A double celebration takes place in the village of St. Twynnells on Sunday (July 25) with St. Gwynog’s Church reopening with its first service in 16 months taking place at 11.15 am

Also, at long last, the newly renovated St Twynnells and District Social Centre, probably better known as the Village Hall, will be officially re-opened in the afternoon.

The hall will be open between 2 and 5 pm for viewing for anyone with an interest in seeing the hall and its renovations. Revd Josh Maynard will be there to make the opening official between 3 and 3.30pm.

The hall has had a major refurbishment – new roof; new wider entrance; upgraded facilities in the kitchen and toilets and a beautiful new floor.

The village was fortunate in acquiring the use of the building in May 1945 when it was decommissioned by the RAF who had used it as part of a radar station during the Second World War.

The late Reverend Raymond Ball, together with his late wife Pauline, kept the Social Centre going for the district for over 50 years.

Pauline continued to run the Centre after Raymond’s passing and only in the past few years gave it up due to poor health. She would have been so very pleased to see the hall today.

The plans to open the hall in May last year, which would have been the 75th anniversary of the Social Centre’s formation, had to be scrapped due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The hall is a valuable asset to the Castlemartin Peninsula and is now available for hire. Already two Yoga exercise classes per week are being held at the hall and both Bosherston and Hundleton Women’s Institutes have held their meetings there. The fact that the hall has good parking space and access makes it a very convenient venue.

There are plans for other activities such as short mat bowling, film shows, darts nights and art classes. Maybe some one might like to run a children’s club?

The Social Centre Committee members are extremely grateful for funding for the renovations from - The National Lottery Community Fund; the Peggy and Molly Thomas Charitable Trust; Pembrokeshire County Council; Wales Training Estate, Castlemartin Range; all the people who donated through the Calor Rural Community Fund; Mr. and Mrs. Fergie Mount; RWE Npower Pembroke Power Station and all our friends, neighbours and supporters who contributed both financially and practically.

During the afternoon’s celebrations members and friends of the village will be taking the opportunity to remember old friends from St Twynnells who have passed away during the pandemic namely - Mrs. Pauline Ball, Iris Gough, Billy Hughes and Pat Bassett.

So, friends, please go along to support the Hall and Church on Sunday and see for yourself what a great hall there is now and for the future. If the weather is good, bring a picnic to enjoy outside.