Community

Writing workshops for local schools

Published

9 years ago

October 14, 2016

Fun workshop: Enjoyed by pupils around the county

TWO of the country’s most energetic and entertaining children’s authors were in Pembrokeshire recently delivering a series of reading and writing workshops to some of our county’s schools.

Primary aged pupils from Hubberston, Hakin, Neyland, Milford Haven Juniors, St Francis, Coastlands, Pennar, Cleddau Reach, Bro Ingli and Mary Immaculate attended the sessions hosted by the ‘Two Steves’.

Former drama school teachers Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore are no strangers to Pembrokeshire, having delivered the workshops over the past 14 years, and built up an excellent reputation for their ‘fantastic interactive performances’.

“The ‘Two Steves’ know how to make writing workshops fun; they engage the children from the outset, showing how they can use and exaggerate their experience of life as a starting point for their own writing,” said Pembrokeshire County Council’s Adviser for Literacy, Eva John. “They model a range of really effective strategies for story writing which the pupils are able to apply to their own work to great effect.”

“Pembrokeshire has a strong working partnership with the ‘Two Steves’ and they have a lasting impact on pupil enthusiasm for reading, with pupils continuing to take their books out of school libraries long after their visits.”

Having written over 200 books between them, the ‘Two Steves’ are well placed to teach the techniques needed to formulate a story, including what hooks to use to draw people in.

“All of their methods are done with humour, but with audience and purpose in mind,” added Eva. “They learn when to use dialogue, how to use foreshadowing to build tension and when to use similes as a method of comparison.

“All of this is done through games and wordplay and modelling.

“It’s a privilege to watch the children develop during the week and I’m grateful to Dragon LNG and Literature Wales for contributing towards the costs of running the event. Everyone finds them of lasting impact.

“Teachers often see an increase in the enthusiasm and confidence of their pupils in their ability to read and write, with one child saying, ‘I used to hate writing but now I want to do it all the time’.

“That sums the week up in a nutshell!”

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

7 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)