On Saturday, March 2, the Town Hall at Pembroke was full for the second annual Cawl Competition. This year eight generous proprietors sent cawl for this fun, fund-raising event that supports local Welsh community projects.

As people tasted the cawls, they were first entertained by Jess Ward, who entranced the hall with the sound of her harp music. This was followed by the Welsh Learners Choir, Dysgwyr Sir Benfro, who sang three Welsh songs to the delight of all. Later, Mavis Roberts gave an opportunity to all to try some Welsh dancing.

Jess is an accomplished musician, playing the harp, piano, violin, guitar and is available for ceilidhs, weddings, funerals, festivals and functions. She also teaches dance, including Welsh clog dancing, and can be contacted on [email protected]

Mavis Roberts shared about the forthcoming day of Welsh Dance to celebrate the Welsh Folk Dance Society’s 70th anniversary. The day will feature Glan Cleddau folk dancers together with several other Welsh teams. A warm welcome is extended to aspiring dancers! This will be on Saturday, June 15, 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, in Pembroke Town Hall. Entrance is free. There will be an opportunities for non-dancers of all ages to take part. Mavis also teaches Welsh dancing in Pembroke Town Hall on the first Tuesday of the month from 10.30 to 12.30. Again all welcome.

The Dysgwyr Sir Benfro choir was formed to encourage learners to sing in Welsh and plans to go to the National Eisteddfod again this year, having come away with second prize last year. If interested, contact the Welsh Learners Centre in Pembroke Dock or [email protected]

Bethan John then shared her teaching of Welsh to families in ‘Story, sign and Song -Stori, Arwyddo a Chan’ which takes places during term time each Thursday from 2.15 to 3 pm at Pembroke Library and Information Centre. Beth explained the benefits to children of learning early and she demonstrated Welsh singing with the aid of colourful props and soon had the audience joining in. She can be contacted at [email protected]u .

And the ‘winning cawl”? First of all, all of the proprietors who donated cawl were thanked - the cawls were all truly delicious. The proprietors were RiteBites sandwich bar; Pembroke Castle Café; Jays Sandwich Bar; The Long Meadow Bakery; The Royal George; The Waterman’s Arms; The Tanyard Youth Centre, sponsored by Browns; Food at Williams.

Seven cawls were to be joint runners up… and the winner was cawl by The Royal George - well done Phil and Ian.

The Co-op was also thanked for the bread they provided. Also thanked were the Pembroke Soup team, without whose hard work and support, such events could not take place.

A total of £250 was raised and the funds were divided between the participating community groups to support their work.

The next Pembroke Soup event will be on Saturday, June 8, in Pembroke Town Hall, 12 noon - 1.30 pm.