Community

Pupils chosen in worldwide competition

Published

9 years ago

June 22, 2016

Dylan’s ‘Great Poem’: Eight Johnston School pupils’ words chosen out
of hundreds worldwide to be part of bilingual epic poem

JOHNSTON Primary School’s last-minute entry for a poetry competition has been heralded as a success, and has even yielded a prize.

The worldwide competition which was entered by the Year Five and Year Six pupils, who are taught by Mr Tim Pounder, saw the children contributing towards ‘Dylan’s Great Poem’.

The poem is a bilingual piece of work which has been completely written by young people aged between seven and 25 to celebrate International Dylan Thomas Day.

To enter the competition, budding young poets had to submit four lines of poetry, with no more than eight words per line based around Dylan Thomas’ famous poem ‘The Hand That Signed the Paper’.

The best 100 lines which were received in the worldwide competition were then combined to create the ‘Great Poem’.

The poem, which was a combined effort uniting a variety of different countries around the world, was recited live at Cardiff Library on International Dylan Thomas Day (Saturday May 14).

From the hundreds of submissions received, an incredible eight pupils from Johnston C.P. had their lines chosen for the final poem.

Mr Pounder said that having so many children from the school contributing to the final poem was a wonderful surprise. He said the competition result was a bonus, because the way in which all the children within the class embraced the task was what really impressed him.

He said: “I only decided to enter the competition at the eleventh hour and thought we had left it too late, so to have so many lines be included in the poem is an unexpected bonus.

“We just did some classwork based on it and asked them to think about how they could contribute to the ‘Great Poem’

“We put a lot of emphasis on writing for a purpose in school and this helped focus their thoughts. It shows what can be achieved by our pupils.

“Once the children started talking about what ‘The Hand That Signed the Paper’ was about, they really got into it and the quality of their work was incredible.

“In my day, we didn’t touch poetry at this level until we were in secondary school, but if you don’t give children opportunity you don’t know what they are capable of and the pupils have created something inspirational.

“I’m extremely proud of them. Firstly, for showing such enthusiasm for poetry and secondly for creating such brilliant work.”

Mr Pounder’s words were echoed by Eva John, Challenge Adviser for English and Literacy.

She said: “The children responded very strongly to Dylan Thomas’s poem, ‘The Hand That Signed the Paper’.

“Their own writing on the subject of hands, using the poem as a stimulus, reflects their clarity of observation, sensitivity and individuality.

“It is a wonderful achievement to have their words selected as part of an international bilingual poem in celebration of a great Welsh poet.”

Dylan’s Great Poem can be viewed on the Literature Wales website.

Community

Drought risk as reservoirs drop in North Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion

Published

6 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cardigan, Crymych, Llanfyrnach and Nevern among communities at risk of water restrictions if dry weather continues

WELSH WATER has declared a ‘Developing Drought’ in parts of North Pembrokeshire and Mid and South Ceredigion, as reservoir levels in the Teifi catchment fall significantly below seasonal expectations.

The warning affects around 32,000 properties across the water supply network fed by the Teifi Pools reservoirs and the River Teifi at Llechryd. Communities in North Pembrokeshire including Crymych, Llanfyrnach and Nevern are among those potentially facing summer water restrictions if conditions do not improve.

The supply area also includes towns in Ceredigion such as Llanon, Llangwyryfon, and Cwm Ystwyth, as well as parts of North Carmarthenshire, including Farmers, Pencader, and Hermon.

Welsh Water confirmed that the Teifi Pools—located high in the Cambrian Mountains—have received just 37% of their expected rainfall between March and May. The surrounding peatland, which usually helps store and slowly release water, is retaining more than it should, with little recent rain to replenish the system.

Reservoir levels are now 31% lower than this time last year. While there is no immediate risk to water supplies, the water company says hosepipe bans could follow if the situation worsens.

Marc Davies, Director of Water Services, said: “We are giving our customers early warning by moving to ‘Developing Drought’ status for Mid and South Ceredigion, which includes parts of North Pembrokeshire.

“We’re not telling people not to use water—just to use what they need, without waste. If we don’t get significant rainfall soon, temporary restrictions may be necessary.”

Welsh Water is currently fixing around 700 leaks a week and says that transferring water from other parts of Wales is not practical due to the geography and cost.

No other region in Wales is currently under a drought status. If restrictions are introduced, Welsh Water will contact customers directly and provide a postcode checker online.

Local residents can find water-saving tips and updates at dwrcymru.com.

Community

Two Pembrokeshire woodlands join National Forest for Wales

Published

7 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Llys y Fran and Coed Uno recognised for their green innovation and community benefit

TWO Pembrokeshire woodland sites have been selected to join the growing National Forest for Wales, as part of a major expansion announced by the Welsh Government this week.

Llys y Fran and Coed Uno are among ten new sites added to the scheme, which now covers over 4,000 hectares and includes 70 woodlands across Wales. The announcement was made on Thursday (June 12) by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who is also responsible for Climate Change and Rural Affairs.

The new sites bring an additional 389 hectares of woodland into the National Forest network. Coed Uno, in particular, is a first for Wales – it is the country’s first agroforestry site to be recognised as part of the forest initiative. The woodland is part of the Hwb Dysgu’r Tir project, which teaches visitors how to integrate tree planting with traditional agricultural practices.

Llys y Fran, already well-known to many Pembrokeshire residents as a popular reservoir and recreational area, will now benefit from enhanced conservation efforts and access funding under the National Forest framework.

Mr Irranca-Davies praised the diversity and quality of the new additions. He said: “It’s wonderful to see the continued expansion of the National Forest for Wales and to welcome this next group of woodlands to the network. These sites are helping to deliver environmental benefits, create green jobs, and support local wellbeing.”

The National Forest programme not only focuses on reforestation and biodiversity, but also supports local health boards through green prescription schemes, provides education and skills training, and encourages community involvement in woodland management.

The latest expansion round includes woodlands in Carmarthenshire, Powys, Gwynedd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Ceredigion, Flintshire and Gwent. In total, the National Forest for Wales aims to connect woodlands across the country and improve access to nature for all communities.

The Welsh Government is encouraging more landowners, community groups and local authorities to put forward suitable sites for future inclusion.

For Pembrokeshire, the recognition of Llys y Fran and Coed Uno signals further investment in the region’s natural environment, with the potential to boost tourism, education and sustainability.

Community

Vet urges ‘thunderstorm parties’ to help anxious pets in Wales this week

Published

7 hours ago

June 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

With storms looming, expert shares five tips to calm frightened animals

WITH a three-day thunderstorm warning in place for Wales, vets are urging pet owners to take proactive steps to ease the distress experienced by their furry companions.

Loud claps of thunder, sudden flashes of lightning and even pressure changes in the air can trigger extreme anxiety in pets. According to a recent survey, 42% of owners say their animals suffer from weather-related stress.

Veterinary surgeon and medical writer Lily Richards (BSc Hons BVSc MRCVS) has teamed up with TrustedHousesitters to offer practical advice on how to care for pets during periods of unsettled weather.

She explains: “Pets are incredibly sensitive to changes in the environment. They don’t just hear the thunder – they feel it, and they often know a storm is coming long before we do.”

Among the most surprising recommendations is to throw a ‘thunderstorm party’.

“Distraction is key,” says Richards. “Close the curtains, play some music, and have an energetic game of tug or fetch. It might sound silly, but it really works for my own Collie, who forgets the storm is even happening.”

A study by TrustedHousesitters found that background noise helps to ease pet anxiety, with 34% of owners using music or television. However, 43% said their pet’s favourite toy is the most effective calming tool.

Five tips to keep pets calm in a storm

1. Be prepared
Check the weather forecast daily. Don’t take dogs for walks if a storm is likely. Keep cats indoors and bring small pets like rabbits or guinea pigs inside. Secure your garden and house to prevent any escape attempts from frightened animals.

2. Create a safe space
Prepare a quiet, dark den with blankets, favourite toys, and a puzzle feeder. Drawing the curtains helps reduce lightning flashes that can add to the fear.

3. Respect their space
While some pets seek cuddles, others prefer solitude. “Don’t force affection on an anxious animal,” Richards advises. “Let them pace or hide if that’s how they cope.”

4. Use natural remedies
Try calming options like lavender oil, anxiety diffusers, ‘thundershirts’ (snug-fitting garments), or pet-safe ear wraps. These mimic the comfort of being swaddled and may help release endorphins.

5. Distract with treats
A third of pet owners say treats reduce anxiety. You can adjust feeding times to coincide with stormy weather. Some owners also report success using CBD-infused snacks for highly nervous dogs.

Angela Laws, Community Manager at TrustedHousesitters and a seasoned pet sitter, said: “Watching a pet in distress is heartbreaking. But we can help – and we must. Whether you’re a pet parent or a sitter, knowing how to manage anxiety during a storm can make all the difference.”

About TrustedHousesitters

Founded in Brighton in 2010, TrustedHousesitters is the world’s largest pet-sitting community, connecting owners and sitters across 140 countries. With over 240,000 members, the platform enables pet lovers to exchange care for accommodation, offering peace of mind for owners and unforgettable experiences for sitters.

For more information, visit: www.TrustedHousesitters.com