ORGANISERS of Fishguard’s Ar Ymyl y Tir 2026/On Land’s Edge Festival are inviting writers and poets to pay their own tributes to Moby Dick.

This year’s festival (September 25-27) will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of the cinematic release of John Huston’s classic movie on the great white whale which was largely filmed in Fishguard Bay.

Details of an adults’ short story writing competition as well as a young persons’ poetry competition have now been announced.

Writers are invited to submit their own pieces of fictional prose – up to 3,000 words – that respond in some way to Moby Dick: the novel or the film.

They may choose a reworking of one of the characters or one of the incidents in the narrative; or alternately explore the same themes the novel raises or about a character’s own experience relating to reading the novel or seeing the film.

The competition will be judged by Robert Harries, the fiction editor of Folding Rock, Wales’ leading magazine of creative prose (foldingrock.com).

A prize of £100 will be awarded for the best entry. There will be an entry fee of £5, with all proceeds going towards literary events at Ar Ymyl y Tir 2026/On Land’s Edge.

The winners will be announced at the festival’s final event on Sunday, September 27.

Young people are also invited to write poems on the theme of sea creatures based on their own experiences and observations.

These do not have to be epic adventures like Captain Ahab’s, but ordinary encounters with crustaceans, cetaceans, fish, seabirds and other sea life which can provide experiences that work well in poetry.

The judges will be looking for truthfulness and clarity in these poems about sea creatures.

There is a £30 prize for the best entries in English and in Welsh and runner-up prizes of £20.

The winners will be announced at the festival’s final event on Sunday, September 27.

The closing date for entries in both competitions is 5pm on Friday, July 17.

To enter please visit onlandsedge.co.uk/short-story-2026 or onlandsedge.co.uk/poetry-2026

MEMBERS of the public are being encouraged to play a direct role in improving policing by joining a Community Scrutiny Panel hosted by Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn.

The panel will take place in Brecon on Tuesday, July 1, from 4pm to 7pm, offering local residents the opportunity to independently review police interactions with the public.

Volunteers will examine the quality of police contact, the ethical use of police powers and the level of service being delivered to communities across the force area. The panel serves as an independent public voice, providing feedback and recommendations to Dyfed-Powys Police to help strengthen transparency, accountability and public confidence in policing.

The initiative is open to anyone aged 18 and over. No previous experience is  required as training and guidance will be provided to all participants.

Those who join the panel will have the chance to influence improvements in police practice, gain valuable real-world skills and experience, and represent the views of the wider community.

Anyone interested in taking part can find out more and register online at: https://forms.office.com/e/u9dR9rjc9Z?origin=lprLink. 

HOLLYWOOD BOWL XL has launched an exciting opportunity to find a lucky winner and their family to be the ‘Chief Fun Officers’. 

With work set to complete on the stunning new multi-entertainment centre at St David’s shopping centre, local bowling enthusiasts are invited to apply for the chance to test and experience all that the new centre has to offer, ensuring it provides top-tier entertainment for the community to enjoy.

The new centre will feature 20 ten pin bowling lanes, interactive darts, electric go-karting and a live sports bar. This marks the first time the brand has added e-karting to one of its venues, adding a new layer of high-speed competition to the Hollywood Bowl XL experience.

The successful winners will get to test the state-of-the-art bowling lanes, complete with advanced scoring systems, indulge in sampling a variety of delectable food and drink, including American favourites such as hot dogs, burgers, chicken wings, shakes, and signature cocktails (for adults only) and have a go in the state-of-the-art amusements area.

To enter, families must submit a 60 second video entry sent via an Instagram DM to @hollywoodbowluk and explain why they think they should win by midnight on June 19, 2026. 

Family participation is encouraged – children can apply for the role with the accompaniment of a parent or guardian. Families also have the option to apply and enjoy the experience together (maximum 2 adults and 3 children). Entries will be judged on creativity, enthusiasm and personality

Jeremy Verecchia, Area Support Manager, said: “Getting the community involved with our new centre is important to us. We want to make sure we’re offering the best experience possible, so what better way to do that than by hearing directly from families and bowling fans? We can’t wait to see who will join us in this exciting new role at Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s!”

Hollywood Bowl is the UK’s leading ten-pin bowling and competitive socialising brand and is encouraging families to apply via Instagram with the successful winner bringing their family with them for the experience. 

All entrants under 18 will need parent/guardian approval and attendance on the day. Entries are now open via an Instagram DM to @hollywoodbowluk and are being accepted until June 19.

The lucky family will be selected and contacted by June 26 and will need to be available when Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s opens to claim their prize. The winning family will be the first to step through the doors of the brand-new centre and bowl at an invite-only pre-opening event on July 15, making it a true VIP experience!

Bookings will open shortly at hollywoodbowl.co.uk and customers are encouraged to sign up to the VIP mailing list for updates and exclusive offers at https://www.hollywoodbowl.co.uk/cardiff-st-davids 

Want to work at Hollywood Bowl XL Cardiff St David’s? Recruitment is underway for over 50 roles including team members and management positions. Candidates who wish to find out more information and apply should visit https://careers.hollywoodbowlgroup.co.uk/our-roles.