PEMBROKE & Monkton Local History Society will be starting off 2018 with a New Year's get-together at Monkton Church Hall on Saturday morning, January 6, from 10.30am, with coffee, cakes and a chat from 10am.

Society chairman Linda Asman said: “2018 is an important year of commemoration, marking the centenary of the end of World War One. I shall be introducing a community project which I am hoping all will support. “If you have any information/ stories relating to this time in history, please share them with us and we will have scanners at the ready should you have photographs.

“2018 has also been designated Year of the Sea – David James will introduce this and will be looking in particular at the Pembroke/Japanese connection and talking about his efforts to restore the Japanese graves in Angle Churchyard. “David has also just published a book ‘Ye Mary Fortune’, the story of building his replica of the Newport ship which is displayed in Pembroke Museum. Copies of the book will be available should you wish to purchase a signed copy.

“We will follow this with a joint event with West Wales Maritime Society in Pembroke Town Hall on Saturday February 3 at 10am when Ted Goddard will be talking about the ‘Early Years of the Dockyard’ and David James on ‘Memories of the Warrior’.

“We are hoping for contributions to this so come along and share your memories and photographs if you have any. There will be a coffee break in between talks.”

Both events are free.

The Society also has a quiz night and buffet on January 19 at Monkton Church Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets at the door cost £4, which includes the meal. Bring your own bottle if you wish.