There are many published writers with links to Pembrokeshire including Brian John, Robert Nisbet, Phil Carradice and Sarah Waters. So it’s perhaps no surprise that Creative Writing is more widely recognised as a serious subject within education and the community in West Wales. 

Creative writing workshops are available for school children aged 5-18 with an aim to encourage creativity and storytelling. Some of those offered include comic and poet Ian billings and children’s author Alan Durant. This September will see the first Creative Writing A level become available in UK schools and more courses have also appeared for adults throughout Universities and educational establishments due to increased demand. Pembrokeshire College in Haverfordwest offer an 8 week beginners course on Creative Writing for just £60. While Pembrokeshire county council provide Creative Writing classes in Pembroke Dock, Tenby, Fishguard and Haverfordwest. At the centre of this hive of creativity, are a number of community run writing groups. Sian Walker, a poet from Pembroke Dock, set up the Narberth poetry in August 2012. She says she chose the Queens hall as a venue because it is in the heart of Pembrokeshire and appeals to a wider catchment area. The poetry group averages 12 people each meeting, from a range of backgrounds. They meet from 7.30-8.30 on the last Thursday of every month. There is no charge but members are asked to kindly leave a donation. The aim of the group is to provide a relaxed atmosphere in which people can share their work and gain support from fellow writers. ‘Although we call it a poetry group, short story writers, scriptwriters…anyone is welcome. We also welcome guest writers, who come along to share their work with us.’ Some of the writers that have visited, include travel writer Tom Anderson and Irish poet Kevin Connelly. Connelly visited as part of the WISPA tour (Welsh/Irish poetry spoken word and poetry appreciation), an event which began earlier this year to promote and connect Welsh and Irish writers. Connelly said of Narbeth, ‘It reminded me of my own group in Duncannon, County Wexford. The atmosphere was completely relaxed and the people so welcoming and supportive.’ Jackie Wilson currently runs the Fishguard Acorn writers’ support group which offers ‘inspirational support for Pembrokshire writers’ and has its own website and monthly newsletter. In 2009 Jackie, along with fellow members of the group, set up Acorns publishing, in order to independently publish the groups work. They currently have 8 titles available through their website and Amazon. The group was originally set up in 1994 by the Royal Oak landlord, Dai Crowther, a former miner and teacher from Fishguard. Dai was known as an author, poet and singer songwriter. He finished his first novel just before he died and also published Dragon tales, his version of a group of traditional stories based on the Mabinogion. The acorns meet on a Monday evening from 7pm, offering a ‘warm, friendly environment with support and encouragement for anyone who write whether professionally or for pleasure.’ They share work for constructive feedback, discussions and writing exercises. They occasionally hold workshops and attend literary festivals as well as holding performance evenings. They aim to keep in contact with other groups in West Wales to share their experiences. Their members, affectionately called ‘acorns,’ write everything from short stories and poetry to songs and memoirs. It costs just £1 to become a member. There are also community led writing groups in Pembroke Dock and Haverfordwest, details of which can be found on the Literature Wales website. For more information you can contacts: www.literaturewales.co.uk www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk www.acornswriterssupportgroup.org. uk