WALKS OVER THE YEARS

Since the Pembroke Ladies' Lifeboat Guild sponsored Walks began in 1992, they have raised some £81,000 for the RNLI.

It is amazing how the appeal of this charity has prompted the generous people of Pembrokeshire, and supporters from further afield, to pledge money to the walkers and runners who have taken part.

The earliest walks owed much to the joint co-operation of the staff at Castlemartin Camp and the Federal German Army.

Those who participated will remember the colourful scenes on the cliffs above St. Govan's Chapel.

The German Army ran a beer tent and barbecue, Pembroke Borough Silver Band played to entertain the crowds, and stalls and raffles enlivened the occasion.

After cheering the walkers and runners off, supporters relaxed at tables with their refreshments, waiting to welcome the participants back.

A number of extra attractions featured at different times.

For several years, a tug-of-war competition drew teams of stalwart young farmers and rugby players to the event.

Wyndham Probert from Monkton and his beautiful horse, Blackie, gave children (and adults) rides in his 'Thomas the Tank Engine' cart. A Leopard tank was brought to the site, for youngsters to admire. A balloon race was arranged. A doughnut-making stall and icecream van added to the fun.

Various celebrities lent their support by coming to start the race, and even taking part. It was all very much a family event, and dogs became an integral part of proceedings when they too arrived with sponsorship forms!

There was a tinge of sadness at the occasion in 1996, because the German Army participated for the last time before leaving the area. Their help and contribution had been of inestimable value to the running of the event, and undoubtedly their refreshments had been one of the major inducements for people to linger on site enjoying the day.

However, the major part of the organisation of the walk itself had been undertaken by Col. Michael Portman, Commandant at Castlemartin, and his staff, in particular RSM Kevin Bradley, who marked and patrolled the route, organised water stations, signposted traffic to the venue and was generally a tower of strength.

In 1997, a different route, around Angle, was arranged as part of the over-all RNLI May March initiative, a countrywide appeal to fund crew life-jackets.

In recognition of his wonderful past support, RSM Bradley was invited to be the guest starter on this occasion. Although this smaller walk did not attract the same crowds as the St. Govan's venue, or yield as much money, it did allow for the Guild to stage another major event two months later, a Splashtacular on Hobbs Point, Pembroke Dock, with a shore-side fair and waterborne activities, in conjunction with Pembroke Haven Yacht Club. This occasion was started by BBC presenter Jamie Owen and was another great success.

For several years, from 1998, the walk was publicised the day beforehand by a boat push. Organised by Malcolm Powell, and involving a group of volunteers, a boat was decorated with bunting and taken from Pembroke to Pembroke Dock, collecting money in buckets en-route.

Local pubs, especially the Railway Inn, Pembroke, and businesses such as Grahams and Jewsons, helped to sponsor the event, which attracted a great deal of attention.

1998 was also the year that the famous 'Jemima' (Yvonne Fox from Fishguard), accompanied by her colourful 'army' of ladies, started the walk by waving an enormous Welsh flag.

A break in the walk calendar occurred in 2001, due to foot and mouth disease (a brunch in Pembroke Castle yielded £1,658.90 instead), and the following year the venue was changed to Newton Tower and the month from June/July to September.

New Castlemartin commandant, Col. Johnny Rogers, proved as supportive as his predecessor, and also ran the eight-mile route on the day, along with the guest of honour, rugby legend J. J. Williams.

The pre-walk attractions also underwent a change, with music provided by the excellent DJ Keith Dixon and the beer tent (affectionately known as 'The Pistol and Pirate') giving way to the ever-popular tearoom. The BBQ remains a feature of the day,

Over the years, the Guild has been extremely fortunate that a number of celebrities and dignitaries have generously given their time free to be the walk starters.

In addition to those already mentioned, these include a former Bishop of St. Davids, Rev. Ivor Rees, media personalities Mal Pope, Brian Harries, Sara Edwards, Abigail Neale, Anna Ryder Richardson and Trevor Fishlock, sports stars Jonathan Thomas and McKelvey the racehorse (with help from his trainers, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Bowen) and RNLI mascot Stormy Stan!

The actual start mechanism has ranged from a lifeboat maroon (very successful until the year when the many dog participants took off in all directions!) to a flag, hunting horn and foghorn.

The £81,000 raised since the walk began has been due to the outstanding efforts of participants, and anyone who collects over £100 in sponsorship has been honoured at a party of thanks afterwards, originally held in Angle Lifeboat House, but now at the Old King's Arms Hotel, Pembroke.

Perhaps many of those reading this will be among that number this year - you will become a part of RNLI fundraising history!

How it all began

Penny Portman, a former chairman of Pembroke Ladies' Lifeboat Guild, and wife of the then commandant at Castlemartin, was instrumental in inaugurating the RNLI sponsored walk and run and here she remembers how it all began.

Michael and I are delighted to be returning to a county we love, and feel very privileged to be invited to start the 20th RNLI Walk at Castlemartin.

We arrived in Pembrokeshire in the autumn of 1991, a place Michael already knew from many holidays with his mother, who was at her happiest in South West Wales and visited the area well into her nineties. I was soon invited to join the Pembroke Ladies' Lifeboat Guild and at my first meeting we discussed the future programme and the need to raise greater funds.

I proposed a sponsored walk, which was met with a certain amount of surprise! Michael had been involved with one in Cyprus, in aid of Muscular Dystrophy, and the route went from the Byzantine Kolossi Castle to a similar Castle in Limmasol. I thought we could do something from Carew Castle to Pembroke Castle, but we soon realised the difficulties involved with traffic control and the protection of participants on busy roads. Instead, Michael suggested a route on the range and we came up with the idea of walking from chapel to chapel; St. Govan's Chapel to Flimston Chapel for a short four-mile walk and back for an eight-mile walk.

Michael discussed the idea with the staff at Castlemartin and The Federal German Army (FGA), who were all very enthusiastic, recognising the benefits given by the RNLI to everyone in the local community and the large number of tourists to the area.

The FGA was instrumental to the running of the event and provided a hugely successful Beer and Bratwurst Tent, adding considerably to the day's financial success.

A prize was given to the child who raised the most money, which was won by Sarah Jones, and she was shown round Angle Lifeboat Station during the presentation of the cheque to the RNLI.

Mr. Phil Thompson, community affairs officer for Texaco, enthusiastically agreed to support the event, as well as other local companies Higgons Well, James Williams (Narberth) and K&M Davies (Milford Haven).

The Pembroke Ladies' Guild worked incredibly hard in the months leading up to the event and some of the stalwarts in those early years are sadly no longer with us - Mrs. Jill Mason (secretary), Mrs. Daphne Russell (treasurer) and Capt Tom Berry, of the Royal Naval Range at Newton. Their spouses live on and hopefully will be with us on the 20th anniversary. The first event was started by The Rev. Ivor Rees, the former Bishop of St. David's, and Emyr Lewis, of Welsh rugby fame.

I was hugely proud to be part of a very active Guild for 10 years three months. We are delighted, if not a little amazed, that the walk continues to this day, despite the economic restraints and the usage changes at Castlemartin. The walk is still making a significant sum of money for what is a unique organisation.

The RNLI not only saves lives, but also gives considerable reassurance to those who work at sea for their livelihood and for those who use the coast for their leisure and pleasure.

A message FROM DAPHNE BUSH, PEMBROKE LADIES' LIFEBOAT GUILD CHAIRMAN

The 20th anniversary Fun Walk and Run, in aid of the RNLI, takes place on Sunday, September 4, at Newton Tower , near St. Govan's on the B4319.

The route goes across the world famous British Army Training Range at Castlemartin.

We would be delighted if everyone who has supported the RNLI in the past, and as many newcomers as possible, could attend.

Sponsor forms are available from Viv on 01646 672168, or Daphne on 01646 681437, and you can run or walk the four or eight mile route set out by the Army - dogs on leads please.

Runners and walkers register from 10.30 onwards, to start at noon. There will be a celebration BBQ, refreshments, souvenirs, music, RNLI Stormy Stan, Pembrokeshire Vintage Tractors, a quiz (result on the day) and more of interest.

The site has parking and toilet facilities. Anyone unable to find sponsors beforehand can still participate, by paying an entry fee of £5 on the day. Certificates are awarded to all who complete the course.

The walk has raised over £81,000 since it first took place in 1992. It has stalwart fundraisers who have participated annually and raised hundreds of pounds for the RNLI.

Mr Franz Klau, well-known in the local area since serving at Castlemartin with the German Army, has run the eight mile route every year, so 2011 will see him recording some 150 miles running for the RNLI. Franz is sponsored by his colleagues and employer Murco; in 2010 he raised £1,600.

Jennie McIntosh, vice-president of Pembroke Ladies' Guild, has rarely missed a walk and was at the first with her dog Shadow - they were both sponsored. Jennie has walked the eight-mile course with all her dogs; the idea of sponsored dogs with their owners continues and is very popular.

Grateful thanks are due to all the other loyal participants, too numerous name here, who turn out faithfully year after year to walk and show their support.

We have also been fortunate in attracting groups from Sea Cadets, Brownies, Guides, Cubs and schools over the years. Mr. and Mrs. Cardy, from the Pembroke Dock Sea Cubs Group, have walked annually with each year's cubs in their charge, all of whom are sponsored. They have raised hundreds every year and this year are walking for us at their summer camp in Goodwick, as they don't want to miss boosting our 20th anniversary walk funds. Our grateful thanks to all the groups and their leaders.

The British Army's commitment and assistance with this RNLI event is invaluable and gives our loyal supporters and Pembroke Guild fundraisers a unique opportunity to enjoyably boost funds for this essential, free, 24/7 rescue service.

In addition, the seasonal RNLI lifeguards are now operational on 28 beaches in Wales, 13 being in Pembrokeshire.

We ask for your support at the 20th anniversary walk and look forward to welcoming you.