Narberth Baptist Fellowship

So many of us are looking for a renewal in mind, body and spirit. We seek peace of mind, calmness of being and inner assurance knowing that we ourselves are alright. In our pluralistic consumer society, there are hundreds of 'products', courses and gurus on offer to show us the light and forecast the future - everything from tarot cards and astrology to evoking angels or consulting the dead to communicate with us and show the way ahead.

The church often does a similar thing. Christians have their own version of tarot when they pick out Bible readings at random to discern the will of God. They have their own gurus when they give leaders or self-appointed prophets the power to direct their lives.

God's wisdom and guidance comes through His Holy Spirit who lives in all those who have dared to believe in Jesus Christ for the forgivenesss of sins and for the gift of eternal life. That eternal life starts the moment a person receives the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who shows us the way ahead, who confirms in our hearts that we are sons and daughters of God and led by Him.

One can understand why people so often reject the church that they see in today's world. It hardly bears resemblance to those first Christians who fed the hungry and looked after widows, who risked their lives to get the faith out to others, who learned to fear no one, but live in faith and trust that God would meet their needs in life.

NBF meets 6.30 - 7.45 pm in the chapel at Pant-y-Gorphwys Farmhouse on the main A478 from Penblewin roundabout to Narberth. All welcome.

Narberth and district probus club

After a most satisfying salad, followed by Nantyffin's lovely strawberry trifle, the members of the Narberth and District Probus Club were treated to a superb talk on the many facets of Milford Haven by the deputy harbour master, Bill Hirst.

In introducing the speaker the president, Len Jones, said that Bill Hirst had begun his life on the sea as a group cadet with the P&O Line, serving on tankers, cargo and passenger vessels until he had gained his certificate as first mate. In 1990, serving with Safmarine, he gained his Masters (class one) Certificate; from then on, Bill served with the Bank Line whilst looking out for a shore post.

1995 saw Bill on Orkney as port control officer in the Department of Harbours Office at Scapa Flow, where he reached the position of assistant harbour master responsible for response to oil pollution and emergency planning.

Bill Hirst joined Milford Haven Port Authority as assistant harbour master and in 2001 became deputy harbour master, currently responsible for the day to day operations and line management of port control and, of course, standing in for the harbour master when required.

Bill began his talk with reference to the history of ports in the area, which before 1780 were Tenby and Haverfordwest. In 1781, Milford became the premier port and by 1797 had grown to a naval dockyard alongside the Milford whaling fleet and serving as base port for the Irish Packet.

A large fishing fleet grew up and the fish trains left Milford for London every day in the early 20th century. This has sadly declined, but in the 50s Bill said Milford Haven became a Trust Port, strategic for bringing in oil, with a Government act in 1957 giving it powers to borrow money from the banks and allowing stakeholders like BP, Esso and Chevron, to name a few, taking the dividends.

Bill pointed out that cruise ships were welcomed and given free pilotage etc, full well in anticipation of the money which would be spent locally and the authority acted as sponsors of projects such as the Torch Theatre. A turnover of some 80 million pounds a year was used to maintain navigation of the seaway and carry out all the duties required to oversee the services of the port, which is the largest port in Wales.

Bill went on to describe the many facets of the port, with the marine division alone responsible for conservancy - channel dredging, port control, radar, hydragraphic survey, counter pollution, removal of wrecks and the supply of pilots to shipping.

Entry to the Haven cannot be refused, but all movement is regulated by the Port Authority, but the free entry can cause problems with abandoned craft blocking and requiring disposal.

The issue of oil pollution is something which is continually under surveillance and if a problem arises, then decisions must be taken regarding clean up at sea or in the harbour.

The Milford Haven Port Authority is highly advanced in port control, with threequarter-of-a-million pounds worth of the latest techniques. The pilots are highly trained to bring in the liquid gas carriers which are some of the largest in the world, coached into their berths by powerful tugs especially designed for the task.

Summing up, Bill said that the port never stands still, with enormous capacity dealing with over 4,000 ships each year, yet there are still plans for expanding the number of berths, adding two or three more marinas etc. There are lots of opportunities still left to work on.

In offering his vote of thanks, John Wretham, a retired businessman, said how amazed he had been at the enormous amount of industry taking place in the Haven of Milford and the admirable way in which Bill Hirst had described it; each facet, he said, could have been the subject of a talk in its own right.

Len Jones reminded the members that the next speaker would be sent by the Ludlow club, Mr. Colin Kelcey, a retired brain surgeon; venue Nantyffin, date July 30.

Bethesda Baptist Chapel

Services at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Narberth, in the week beginning Sunday, July 12, are as follows:

Morning service takes place at 10.30 am and the evening service at 6 pm. Both services will be taken by Rev. Chris Rees, minister of Bethesda Chapel.

The Bible study and prayer meeting is on Tuesday at 7.15 pm.

A Christian bookstall will be held in the Country Market in Narberth's Queen's Hall on Thursday between 9 am and 12 noon.

All are very welcome to these meetings.

Grace Church

What are you doing on Sunday? You can find all kinds of things to do, I'm sure you don't need anyone to suggest a few. However, first things first. We guarantee that if you give a Sunday morning to come to our 10.30 am morning service, you will be pleasantly surprised. You will find people of all ages, different backgrounds and nationalities meeting as one family.

We will do our best to make it well worth getting up for, to enjoy serious fun, to hear a talk that is Biblical, challenges and is applicable to life today, good music and find new friends. You will be greeted and served by some of the amazing people who are part of Grace.

Come on your own, with friend or family, you are most welcome. Grace meet every Sunday at 10.30 am at the Queen's Hall, Narberth. Coffee is served from 10 am. There is an active programme for children and a crèche when the speaker commences.

Grace have their offices at the Court House, Market Square, Narberth, which also houses the Liberty café.

On Sunday, July 19, Grace Church will meet at the Court House at 10.30 am.

Narberth U3A

The classical music group listened to the music of Ariel Ramírez, an Argentinian musician born in 1921. He was fascinated with the music of the Argentine Creoles, the descendants of peoples both European and Indian. Ramírez used both the language of his country and the musical rhythms of Argentina played by local instruments. He collected over 400 folk songs before studying Classical Music in Europe. In 1964, he composed 'Misa Criolla' one of the first masses in the national idiom.

Some of the music had roots in Patagonia and its harmonies are reminiscent of the Welsh choral tradition. It was the recording by classical tenor José Carreras that has sold millions worldwide that members enjoyed.

David Lloyd George was also a man passionate about the culture of his country. He made his reputation championing the rights of ordinary Welsh folk penalised by harsh poaching laws, unfair rules about burying their dead, and payment of tithes to the Church of England despite the majority being Welsh baptist.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Dave Dando will give a presentation on Lloyd George who provoked controversy both during his life and since.

The Narberth U3A will be holding its July general meeting tomorrow (Saturday) at 10 am in the lounge of Williams Court, Northfield Road in Narberth (with parking in the Bloomfield Centre).

If you are retired from full-time employment, and now have time to take an interest in any of the following: art, music, bridge, geology, history, poetry, novels, tai chi, walking, natural history, gardening, mah-jong, discussing various topical subjects, or luncheon club, then go along to this meeting and meet others with similar interests. Or telephone 862964 or 861019 for more information.

Templeton and Reynalton United Reformed Churches

The united service on Sunday will be held at Templeton United Reformed Church at 6 pm and will be led by Rev. Nanette Lewis-Head, of Pembroke. A warm welcome to all visitors.

Meat Draw

Winners of the Narberth RFC Supporters' Club meat draw this week are as follows: beef - Mike Richards; lamb - Mike Hedlam; pork - John Owen (The Dingle).

The supporters' club raises money each week on behalf of the rugby club through the meat draw. Supporters interested in having a ticket at £1 per ticket, with three chances to win a joint of meat for the weekend, should contact the club steward, Anne Lonsdale, on 860462, or any member of the supporters' committee.

The draw takes place every Friday evening.

     

Annual General Meeting

The annual general meeting of Narberth RFC will be held at the clubhouse on Wednesday, July 15, at 8 pm. 

Narberth Branch RNLI

At a recent meeting of the Narberth branch of the RNLI, held at Plas Hyfryd Country Hotel, Narberth, the treasurer, John Davies, reported that the sum of £402.85 had been raised at the annual summer luncheon.

He also reported that the sum of £25.91 had been collected from the lifeboat collection box at Andrew Rees the butchers.

The committee would like to thank all local businesses and their customers for their generous support.

If collection boxes at other locations need to be emptied, John Davies, the treasurer, can be contacted on (01834) 861115.

Arrangements were made for the barbeque which will be held at Cresswell Quay, on Friday, July 24, by kind permission of Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Cole, of the Cresselly Arms, and for the fund-raising stall at the Narberth Carnival on Saturday, July 25.

Some committee members will be selling RNLI Lottery tickets at the County Show on Thursday, August 20, where the first prize is a brand new Citroen car. More volunteers are needed to assist the members who are available.

Arrangements were also discussed for the Tempus Vocal Group concert at Narberth Rugby Club on Friday, September 11. It was decided to use a cheese and wine evening theme and to sell tickets at £10

Anyone interested in helping the Narberth branch of RNLI in any way can contact the chairman, David Gibbs, on (01834) 860535, the secretary, Mrs. Barbara Wilson, on (01834) 860880, or any member of the committee.

The next meeting of the committee will be held at Plas Hyfryd Hotel on Monday, August 10, at 7.30 pm.

NARBERTH AFC

Once again there was no winner of the Super Lotto (envelopes) on Monday.

Numbers were 3, 13 and 22, while prize was £2,565, which will now roll over to July 20 (Civic Week).

Thanks go to Narberth RFC and all participants.

Members are reminded that the football club's annual general meeting will be held at the Angel Inn on Monday, July 13, at 6 pm, while training is held on the Town Moor every Wednesday at 6 pm.

Winners of the National Lotto draw on Saturday were Mrs. Dorothy John and Mr. David Johns, with number 23.

CHURCH services

Tomorrow (Saturday): Church fete at The Rectory - 2 pm (Church Hall if wet).

Sunday: St. Andrew's - 10 am Sung Eucharist; Wednesday - 10 am Holy Eucharist.

Bangalore Bash

Indian orphanage dinner: On Friday, August 7, there will be an Indian meal at the Court House, Market Square, Narberth, to raise funds for the Moriel Orphanage, just outside Bangalore.

This orphanage is one of the projects that is supported from the Grace world fund.

In addition to the dinner, and leading up to it, will be an auction of promises to raise funds for the orphanage. If you wish to purchase a ticket for the dinner or want further details of the auction, please contact the Liberty café, Court House, Market Square, Narberth, or visit http://www.gracewales.info">www.gracewales.info

Christian Community Church

This Sunday's service will be in Bloomfield House Seminar Room at 10 am. The speaker will be Peter Jackson, the blind pianist from Ammanford. The prayer meeting will be on Tuesday at 3.30 pm. House groups will be on Thursday at 7.30 pm. A warm welcome to all.

Civic Week trophies

Please can all winners of trophies at last year's Narberth Carnival return them to the Contented Sole Chip Shop in Narberth today (July 10).

GLANRHYD BAPTIST CHURCH

This Sunday, the communion service at 10.30 am will be conducted by Mr. Gwynne Davies, of Haverfordwest.