Community

Entries fly in for book festival competitions

Published

10 years ago

June 23, 2014

THE COMPETITION to find the best poets and short story writers in the region is hotting up as competition entries start coming in to the PENfro Book Festival.

Closing dates are being extended for the two competitions linked to the annual literature event – to Thursday, July 31. The winners will be announced at PENfro 2014, which is being held at Rhosygilwen, near Cilgerran, in mid-September. “We have decided to extend the deadlines to give people more time to enter this year partly because our poetry judge, Alan Kellermann, will be reading all the poetry entries himself. This means that the filter judges, who are all volunteers, will not have to do the filtering work, which is usually very time consuming,” said PENfro’s deputy chair, Jackie Biggs. “The introduction of easy entry online this year also makes our admin task much easier and less time consuming.” Guest judge for the Short Story contest – introduced for the first time this year – is Maria Donovan, whose work appears regularly in magazines and anthologies. Her collection, Pumping Up Napoleon, is published by Seren, and a set of very short stories, Tea for Mr Dead, by Leaf Books. She was a lecturer and senior lecturer in creative writing at the University of Glamorgan for nine years and is a founder member of the Welsh Short Story Network, dedicated to the promotion of the short story form in and beyond Wales. Poetry judge Alan Kellermann, who was born in Wisconsin, USA, and now lives in Swansea, completed a PhD at Swansea University where he now lectures in Creative Writing. His first poetry collection – You, Me and the Birds – was published in 2012. He is poetry editor for Parthian Books. The subject is open in both competitions, but there is a maximum length of 40 lines for each poem entered, and a word limit of 3,000 for the stories. Entry fee is £4 a poem, £5 a story. The contests are open now and the closing date is now July 31st for both. Full details are here on the book festival website at penfrobookfestival.org.uk Prizes will be presented during the 2014 PENfro Book Festival and the top three entries in each contest will be published on the PENfro website.

Charity

Kurtz goes Jurassic as Pantosaurus visits Senedd NSPCC Campaign

Published

9 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Richard Lewis

THIS WEEK, the NSPCC’s annual campaign to safeguard children from sexual abuse reached the steps of the Senedd.

Pantosaurus, the friendly mascot of the NSPCC’s PANTS campaign, appeared to raise awareness among Members of the Senedd and the wider public about the vital importance of child safety. The campaign encourages parents and carers to talk openly with young children about risks and protective measures.

The PANTS campaign is built around five key child protection messages:

Privates are private.
Always remember your body belongs to you.
No means no.
Talk about secrets that upset you.
Speak up; someone can help.

After meeting Pantosaurus, Samuel Kurtz MS, Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, expressed his support for the campaign

He said: “I wholeheartedly support this important NSPCC initiative. Since its launch in 2013, it has empowered over six million families to discuss this sensitive subject.

“This issue affects communities across Wales, so promoting the five principles of PANTS is essential for everyone in Pembrokeshire and beyond.”

Community

Crowdfunding drive launched for documentary on forgotten 1967 football match

Published

18 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CROWDFUNDING campaign has launched to support a new documentary capturing a nearly forgotten piece of football history—a 1967 charity match in Liverpool featuring Hungarian football icon Ferenc Puskás, alongside British legends Billy Liddell and John Charles.

Daniel Metcalf, director of the film and grandson of Chester FC striker Mike Metcalf, who played in the match, describes the film as “a love letter to the beautiful game,” aiming to highlight community spirit and the unity of sport. “Through personal stories, historic footage, and expert insights, we’ll revisit this unique game and explore 1960s football’s influence over the decades,” he said.

The project has attracted substantial backing, including collaboration with Chester FC, endorsements from notable players like Neville Southall, and the involvement of a skilled production team with narration by broadcaster Kim Thomas.

Supporters can choose from various funding tiers, with contributions starting at £10 for acknowledgments and extending to £5,000 Producer credits. Rewards range from film credits to signed memorabilia and invitations to the UK premiere. The funding target of £3,300 aims to cover initial production costs, with stretch goals set to enhance production quality.

Filming will commence in Chester in May 2025, with the documentary slated for release in early 2026 for the festival circuit.

For more information or to support the project, visit Kickstarter.

Community

Carew Castle triumphs again as Visitor Attraction of the Year at Croeso Awards

Published

21 hours ago

November 13, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CAREW Castle, one of Pembrokeshire’s most treasured landmarks, has once again been named Visitor Attraction of the Year at the prestigious Visit Pembrokeshire Croeso Awards, cementing its place as a top destination for visitors to the region.

The award, presented during a grand ceremony at Pembrokeshire College, recognises the Castle’s ongoing dedication to providing an exceptional visitor experience. This second consecutive win underscores Carew Castle’s commitment to excellence, from its welcoming guides to its expertly preserved grounds and engaging events, drawing visitors year-round.

Daisy Hughes, Manager of Carew Castle, expressed gratitude for the continued recognition: “Winning this award two years in a row is a testament to everyone involved in bringing Carew Castle to life – from the knowledgeable guides to the conservationists, dedicated team of volunteers, and our hardworking tearoom team. It’s truly a group effort, and we’re honoured to be recognised once more as one of Pembrokeshire’s premier attractions.”

The Castle has become a hub of excitement year-round, with special charm during the quieter winter months. Seasonal events like Glow, an enchanting Christmas light display, featuring rooms of the Castle dressed for the festivities and live musical performances, draw visitors of all ages. This festive season also includes Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Needle Felting Workshop, and children’s Christmas Craft Workshops – ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the nights draw in.

Carew Castle is open daily from 11am to 3pm throughout the winter, with extended hours on Fridays through Sundays when Glow and Santa’s Grotto are in full swing.

For a full schedule of upcoming events and activities at Carew Castle, visit www.carewcastle.com.

Pictured: Carew Castle is celebrating its second consecutive win as Visitor Attraction of the Year at the Croeso Awards, recognised for its exceptional visitor experience and engaging year-round events.