Community

Creative writing flourishes in Pembrokeshire

Published

10 years ago

May 30, 2014

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

Community

Port of Milford Haven renews partnership with Milford Youth Matters

Published

23 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE Port of Milford Haven has strengthened its commitment to supporting the development of young people via a renewed partnership agreement with Milford Youth Matters. The two organisations have been working in collaboration for over five years to improve skills, aspirations, confidence levels and positive experiences for young people in Milford Haven. The new three-year agreement will enable Milford Youth Matters to deliver Friday night youth provision at a new venue based in Haven’s Head Business Park.

The partnership between the Port and Milford Youth Matters has resulted in hugely successful youth projects including the award-winning Under the Bridge project, WAVE – a water-safety initiative – and Winter Warmers, which provided young people with free meals and a warm space to socialise in a safe environment. All projects are supporting young people to achieve their full potential with many learning new skills, gaining qualifications and taking up volunteering activities. They have also led to a decreased anti-social behaviour in the area.

The new premises at Haven’s Head will allow Milford Youth Matters to expand their current offering and focus more on their academy work, which includes upskilling young people.

Dayle Gibby, Co-Ordinator at Milford Youth Matters said: “Its fantastic that the Port of Milford Haven shares our vision in providing ongoing opportunities for young people in our community. By working together we are able to align our resources to ensure that young people are provided with experiences that will enhance their future potential, whether that be employability, volunteering or to become active members of our town. Our ongoing and enhanced partnership looks to ensure the maximum impact is achieved with long lasting benefits for our future generations.”

Lauren Williams, PR & Communications Officer added: “We’re lucky to have organisations like Milford Youth Matters on our doorstep, offering young people creative outlets and skills opportunities. Our partnership over the past 5 years has gone from strength to strength and we are delighted to be able to increase our support over the coming years.”

Community

Castle tearoom serves up new sensory-friendly sessions

Published

23 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

NEW sensory-friendly sessions at a popular castle tearoom will enable visitors with additional needs to enjoy a welcoming and accommodating environment tailored to their specific requirements.

As part of an initiative to boost engagement with a more diverse audience, Carew Castle, which is run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, will be running a new Quiet Hour and Power Hour at Nest Tearoom on the second Monday of each month.

The Quiet Hour, designed to provide a safe space for anyone who feels anxious or overwhelmed when out in public, will take place between 9am and 10am, before the Castle opens. Bright lighting and noise will be kept to a minimum and visitors will be able to enjoy quieter activities in a relaxing environment.

The Power Hour is scheduled for 4.30pm to 5.30pm and offers an energetic and engaging session, tailored to promote physical movement and social engagement. The aim is to create an opportunity for individuals who thrive in more active settings to connect with others, without concern for excessive noise or social interaction.

Manager of Carew Castle, Daisy Hughes, said: “We are thrilled to introduce these new sensory-friendly sessions at Carew Castle, as part of our ongoing commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

“The Quiet Hour and Power Hour sessions aim to cater to the specific needs of our visitors, providing them with an environment where they can truly be themselves. As well as being able to use the café facilities, visitors will be able to explore the Castle garden. For those who wish to explore the Castle, entry is free with a Carers Card. Otherwise, normal entry fees apply.”

The Castle, which was named Pembrokeshire Visitor Attraction of the Year in last year’s Croeso Awards isn’t the only Park Authority-run site to adapt the visitor experience to accommodate more diverse audiences. A Sunday morning Quiet Hour was introduced at Castell Henllys Iron Age Village in 2019 to encourage people who would not otherwise have visited the site to come along and discover more about the lives of their ancient ancestors.

To learn more about the sensory-friendly sessions and to plan your visit, please contact Carew Castle directly on 01646 651782 or visit www.carewcastle.com. Further information about Castell Henllys’ Quiet Hour can be found at www.pembrokeshirecoast.wales/castell-henllys/about-castell-henllys/accessibility-2/.

Community

Four-day community engagement at Haverfordwest Castle Square

Published

23 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THOMAS Baden Tudor, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council and local councillor for Castle Ward, says he was delighted to participate in the opening of the “Sharing The Square” event. The four-day programme, running from April 24 to 27 at Haverfordwest Castle Square, invites the community to exchange memories and ideas for the future development of this historic area.

The initiative, in collaboration with local artists and Pembrokeshire County Council, aims to collect community input on potential improvements and address existing challenges in the square. The event also seeks to enhance the connectivity with the adjacent Haverfordwest Castle, focusing on pedestrian routes from the square to the castle.

A variety of public activities are scheduled to take place during the event. These include gardening, creative workshops, games, and musical performances, ensuring an engaging experience for all attendees. Among the highlights is an art workshop led by renowned artist Janetka Platun. Her session titled “What is Lost and What is Found?” offers participants of all ages and abilities the chance to develop model-making skills. Each attendee will create a small model housed in an acrylic box, using diverse and intriguing materials.

Local community groups have been invited to reserve a slot for this free workshop, which is available on the afternoons of 24th, 25th, and the morning and afternoon of 27th April. The project aims to provide a platform for residents to reflect on their personal connections to the square and envision its future.

Further details on the ongoing and future activities can be found on the project’s official website at www.sharingthesquare.org, and updates are regularly posted on their Instagram account @sharingthesquare.

The event has already attracted attention with various stakeholders, including Randell Izaiah Thomas-Turner, Danielle Thomas-Turner, and Guy Norman from Spacetocreate, contributing to the discussions and activities.

Photos from today’s activities can be viewed at The Edge Youth Centre’s social media, highlighting the community’s enthusiastic participation in shaping the future of Haverfordwest Castle Square.