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Anniversary celebrated by Park Friends

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‘The Vision Moves On’: Four former chairmen came together to cut the beautifully decorated anniversary cake

‘The Vision Moves On’: Four former chairmen came together to cut the beautifully decorated anniversary cake

CELEBRATING their silver anniversary in style with fine dining were the Friends of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (FPCNP), who attended the Wolfscastle Country Hotel last Friday (May 20).

From its inception, the independent voluntary charity FPCNP has been committed to helping protect, conserve and enhance the National Park for all to enjoy.

The FPCNP also aim to be of critical support to the Park Authority, and in recent years they have managed to form an effective campaigning alliance with other sister National Park societies in Wales.

In the unavoidable absence of Steve Drinkwater, the new chairman of the 400-member organisation, his predecessor Peter Heard welcomed the visiting colleagues and guests.

Among the attendees was guest speaker Tori James, Jim Wilson from the Brecon Beacons Society, David Archer from the Snowdonia Society, County Councillor Mike James, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s Tegryn Jones and the Campaign for National Parks’ Fiona Howie.

Also in attendance were the five founding members of the group, who had participated in the first general meeting which took place at the Skrinkle Centre in Manorbier back in May 1991.

Some of the key issues which were discussed back in the first meeting, such as wind turbines, remain on the agenda to this day.

After their delicious dinner, which was made using local produce, guest speaker Tori James gave the group a vivid insight into her many different adventures.

Tori, who was raised on a farm in Pembrokeshire, says that her enthusiasm was kindled through the girl-guiding she completed as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Award.

She says that her resolve was tempered by completing a 360-mile Polar Challenge in polar bear territory, across constantly shifting sea ice whilst battling against temperatures of -40°C as part of the Pink Lady Polecats ski team.

In 2007, Mount Everest became her next challenge. The expedition demanded unrelenting physical and mental preparation over the course of 18 months.

Tori described the exhausting acclimatisation process on the mountain, as well as the sickness which took away her first chance to go for the summit, and the obsessional mindset which drove her onwards.

She became the youngest British woman and first Welsh woman to climb Everest on May 24, 2007. During the 40 minutes she stood on top of the world, she said that her overwhelming emotion was one of relief.

She is currently helping to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award by taking part in 60 days of adventure, believing that taking part in outdoor activities can transform lives.

Tori’s infectious enthusiasm and her unquenchable passion for adventuring are why she was chosen to be the ambassador for the Visit Wales ‘Year of Adventure.’

After Tori’s inspirational talk, four former chairmen of the FPCNP came together to cut and serve the beautifully decorated anniversary cake.

Peter was thanked for guiding the group through a period of great change, as he led several important developments within the last five years.

One of these developments is the alliance of the Welsh National Park Societies which has brought a new campaigning force to the Welsh Assembly.

Also praised was Peter’s Children’s Literary Competition which piqued young people’s interest in, and awareness of, the unique and special qualities of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.

The evening concluded with a presentation to Peter on behalf of all members present. This was followed by a toast to the prosperity of the association for the next 25 years with the stirring headline that appeared in the first issue of their newsletter – ‘The Vision Moves On’.

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Community

Mayor of Bergen visits Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre

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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.

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Community

Wonderful night at Haverfordwest Library for special Poet Laureate event

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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.

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Charity

Bags of Books returns to Milford Haven and surrounding areas this Easter

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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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