TOMORROW (Wednesday, January 21) is the BIG day when the bells return to St Mary’s Church, Pembroke. See the bells before they are taken up into the tower and rehung for ringing.

Will’s of Pembroke, one of the town’s eating places, invites customers to welcome the return of the bells with a Free Bell Welsh Cake with every hot drink, while stock lasts.

Will’s of Pembroke - Bell Welsh Cake
Will’s of Pembroke are offering a free bell-shaped Welsh cake with every tea and coffee (while stocks last) to celebrate the return of the bells to St Mary’s Church. (Will’s of Pembroke)

The church will be open from 11am on the day, serving refreshment too and showing a reel of project photos. The doors will be open for everyone to come and see eight beautifully restored bells — including one from 1765 — plus three brand-new cast bells. This is a truly historic homecoming for the town!

After a short service at 6pm, local group The Varifolkals will play. They have even composed ‘The Bells of St Mary’s’ to mark the occasion.

New keepsake cards and postcards will be available for a small donation on the day to help with continued essential funding for: mounting the bells, bell ropes, mats, fitting out and so on.

Jonathan Grimes, County Councillor for Pembroke Monkton & St Mary South, commented:

“We really have missed the sound of the bells since they were taken away for restoration and their return is very welcome and I for one, can’t wait to hear them again.”