KILGETTY Women’s Institute started 2026 with a well attended meeting and an excellent talk from Sam of Ecoast Pembrokeshire, an ethical shop in Saundersfoot offering a range of sustainable, recycled and local products.

Sam began by sharing some statistics informing members that Wales recycles 66 per cent of waste and that Pembrokeshire was the top county in Wales, recycling 72 per cent.

She raised awareness of items that can be recycled and that her shop is used as a collection point for beach toys, bike inner tubes, bread bags, milk bottle tops, ink cartridges and used postage stamps.

Sam brought a selection of new merchandise made from recycled materials. There were rucksacks transformed from inflatable beach toys, seat belts and tent canvas; wallets made from bar runners and bike inner tubes; bowls and baskets made from rope; toilet bags made from damaged life rafts and airbeds and earrings made from aluminium coffee pods.

Sam runs a borrow box outside her shop where buckets and spades can be borrowed and returned and any broken ones are melted down into plant pots.

The members thoroughly enjoyed Sam’s talk and some plan to donate items for recycling and even accompany her on one of her organised beach cleans.

Julia Mills, president, ran the business side of the meeting and informed members that Nicole Bowles had stepped down and this had left a huge gap to fill and made a request for help to fill the roles she had carried out. Sylvia Wright, treasurer, gave her monthly report and birthday wishes were given to Hilary Emerson, Linda Goff and Ann Sillito.

Members voted for the resolution for 2026 and unanimously chose ‘Accessible Public Toilet Facilities to Promote Dignity, Health, and Social Inclusion’. Helen Knight updated members of an interesting programme of speakers planned for 2026. The evening concluded with refreshments and delicious homemade cakes made by Julia Mills.

Next meeting will be at 7pm on February 10 at Kilgetty community centre, with new members always welcome.