Fishguard Show - 6th August 2010

We pride ourselves in having a strong relationship within our local town and rural community.  You can come and visit us on our Trade Stand at the Fishguard Show every August - a warm welcome awaits you there. The Show is regarded by many as the best small, one day agricultural Show in Wales. It has classes for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and horses, cookery demonstrations, horticultural and vintage machinery displays.

Pembrokeshire County Show - 17th, 18th & 19th August 2010

The Pembrokeshire County Show is Wales' biggest 3 day show with nearly 100,000 visitors.  NFU Mutual is present at the show every year and are proud supporters of the Pembrokeshire Agricultural Society. We always enjoy the show because it gives us the chance to chat to customers over a
cup of tea and biscuit. Our stand is situated near the cattle ring, so if you have any questions about the services we can offer you, or you just need somewhere to shelter from the rain - a warm welcome awaits you at the NFU mutual stand.

Martletwy & District YFC Show - 25th August 2010

This small, local, agricultural show is held on the last Wednesday in August at The Downs, Cresselly. The standard of this show is high with classes for cattle, sheep, craft and horticulture. Come and see us on the NFU Mutual stand and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a chat.

The Agents and Staff at Crymych, Fishguard and Narberth in 2010 completed a Coast to Coast and North to South (Pembrokeshire) Challenge.  The purpose of the challenge was to raise money for three charities, The Chemotherapy Day Unit at Withybush Hospital where one of our staff team is receiving treatment, the NFU Mutual's chosen charity, Make-a-Wish Foundation and The Stroke Association the chosen charity of NFU Cymru.  A total in excess of £7,500 was raised which was divided equally between the three charities.

Here is a short diary on the extremely successful, though demanding adventure  A total of 52 miles were covered by the team who walked from Cemaes Head to St. Govan's Head.

"We embarked on our cross-country mission, made up of mainly public footpaths from Cemaes Head on the blustery Friday morning.  Our team of eleven set off in good spirit equipped for all weathers, with walking sticks and enough food to feed an army! Following the coastal path as far as Ceibwr, we turned inland venturing through Moylegrove, Bayvil and Felindre Farchog, continuing up the mountain through Pentre Ifan and Brynberian.  The final descent of Friday was across the ridge of the Preseli Mountains, leading us into Rosebush where we called it a day after 17 miles on our feet and retired to the Tafarn Sinc.

On Saturday twelve of us met with bright eyes and bushy tails for day 2 of the challenge.  We left Rosebush walking along country roads to Posty Woods where we crossed the river into Ffynnongain.  We resumed through Bletherston and Whitook as far as Gelli Bridge.  The path then took us through Gelli Woods and out to Llawhaden Church where we followed the curve of the Eastern Cleddau River as far as Canaston Bridge.  After crossing the A40 we climbed up through Canaston Woods, continuing to Blackpool Mill, Cott Lane, Landshipping, Martletwy and Yersbeston.

 Finally, after walking a long 20 miles we arrived in Creswell Quay.

"Sunday morning was somewhat a difficult start but spirits remained high as the end was nigh.  We all congregated in Creswell Quay and the walking began.  Our route followed cross-country paths through Carew, bypassing the Castle.  We came out in Carew Cheriton where we crossed the A477. From here we continued through Hodgeston, along the Ridgeway and down to Freshwater East. There, we joined the Coastal Path and walked up and down the cliff tops of nearby Stackpole Quay, Barafundle Bay and Bosherston.  The final stretch of our challenge was across the sand dunes at Broad Haven South, all the way to St. Govans Head.  After the last 15 mile leg, our 52 mile mission was finally complete.

"A huge thank you all for your enthusiasm and encouragement and your kind donations."

The English name 'Fishguard' demonstrates the towns' connection with the sea.  It is therefore not surprising that sea fishing and the port are the principal industrial activities in this town. Fishguard Harbour opened in 1906 and today is used by ferry passengers to Ireland.  It is also well known for herring fishing.

The picturesque harbour at Lower Town has been the setting of several films including Dylan Thomas's 'Under Milkwood,' whilst 'Moby Dick' was set in the old Fishguard Harbour.  Fishguard has also acquired a reputation as a result of Hugh Pugh, a comic character in the Welsh TV series 'Barry Welsh is Coming.'

Notable famous people who have connections with Fishguard include Cerys Matthews who attended Fishguard High School, retired football player Mark Delaney and Welsh writer D J Williams.

The area is famous as the location of 'the last invasion of Britain' when in 1797 French troops landed nearby.  Local heroine, Jemima Nicholas captured many of the invaders single handed and the Frenchmen later negotiated their surrender at the Royal Oak Inn, when they laid down their arms on Goodwick Sands.  The invasion is commemorated by an imposing and internationally famous tapestry which is on display at the Last Invasion Gallery in the Town Hall.

Fishguard is a fascinating holiday destination and a perfect base to explore Pembrokeshire. As the latest edition of the Lonely Planet guide says about Fishguard, "Stop awhile and you'll discover a hilly little town with a cute harbour and intriguing history."