Pembroke Soup event took place recently at, as usual, Pembroke Town Hall. Although quieter than usual, with many of our ‘regulars’ away on holiday, three community groups made their four-minute presentation to tell us of their activities (writes Pastor Rob James). Again they were greeted with interest and enthusiasm, as people in Pembroke heard of more that volunteers are doing to enhance the area through community projects.

Pembroke Museum: Linda Asman spoke of the Pembroke Museum, opened specially that morning, but generally open each day from to 10 am to 3 pm, Monday to Friday, in Pembroke Town Hall. Although this is a small museum, it continues to grow, and, as well as illustrating the history of the town going back to include Henry VII, it also contains many folk museum articles that reflect more recent times, from clogs, ancient type writers and toys that some of our older residents would remember with fondness. It is a place that is enjoyed by many of all ages, locals and visitors alike. Children are made very welcome with some table top activities for hands on. It is staffed by volunteers and funds are raised by donations as entry itself is free. Linda encouraged all to come and have a look and for those who may be interested in getting more involved, volunteers are always welcome, as are donations of items of historical interest.

Pembroke Community Garden: Despite it being three years since Pembrokeshire Housing Association invited Foundry House to establish a community garden, it is still something of a ‘secret garden.’ It is a walled garden, situation behind the Foundry House on The Commons. It is being transformed from a neglected burgage plot full of brambles and rubble, to a garden with flower beds; raised vegetable beds, a greenhouse, a cooking area (work in progress) and a small apple orchard. Ali Moore, a local childminder and member of local toddler groups, shared how the ‘Crafty Monkeys’ playgroup and school children have been made very welcome and have been involved in decorating and planting up tyres with bulbs, potatoes and flowers. Recently, Ali shared how there has been a live willow weaving course and the group who attended had a great time learning skills in willow weaving and creating a willow weave ‘house’ for children to enjoy. The garden is open most Thursdays from 10 am to 12 noon and 2-4 pm, when volunteers who like gardening will find there are plenty of jobs to get involved with or those wishing to, can relax and enjoy the beauty,peace and shelter of the garden. Funds were requested to purchase compost and children’s gardening equipment. Also volunteers are always welcome - come along on a Thursday or contact Foundry House for further information!

Pembroke litter pickers: Alan Hare explained how this group has been helping to keep the millponds, hedges, commons, stream and nearby grassed areas clear of litter since it was established in 2008 by Nikki Anderson, who sadly died earlier this year. There are about 20 members of the group and they meet on the first Saturday of each month when typically between six and 15 litter pickers turn out regardless of the weather. Even though the council litter pickers do a good job of clearing the litter in Pembroke town, they only have enough time and equipment to collect from the main paths, so there is always plenty of litter to collect in the hedges and down the banks. Alan was welcoming volunteers and those interested are welcome to contact Pembroke litter pickers via the Foundry House, or to email them through [email protected], or to check the Town Hall noticeboard each month for dates and venues for picking for the rest of the year. Alan was asking Pembroke Soup for funds to purchase some long handled litter picking equipment in order to help the group reach to the litter that is beyond the reach of the regular equipment. Through donations made by the end of the Pembroke Soup event from funds collected upon entry, these have since been bought!

People coming into Pembroke Soup pay £4 and all of these funds are given out to those groups expressing a need for funding. The money is distributed according to silent voting that is made as people select and enjoy the donated soup. As usual, the soup was greatly enjoyed by all along with the bread that was kindly donated by the co-op. Each of the groups left having received a cash donation.

Next Pembroke Soup is on Saturday, September 9, 12 noon to 1.30 pm, at Pembroke Town Hall. The next groups speaking will be Hogspital - come and find out about how to help the hedgehog population of Pembrokeshire, including fostering adolescent hedgehogs over winter; Pembroke Family Gardening Group - come and find out the winners of the sunflower competition and how big the sunflowers have grown. Sunflowers to be measured by August 31 at the latest and details of height etc to be emailed to [email protected] or posted to Foundry House on the Commons. Don’t worry if your sunflower has finished - it can still be measured!; Welsh playgroup - come and find out more about this playgroup which gently introduces a little Welsh to parents and children; Angle Museum - if you don’t know about it, well come and find out!