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Entries fly in for book festival competitions

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book festivalTHE 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.

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Henry Tufnell MP advocates for Pembroke’s bell restoration project

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LAST weekend, Henry Tufnell MP visited St David’s Cathedral, where he had the opportunity to witness the tradition of bell ringing and meet with members of the St Mary’s Bell Restoration Project. The meeting underscored the vital importance of preserving Pembroke’s unique heritage while also addressing the ongoing challenges faced by the restoration team.

St Mary’s Church, located in the heart of Pembroke, is home to a set of historic bells that have been a cherished part of the town’s life for over 260 years. However, due to structural and safety concerns, these bells have been silent, putting a pause on their role in significant civic and cultural events, including Remembrance Sunday and local celebrations.

A significant £150,000 from the £10.5 million UK Government funding pot has been allocated to this restoration project, but delays in finalising the grant have hindered progress. Henry pledged his commitment to ensuring that the project receives the attention it deserves to move forward without further obstacles.

Following his visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Speaking with members of the St Mary’s Bell Restoration Project at St David’s Cathedral highlighted how much this initiative means to the people of Pembroke. Restoring these historic bells is about more than just tradition; it’s about community pride and keeping our heritage alive for future generations. I’m determined to help ensure this project gets the green light it needs and I will be doing everything in my power to ensure it happens.”

The St Mary’s Bell Restoration Project has garnered widespread support from local residents and businesses, whose donations have helped secure the match funding required for the Fund. Completing the project would be a significant milestone, securing a vital piece of Pembroke’s history for years to come.

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Haverfordwest Castle Ward’s councillor addresses leaf hazard

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AS County Councillor for the Castle Ward, Cllr Thomas Tudor has responded swiftly to concerns raised by residents of Oakwood Grove about the build-up of fallen leaves on the pavements. The leaves, described as a potential hazard for pedestrians, were flagged as a danger, especially in wet conditions.

Following Cllr Tudor’s report to Pembrokeshire County Council’s maintenance team, the pavements have now been cleared, restoring safety for residents.

Cllr Tudor expressed his gratitude, saying: “Many thanks to all involved; it’s very much appreciated.”

Before and after photos provided by Cllr Tudor illustrate the improvement made for the community.

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Advent procession at St Davids Cathedral marks start of festive season

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A DEEPLY moving Advent Procession took place at St Davids Cathedral this evening (Dec 1), marking the start of the festive season with a celebration of light amidst darkness and a reflection on the longing for Christ’s return.

The service began in solemnity at the West Door, with the congregation gathered in darkness. As the procession made its way through the Quire and toward the High Altar at the East, light was carried forward, symbolizing the arrival of hope and illumination in the season of Advent.

The event was enriched by a combination of hymns, carols, and Scripture readings, creating an atmosphere of reverence and spiritual anticipation. Each moment of the service invited attendees to reflect on the Advent themes of waiting, hope, and preparation for the coming of Christ.

St Davids Cathedral, renowned for its historical and architectural significance, provided a fitting backdrop for this ancient tradition, with its stone arches and candlelit spaces adding to the profound sense of occasion.

The Advent Procession is a cornerstone of the cathedral’s seasonal offerings, drawing worshippers from across Pembrokeshire and beyond to prepare their hearts and minds for Christmas.

(Photos: St Davids Cathedral)

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