Community

Enthusiastic endorsement for history project

Published

10 years ago

November 25, 2014

PEMBROKE TOWN HALL was packed last Saturday morning (Oct 4) as AM Angela Burns gave her enthusiastic endorsement to the Pembroke and Monkton Local History Society’s latest initiative: ‘Through My Eyes: a community history of Pembroke and Monkton. ‘Through My Eyes’, which has been published as a book and accompanying DVD, contains a wealth of local memories which should prove of inestimable value to future historians as well as those interested in the history of one of the most historically fascinating areas of the UK. Speaking on behalf of the project team Linda Asman said: “Pembroke has a prestigious history, and although its distant past is well documented there has been no book written about the history of Pembroke and Monkton in more recent times. It has long been my aim to rectify this”. Ms Asman added: “After many years of recording oral histories, I came up with the idea of telling the history of Pembroke through the individual stories of members of the community.

These stories, like pieces of a jigsaw, would combine to paint a portrait of Pembroke, and illustrate how it has changed through time as well as record them for posterity” “It was the formation of the P&M Local History Society in 2010 which provided the platform to develop the project, the aim of which was to make a DVD of digital stories (short fi lms) of local people and to print the scripts in an accompanying book. Although we were prepared to carry out the work on a voluntary basis, we needed money to provide us with training and ultimately to publish the project.

We applied to the Heritage Lottery Fund which fortunately approved the project and awarded us almost £10,000 in July 2012” “Putting all of this together has been no mean task. We needed to capture personal stories which conveyed social change in Pembroke from differing aspects of community life so it was important to the success of the project that we selected the right people. Fortunately all participants when approached, willingly embraced the project, which is greatly to their credit as making a story is very demanding time wise.

It turned out to be considerably bigger than originally planned: 45 people contributed their stories and so many have offered support. Then there are the professionals without whom we could not have brought the project to a successful conclusion: Matt White guided us through the digital storytelling training, tweaked our fi lms and produced the DVD while Keith Johnson (editor of Pembrokeshire Life) produced the book”. Refl ecting on the large number who turned out for the launch she continued: “I was really overwhelmed.

In just two hours we sold 170 copies! I am very grateful to our Assembly Member, Angela Burns for opening proceedings at the Launch, along with Pembroke’s Mayor Clr Aaron Carey and Mayoress Natalie and to Pembroke Town Council for sponsoring the event. “The previous evening the Pembroke & Monkton Local History Society held a pre-launch get together for the people who had participated in the project, and this proved very popular with around 90 people attending. The Society Committee had worked hard to produce a lovely buffet and everyone who had written a story was presented with a complementary copy of the book. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening”

“I do think that this response illustrates the extent of community involvement in the project and the huge interest in our great past, a past which has been somewhat overlooked. I hope in this project we have at least done something to capture that sense of place which is Pembroke, to preserve the memory for posterity”. ‘Through My Eyes’ is a voluntary community project – no member of the Society received any money for their work and all proceeds from sales will be invested in future projects of the Society and in the Pembroke Museum.

The Museum is the result of a partnership between Town Council and various heritage groups including West Wales Maritime Heritage Society and Pembroke Civic Trust. “It is a much needed facility in Pembroke” Linda Asman explained. “So much has been lost because we have not had a museum, hard to believe for a town with such a great heritage. However, we are working to develop it and for this we rely on community support, for donations of artefacts, photographs and memorabilia as well as for volunteers.

There is much to be done” A clearly enthused Angela Burns AM added “Through our eyes is a story told through 45 sets of eyes and yet it is a story of a community from the turn of the First World War and in some instances even earlier. It is so good to be able to record this because our communities are changing so quickly and we need to have these tales for our children and their children too – to look back on and say this is who we were, this is where we came from and this is where we are going. It’s about the past and the present but above all it’s about saving things for the future” It is a wonderful, wonderful project and a real labour of love” For more information on how to obtain copies of the book (Including the DVD can be obtained from the local history by calling in at the town hall.

Community

Officials announced for 2026 Eisteddfod in Pembrokeshire

Published

3 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD returns to Pembrokeshire in 2026, and organisers have named the officials who will steer this major cultural event over the next year and a half.

With the artistic and local committees already established, meetings to finalise competitions and adjudicators are underway to ensure the List of Competitions is ready by spring. Committee members have also been voting over the past weeks to elect key officials for the Executive Committee.

John Davies, former leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, has been appointed Chair of the Executive Committee. Known for his deep connection to Pembrokeshire and extensive experience with national organisations, Davies aims to make the Eisteddfod a true community event, welcoming involvement from all corners of the region.

Tegryn Jones, Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, takes on the role of Deputy Chair (Strategy). With a strong passion for Welsh culture and language, Jones brings a wealth of experience working with local communities, visitors, and volunteers across three counties.

Deputy Chair (Culture) is Carys Ifan, Director of Canolfan Egin and a seasoned cultural organiser. Based in Llangrannog and originally from Llandudoch, Ifan has led numerous artistic and community projects across the region.

Cris Tomos, a community development veteran with over 30 years of experience, will lead the 2026 Eisteddfod Local Fund. Working with PLANED, a community development charity, Tomos has supported countless community enterprises and co-operatives in Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion, and Carmarthenshire.

Non Davies, recently elected as Executive Committee Secretary, brings extensive cultural management expertise as Ceredigion County Council’s Corporate Manager for Culture. Having chaired the Cardigan Local Fund Committee for the 2022 Ceredigion Eisteddfod, Davies is well-versed in managing cultural projects.

National Eisteddfod Chief Executive, Betsan Moses, said: “We’re looking forward to working with John and the team over the next few months as we prepare for the 2026 Eisteddfod.

“There’s almost a quarter of a century since the Eisteddfod was last held in Pembrokeshire, and we’re very much looking forward to returning to the area. 2026 is an important year for us as we celebrate 850 years since the first Eisteddfod was held in Cardigan Castle in 1176.

“We’re looking forward to working in a new way within a catchment area which includes parts of another two counties, which is, of course, a chance to work with local people in Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire again.”

Further announcements are expected in the coming weeks, including the sale of competition prizes and opportunities to donate the Crown and the Chair.

The National Eisteddfod will be held in Llantood from August 1–8, 2026.

Charity

Kurtz goes Jurassic as Pantosaurus visits Senedd NSPCC Campaign

Published

18 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Richard Lewis

THIS WEEK, the NSPCC’s annual campaign to safeguard children from sexual abuse reached the steps of the Senedd.

Pantosaurus, the friendly mascot of the NSPCC’s PANTS campaign, appeared to raise awareness among Members of the Senedd and the wider public about the vital importance of child safety. The campaign encourages parents and carers to talk openly with young children about risks and protective measures.

The PANTS campaign is built around five key child protection messages:

Privates are private.
Always remember your body belongs to you.
No means no.
Talk about secrets that upset you.
Speak up; someone can help.

After meeting Pantosaurus, Samuel Kurtz MS, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, expressed his support for the campaign

He said: “I wholeheartedly support this important NSPCC initiative. Since its launch in 2013, it has empowered over six million families to discuss this sensitive subject.

“This issue affects communities across Wales, so promoting the five principles of PANTS is essential for everyone in Pembrokeshire and beyond.”

Community

Crowdfunding drive launched for documentary on forgotten 1967 football match

Published

1 day ago

November 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CROWDFUNDING campaign has launched to support a new documentary capturing a nearly forgotten piece of football history—a 1967 charity match in Liverpool featuring Hungarian football icon Ferenc Puskás, alongside British legends Billy Liddell and John Charles.

Daniel Metcalf, director of the film and grandson of Chester FC striker Mike Metcalf, who played in the match, describes the film as “a love letter to the beautiful game,” aiming to highlight community spirit and the unity of sport. “Through personal stories, historic footage, and expert insights, we’ll revisit this unique game and explore 1960s football’s influence over the decades,” he said.

The project has attracted substantial backing, including collaboration with Chester FC, endorsements from notable players like Neville Southall, and the involvement of a skilled production team with narration by broadcaster Kim Thomas.

Supporters can choose from various funding tiers, with contributions starting at £10 for acknowledgments and extending to £5,000 Producer credits. Rewards range from film credits to signed memorabilia and invitations to the UK premiere. The funding target of £3,300 aims to cover initial production costs, with stretch goals set to enhance production quality.

Filming will commence in Chester in May 2025, with the documentary slated for release in early 2026 for the festival circuit.

For more information or to support the project, visit Kickstarter.