PUPILS at Ysgol Greenhill were given a close-up look at the work of police dogs during a visit from local officers.

Officers from the Tenby Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team attended the school on Thursday (Apr 23), joined by police dog handler PC 301 Bain and police dogs Stan and Archie.

The visit gave pupils and staff the chance to learn more about the role of police dogs, their training, and the work they carry out alongside officers.

Police said the afternoon was also an opportunity for positive engagement and relationship building between young people and the local policing team.

The visit appeared to be a hit with pupils — and with Stan and Archie, who were said to have enjoyed plenty of fuss and attention during the afternoon.

Tenby, Saundersfoot and Narberth Police thanked Greenhill School for hosting the visit.

We studied it in school, some of us may have re-opened its pages as adults and a few of us might even have been fortunate to see what’s hailed as Dylan Thomas’s greatest masterpiece – ‘Under Milk Wood’ – performed on stage. 

I fall into all three categories, but never have I been made so aware of Thomas’s sheer literary magnitude as I was during Theatr Clwyd’s production of ‘Under Milk Wood’, currently showing at The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven.

The cast’s command over this mighty work becomes manifest within minutes of curtain-up thanks to some exquisite stage definition and a magnificent yet unadorned script delivery.  This, after all, is a poem where rhythm and precise diction are essential. 

With each character dressed in white, characterised solely by a specific clothing item or prop, it was initially difficult to work out who was who.  But then ‘Under Milk Wood’ was first aired in 1954 for radio, where the spoken word was the audience’s sole pilot.

Throughout Theatr Clwyd’s production, I was constantly reminded of just how strongly the Llarregyb community – I’m deliberately spelling it this way to match Theatr Clwyd’s laudable captioning – unites.  So much happens during those intertwining 24 hours when everyone is interconnected in so many different ways.  And Theatr Clwyd makes one realise just how canny Thomas was in his social observations of the busy lives that bustled around him.  The play takes its inspiration from so many segments of the poet’s life, be it his childhood letters, his adolescent poems and the time he spent at his waterside homes in New Quay, Ceredigion, and Laugharne. The friendships and the social understanding that existed between the people of Llarregyb was intense but Thomas’ writing also depicts an honesty so indicative of post-war society.  How many houseproud women would echo the words of the controlling Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard – she who’s already nagged two husbands to death – as she  caws ‘Before you let the sun in, mind he wipes his shoes’?

In many ways the play typifies ‘Under Milk Wood’s’ ‘clock without hands’ as it presents a solid and changeless society, with many traits remaining just as strong in 2026.  How many of us know a Nogood Boyo (Jacob Coleman) who flirts shamelessly with that deliciously naughty sparkle in his eyes, an uptight Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard (Georgia Griffiths) who hates people breathing over her immaculate home and maybe even an Evans the Death (Macsen McKay) who loves his job just that little bit too much.

Theatr Clwyd has to be commended for some creative staging set against Llarregyb’s piled up, box-like houses, their windows illuminated by nightlights, capturing the dreamlike, often dark nature, of Llarregyb’s bible blackness.  Lighting, in many ways, is used to exemplify Thomas’ narrative as well as the relationship between darkness and light – good and evil – that’s found within the town.

The choreography is also exquisite, each character moving as one, with the result that the movement becomes an integral part of the production’s strength.  Not once did I feel this movement overpower the words, but rather support it and magnify the poem even more.

Initially I felt that being able to see the script printed on the backdrop would be a detraction from what was going on on stage.  But how wrong can one be?  Seeing the text helped me appreciate the way in which Dylan Thomas was able to metamorphose his words into such an overwhelming power force but is also reinforces them as we watch the actors on stage. 

Under Milk Wood also uses integrated BSL with signing, audio description (which doesn’t require headsets), and captioning, all built into the design of the show.  This, incidentally, doesn’t detract one iota from the performance’s strength.

The play has over 60 characters, played by a cast of 11.  And despite their considerable task, the actors capture the intimacy of this tightly-knit community so well. This particularly comes to the fore with Jacob Coleman’s Organ Morgan and Sean Carlsen’s portrayal of the Reverend Eli Jenkins who captures the Welsh passion and musicality so beautifully.  “Praise the Lord! We are a musical nation.”

Mirain Fflur oozes sexiness with her stunning looks and her slightly revealing costume, speaking in a seductive manner as she delivers Rosie Probert’s immortal words ‘Come on up, boys. I’m dead’.

Talking of voices, I was immediately struck by Georgia Griffiths’ dulcet tones as she plays Polly Garter and Mrs Ogmore-Pritchard. But when Griffiths breaks into song, her vocal quality takes on a completely new level.  Truly beautiful.

Also wonderful to watch is Macsen McKay as he flits through no fewer than five characters –  the local undertaker Evans the Death; the town’s draper Mog Edwards who’s hopelessly in love with Miss Price in the sweet shop; Mr Pritchard who is one of Mrs O-P’s two long dead husbands; the would-be wife murderer Mr Pugh and finally the sadly troubled Lord Cut-Glass, for whom darkness always lurks on the horizon.  McKay gives us five outstandingly quirky individuals, each displaying some fabulous facial expressions and a sizeable helping of humour. 

In a nutshell, this is a truly magnificent performance that captures every essence of Dylan Thomas’ legacy.

‘Under Milk Wood’ will be showing at The Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, from Tuesday April 21 to Friday, April 25.

Former pupil Simon Davies returned to present prizes as students, staff and the wider community gathered in St Davids for a night of achievement and music

YSGOL PENRHYN DEWI’S secondary phase pupils were honoured at a packed achievement evening held at St Davids Cathedral on Wednesday (Apr 15).

The annual event drew a large crowd of pupils, parents, former staff, former pupils and supporters from across the wider community to celebrate another successful year for the school.

Former pupil Simon Davies, this year’s Chwaraeon Sir Benfro / Sport Pembrokeshire lifetime achievement recipient, was invited back to present the prizes.

Guests also heard from Tom Sawyer, of the Port of Milford Haven, who spoke about learning from mistakes, serving others and improving the way challenges are approached each day.

The evening’s celebrations were led by senior head prefects Celyn, Zosia, Todd and Chloe, who highlighted the achievements of pupils throughout the year.

Music and performance formed a major part of the event. Liza, a chorister, performed a solo in Ukrainian accompanied by St Davids Cathedral Director of Music Simon Pearce. Year 8 Evita performers were joined by members of Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society for an Evita medley, accompanied by Mrs Cilla Bramley, while Alex, in Year 10, gave a guitar solo performance.

The school also recognised what it described as a record-breaking class of 2024-25 during the evening.

A number of local businesses and community groups were thanked for supporting the event. Prize sponsors included The Bench ice cream parlour, St Davids Fish and Chips, Siop Felys Dewi, Losh’s Pasties and White Sands Beach House.

The Cyfeillion Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi fundraising group served refreshments, MamGu Welshcakes provided resources, and The Bishops in St Davids were thanked for supplying a free buffet.

Former pupil and cathedral verger Morgan Davies was also praised for going above and beyond in helping the evening run smoothly.

The school said it was wonderful to see so many members of the community come together to recognise the exceptional achievements of Team YPDVA.