Six cawls were brought out to Pembroke Town Hall, by six local food establishments, keen to enter the 4th Annual Cawl Competition in Pembroke, organised by Pembroke Soup.

Pembroke Soup seeks to support local community projects and the army of wonderful people offering time and energy to support our community. On this occasion on March 11, Homeless Pembrokeshire; Wales Ukulele Project and Hopefuls Ukulele group; Save Pembroke Bells appeal were in attendance. (Apologies were given by Cruse Bereavement Charity).

The six generous providers who donated four litres or more of their cawl were: Jay’s Sandwich bar; Waterloo House coffee and games; Rite Bites; St Mary’s Church; Waterman’s Arms; Rose Cafe.

The cawls were to be tasted with voting forms to the ready. There was delight and the buzz of conversation as folk compared and contrasted, whilst enjoying one another’s company. All of the cawls were greatly appreciated and by the end of the morning the winner had been voted for…

During a break in the tasting, the community groups shared what they did; what help they may need; and how they would use donations.

Mer Taylor spoke about the Wales Ukulele project- how their mission statement is to combat loneliness and isolation through ukulele playing and singing. To this end, the Wales Ukulele project had been raising funds to put ukuleles in schools. This having now become a target of the Welsh Government, the project is now raising money to put ukuleles and manuals into libraries along with links to local ukulele groups and Zoom lessons. In Pembroke, ‘the Hopefuls’ meet in the Hope Inn on Wednesday at 7.30pm, and together enjoy singing and learning to play. The Hopefuls are arranging with the Wales Ukulele Project a sing-along, play-along day in Pembroke Castle on July 1, 2023, when eight Pembrokeshire ukulele groups will be introducing themselves! Free entry is being given by the castle, who are being extremely supportive of this event, to Ukulele players bringing their ukulele. Funds were requested to help with the cost of promotion materials.

St Mary’s Tower Captain Ann Bunker, of ‘Save Pembroke’s Bells’, shared that the bells were in urgent need of repair. She brought a demonstration of how the bells are rung and a large hoop showing the size of the largest bell. She explained that eight bells hang high in the Norman tower of St Mary’s Church Pembroke. The oldest one has been there since 1763.

A thriving band of bellringers ring them for weddings, Sunday services, state, and civic events. Anne explained that they want to carry on the town’s tradition of bells and ring for the coronation of King Charles. But even the largest instruments in the world don’t last forever. She explained that the bells are “literally falling out of the tower.”

The support beams have parted company with the tower walls and the bells are in such a bad state that they can’t ring the heaviest three bells anymore. As well as belonging to the church, the bells are part of the history and heritage of Pembroke and its people.

The vision is to save the bells so they can be rung for another 260 years.

Ann explained that the bespoke and specialist restoration project is ready to go with all the plans and permissions in place. They have raised £26,000 towards the £100,000 project and are appealing for help to reach their target. She also explained that donations can be made via the Go Fund Me page https://gofund.me/4eb9c503 or our Local Giving Page https://localgiving.org/charity/st-marys-belfry-fund/

Ann also said if some-one wishes to donate a new bell (approx. £10,000) that person can help choose its inscription, perhaps a lasting dedication to a loved one.

Amanda Evans spoke about Homeless Pembrokeshire who offer emergency survival packs to rough sleepers and ongoing support to help them to access accommodation of their own and support beyond this. Amanda and her team will go out with their packs on to the streets and places were people who have become homeless are trying to cope. Homeless Pembrokeshire provides emergency rough sleeper packs for those unable to obtain emergency accommodation for whatever reason. The packs contain a tent, sleeping bag, pillow, cook wear, waterproofs, thermals, first aid, new underwear, toiletries torch, and so on. The packs they offer are lightweight as she explained that people need to be able to carry everything with them. They can also provide a Greggs Gift Card to help with food.

Their website is Homlesspembrokeshire.org, Facebook Homeless Pembrokeshire, Tel. 07833 096872 Office is 2, High Street, Haverfordwest SA61 2DJ.

As the event drew to a close, voting was counted, The Hopefuls ukulele group entertained with a few tunes before Waterman’s Arms were announced as the winners of Pembroke Cawl Competition 2023.

The entrance fee of £5 is always distributed on the day to those projects seeking funding:

£130 was given to Save Pembroke’s bells

£130 was given to Homeless Pembrokeshire, along with a donation of the items as requested for the packs (URC Tabernacle Church, Main Street will be offering a drop off collection point for local donation of supplies – contact Joan Marsh 0791 720 5512)

£60 was given to Hopefuls for the promotion of the Wales Ukulele Project Pembroke Castle event on July 1, 10.30 to 3pm.

The event was enjoyed by all and appreciation was given to the helpers on the day; the donators of all of the wonderful cawls; the Co-op on Main Street for donation of cheese and the Long Meadow Bakery for making such wonderful bread!

Next Pembroke Soup will be on September 23 in Pembroke Town Hall.