GLANRHYD BAPTIST CHURCH

This Sunday, the communion service at 10.30 am will be conducted by Mr. John O'Neil, of Pembroke.

Bethesda Baptist Chapel

Services at Bethesda Baptist Chapel, Narberth, are as follows:

Church anniversary meetings will take place on Sunday, when Mr. Stephen Jarvis from Aberdare will be taking the morning service at 10.30 am and the evening service at 6 pm. Sunday School starts at 10.15 am.

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

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.

Cricket Club

Winners of the National Lottery bonus ball draw organised by the ladies committee of Narberth Cricket Club this week were: Group A - Albert Smith; Group B - no winner.

CHURCH services

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

Christian Community Church

This Sunday's service will be in Bloomfield House Seminar Room at 10 am. The speaker will be Bo Pawluk from Llechryd. House groups will meet on Thursday at 7.30 pm. A warm welcome to all.

Baptist Fellowship

Most people have heard that hoary old tale about the traveller asking directions deep in the Irish countryside, only to be told by an elderly resident:

"Ah, but if I was going to Dublin I wouldn't start from here!"

Well times change, roads alter and new methods of transport replace the old. The destination remains the same, but the limitations posed in the directions of 50 years ago are no longer valid.

The book of Acts in chapters 6 and 7 records the clash between committed but out of touch traditionalists and a wise and able deacon of the early church.

Stephen preached the Good News of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. He showed how the promises of God had come to fruition in the Lord's life, death, and resurrection, and how the simple acknowledgement of one's need could lead to forgiveness and a fresh start for anyone who believed.

The traditionalists refused to listen. Moreover, they didn't want anyone else to listen either, so they dragged Stephen before their religious authorities and eventually stoned him to death.

But not before he had given a spirited defence of his faith. Answering every one of the false charges against him, he clearly showed the hypocrisy of his accusers. Using their own teachings, he pointed out their preference for form rather than function and their essential failure to practice what they preached.

Many religious people today offer a complicated path to a better life. Maybe the way of salvation is as simple as it has ever been, but merely obscured by centuries of tradition. Perhaps it is not a new route or a new means of transport that make the difference, but a closer look at the old map.

Maybe we can start from here after all.

Narberth Baptist Fellowship meets every Sunday at 6.30, at Pant y Gorphwys Farm House, just south of the A40 Penblewin Roundabout. All are welcome.

NARBERTH PROBUS CLUB

Local history is always a great favourite with the members of the Narberth and District Probus Club and especially when it concerns an aspect with which they are not familiar. So it was at the August meeting when Dr. Murfin came to speak upon the subject of the construction of naval cruisers in Milford Haven.

Introducing Dr. David Murfin, the president, Len Jones said that Dr. Murfin studied physics at Manchester University before going onto work for the British Ceramic Research Association in Stoke-on-Trent where he gained his PhD in heat transfer. Holding the post of head of information for 25 years, Dr. Murfin left BCRA to train as a Methodist minister, serving in Stoke and Stafford for 12 years, before retiring to live in Camrose. His interest in warships goes back to his teenage years.

Giving a title to his talk, Dr. Murfin said he would call it 'Protecting the Trade,' the story of naval shipbuilding in Pembroke Dock. Setting the scene between 1870 and 1920, Dr. Murfin said that the period was one of intense activity building cruisers to protect the commerce of Britain which owned the largest merchant navy in the world - over a million tons of merchant shipping, twice that of Germany and America together. British built and crewed ships kept the world in trade and the Royal Navy was given the enormous task of protecting it.

Wooden cruisers with armoured protection began to outclass the all wooden walls and these in turn were succeeded by steel ships, the first of which were built in Pembroke Dock. HMS Iris was the first of these built in 1874 and had twin screws in place of a single propeller. Iris had a top speed of 18 knots and performed the task of despatch ship until finally ending her days as a training ship. HMS Iris became the prototype of cruiser design up to 1939. Her sister ship was HMS Mercury, but in both cases were built without armoured decks.

Pembroke Dock became a centre of innovation for the building of cruisers and as gun power increased, so the armour became more sophisticated and the cruisers formidable gun platforms. Protected cruisers with side and top armour became the norm.

Amongst the famous class of battleships built at Pembroke Dock were the Diadem class, 1100 tons, 1880-1890. HMS Drake 14,000 tons, with face hardened steel plate six inches thick, but lighter, allowing for greater speed. In the 1890s, cruisers with guns in casemates down the side of the ship, with heavy guns for and aft, giving all round firepower.

During the reign of Queen Victoria, three Royal Yachts were built in Pembroke Dock.

From the 1900s on, Pembroke Dock was hard at work building cruisers, innovating, experimenting and building cruisers for particular tasks. A whole class of light cruiser came out of Pembroke Dock. HMS Nottingham saw action at Jutland and the Heligoland Bight. C Class cruisers were used for scouting ahead of the grand fleet.

In all, said Dr. Murfin, the Royal Navy, and indeed the country as a whole, owe much to the men of Pembroke Dock who built the ships that helped to keep our sea lanes open in two world wars.

Offering a vote of thanks on behalf of the members, John Wretham, a retired businessman, said how impressed he had been with Dr. Murfin's knowledge of such a fascinating story of industry and development in shipbuilding at a dockyard not a million miles away. He was sure, he said, that the members had for the most part been astounded at what had been going on almost at their feet; it is astounding that so little has been made of this wonderful local story.

Len Jones, president, after thanking Dr. Murfin for coming to talk to members, reminded everyone present that the next meeting would be a ladies' lunch at Nantyffin Motel on September 24, noon for 12.30 pm.

Rugby Fixtures

Tomorrow (Saturday),, Narberth are home to Felinfoel in Division One West of the SWALEC Welsh National League. Kick-off will be at 2.30 pm and there will be free ground admission for children under 16.

The Folly Farm Balcony Suite match sponsors are the Charity Team and the Otters' Holt match sponsors are the Thompsons, Solicitors of Cardiff

The match ball sponsors are Tom Mainwaring, Narberth Former Players' Association and Graham Searle.

Further details of sponsorship can be obtained from sponsorship officer Brian Murray on (01834) 891534 or club secretary Mark Rhys-Owens on (01834) 861928.

Hot drinks and light refreshments, including delicious home-made soup, burgers and hot dogs, will be available from the food hut in the car park and a full range of club clothing, personalised gifts and other merchandise can be obtained from the well-stocked club shop.

Supporters are advised to park cars in parking areas outside the ground and to avoid obstructing exit from and entry to the Fire Station.

The popular 'Open the Box Draw' will take place after the post-match presentation ceremonies. Winner of the initial draw for £25 will have the opportunity to choose a key to open the box for the jackpot prize.

On the same day, Narberth Athletic are home to Felinfoel in the Carmarthen Tyre Services Championship West Wales Premier League. Kick-off is at 2.30 pm and Narberth Youth are home to Llangwm Youth. Kick-off is also at 2.30 pm.

STEPS2HEALTH

The Narberth Steps2Health group recently held their annual summer outing.

Mr. Paul Morris led the walk, which was around Milford Haven and along beautiful paths overlooking the estuary. Thankfully the weather was nice and dry.

Twenty-six walkers then enjoyed a fabulous meal in Martha's Vineyard, served by friendly and efficient staff.

Well done to Keith for achieving his badge for 10 walks.

Please note, the new time for departure is 10 am by the bus shelter, so why not turn up and join in.

Meat Draw

Winners of the Narberth RFC Supporters' Club meat draw this week are as follows: beef - Meurig Jones; lamb -Meurig Thomas; pork - Pat Lupton.

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 (01834) 860462, or any member of the supporters' committee.

The draw takes place every Friday evening.

Templeton and Reynalton United Reformed Churches

The United Service on Sunday will be held at Templeton United Reformed Church at 6.30 pm and will be led by Rev. Llunos Gordon, of Maenclochog. We extend a warm welcome to all visitors.

Narberth U3A

U3A is picking up after the quieter pace of the summer (writes Dave Dando).

The computer users' group continued to investigate spreadsheets which have enormous use although they do tend to turn us into hoarders of data.

Information also has the capacity to fly across the globe promoting a global economy where many corporations are more powerful than countries.

The spreadsheet is amoral which is possibly why the economy ended up in such a recent mess. Without the rule of law and moral judgement the laissez faire spreadsheet can hurt people. I can think of no better reason for U3A members to find out more about it.

Classical music spent the afternoon with Johann Sebastian Bach. He was a giant of the Baroque era who did not use spreadsheets and was not in touch with global information. His life and career were confined to a small part of Germany, south of Hamburg, north of Carlsbad, west of Dresden, and east of Kassel. He tried to meet Handel, but failed, and only since his death has his music become one the great achievements of mankind.

The walking group tend to roam even smaller distances than Bach but they do get to know Pembrokeshire. Likely to be found along the coastal path or negotiating an especially tricky stile in a muddy field. They usually tramp about eight miles with the motto the muddier the merrier.

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

There will be a talk by John Whittaker on some of the historical escapades at Milford Haven.

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 topical subjects, or luncheon club, then attend this meeting or telephone 862964 or 860152 for more information.

Landsker

Quilters

Landsker Quilters meet every Monday evening at 7 pm in the Jackson room, at Bloomfield Community Centre.

They are a group of patchworkers and quilters who get together for a chat, support and help, also workshops.

For further information, see Margaret at Inhouse Quilting, Narberth.

A warm welcome is extended to new members.

Grace Church

Grace church family service was wonderful. The power of testimony. People sharing, one after another, after another, after another, a story of their life. Challenges, heartaches, blessings, those who had come to faith over 50 years ago and those in recent times. People who became believers in childhood, teenage years, many as adults but all still firm in their faith. Builders, doctors, social workers, students and unemployed, from a variety of backgrounds, yet unified in the purpose of life.

Paul and Pearl Dando - senior pastors of Grace - shared their story: Life is not fair, but God is good, there is a place called forward and we cannot all be clever, but we can all be kind.

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. There is an active programme for children and a crèche when the speaker commences.

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

Grace church meet on Sundays in the main hall of Queen's Hall, Narberth, with coffee served from 10 am. Paul Dando is the senior pastor of Grace, and a member of the Ground Level ministry team.