SPEAKER at Narberth and District Probus Club’s recent meeting was John Evans of the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre.

John was brought up in the Rhos and joined the editorial staff at the Western Telegraph after leaving Haverfordwest Grammar School. One of his colleagues at the Telegraph was David Thomas, currently president of Narberth Probus Club. John spent his time between the Telegraph and the National Parks Communications service and edited the first 17 years of the Park's 'Coast to Coast' visitor newspaper,

In 1979, John moved to Pembroke Dock and became interested in the Pembroke Dock Heritage Trust - of which he is now a patron. He was awarded a BEM in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2014 for his contribution to Pembroke Dock's military history.

He specialises in researching the story of RAF Pembroke Dock and has so far written 11 books - with more to come! It is fair to say he is the country’s top expert on Sunderland flying boats and the role they played at Pembroke Dock. John has is enjoying a very busy retirement back in the Rhos with his wife Christine.

In his talk, John told the fascinating story of the magnificent, stained windows on display at the Heritage Centre.

During World War II the current heritage building was the RAF Pembroke Dock Station Church and in 1945 a magnificent stained glass window was unveiled “in memory of the officers and men who gave their lives whilst serving on this station in the cause of freedom 1939 – 1945.” Unfortunately, when RAF Pembroke Dock closed in 1948 the window was removed to RAF Mountbatten, Plymouth and then to the RAF Museum in London. In 1995, since the RAF refused to return the original window, and after sufficient funds had been raised locally, a replica window was unveiled at the fifth Pembroke Dock Flying Boat Reunion. But the longstanding campaign to have the original window returned bore fruit when the RAF relented and agreed to return the original window. It was unveiled by the Princess Royal in 2025.

The Club’s next meeting will take place on Thursday, May 28 at the Old Board School, St Clears when the speaker will be Dr Peter Claughton. He will speak about ‘Coal, Ore and Stone. Coastal Trade in Minerals in Wales and the Southwest’.

Anyone who would like to join Narberth and District Probus Club is invited to call Patrick Jones on 07846 660904.