Community
Milford Haven WI
AS THE YEAR draws to a close, Milford Haven WI have had another excellent busy 6 months with a summer outing to the Childrens’ Museum and Gwaun Valley Brewery. In July a very enjoyable day was had by all when they received the WI Centenary Baton from Dale WI, the president was seen off by members on the docks dressed as ‘sailors’ as she sailed off to hand the baton over at Burton.
Later all members of the Cleddau Group joined together, in Edwardian dress, for afternoon tea then finished the whole day off in style at the Jolly Sailor where the baton was handed over to Pembroke. The successful Royal Welsh team once again displayed their talents at the Nantyffin Hotel where the baton was handed over to Carmarthenshire Federation.
The Institute resumed in September to another full programme starting with an interesting tasting Quiz on Food arranged by Pat Greeen , most interesting and enjoyable talk by Mr Edward Perkins on the History of Milford Haven. Six members attended Denman College in Oxford with Pembrokeshire Federation doing cooking and patchwork quilts.
We had a very successful and enjoyable Charity Night in October with a demonstration by Leah Humphries on how to make Cake Pops with Christmas in mind. We are delighted to have raised £401.00 through ticket sales, raffle and members donating their proceeds from selling their homemade crafts and preserves.
The following week was the Harvest Supper where committee members did themselves proud with an amazing array of food. The first meeting in November Sharon Mason showed us how to make Christmas Crackers which we all enjoyed. Our Secretary Liz Bearne laid the Wreath on Remembrance Day on behalf of the Institute.
November was the AGM where the Secretary Liz Bearne gave the annual report, Treasurer Marie Jelly presented her report and President Pat James thanked the Committee for their hard work and support throughout her first year, she also thanked the Institute for their support and to remember past members and families who had lost loved ones this year.
The following were elected on the Committee: Pat James President, Pat Green Vice President, Liz Bearne Secretary, Marie Jelly Treasurer, Catering Moira Jenkins and Margaret Kelly, Raffles/ Door Karen Davies, Programme Jill Moir and Charman Gainfort Trips. There followed presentations to Diane Woodham for the Craft Shield , Marie Jelly for the most competitions won over the year, Karen Davies for the ‘the Extra Mile Trophy, which was voted for by all members.
The President presented the cheque for £401 to members of the Talking Mercury, the Institutes charity of 2014. Mrs Pam Davies, Mrs Alvis Warrington, Mrs Pat Farrar and Mrs Liz Bearne The evening ended with an amazing raffle by Karen Davies, mince pies and mulled wine by the committee. The next meeting is the Christmas Dinner when the institute will break until January 7 when new members are very welcome.
Community
Mayor of Bergen visits Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre
IT was a Mayoral gathering when the Burgermeisterin of Bergen, in Germany, paid a visit to Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre in the company of Councillor Aden Brinn, the Mayor of Bergen’s twin town, Pembroke.
There to meet Burgermeisterin Claudia Dettmar-Muller and her colleague Silvia Bothe were two former Mayors of Pembroke Dock, Councillors Pam George and Maureen Colgan, and trustees and volunteers who run the Centre. Joining them was Pembroke’s Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ann Mortenson.
Trustee Peter Mitchell and colleagues gave a guided town of the Centre which has extensive displays on Pembroke Dock’s rich maritime and military history spanning just over two centuries, and its connections with RAF flying boats.
Pic By Martin Cavaney.
Community
Wonderful night at Haverfordwest Library for special Poet Laureate event
HAVERFORDWEST Library was delighted to be part of the prestigious Poet Laureate Library Tour for 2024 with a special event on Friday, March 8.
Pembrokeshire County Council Chairman, Cllr Thomas Tudor extended a special welcome to the guests of honour: Poet Laureate Simon Armitage; his guests Owen Sheers and Bethany Handley; plus the winners of the recent library Poetry Competition.
The poetry began with writer, poet and disabled activist, Bethany Handley. Bethany campaigns for better access to nature for disabled people, and her work explores nature and disability, challenging the barriers that disabled people experience.
Bethany’s first poem was heartfelt and humorous about her experience of visiting a beach in her wheelchair. Her final poem also drew on her experiences, being a compilation poem of many well-intentioned, yet impractical or inappropriate, advice that she has received as a wheelchair user.
Owen Sheers is an award winning Welsh poet, author and playwright. He has twice won the Wales Book of the Year as well as the Hay Festival Poetry Medal.
His film-poem, the Green Hollow, about the Aberfan disaster, was BAFTA and Grierson nominated and won three BAFTA Cymru awards, including best writer.
Owen read an extract from the Green Hollow, bringing the horror of the disaster to life. He also read poems about parenthood and his experiences as a son and as a father.
The Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, is the recipient of numerous prizes and awards, including the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry.
Simon launched into a poem about humanity, the universe and working as one. He then used his back catalogue of poems written for music. His poems covered some unusually random themes, particularly those he crafted during the Covid pandemic.
He said that he’d even written a poem inspired by a Velux window and read a beautiful poem about laying in a hammock watching a pair of newly-weds sail overhead in a hot air balloon.
His performances were engaging, humorous and moving and he brought the words to life.
Simon also spoke warmly about the importance of libraries as a child but also as an adult travelling about the country, with libraries always offering a warm welcome.
Ashok Ahir, President of the National Library of Wales thanked the three poets and introduced the new exhibition in the gallery, Dylan: The Lyrical Life of Dylan Thomas.
The exhibition is open to the public until 14th September 2024. Further information can be seen online.
The event drew to a close as Cllr Tudor issued the prizes to the winners of the recent poetry eisteddfod competition. The competition celebrated the language, culture, heritage and literature of Wales.
The theme was Dylan Thomas. Entries could draw inspiration from any of his works or seek inspiration from a specific quote: “from where you are, you can hear their dreams”.
Entries received were of a high standard and were judged by Wendy Morse (leader of the Haverfordwest Library Poetry Group, who would welcome new members, contact Haverfordwest Library for more information); representatives from the Library staff and the National Library of Wales staff. The poems will be on display at Haverfordwest Library until the end of the Easter Holidays.
Prizes have been awarded to:
• Sian Davies: Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, adult written poem category
• James Purchase: I Shall go Gentle into that Good Night, adult written poem category
• Philippa Davies: Dylan is in the Library, adult spoken word category
• Tony Potts: Windfall, adult illustrated poem category
• John Matthews: Dylan Cwmdonkin, adult Welsh language category
• Ellie McGrath: It was all a Dream, 11-14 age category
• Skye-Lea Jones: Are you Listening?,11-14 age category
Thanks to the judges of the poetry competition and to Faber & Faber, who donated the book prizes in support of the Poet Laureate’s Library Tour.
Cllr Thomas Tudor said: “The Riverside opened its doors in December 2018 and has enjoyed many fascinating exhibitions since thanks to the continued partnership with the National Library of Wales.
“The Riverside was one of just six libraries to host this Poet Laureate Library Tour for 2024.
“It is a fantastic achievement for Haverfordwest Library to be a part of these significant events, helping to raise the profile and regeneration of the County Town and I thank everyone who has worked hard to make the event a success.”
The event would not have been possible without the continued support from The National Library of Wales and Haverfordwest Town Council. The President of the National Library of Wales and the Mayor, Sheriff and Clerk of Haverfordwest Town Council were all present.
Charity
Bags of Books returns to Milford Haven and surrounding areas this Easter
THE INFAMOUS Bags of Books is set to return to Milford Haven and surrounding areas over the Easter holidays.
Milford Haven School who launched the project with Milford Youth Matters over 3 years ago are continuing in their bid to improve literacy skills and encourage a love of reading for pleasure by giving away over 700 books.
Thanks to funding from the South Hook LNG Community grant they have purchased books for young people of all ages and reading abilities and will be hanging them on the fences of the schools in their catchment area.
The community are invited to come and choose a book from the following locations over the Easter holidays:
- Neyland Community Primary School – Monday 25th March
- Johnston Community Primary School – Tuesday 26th March
- Coastlands Primary School – Wednesday 27th March
- Gelliswick Primary School – Tuesday 2nd April
- Milford Haven Community Primary – Wednesday 3rd April
- St Francis Community Primary – Wednesday 3rd April
Milford Haven Secondary School will also hang over 150 books on their fence after the Easter Holidays on Wednesday 10th April for those in our community who cannot attend the other locations.
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