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

Community gathers to remember Corrina Baker

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Lanterns and balloons released in emotional acts of remembrance

FAMILY, friends and members of the local community came together to remember Corrina Baker at a series of moving events held across west Wales this week.

Corrina’s funeral took place on Monday (Dec 15), a month after her death, with a public service held at St Mary’s Church. Mourners lined the route as her coffin was carried on its final journey in an elegant horse-drawn carriage, before a private cremation later took place at Parc Gwyn crematorium in Narberth.

Later that evening, shortly after 6:00pm, friends and relatives gathered at the Quayside in Cardigan for the first of two acts of remembrance to celebrate her life. Lanterns were lit and released into the night sky above the town as some of Corrina’s favourite songs were played.

On Tuesday afternoon (Dec 16), a second tribute was held near the location where Corrina was found. Twenty-one pink balloons — one for each year of her life — were released into a clear blue sky, each carrying personal messages in her memory.

Floral tributes continue to be laid at the Netpool, while a GoFundMe appeal set up in Corrina’s memory has raised more than £2,300. She has been described by those who knew her as “funny and bright”.

Dyfed-Powys Police have confirmed that their investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Baker’s death is ongoing. A 29-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail while inquiries continue.

(Photos: Stuart Ladd/Herald)

Community

Six untaxed vehicles seized in Milford Haven police operation

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SIX untaxed and abandoned vehicles were seized during a joint roads policing operation in Milford Haven on Tuesday morning.

Officers from the Milford Haven Neighbourhood Policing and Prevention Team (NPPT) worked alongside the Pembrokeshire Roads Policing Team as part of targeted enforcement across the town.

In addition to the vehicle seizures, a number of traffic offence reports were issued to drivers during the operation.

Police said the action formed part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and tackle vehicle-related offences in the Milford Haven area.

Community

Candlelit carol service brings community together in Milford Haven

Published

6 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Tom Sinclair

ST KATHARINE and St Peter’s Church in Milford Haven hosted its annual Candlelit Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, bringing together members of the community for a traditional celebration of Christmas.

The service featured readings from the Mayor of Milford Haven, representatives of the Soroptimists, Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society, the Headteacher and Head Prefects of Milford Haven School, Milford Haven Town Band, and NCI Wooltack Point.

Music for the evening was provided by organist Seimon Morris, Milford Haven Town Band and the Milford Haven Cluster Band, whose performances added to the atmosphere of the candlelit service.

The Friends of St Katharine and St Peter’s Church thanked all those involved and wished the community a happy Christmas.