Community

Welsh history brought to life with virtual escape room

Published

2 months ago

May 21, 2026

NEW digital resources aimed at helping pupils explore one of the most significant events in modern Welsh history have been launched by the National Library of Wales.

The Aberystwyth-based library has created a virtual escape room and interactive learning materials focusing on the drowning of the Tryweryn Valley.

The resources, available through the library’s website, are designed to support the Curriculum for Wales and help pupils develop historical knowledge, language skills and literacy.

The first resource, aimed at children aged seven to 11, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the library and its collections through an interactive quiz.

The second, aimed at pupils aged 13 to 15, is a virtual escape room in which learners solve a series of clues linked to the history of Tryweryn.

The project forms part of the National Library’s wider aim to support schools across Wales and comes during the National Year of Reading.

Owain Dafydd, the library’s education and skills manager, said: “It feels very timely during the National Year of Reading to release these new resources that will support language development and literacy skills, as well as sharing the story of one of the most significant events of the 1960s in Wales.

“It demonstrates perfectly how the library’s collections can be used to learn in a creative way and contributes to the aims of the library’s Engagement Strategy — Your Library — to engage with all schools in Wales.”

The virtual escape room was funded by Adnodd and developed with Jengyd, a company specialising in Welsh-language escape rooms. The team includes secondary school teachers, helping to ensure the resource is both educational and engaging.

Items from the National Library’s collections, including photographs, artworks, documents and newspaper reports, feature in the new materials. Creative work by Caryl Lewis and Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch has also been included.

Samantha Wynne-Rhydderch said: “I’m delighted that my poem, which examines in a strict syllable count, the experience of being made homeless, is being used as a literacy resource. I would never have dreamt this 20 years ago when I wrote 71,200 Megalitres about this unforgettable part of our history.

“I am very grateful to the National Library for their time and energy in making this happen.”

Adam Lewis, a teacher at Ysgol Plascrug, Aberystwyth, said the materials would help bring Welsh history into the classroom.

He said: “From a teacher’s point of view, the resources expand and enrich the children’s learning, bringing the subjects to life.

“It offers valuable access to schools, bringing the library’s collections directly to them.”

Caption: Children enjoying the new interactive learning resources at the National Library of Wales.

Community

MP praises Haverfordwest supermarket for supporting local families

Published

5 hours ago

July 5, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Henry Tufnell says Morrisons staff are “champions of the community” after hearing about holiday food support, food bank donations and charity fundraising

HENRY TUFNELL MP has praised staff at Morrisons in Haverfordwest after visiting the store and hearing about the work being done to support local families.

The Mid and South Pembrokeshire MP said he was “blown away” by the range of community initiatives being run by the supermarket team.

During the visit, Mr Tufnell met the store’s Community Champion and learned about schemes including free fruit and Kellogg’s breakfasts for children during the school holidays.

The store also works with customers and local groups to help collect and distribute essential items to food banks, supporting families who may be struggling with the cost of living.

Morrisons in Haverfordwest also runs monthly 50p paperback book sales in the foyer, raising money for Marie Curie.

Mr Tufnell thanked the team for welcoming him and praised their contribution to the town.

He said: “Had a great visit to Morrisons and was blown away by everything they do to support local families.

“They provide free fruit and Kellogg’s breakfasts for children through the school holidays.

“They work closely with the community to help customers donate and distribute essentials directly to local food banks.

“They also run monthly 50p paperback book sales in the foyer to raise vital funds for Marie Curie.

“Thank you so much to the team for welcoming me. You are truly champions of our community.”

The visit highlights the growing role supermarkets and community champions play in supporting families, charities and food banks across Pembrokeshire.

Community

Kilgetty and Begelly tractor run raises funds for local charities

Published

1 day ago

July 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

Around 70 tractors joined the annual charity road run, hosted by the Begelly Arms Hotel

THE ANNUAL Kilgetty and Begelly Charity Tractor Run brought a colourful convoy to the roads around the Narberth area on Saturday (Jul 4), with around 70 tractors taking part.

The event was hosted by the Begelly Arms Hotel, where farmers, families and supporters gathered before the start of the run.

Entrants were treated to bacon rolls and coffee by the hosts before setting off, while many families took the opportunity to pose for photographs alongside the tractors.

The road run once again proved to be a popular community event, bringing together local farmers, vintage tractor enthusiasts and supporters for a good cause.

The sight of dozens of tractors heading out together made an impressive display as the convoy travelled through the local area.

Organisers said local charities are set to benefit from money raised at the event.

The annual run has become a well-supported fixture in the local calendar, with farming families turning out in force to take part and support the fundraising effort.

For further information, contact Peter Adams at the Begelly Arms on 01834 812601.

Pictures: Malcolm Richards

Community

Pontrhydfendigaid Carnival brings village together for colourful celebration

Published

1 day ago

July 4, 2026

Tom Sinclair

PONTRHYDFENDIGAID Carnival returned in style on Saturday, with a strong community turnout as villagers, families, children and young people gathered on the Village Green before the procession moved on to Bont Pavilion.

The afternoon was full of colour, music and community spirit, with bunting, balloons, decorated floats and smiling faces helping to create a true village celebration.

Among the highlights were the children’s and young people’s entries, which showed real creativity, confidence and effort. Farmyard scenes, animal costumes, a Noah’s Ark-themed float and brightly decorated tableaux all helped bring the carnival to life.

Organisers praised the work that had gone into the displays, competitions and activities, with many families clearly spending hours preparing costumes, props and entries.

The carnival programme featured a wide range of competitions, including floats and tableaux, children’s age-group entries, adverts, pairs, “anything on wheels” and the ever-popular welly throwing competition.

The mix of Welsh and English throughout the event reflected the strong local identity of Pontrhydfendigaid and the importance of keeping village traditions alive for the next generation.

Thanks were also paid to the organisers, volunteers, presidents, compères, families and all those who gave their time behind the scenes. Events of this kind take a great deal of work, and the turnout showed how much the carnival continues to mean to the community.

Pontrhydfendigaid Carnival 2026 proved to be a joyful reminder of what can be achieved when a village comes together.

Photographs and report by Jeremy Rundle