Monkton Crafty Ladies

The group was set up around March 2009 and continue to meet twice weekly at the Communities First Resource Centre in Monkton.  Encouragement came from Llanion's Encompass Group who attended the first session to explain how they run their group and what their aims are. The first meeting in Monkton saw 8 residents attending, and it became clear that the social and friendship aspect of the Club was to be very important to the members.

The purpose of the group was for local residents with similar hobbies to get together for a couple of hours each week doing the things they enjoy best. Monkton Communities First was able to work with Helen Bussell of Prime Cymru to help form the group. To get them going, members of the Encompass Group kindly donated knitting patterns, needles and a knitting bag to the Monkton Club.

In the last few months the group have been extremely busy, meeting on Mondays and Fridays between 1.30pm and 3.30pm at the Communities First Resource Centre.  Recently, they went on a free trip with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park to St Davids' new visitor centre, 'Oriel Y Parc'. The visit incorporated a tour of the new gallery at the centre followed by a few hours discovering what St Davids had to offer. The trip was organised in conjunction with Prime Cymru and Llanion's CANDo Activities Club.

The Monkton Crafty Ladies are now working hard planning for the upcoming Monkton Flower Festival in July.  They are making a flower display based on 'Nazareth'. Other trips are planned, and they are also looking forward to running some craft activities at the Monkton Horticultural Show and Village Fayre on 15th August.

Aberglasney Gateway Garden Trip

On 11th May 17 community members enjoyed a trip to Aberglasney Gardens courtesy of the Gateway Garden Trust, and accompanied by members of the Monkton Communities First Team. The trip involved digital story-recording and a talk on the gardens and how they came to be. The project has been funded by Age COncern's Gwanwyn Festival, a festival of events organised to encourage creativity and culture for mature people. Everyone who attended had a lovely time and the weather was perfect for such an event. The trip follows on from a visit to Slebech Gardens which Monkton's Steps2Health walker group went on in March, and it is hoped that Communities First will work with the Gateway Garden Trust again in the future.

M&M's Mystery Tour

On April 28th 2009 members of the Monkton Communities First Team assisted the M&M Community Club on a mystery tour, which gave the ggroup the opportunity to do something different, and COmmunities First the chance to get to know the group better. Members of the group were delighted with the tour, which took a scenic route around North Pembrokeshire.

On leaving Monkton, the group travelled throught the Preseli Hills and on to the standing stoned at Pentre Ifan at Nevern. Travel continued to Newport beach and then on to Goodwick parrog for a lovely lunch prepared by Michelle and Maggie, the group leaders. Next was a visit to the Last Invasion Tapestry at FIshguard Town Hall, then on to St Davids and a further stop in SOlva before travelling back to MOnkton. Communities First provided interesting facts on each of the areas of interest and held a quiz on the leg home. The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part.

M&M's Community Group pictured with Liz Cook from Monkton Communities First

Monkton's 'Active Community' Section

Half-Term Visit to Colby Woodland Garden

The Tuesday of half-term members of Monkton's Youth Club went on a Woodland Adventure Trip to Colby Woodland Garden on invitation from Pembrokeshire Coast National Park who organised the event.  The weather was lovely and the gardens were stunning in all their Autumn glory.  After a woodland ramble where the young people learned how to identify trees, nuts and seeds, the young people learned how to make fat balls for wild birds. To round the day off they took part in activities before heading back home to Monkton in the late afternoon. Many thanks to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park for extending the invitation to the Youth Club.

Half-Term Rounders Tournament

Over 50 parents and young people had a fabulous time recently in Monkton when they took part in an Open Rounders Tournament organised by the Monkton Children and Young People's Action Group.

The tournament took place on the Village Green in front of the Community Centre. Members of the Action Group taking part included the Neighbourhood Policing Team, Pembrokeshire County Council's Youth and Play Service and MY Voice Forum members. Free refreshments were provided for all afterwards courtesy fo Tesco and the Co-operative Group and everyone received a Certificate for taking part.  The winning team members who all came from Monkton received a prize.  A big thank you to everyone who took part and supported the event in any way including the Community Centre Committee who donated the hall for free for the event and to Maggie from M&M's Community Club who did the catering.  It is hoped that more events will be planned for future holiday periods.

Monkton Communities First

Cymunedau yn Gyntaf Cilmaen