We began our autumn programme last Friday, and what a good beginning!

Popular local character Reg Williams spoke to a packed Church Hall about his long career as a local postman in a talk entitled '50 Years a Pembroke Postman'.

Reg was in good form as he recounted his memories of leaving school at 14 and getting a temporary job as a telegram boy, a job for a fortnight in 1945, but which he actually left in 1995, 50 years later!

Reg's talk was interspersed with amusing anecdotes which caused great hilarity amongst the audience, illustrated with photographs which followed his career from his early days as a telegram boy.

During his long career, he experienced great change not only in the Post Office, but in the role of the postman.

He began delivering the mail on a pushbike, graduated to a motorbike and then to a van.

Reg also looked back to a time when the postman was an important figure in the rural community, delivering not only mail, but newspapers, collecting prescriptions, radio accumulators and generally helping out. How things have changed!

As chairman, I was able to congratulate Reg on a hugely entertaining talk which made for a enjoyable evening.

Afterwards, there was plenty of time for questions and a chat over coffee and biscuits.

Our next event is on Saturday, October 1, when we resume our local history coffee mornings at Monkton Priory Church Hall 10.30 am - 1 pm.

We try to do something a little different at each of these occasions: this time we are attempting to put together a display of photographs and memories on the theme of 'entertainment in times past'.

Anyone who has any photographs to contribute, please bring them along.

We are building an archive of old photographs on different aspects of life in Pembroke and Monkton and it is only by the participation of the community that we are able to do this. But if you just want to come along for a coffee and a chat in a friendly atmosphere, come anyway!

Linda Asman