PEMBROKE and Monkton Local History Society will hold its next Coffee Morning and Talk on Saturday April 11. The talk, by Rose Blackburn BEM, is titled ‘Romancing the Stone: stories behind personal adornment through the ages’.

Rose is a familiar figure in Pembroke, having been Town Crier for so many years: for this and for her considerable community work she was awarded the BEM. What many do not know, however, is that Rose is a Fellow of the Gemmological Association. During her stay in South Africa, she learned to cut stones as a hobby, but on returning to the UK she gained qualifications at Goldsmith's Hall, London and started her own jewellery business.

In her entertaining talk, interspersed with anecdotes, Rose will take a look at the lesser known facts about stones; about their various uses, good or bad.

Doors open at 10am for Coffee followed by the Talk at 11am. Open also for the event will be Pembroke Museum and Council Chamber, which are situated on the first floor of the Town Hall. A lift is available for disabled access. Following the Easter holiday, Pembroke Museum’s opening hours will be extended : Monday to Thursday, 10am –3pm and Friday, 10am to 1pm. Entry is free.

Also in April the society hosts a Quiz Night on Friday evening April 24 in Pembroke Town Hall. Tickets, available at the door, cost £5 and this includes a buffet. Coffee is included but attendees can bring their own bottle if they wish. Doors open at 6.30 for a 7pm start.

For more information, visit www.pembrokeandmonktonhistory.org.uk and keep up to date with the society on Facebook.

Contact [email protected] for any queries.