St. Issell’s Church is the venue on Sunday, at 10.30 am, for a very special service. We have been asked by the Royal Marines Association for Tenby and Saundersfoot for permission lay up their Standard in the church and we are very pleased to accommodate this request.

The association which was formed in 1946 was the first Royal Marines Association to be formed in Wales.

St. Brides Hotel had been the base for the Royal School of Signals during the war and when the war came to an end, several Marines made their homes in Saundersfoot after marrying local girls. They soon threw themselves into village life and were responsible for organising the annual France Fair and long shore sports. They also held an annual dinner dance, organised Christmas parties for their children ensuring that Father Christmas was able to be there and held weekly fundraising bingo sessions in the Regency Hall. Mr. A. E. (Bungy) Williams was the standard bearer for the association until his death in 1996, and on Sunday, his grandson Ceri Phillips will be carrying the Standard into church. Members of the Royal Marines Associations from all over Wales will be in attendance and we look forward to welcoming them along with some VIPs to the service, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Mrs. Sharron Lusher and Lt. Colonel A. C. (Charlie) Wilson RM, chief of staff, Royal Marines Association. The service will be led by Rev. Tricia Campion and Father Paul Boyle. We are very much looking forward to becoming the new home for the Standard. All are welcome to join us on Sunday morning. We will be serving coffee and cakes after the service and if anyone would like to donate a cake, then we would be very happy to receive it please!

Later in the week on Friday, February 23, we are trying something new! By kind permission of the Salvage Bar in Saundersfoot, we are to hold a coffee morning. There will be the ever-popular church cake stall and raffle along with some local craft tables. As it is half-term, we are providing some children’s activities ensuring there is something for all ages. Everyone is welcome to come along for coffee (supplied by the Salvage Bar) and enjoy browsing our stalls. As a church, we are finding it hard to make ends meet and so we are always looking for new and different ways to keep our church open. Please do come along for coffee and offer your support from 10.30 am to 12 noon.