Peninsula

Information and news for the communities of St Ishmaels, Hasguard, Herbrandston, Robeston West, Dale, St Brides and Marloes.

January

Produced by the Church in Parishes of St Ishmaels, Hasguard, Herbrandston, Robeston West, Dale and St Brides with Marloes.

The Church in Wales Parishes of Dale, St Brides with Marloes, Herbrandston, Robeston West & Hasguard with St Ishmael's

Parish Priest The Revd. Linda Evans B.Th Diocesan Evangelist Revd.. Captain David Evans Contact 01646 636966 or [email protected] Postal Address The Vicarage, 172 Castleway, Dale, , SA62 3RN Church Wardens Dale: Mil Reynolds 636671, Billy Bevan 636335 St Brides: Mary Lewis 636430, Peter Evans 636366 Marloes: Yvonne Evans 636251, Heather Morse 636399 St Ishmaels: Eira Best 636403, Pam Cook 636237 Herbrandston: Josie Owens 692203, Sylvia Davey 695843 Robeston West: Margaret Lewis 01437 890683, Gillian Thorne 01437 890693 Baptist Chapels: Moriah --- Marloes and Aenon --- Sandy Hill The Revd Paul Bartlett 01646 692084

PENINSULAR CLASSIFIED Do you have anything you want to sell, or need? Maybe something you don’t use anymore and can give away. Re Cycle instead of taking it to the tip. Put it in the new classified section. It’s FREE and reaches all the homes in the six parishes. Just send details to the editor, or phone 636966.

No Classifieds this time - but a perfect place to get rid of those unwanted presents next month!!

Church News

Greetings from the Vicarage

It seems strange to be writing this before Christmas has even happened. Your mince pies may even still be un-opened and I am certain that Santa hasn’t been to fill your stockings yet! But when you read this Christmas will be over and a new year will have started, a year full of hopes and dreams. The New Year for David and I brings exciting news, we are going to be grandparents for the first time. Our daughter Victoria and her partner Tony are expecting their first child in May, we are very excited. My plan was do some knitting in time for the baby’s arrival, but I am sure you will not be surprised when I say that the needles lie unused so far, I never seem to find the time to start. We have been working flat out over the last few weeks, planning and preparing for Christmas, the days have just flown by. Everything is ready, the only item we are short of is time. Time, I’m sure we all would like more, where does it go? This made me think about the year that has almost finished. The weddings and christenings, the people we have lost and the new babies born in our villages. All life is here, and yet often we don’t stop to give it a second thought, it just happens and passes us by in a flash. So I have decided that 2012 will be different for me, I’m going to make time to just ‘Be’, to try and see the bigger picture, take in the whole lot and value everything and everyone.

See you in 2012

With Love Linda X Venturing in Mission

As you will recall last June St. James Church Dale held a hymns and brass event on Dale beach to raise funds for a day out for the Young Carers of . The cause was very much in the minds of a lot of generous people and together with gifts in kind raised just short of £2000. This is what happened to some of the money.

Friday the 16 th . December “Panto Day”. The organisers were out at 8-30am to collect 43 packed lunches, kindly subsidised by the Old Deli on the Marina at Milford . Then on to Tiers Cross to Edwards coaches to board the coach very kindly donated by Mr Robert Edwards. Our first collection was from Haverfordwest then on to Milford, Pembroke Dock and finally to Tenby. We then settled in for the drive to Pont Abraham where we stopped for lunch etc.and the chance to chat and get to know our fellow travellers. On to Swansea, we parked a few hundred yards away and walked to the Grand Theatre. This was quite exciting keeping tabs on 30 odd kids plus helpers to make sure that nobody was mislaid in the crowds of shoppers..

On arriving at the theatre all the children were given pocket money and a programme. We were met by Mr Jim Hughes, an International Barker for the Variety Club of Great Britain, who very kindly donated the tickets for the Pantomime. We were invited to wait in the theatre after the show as members of the cast wished to meet with the young carers, a very pleasant surprise indeed.

The Show was fantastic, lots of “he’s behind you”, hissing and booing, screaming and shouting. The expression on the faces of the children was magical. Talking of magic, the 3 D effects were incredible. I don’t want to say too much about this in order not to spoil the surprises for any one who is going to see the Panto. If you didn’t have plans to go then may I suggest you change your mind and go. It is fantastic! and well worth the trip.

After the show the principle members of the cast joined us in the stalls together with Jimmy Osmond, to meet and chat with us, and committee members of the Variety Club from Cardiff. For the youngsters, and might I add some of the shall we say more mature helpers with our party this was another highlight to be enjoyed. Thank you Variety Club for arranging this, a great finale to the show, we were treated like royalty.

After battling through the crowds of people at the bus station we arrived back at our coach to the great relief of all, with yet again a full complement. We then proceeded to the finale of the day, a fish and chip supper at the Crisp and Fry chippy in Cross Hands for yet another generous subsidised meal. After which we arrived home at 9-30pm.tired and happy, safe and sound, thanks to the expertise of our friendly driver Lee.

The generosity of everybody needs to be recorded as without them the trip could not have taken place. South Hook Terminal: Edwards Coaches Tiers Cross: G Edwards Office Supplies: Capeston Organic Chickens: Taberna Quiz nights or should it be Knights! Milford Town Council: , Dale Community Council: Milford Probus Club: Mr Michael James: The Old Deli Milford: Crisp and Fry Cross Hands: and to all the good folk of the area who donated and helped to this cause. A VERY BIG THANK YOU.

As for the organisers the look of pleasure and wonderment during the show and the trip was reward enough. CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE BISHOP OF ST DAVIDS

Two thousand years ago, the focus was on a family: one particular family; displaced and in difficult circumstances, but together. Ever since that momentous event in the stable in Bethlehem, Christmas has been a time for families. Today, for many, it may be the only time in the year when families meet together across the generations.

But for us as Christians, the family has a broader meaning. We are the family of Christ. So our family knows no walls or boundaries. And it is for life, not just for Christmas.

The Christian family is for everyone, forever. It reaches beyond the celebration of the season into everything we do and everything we are. It is about community.

Actually, I prefer to think of it as neighbourhood. Our faith in the redeeming nature of Christ inspires us to reach out to everyone around us. But when we are commanded to love our neighbour as we would ourselves, it does not just mean the family next door or over the road; or, indeed, the person in the pew next to us.

We have spoken at length in recent months about where we as a Church should be going in the next decade. And one of the themes that has emerged most clearly is a desire to embrace a wider community and to be more welcoming to our neighbours, by offering ourselves as a focal point for the common good.

Quite what that is will depend very much on where you are. But wherever we are, and whatever is needed, it is part of our mission to do what we can to offer it. And we must be pro-active, seeking out the needs rather than waiting for them to present themselves to us.

In the words of St Matthew, you shall know them by their fruits, their deeds. Let us take the life-affirming opportunity of Christmas to show the world around us what we have to offer. For the love of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit are surely the greatest gifts of all.

May I wish you all a Joyful Christmas and a Blessed and Fruitful New Year.

Wyn Marloes ,St. Brides and Dale Mothers Union

Thank you everyone who joined us for the Christmas meal at "The Vine" in Johnston. We had a superb meal, good company and lots of chatter! Dates for your diaries. "Service of Light " Sat Jan 7th at Neyland 2.30pm, please contact Jane (636518) if you would like to go with her. Mothers’ Union AGM on Tues. Jan 10th 7.30pm in Marloes Village Hall. Poetry reading and please bring a plate of food for "bring and share". Jane, Heather and Marina wish you all a very "Happy and Healthy New Year " and we look forward to the tremendous support from our members and also anyone who would like to join us. Marina Titley (Sec.)

CYNGOR CYMUNED HERBRANDSTON COMMUNITY COUNCIL

APPOINTMENT OF VILLAGE WARDEN

A vacancy has arisen for the position of village warden The village warden's duties are as follows.

1. Pick up litter in the village 2. Pick up litter at Sandy Haven car park. 3. Report any broken street lights, etc to the council clerk The successful candidate will be expected to work two hours a week Remuneration will be at the rate of £6.08p per hour. Would any interested parties please submit a letter containing name, address and telephone number to the council clerk at the below address

Clive Griffith, 17 Little Castle Grove, Herbrandston, SA73 3SP Community Councils Dale documents on www.pcnpa.org.uk Among the items discussed at the meeting Martins Haven/Ticketing - County High- 5th December 2011 were: ways have advised that they do not supply Temporary road closure - 2012 signs to advertise food outlets. Agreed that Residents are reminded that the the Clerk respond indicating that they are road resurfacing work in Dale will com- seeking to inform visitors that there are no mence on the 9th January. There is a rolling facilities beyond the village. Clerk to also programme for ten days and whilst the con- seek information on the economic benefit to tractor will make every effort to avoid dis- the County of the Islands, Coastal Path and ruption, some inconvenience is likely to oc- Marloes Sands. The Council understands cur. We are sure the improvements will that the Wildlife Trust and Dale Sailing Com- make it worthwhile. pany are updating their websites with infor- mation on island visits,and also the services Refuse Collection provided locally. Following the re-scheduling of our refuse Snow White – The Community Council collection the council are concerned that decided to split the grant 2/3 to 1/3 to rec- visitors may leave their refuse for a longer ognise the preference of Dark Mirror Films period. The council are considering ways of and also the wishes of the local community. communicating with visitors and holiday £3000 was paid to Marloes Village Hall, and home owners to try and ensure the problem £2000 to the Recreation Area, and each does not arise. were asked to use the money for a specific Flood Defence purpose, to seek match funding to maximise The council is in discussion with the Evoi- the grant, and to advise the Council in due roment Agency to see if there is a more course how the money has been spent. convenient location for the flood gate locker. Planed has been asked for advice by the Hall Committee, and they in turn have asked to Marloes & St. Brides attend a meeting of the Community Council The following are among the items consid- to discuss updating an Action Plan for the ered at the Nov/December meetings. village. This is likely to be in February. Planning Matters – NP/11/376 – National PAVS Volunteer Bulletin has asked for Park have refused planning consent for two people to come forward to become STEM proposed plots opposite the West End Bun- Ambassadors. They are looking for people galow site. The applicant will appeal this with a passion for science, technology, engi- decision. Planning consent has been issued neering or maths to inspire young people. for NP/11/224 – 1, West End, Marloes – Training, CRB checks and insurance are pro- Demolish/Replace rear Extension etc., and vided. More information available on http:// also for NP/11/452 – 16 Solar Panels on an www.see-science.co.uk/stem- Agricultural Building, Windmill Park, St. ambassadors.html If interested contact the Brides. The Council has recommended local coordinator helen.hughes@see- approval of NP/11/466 &467 – 2 Storey Ex- science.co.uk or register at https:// tension to Musselwick Farmhouse(Listed db.stemnet.org.uk/register/ambassador Building). National Park are consulting on County Council Matters – The Clerk has Supplementary Planning Guidance on Field contacted County Council highways staff Scale Solar Panels, and also Siting & Design with regard to various matters including the of Farm Buildings – up to the 2 nd March – see state of the pavement in front of Gaylane Community Councils Terrace, footpath sign by the Clock Tower, St Ishmaels overgrowth on pavement in the Glebe Lane, Recently discussed Items include: surface water drainage problems, etc. The National Parks Planning Matters County Council has advised that if resident NP/11/307 – Free standing array of P.V. parking schemes are introduced, they are Solar Panels – Bryn Y Menyn Bach, Butter- now covered by a parking order and house- hill. Permission has been granted. holders would be charged for dedicated NP/11/340 – Extension/conservatory – 2 spaces. It was noted that surface dressing Castle Rd., St. Ishmaels. Permission has of the roads will be carried out in the New been granted. Year, and that the Seasonal Restriction on NP/11/487 – Agricultural shed with solar parking on the Marloes Sands road will be panels for storage of animal feed and farm reviewed. machinery – Mullock Farm, Dale. There Exception Site – Affordable Housing – were no objections recorded. It was agreed that the Rural Housing En- Highway Matters abler, Matthew Owen and another officer The Council has been asked to contact the attend the January Council meeting to dis- Highways Dept. with regard to the mud and cuss a small development on part of the debris on road following ditch clearing in Town Meadow field with an access from the Winsle Leys. The Council also raised con- Glebe Lane. This proposal follows on from cerns of mud on Dale Rd. to Sandy Hill and the Housing Needs Survey completed in beyond as a result of farm traffic. 2005. St. Ishmaels Cemetery Christmas Tree/Lights - Council mem- Clerk and Cllr. T. Jenkins met with Mr. bers agreed that no tree will be purchased David Seaman, Superintendent of Cemeter- this year. Cllr. Smithies advised that £250 ies, on 12 October, 2011 and discussed had been raised at the Open Day at Phil- ways of improving maintenance of graves beach Farmhouse, and the Council agreed and re-surfacing the T shaped path. that this be used to purchase suitable light- Vodafone Community Trial ing to surround the upper part of the Clock With support of our MP Mr. Stephen Tower. The lights will be low voltage, and Crabb, the Council has applied to be con- well out of reach of children. sidered for Vodafone community trial for Puffin Bus Service – Noted that a letter “not spot areas.” Vodafone are looking for has been sent to Pembrokeshire Greenways 12 “not spot” communities with the aim for asking that the problem of the late return them to begin their own trials in spring from Martins Haven of one bus, and the 2012 to provide coverage in areas where it subsequent problems of the Milford / is currently uneconomic or inappropriate to Haverfordwest bus arriving late in those place mobile phone masts. Vodafone are towns be considered. It was felt that there planning to draw up a potential shortlist in needed to be a balance of the needs of the December/January 2012. local community alongside the visitor ex- Samaritans perience offered by the Puffin Shuttle. The Council agreed to donate £20.00. The next meeting of the Council will be th Memorial Hall held on Thursday 12 January, at Marloes A Hall meeting was held on 28 November Village Hall. which was attended by Alex Allison, Com- munity Regeneration Unit, P.C.C. He ad- Community Councils vised on possible grants and discussed what assistance was available to launch the project 6. The annual financial return had been re- to refurbish the Hall. A further meeting has ceived back from the external auditors with been scheduled for later in January, 2012. no adverse comments. It was agreed by the meeting that the report be accepted and The next meeting will be held on Monday 9 returned to the external auditors. January, 2012 commencing at 1900hrs. in the Memorial Hall. Members of the Community 7. Problems had been reported at the playing are welcome to attend. fields where dogs had been fouling the soc- Clerk to the Council :- Lynda Thomas Tel: cer pitch. Following a discussion it was de- 01646 636 298. cided to approach National Park to enquire about gates to replace the stiles in the ad- Herbrandston joining field, which was the official footpath. These are some of the topics discussed at a This would make it easier for dog walkers to recent meeting. use the footpath. This would hopefully pre- vent the health and safety problem on the 1. The Chairman had recently attended playing surface. South Hook LNG to attend a meeting to discuss tanker noise. South Hook have em- 8. The chairman and Councillors wish all ployed a new firm of consultants to look into residents of Herbrandston a Merry Christ- the problem, who will submit their findings mas and a Happy New Year. sometime in the New Year. Clive Griffith Clerk 2. Concern was expressed about the condi- tion of the road surface and the pools of water which occurred when it rained on the Citizens Advice Bureau main road into . Pembs County Council to be asked to look into Contact Details the matter with a view of making improve- ments. Telephone Advice – 0844 477 2020 Monday-Friday 10am to 4pm 3. The annual fireworks display had been a great success and was well attended. E-Mail: [email protected]

4. The Clerk reported that there were now Haverfordwest Office, enough people signed up for the broadband 43, Cartlett, Haverfordwest, SA61 2LH scheme and he would progress the applica- Monday to Wednesday tion to the Welsh Assembly. 10am – 1pm Drop In Service Monday to Thursday 10am to 3pm Pre- 5. The village warden had tendered his res- booked Appointments ignation due to ill health. The Chairman thanked him for his years of excellent ser- Milford Haven Town Hall vice. The Clerk was instructed to advertise Wednesday 10am to 1pm Drop In Service for a replacement. Diary For Church & Community

December Sat 31 Evening New Year’s Eve disco and buffet at The Taberna (buffet 9 pm)

January Mon 9 1900 St Ishmaels CC. Memorial Hall Jan 10 1930 Mothers’ Union, AGM and poetry reading, Marloes Village Hall Wed 11 1930 Coastland Local History Group, Duncan Schlee on the excavations at St Brides (check date) Thu 12 1930 Marloes & St Brides CC, Marloes Village Hall Sat 21 1030 Marloes Winter Olympics, Marloes Recreation Area. Mon 23 1930 St Ishmaels Memorial Hall meeting, Memorial Hall Sun 29 1800 Herbrandston Songs of Praise, St Mary’s Church Mon 30 1930 Coastlands Natural History Group, “The Sea Around Us” by Sue Burton Marloes Village Hall

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH ORGANISATION TO INFORM THE EDITORS OF EVENTS FOR PUBLICATION IN THE DIARY.

Sandy Hill Chapel Services for January

Jan 1st No service

Jan 8th 14:30 Paul Bartlett Communion

Jan 15th 9:30 Paul Bartlett

Jan 22nd 9:30 Paul Bartlett

Jan 29th 14:30 Paul Bartlett CHURCH SERVICES

1st Sunday 1st January

11.00am Combined Service of Holy Communion St Brides

2nd Sunday 8 th January

9.30am Morning Prayer Marloes 9.30am Morning Prayer Herbrandston 9.30am Holy Communion St Ishmaels 11.00am Holy Communion St Brides 11.00am Holy Communion Robeston West 6.00pm Holy Communion Herbrandston 6.00pm Evensong Dale

3rd Sunday 15 th January

9.30am Holy Communion Herbrandston 9.30am Holy Communion Marloes 11.00am Holy Communion Dale 11.00am Morning Prayer St Ishmaels 11.00am Holy Communion Robeston West 6.00pm Evensong Herbrandston

4th Sunday 22 nd January

8.30 am Holy Communion Dale 9.30 am Holy Communion Marloes 9.30 am Holy Communion St Ishmaels 11.00am Holy Communion St Brides 11.00am Holy Communion Robeston West 6.00 pm Evensong Herbrandston

5th Sunday 29 th January Combined services

11.00am Holy Communion St Brides Patronal 6:00 pm “Songs of Praise” Herbrandston

The Olympic Milestone Challenge

Between January and June 2012 we are aiming to lose a stone in weight each so that we are slimmer and fitter in time for the Olympics.

Even if you are not running for Wales come and join us, shed those excess pounds and you might win a first prize as well as a slimmer, happier you.

Wednesday evenings at 7p.m in the W.I Hut from Jan 4th

Arriva Trains Wales

A new timetable started on December 11th. There are no major changes, just a few minutes here and there. If you would like your own pocket timetable, either table 2 (Pembrokeshire to North Wales and Manchester) or Table 3 (Pembrokeshire to Cardiff, the Valleys and London), we have a stock at the Taberna. You are welcome to pop by and collect one any day after midday. The timetable also announces that Club 55 will be back soon - from January 8th to March 28th, over 55s will be able to travel anywhere on Arriva Trains Wales and back again for £19 - no booking, just turn up with proof of age and pay at the station or on the train. There are add-ons to end your journey at non-ATW stations in Merseyside and Manchester, but they cost just a few pounds. To find out more, go to http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/t3

Peter Absolon Herbrandston Songs of Praise

Those who haven't contacted me yet, please let us know what your favourite hymns are, so we can have a decent practice or two! Email your top three choices, or send/ deliver them to the Taberna. The service will be on January 29th at St Marys at 6pm. All welcome. Peter Absolon

TABLE TENNIS

Why not come and play table tennis at the Sports & Social Club in St Ishmaels? We meet every Thursday at 7:30 pm and all abili- ties are welcome. Contact Anne Meeke (636716) for fur- ther information - it may be possible to organise some car sharing. We play for fun and exercise – nothing too serious!

This year as an alternative to the 'Marloes Children’s Christmas Party' we are holding the first 'MARLOES WINTER OLYMPICS'

Saturday 21 st January 2012 10:30am, meet in the recreation area

ALL WELCOME (young and old!) to join in or watch the events. Running races, team games, obstacle course, welly throwing …...and many more! (Maybe even snowmen building?!)

Prizes galore and food and drink available. Fundraising for Marloes recreation area COASTLANDS LOCAL HISTORY GROUP

We look forward to 2012, with an interesting programme of talks and visits: topics include “ German Prisoners of War in Pembrokeshire”, “The Port of Haverfordwest”, “The Codd Family” and “Old Bottles”. Details of talks are always publicised in Peninsula Papers and all are welcome to attend. Our Group visits are restricted by numbers and are therefore limited to members only. This year there will be visits to the Butterhill Estate and Milford Haven Maritime Museum. Membership is by annual subscription – now due – of £5. If you are interested in joining the Group or wish to renew your subscription, please contact Derek Lister 01646 636274. Various projects are undertaken by the Group in addition to the Talks and Visits. Last year, we had members working on a Military History Trail (leaflet now available from committee members) and doing research into house histories. This year, an exciting new project is being started, with help from PLANED. This is an Oral History Project, aiming to record memories of by-gone days in the Coastlands area. If you are interested in this ( you don’t have to be a member of the Group – or be incredibly ancient – even memories of ten years ago will be worth recording), there will be an introductory meeting led by Wendy Marmara, who has master-minded similar projects in Carew and Newport, on Monday, January 30 th at 2pm at the home of Mil Reynolds, Fairfields, Dale. We are also looking for helpers who can assist on the administrative side of things, e.g. do some interviewing, provide transport, help with paperwork etc. Do come to the meeting and see what is involved! January Meeting This will be on Wednesday January 11 th at Marloes Hall. (Please see posters to confirm date). Duncan Schlee, from Dyfed Archaeology will talk on the Excavations at St Brides in March/April 2011. An early Christian Cemetery bordering the beach, was uncovered and various artefacts were found which helped to explain the site. The talk will begin at 7.30pm.

The Sea Around Us Sue Burton takes us on a journey around the coast of Dale, Marloes and St Ishmael's, showcasing the unusual and varied underwater life and explaining why our ordinary is actually extraordinary. Sue, who lives in Marloes, is the Pembrokeshire Marine SAC* Officer. She will talk about the important areas within the Haven as well as the better- known Skomer Marine Reserve. (* SAC - Special Area of Conservation) Monday 30th January at 7.30pm in Marloes Hall Tea and biscuits provided. Free admission - donations welcome. Organised by Coastlands Natural History Society . MaD PADS! No, it is not what you think! It’s the acronym for: ‘Marloes and Dale Public Access Defibrillator Scheme’.

This scheme is working to provide these life-saving devices in key locations on the peninsular – starting with Marloes and Dale. We are off to a good start with the funds from the disbanded First Responders scheme being generously donated to MaDPADS. This will allow us to purchase one Public Access Defibrillator (PAD) and its protective housing. The Coastguard will assist the Ambulance Service to provide a ‘first responder’ role, as reported in last month’s Peninsular Papers. Wales Ambulance Service will provide training and support for the Peninsular PADs. In the New Year we will start fundraising so that we can purchase, install and maintain other PADs. Any spare bags of cash, or ideas for fundraising would be very welcome! With your support, we hope to purchase at least one other PAD. We will also need on-going funding to keep the scheme functioning.

Contacts: Marloes – Chris Jessop, Derek and Bridget Lister (01646 636 274) Dale – Ellie Morgan, Hugh Bishop, John Mecklenburgh (01646 636 463) A the Taberna For New Year's Eve, we shall be having a disco, free entry, free buffet from 9pm.

A Community Shop for Dale?

At the Forum General Meeting on 21 st November to which all Dale residents were invited, it was decided, following a talk by a guest speaker and a full discussion, to send out a questionnaire to all homes in the village.

Please complete this questionnaire so that the Forum knows what support there is for this idea.

Questionnaires will be collected from homes on Saturday 7 th and Sunday 8 th January or they can be handed in at The Griffin.

Thank you. St Ishmaels Memorial Hall

The next meeting will be held on Monday 23rd January, 7.30pm at the Memorial Hall. Any member of the Community is welcome to attend to assist the Management Committee and Trustees to plan what the Hall should be used for in the future. Mr. Alex Allison, Pembrokeshire County Council - Community Regeneration unit has agreed to work with the committee to seek necessary grants, but in the first instance the community needs to decide what is needed. It is agreed that the Hall should complement the facilities provided by the Sports & Social Club.

Please spare a couple of hours to plan the future of this Memorial Hall. If you and your family have made use of the Hall for playgroup, youth club, parties etc over the last thirty years we now need your support, ideas and expertise to take the Hall forward to its Centenary in the 2020's.

Yvonne Evans Secretary, Memorial Hall Management Committee

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS (including men!)

WE NEED A VARIETY OF CRAFTS FOR OUR 2012 FAYRE SO PUT YOUR IDEAS INTO ACTION AND START CRAFTING NOW! JOIN US AT DALE CORONATION HALL SATURDAY 21 ST – MONDAY 23 RD JULY 2012 WITH YOUR HANDMADE CRAFTS TO SELL OR EXHIBIT. CRAFT DONATIONS AND 20% OF SALES WILL GO TO THE PAUL SARTORI FOUNDATION. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL EMMA - 07896719409 ( [email protected] ) ANN - 01646 636873 More apocryphal Sunday School tales …….

LOT’S WIFE The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, 'My Mommy looked back once while she was driving,' he announced triumphantly, 'and she turned into a telephone pole!'

THE GOOD SAMARITAN A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, 'If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?'

A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, 'I think I'd throw up.' Nature and the Environment

Polecats

Many of you will have seen a polecat briefly as it dashes across the road at dawn or dusk. They are sometimes mistaken for a stoat (much smaller) or even an otter (much bigger), but if you get any kind of decent view you will be able to see the distinctive patterned face. They are not uncommon in Wales, and sightings are often posted to the Pembrokeshire Wildlife blog (see below) usually relating unfortunately to dead animals. However, a live animal was seen at St Ishmaels on 26 th November. Last spring a freshly dead animal was found in good condition at Pickleridge and provided the opportunity for a number of people to have a good look at it.

In many parts of the UK the polecat was virtually exterminated by zealous keepering, but it is making a rapid return. In many places polecats have cross bred with escaped domestic ferrets and this is much discussion about which animals are “true” polecats and which are “polecat ferrets” – however the argument is a bit irrelevant as polecats and ferrets are to all intents and purposes the same species!

The status of polecats in West Wales is not well known – they are not often reported maybe because they are quite common and people don’t bother. If you see a polecat, then please report it by email to Annie Haycock ( [email protected] ) who is the Pembrokeshire Mammal recorder. If the animal is dead, try to take photos of the face and the colours of the fur on the back, paws and underparts and send these with your sighting.

Meanwhile, I’m still waiting to see a live one in Pembrokeshire! Rosemary Royle

Pembrokeshire Wildlife Sightings If you are interested in wildlife and would like to know what people have been seeing in Pembrokeshire recently, then why not have a look at the Pembrokeshire Wildlife Sightings blog at http://pembrokeshirewildlife.blogspot.comhttp://pembrokeshirewildlife.blogspot.com. (A blog is simply a kind of web-based diary)

For birds, there is an equivalent site: http://www.pembsbirds.blogspot.comhttp://www.pembsbirds.blogspot.com ABSOLUTE COPY DEADLINE FOR the February ISSUE IS

Saturday 21st January 2012

This is your church & community publication - so why not contribute something?

Memories & Local Stories Gardening Tips Jokes Quotes Prayers & Poetry Nature & Environmental Articles or anything else that you would like to share with our readers.

SUBMISSIONS Please submit all copy by email or hardcopy (typed or handwritten) to:

Dale, Marloes & St Brides Rosemary Royle: Orlandon Kilns, St Brides, SA62 3AP

[email protected] 01646 636970 St Ishmaels & Sandra & Steve Morrell: 2 Mabes Gate, St Ishmaels SA62 3TL

Hasguard [email protected] Tel: 636 691 Herbrandston Peter AbsolonAbsolon:: The Taberna Inn, Herbrandston [email protected] Tel: 693 498

ADVERTISING --- Trade & Classifieds John GoodwinGoodwin: The Post House, Dale,SA62 3RE [email protected] Tel: 636 725

DIARY DATES IT IS THE RESPONSILBILITY OF EACH ORGANISATOIN TO INFORM THE EDITORS OF EVENTS FOR PUBLICATION IN THE DIARY

Managing Editor: Rev. Linda Evans Copy Editor: Rosemary Royle 01646 636970 [email protected] Postal SecSec.: Christine Provan: Tel: 636 443 (For those who do not live in the parishes but would like to receive a copy at a cost of £5.00 per yr) Distribution SecsSecs.: John Bramley (Dale) Geoff Wood (St Brides with Marloes) Myra Standen (St Ishmaels & Hasguard) Josie Owens ( Herbrandston), Margaret Lewis (Robeston West)

Mobile Library Schedule St. Ishmaels, Marloes & Dale 10th January Herbrandston 11th January. There are two stops on the road from the Taberna to the Post Office between 2.45pm and 3.35 pm. Contact 01437 776128 or 07929 058660 (Signal varies!)