookery: Claire Bird Preserves: Dot Williams Crafts: Jill Derbyshire Art: Jane Bayliss Overall winner: Dot Williams.

Two of our members, Margaret Jenner and Jill Derbyshire, achieved first prize for their entry at the Fishguard Show in August.

The Crochet Group continues to thrive with several of our members and some from two other WIs meeting regularly at Mathry. Each year these industrious ladies raise money for a local charity in a sale hosted by Priskilly Country House and Golf Club.

An exciting programme is planned for next year. If you are interested in what we do and are thinking of becoming a member please come along to one of our meetings.

We meet in Mathry Community Hall at 7.30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month (except August). New members are always welcome.

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Other News from Mathry The public toilets on Mathry Village Green have now been reopened - big thanks to Alan Price and Tim Mason for their hard work in renovating the site.

• Congratulations to Alison and John Peck who have recently celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary • and to Sharon and Karl Reynolds for their Silver Wedding Anniversary.

• Good luck to Thea Drake and Isabel Reynolds who have both gone off to university to start a new chapter in their lives.

• And finally, welcome home to Ryan Thomas from his travels overseas!

Carols at Mathry ‘Singing round the Christmas Tree’ on Wednesday 19th December, Mathry Village Green, 6:30pm (prompt!) start.

Carols, Father Christmas arriving in style (!!!), mulled wine and mince pies.

If it’s raining, the fun will be had in the church.

All welcome! It’s a really super start to the festivities.

What goes on in Llanrhian Church Hall?

Do you know? Or are you perhaps one of those who were recently been heard to say, 'Oh well, that's only to do with the church'.

Whilst Llanrhian Hall might belong to and be run by the church, it is most definitely a community hall. Equipped with a 5-star kitchen rating, toilet facilities, disabled access and parking, good furniture, heating and lighting, it is a clean, warm and welcoming space and there’s something going on there most days: Monday it’s yoga.

Tuesday sees Rhian with her Mums and Babies group learning Welsh.

Wednesday is the turn of the award-winning Llanrhian Camomile Club (for anyone who is a carer or ex-carer) and on the 3rd Wednesday of each month a delicious Cmmunity Lunch is freshly cooked and available to all ages.

Thursday sees the Community Social Group which includes activities of the gently sporty kind for those who want to take things at a slower pace.

Friday is the turn of Scottish Dancing night.

Fancy giving any of these a try? Contact hall secretary Rose Tilley on 01348 837649 or go to en.infoengine.cymru to find out more about each group or activity.

The hall is also available to hire for parties, coffee mornings, funeral teas, meetings and some overnight stays, all at very reasonable rates.

Men's Breakfast Club started in September and meets in The Mill Café, Trefin, on the first Wednesday of each month from 10am. Come along and enjoy some male chatter and laughs and a good breakfast of your choice.

Open to anyone in the area, just drop in – you will be very welcome.

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Llanrhian Camomile Club wins ‘Pride in Pembrokeshire’ award......

The group which supports carers and former carers in the locality were the September winners of the Pride in Pembrokeshire Award.

The award is sponsored by the Pembrokeshire Public Services Board (PSB) in partnership with the Western Telegraph.

Chairman of the board, Tegryn Jones, said they were impressed with the club’s volunteer-led approach to meeting local needs, and their focus on addressing issues associated with rural isolation.

“It is clear that the group makes a substantial contribution to improving individual and community wellbeing in the area,” he said.

Chairman Gill Leese said the Llanrhian Camomile Club aimed to support and improve the wellbeing of their members.

“We provide carers with the opportunity to unwind and relax, with therapists available for treatments, guest speakers, activities, outings, and useful information relating to all sorts of topics.

“It’s about community spirit, getting to know new people in the area who are doing the same great job and sharing a relaxing time together,” she said.

The Llanrhian Camomile Club welcomes new members.

The group meets on the second Wednesday of each month at Llanrhian Hall from 1.30pm to 3pm.

Gill Leese: 01348 831434 Llanrhian Community Lunch Llanrhian Community lunch is held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (except July and August) and provides a lovely hot two-course meal for £4 per head.

We welcome all ages and would love to meet some more local people who would like company and a good lunch! This year’s Christmas lunch is on 12th December, and booking is advisable as this one is very popular.

For more details contact Sally on 01348831454.

Community Social Group - friendship and fun in Llanrhian Llanrhian Community Social Group meets in Llanrhian Hall each Thurs 5- 6.30pm.

For just £2 per person, we offer refreshments and a selection of games such as table tennis, pool, carpet bowls, darts, badminton, volley ball, and soft tennis: board games and dominoes are also available. Or you are welcome to just sit back and enjoy your tea whilst watching some very entertaining games, all played in good humour but very competitive!

Gill Leese: 01348 831434 39

Churches and Chapels Our local churches are now part of the Greater Dewisland Local Ministry Area, led

by Revd Michael Rowlands (tel: 01348 831382 email mickthevic@btopenworld.com) and Revd Diana Hoare (tel: 01437 721205, 07989 432280) – for more about Diana, see p13.

Full details of all services in the area can be found at www.gdlmachurches.co.uk Christmas Services Sun 9th Dec 4pm Llanrhian Christingle Service Sun 16th Dec 7pm Jordanston Carol Service Wed 19th Dec 7pm Llanrhian Carol Service Sun 23rd Dec 6pm Mathry Carol Service Mon 24th Dec 7pm Mathry Christmas Eve Midnight Mass 11.30pm Llanrhian Christmas Eve Midnight Communion Tues 25th Dec 10.30am Llanhywel Christmas Day Service 11am Granston Christmas Day Service St Davids Cathedral Christmas Services Sat 22nd Dec 7pm Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – NB. doors open 5.45pm Mon 24th Dec 11pm First Eucharist of Christmas, Procession and Blessing of Crib Tues 25th Dec 8am Holy Eucharist, 10.30am Choral Family Eucharist

Croesgoch Baptist Chapel Parch J. Geraint Morse Gweinidog Eglwysi y Bedyddwyr Croesgoch a Harmoni Pencaer Gweinidog Eglwysi Annibynnol Berea a Rehoboth Cartref:- 01348 840976 Symudol:- 07805 617555 Swper Gweddi Sir Benfro 2018 Daeth tua 80 o bobl i gyfarfod Swper Gweddi Sir Benfro 2018 ar nos Wener Medi 21ain yng Ngwesty Bae Abergwaun. Y Parch Rhosier Morgan oedd yn gyfrifol am yr addoliad a gwnaeth hynny gydag arddeliad, yn cael ei gynorthwyo gan Wendy Lewis, Blaenffos ar yr allweddell. Swper ysgafn oedd yn dilyn yr addoliad, gyda chyfleodd i gymdeithasu o gwmpas y byrddau.

Y siaradwr gwadd oedd y Parchedig Eseia Grandis, cylch Llangennech, Felinfoel a Llanelli. Cafwyd neges gofiadwy ganddo am y ffordd y cafodd ei arwain gan yr Arglwydd i ddod draw i Gymru i weinidogaethu. Soniodd yn benodol am weld ffynnon mewn breuddwyd a gwnaeth hyn dipyn o argraff arno.

Yn y cyfnod o weddi yn dilyn yr anerchiad, roedd yna bwyslais ar y thema “agor y ffynnon”. Cafwyd annogaeth eto o’r Gair ar ffurf “broffwydol” o hanes Jeremeia yn cael ei godi o bydew. Roedd y canu yn eneiniedig, gyda nifer mewn dagrau ar y diwedd, wedi cael eu cyffwrdd gan yr Ysbryd Glân. Diolchwn i’r Arglwydd am ei bresenoldeb a’i fendith.

Dyma rhai o'r negeseuon a ddaeth i law, wedi’r Swper Gweddi:40

“Roedd hi’n noson hyfryd a phawb yn cael cyfle i weddïo a bod yn rhan o’r gwmniaeth ragorol.”

“Cyfarfod bendithiol iawn. Ro’n i’n gallu gweld yr Ysbryd Glân yn symud yng nghanol y gynulleidfa. Hyfryd gweld pobl o bob enwad yn chwilo am yr Arglwydd mewn gweddi.”

“Anghofiwn ni byth y noswaith honno. Pwy bynnag oedd wedi misio,’r noson wedi colli mas ar rywbeth mowr.”

“Bu hon yn noson gofiadwy a bendithiol gyda llaw Duw yn amlwg iawn yn y cyfan.”

Trefnwyd y Swper Gweddi yn dilyn llwyddiant y Brecwast Gweddi ym mis Mawrth eleni. Mae’r trefniadau eisoes ar waith ynglŷn â Brecwast Gweddi Sir Benfro 2019, a gynhelir, os Duw a’i mynn, yng Ngwesty Nant-y-ffin, Llandissilio, bore dydd Sadwrn, Mawrth 2ail 8.30 ar gyfer 9.00. Y siaradwr gwadd fydd Emyr Lewis, cyn-gapten tîm rygbi Cymru. Nodwch y dyddiad!

Angharad’s Health & Beauty, Croesgoch Angharad’s Health & Beauty is the perfect escape from your busy day-to-day life, where you can indulge in a variety of relaxing treatments - be it a relaxing Swedish Massage or a soothing Deluxe Pedicure. Or why not come and try our award winning Lycon waxing which is proven to be kinder and gentler on our skin than most other waxes in the industry.

Gift vouchers available.

Keep up to date on any news, offers or events via our Facebook page or website www.angharadshealthandbeauty.co.uk 01348 837998 Yoga Classes at Awelfan, Square and Compass Small friendly classes.

Monday evenings 6.15 - 7.45 pm. Wednesday mornings 10 - 11.30 am and Thursday evenings 7- 8.30 pm Yoga Therapy and one to one - ideal for specific needs eg. back problems, anxiety, depression, asthma and much more.

Also if you cannot commit to regular classes, a one to one enables you to progress with your own personal practice.

Reiki - deeply relaxing and healing. If you are interested in being attuned to Reiki please enquire.

Gift vouchers available - Yoga Therapy, Classes, Reiki, Relaxation, Meditation, Workshops and Gong Baths.

Please contact Karen for more information: klsaunders1234@yahoo.co.uk www.aruna4u.co.uk 07780 933634 01348 837858 41

Bethan James Jones - Aromatherapy and Reflexology Working from her home in Trefin, Bethan is a fully trained and qualified therapist with over 15 years practical experience. She is a member of the Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT).

Gift vouchers are available - a wonderful way to treat someone special.

Please contact Bethan on 01348 831169 or 07811 499162.

Maes y Graig, 18 Ffordd y Felin, Trefin, SA62 5AX Sam Cox - Somatic Movement Coach & Reflexologist I am a fully qualified Somatic Movement Coach and Reflexologist.

I work from home in Mathry, ‘Wholefoods and Healing’ in Fishguard and ‘The Ark’ in Haverfordwest.

Somatic Movement is a simple, gentle and very effective movement technique, which works by releasing muscle tensions which can increase mobility and flexibility and ease aches and pains.

I run regular workshops throughout the year in Fishguard and occasionally in Haverfordwest. The workshops are all suitable for beginners.

I also teach weekly movement classes from home in Mathry as well as one-to-one sessions which are more tailored to individual needs.

Reflexology is a very relaxing holistic therapy using reflex points and massage on the feet to help bring about a feeling of balance and well-being.

For further information or to make a booking/appointment please call or text Sam Cox on 07966 732142.

Seren Bach - Baby Massage and Early Years Consultancy with Julie Morgan With 30 years’ experience caring for premature and traumatised babies and their families, Julie now offers early years support and training. Her popular baby massage courses include massage techniques, sleep, crying and what a baby needs to develop into a happy, healthy child.

For more details please go to www.serenbach.org.uk

St Davids Sports Hall The Centre in St Davids has an 18-station fitness suite plus free weights ranging 1kg – 30kg.

There is a four-court Sports Hall that can be hired for football, racket sports and team events.

We have plenty of car parking space and a lovely reception area for groups to meet.

Come along and meet the team to find out more.

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Yn y Ganolfan yn Nhyddewi mae ystafell gadw’n heini 18 gorsaf ynghyd â phwysau rhydd yn amrywio o 1kg i 30kg.

Mae neuadd chwaraeon pedwar cwrt i’w llogi ar gyfer pêl-droed, chwaraeon raced a gornestau tîm.

Mae gennym ddigonedd o le parcio a derbynfa hyfryd lle gall grwpiau gyfarfod.

Dewch draw i gyfarfod y tîm i gael gwybod mwy.

Opening times: 0800 – 1200 & 1600 – 2100 Mon & Wed 0800 – 1200 & 1600 – 2000 Tues, Thurs & Fri 0800 – 1100 Saturday 0930 – 1230 Sunday Hall hire available Monday to Friday For more information or to book, call St Davids Sports Hall on 01437 775506

Trefin Arts and Craft Society The society has been holding Craft Fairs in Trefin Village Hall for many years. Our members produce many varied crafts including pottery, art, wood turning, cards, driftwood, jewellery and so much more.

We hold four fairs per year, around the Easter, May and August bank holidays, and during October half term. You’ll see the signs around the village and beyond.

If you have a talent or craft related hobby that you would like to share and sell at our fairs, please get in touch.

Secretary Rob Smith can be contacted on 01348 831497 or talk to any of the members at the fairs.

Fishguard Farmers Market Saturdays 9am until 1pm Venue: Fishguard Town Hall Local produce from bread, cakes and delicacies, to eggs, poultry, meat, seafood, cheese, vegetables and many local crafts too.

Tel: 01348 840689 Fishguard Weekly Market Town Hall Thursday 8am - 3pm Contact Tim Tel: 07876 217434

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St Davids Country Market ‘Home made for the freshest & best’.

8am -1pm Thursdays, Cross Square, March to December.

Large range of home-made sweet and savoury baked goods, fresh vegetables in season, jams etc, knitted goods and assorted craft items.

Tel: 01437 890032

Waste and Recycling Winter opening hours: 1 October - 27 March Civic Amenity Centres: St Davids SA62 6BY Closed Mon-Tues Open Wed-Sun 10.15am - 4pm

Manorowen SA65 9QE Closed Wed-Thurs Open Mon/Tues/Fri/Sat 8.30am - 4pm, Sun 10am - 4pm

Post Office Services in Croesgoch and Trefin Full postal services available at the Artramont Arms Tuesdays 2 - 4 pm, and Fridays 12.30 - 2.30pm.

Mill Café, Trefin, Tuesday 11am 1pm.

Morgan’s Taxis Local taxi service – 6-seater vehicle.

Local journeys, airport runs, lifts to or from train or ferry, etc.

Tel: 07788 292976

Strumble Shuttle Winter coastal bus service 404 runs Thursdays and Saturdays between Fishguard & St David’s.

Llanrhian to St Davids 12.09 17.19 St David’s New Street to Llanrhian 09.10 13.50 Llanrhian to Fishguard 09.42 14.20 Fishguard to Llanrhian 11.10 16.20 Operators: Richard Bros tel: 01239 613756

Farming Community Network Help with business, farm, family or health issues FCN has strong links with the farming community and agriculture throughout England and Wales. Our volunteers are all farmers or are associated with farming and understand the problems facing agriculture today.

Calls to our confidential helpline will be answered in person from 7am to 11pm every day of the year by a sympathetic person who understands farmers and rural life:

Helpline number is 03000 111 999 44

Learn to play the piano with Sue Hood, Old Cartlett House, Trefin Sue is an enthusiastic and experienced piano teacher offering piano tuition for beginners and more experienced pupils of all ages.

If you’ve ever wanted to play, it’s never too late to learn – over the years, Sue’s pupils have ranged in age from 6 to 84!

For a trial lesson, phone Sue on 01348 837476 or email: suehood@btinternet.com Crefftiau Melin Trefin Unfortunately, due to family illness, the weaving centre has been closed most of the year. However, we are hoping for a major re-launch in Spring 2019, expanding on our current brands such as Clogau, Tweedmill and Welsh Crystal to include some new, up and coming designers, artists and makers. Weaving and spinning lessons will be held on a regular basis. We will be open on some Saturdays in the lead up to Christmas. If you have anything specific in mind, call 07968 080523 and we can arrange private viewings and order anything you may wish to buy in advance.

Melin Trefin Training We are a fixed training centre that can also provide on-site training if desired. Qualifications available include Food Hygiene Level 2, BIIAB APLH (personal licence qualification). Tuition can be one on one or as a group. Please call for more information on 07968 080523

Porthgain Lobsters For a trip back in time, look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YgkWtkKjkU Shot in 1962 by Barrie Thomas for BBC Wales, this delightful 12-minute video has been put on Youtube by Gavin Phillips.

It shows his Great Uncle Donald with his friend and fishing partner, Mervyn, on the Merdon, as the boat leaves from Porthgain.

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The Amazing Life of a Common Limpet We’re all familiar with the limpets which adorn the rocks on all our beaches.

They appear to be sedentary creatures leading rather boring lives stuck to one place and never moving.

But there is more to them than that......once the tide is in and they are covered by seawater, they take off, searching for food and warding off predators, though they always return to their own favourite spot when the water recedes. This spot becomes worn by the edges of the shell, and eventually an obvious 'scar' in the rock is created, forming an even better seal.

The shape and hardness of their shell, along with the strong muscle binding the limpet to the rock, not only provides an effective defence, but also prevents the limpet from drying out in the sun.

Common limpets are generally herbivorous, but they have also been known to eat young barnacles and other things that settle on their home rocks – including crabs, prawns and seaweed. They scrape the rock’s surface with a strong, toothy organ called a radula. It is very difficult for other animals or plants to become established in a limpet’s territory because it very quickly scrapes its rocks clean.

Limpets reproduce through a behaviour known as broadcast spawning, where several females release eggs and several males release sperm into the water at the same time. This method increases the likelihood that eggs will become successfully fertilised.

A limpet can live for up to twenty years, and in that time undergoes male to female sex change. All small individuals are male, and upon reaching a certain size, they change to become female.

So, not so boring after all!

Errata! – we stand corrected........and thank you to our friend from Rainhill for getting in touch. We print it exactly as we received it......

Dear Sir/Madam, Please correct a mistake in your Very GOOD article in the May issue of Llais Rhian, on pages 10 and 11 titled Jack the Ripper, the village in LANCASHIRE is RAINHILL not Rainshill.

NO S . I should know I was born there. Thank you, keep up the good work.

Yours ALLAN L BROWN

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Defibrillators Where to find our public access defibrillators: Square & Compass Garage in the porch Mathry Old Stores in the phone box Porthgain Counting House under the big gun Croesgoch Chapel Vestry Trefin, Ship Inn Call 999 and go to the nearest defibrillator cabinet (or get someone else to go).

The defibrillator will decide if the person needs a shock or not, so it’s not possible to hurt someone or do the wrong thing - and it really could save their life.

If the defibrillator has been used, contact Gerard Rothwell at Welsh Ambulance Service 01633 471354 mob: 07734 716766

And finally …….

Someone with a sense of humour had fun with the sign in Berea last June – or maybe they just had a message for the world.....

From the editors.......

Llais Rhian this time is a case of better late than never. Put it down to life’s events creeping up on your editors.

Our contributors to this edition have been many and diverse. Thank you to all and please do keep things coming in, whether it be articles or suggestions.

Our next edition will be out towards the end of May - ideas and articles are welcome at any time.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Helen, David, Sheila and Brigit 47

Regulars Abercastle Boat Owners Angharad’s Beauty Aromatherapy/Reflexology Baby Massage Community Lunches Churches and Chapels Cor y Felin Trefin Croesgoch School Croesgoch Farm Stores Croesgoch Heritage Councillor Neil Prior Defibrillators Gwelliant Trefin GTI Llanrhian Church Hall Llanrhian Cricket Club Llanrhian Social Group Markets Porthgain Rowing Club Post Office Services Pubs and Restaurants Recycling Somatic Exercise Square & Compass Garage St Davids Sports Hall Strumble Shuttle Taxi

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Trefin Arts and Crafts Womens Institutes Yoga

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Features Alpacas Artramont Arms Refurb Audrey Millichip Barbara Price Boia Gigs Camomile Club (for Carers) Diana Hoare Kate Kelly Llety Farm Carnhedryn Meurig Harries Molly Walsh Porthgain Lobsters (video) Porthgain Poem Ryder Cup Ship Trefin Tony Davies OBE Trefin Hostel Trefin Methodist Chapel West Wales Ancestry

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We try to deliver Llais Rhian to as many households as possible, and it is also available from Square and Compass Garage, Croesgoch Farm Stores, Llanrhian Church and the Mill Cafe, Trefin.

Ryn ni'n ceisio dosbarthu Llais Rhian i gymaint o dai a phosib. Mae'r papur ar gael o Garej Sgwar, Stores Croesgoch, Eglwys Llanrhian a Caffi y Felin, Trefin.

Editors: David and Helen Aspden 01348 831841, Sheila Craft 01348 831220, Brigit Thurstan 01348 837102 or email us at: llaisrhian@gmail.com and we are on Facebook.

Thanks to Caro Flynn for her sketches.

Printed by right

price print of Goodwick tel: 01348 875009 48