Ports, Past and Present are proud to present PEMBROKE DOCK PORT FEST 2021.  Join the Ports, Past and Present project online Friday 18^th and Saturday 19^th June, exploring Pembroke Dock's outstanding history and heritage with local people, groups and artists.

Friday 18^th June, 9.50am to 1pm, Exploring Pembroke Dock's outstanding history and heritage with local people, groups and artists.

Join online and take part in a morning of lively talks and discussions as we explore Pembroke Dock's remarkable history with the help of people who live and work there.  There will also be a chance to find out more about Ports, Past and Present and the work they and partner organisations are doing with port communities on both sides of the Irish Sea in promoting tourism to these often underappreciated places.  And you can find out what the specially commissioned artists and writers are doing in their creative explorations of Pembroke Dock’s rich history and heritage over the coming months.

See more details and sign up for free here.

Saturday 19^th June, 3pm to 4pm, Mobile Phone Photo and Video Workshop on Coastal Life and History, with Zillah Bowes

Join artist and filmmaker Zillah Bowes to learn how to take great photos and videos on your phone of your local area in Fishguard, Holyhead, Pembroke Dock, Dublin, Rosslare and surroundings. A fun and practical workshop for all adults and children aged 12+.  During the workshop, you will do short photo and video exercises close to your home. You do not need anything apart from a smartphone and good internet connection to take part. No previous experience is required, but you should understand how to take photographs and video on your phone.

See more details and sign up for free here.

Saturday 19^th June, 7pm to 8pm, Port Fest Creative Writing & Storytelling Workshop for adults with storyteller/ writer Deb Winter

A workshop drawing on the story heritage of the port of Fishguard and our wild West Wales coast.  Friendly, relaxed small group Zoom: all welcome, both new and experienced scribblers.  Deb will provide the inspiration to trigger your writing.  Ferries, flights, flights of fancy, strange sea-dwellers, liminal worlds, lighthouses, wrecks and rocks. If these kinds of themes float your boat come sail with us, with Deb at the helm!  If you prefer oral storytelling to Creative Writing you can also use this workshop for inspiration to make up your own oral story too, or it could also be used to stimulate drawing.  All you need is your imagination and something to write/draw with.

See more details and sign up for free here.

Ports, Past and Present seeks to investigate the heritage of Rosslare, Dublin, Pembroke, Fishguard and Holyhead Ports and the Irish Sea crossings, and create common understanding between these communities by examining the cultural heritage of the ports in the Irish sea basin.  The project is led by University College Cork in partnership with Aberystwyth University, the University of Wales, Trinity St David and Wexford County Council and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Ireland Wales Cooperation programme 2014-2020.

The Ireland Wales Programme 2014-2020  is part of the European Territorial Co-operation (ETC) group of funds, which provides opportunities for regions in the EU to work together, to address common economic, environmental and social challenges.  The programme focuses on seeking solutions to shared challenges on both sides of the Irish sea, to improve the economic and sustainable development priorities of Ireland and Wales, in the areas of innovation, climate change and cultural & natural resources and heritage.

The Welsh Government manages the programme with partners, the Southern Regional Assembly (SRA) and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER).  The overall value of the programme is €100m, utilising €79m from the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).  To find out more about the Ireland Wales programme and the list of projects click this link.