PEMBROKE Dock residents aged 50+ have been busy making new friends thanks to this year’s bicentenary celebrations.

Pembroke Dock’s befriending craft group was formed last year by Age Concern Pembrokeshire’s West Wales Befriending Links service in partnership with the town’s Encompass Group.

This month, the group completed a very colourful handcrafted textile collage of the town’s places and memories over the last 200 years.

Each member produced a square of fabric using sewing, crochet, knitting, canvas, felt and other crafty techniques.

Group member Sylvia Smith, aged 72, said: “This has been a lovely group and we’ve all worked well together, and I feel I’ve had extra support when I’ve needed it.

“The collage has turned out really well and been a great achievement. It’s taken us a year - I feel very proud.”

The collage will be displayed at various venues across the town.

Local Befriending Links co-ordinator Helen Bussell said: “Age Concern Pembrokeshire regularly gets calls from older people who want to meet like minded people in their community.

“West Wales Befriending Links service is creating lots of new activity groups across the county as well as work to highlight the need of existing groups, and will help to overcome the feeling of loneliness and isolation.”

Bicentenary Group coordinator Martin Cavaney added: “We are delighted with the colourful banner that the group has produced and look forward to seeing it on display at events during the year.”

For more information on the group contact Helen Bussell on 01437 769972.