Launch of "My Life and Times: Memories of Penyfai"

Robert Minhinnick

“My Life and Times: Memories of Penyfai” is Ivor Thomas’s description of a tiny south Wales village.

Ivor was my grandfather, and his book, published by Culture & Democracy Press, is launched in the Garden Room, Court Colman Manor, Pen-y-fai, Bridgend CF31 4NG, 7.30pm, Wednesday, April 23rd 2025. 

Entry £5, which ensures a copy of this astonishing memoir. Otherwise £10. On sale in SUSSED.

Gardener, miner, rugby-player, Labour councilor, social activist, the centre of much of his life was ‘The Tavern’, the vanished village pub, where he was born. Ivor continues to be an enormous influence on my writing and environmental work.

This memoir, of a man who was born, died and buried in the same street, flares like a firework.

Readings by myself and others of Ivor’s family, with members of Bridgend Writers’ Circle, whose energy has created this event. Music and song from Laura Wainwright, in the gorgeous surroundings of the Garden Room. 



Film Launch - Sleepwalking into Climate Change (Free Public Event)

free public film launch jan 29th

‘Sleepwalking Into Climate Change?’

Hi Tide Inn, Porthcawl Mackworth Road, CF36 5BT. All Welcome.

Monday, Jan 29th 2024, 7pm

Three x 12 min. Films, Each Followed By Debate and Discussion

Guests include BCBC Leader Huw David

(Filmed in Porthcawl. Join our climate conversation. This event supported by Welsh Government)

trailer

The films are produced by charity Sustainable Wales and film company Mud & Thunder and financed by ‘Warm This Winter UK’, the ‘Postcode Lottery’ and Sustainable Wales. We are grateful for their and Climate Cymru’s support.


About the Sleepwalking Into Climate Change? Films

‘Sleepwalking into Climate Change?” is a series of three twelve minute films, largely filmed in Porthcawl. They aim to locate climate change in the place where we live and will be used to stimulate debate and action locally.

“When leading scientists issue their ‘final warning’ is anyone listening?” asks young climate and policy graduate, from Porthcawl, Ella Williamson, Sustainable Wales’ Local Development and Climate Change officer.

 “The lack of political leadership nationally and public response locally to this major issue is depressing.” said Sustainable Wales Director, Margaret Minhinnick.

Ella’s conversations include the public, school students, scientists, academics, NGO’s (WWF Cymru, Community Energy Wales), community groups, Cenin Renewables, the Hi Tide and politicians.

Climate concern is definitely expressed. Young people sound confused because they can’t see any action. We emphasise that urgent collaboration is essential.

Wide distribution is planned, plus local ‘Climate Conversations’ i.e. discussion groups held to bring people together and motivate action.

Margaret Minhinnick, the films’ co-Producer commented that:

 “We have a cocktail of crises to face. The cost of living, energy, plus climate and ecological emergencies across the world.

“A serious decarbonising strategy - reducing energy use, increasing homegrown renewables and affordable transport is now vital.

“Though government targets commit us to reaching net zero carbon emissions, we see new licenses announced for more gas and oil fields!

 “We require government to lead, yet time is short.

“Thanks to the grant awarded by (Warm This Winter UK – supported by Climate Cymru) Sustainable Wales decided to produce a series of films to bring this serious issue ‘home’ i.e. Porthcawl) assist debate and encourage action locally.”

more info…

By involving other young people Ella begins to find out how people feel locally.  

Street ‘vox pop’ comments come from the local public, conversations are held with undergraduates, school students, and street placards were made.

*Interviews include: Geoff Hobbs, National Resources Wales scientist; Dr Peter Evans Bangor University academic; local town and borough politicians

**, two businesses – Cenin Renewables and the High Tide; Leanne Wood, Co-Executive Director Community Energy Wales; Gareth Clubb Director WWF Cymru and two members Bro Ffestiniog Citizen’s Assembly.

Parc Stormy

 “But it’s not all doom and gloom!” Ella insists. “We filmed Parc Stormy, Cenin Renewables, a cluster of renewables above Porthcawl https://cenin.co.uk/home/ . “.

“Porthcawl is actually powered by this renewable energy. Also the High Tide arcade has a roof of solar panels. Important solutions can exist.”

“The young people we filmed want answers but are not despairing. Yet they express confusion at the lack of urgency locally.

“The contributors make an articulate case for clear, visible, local and national climate action, in Bridgend Borough and Wales itself.”  commented Margaret.

other notes…

The Sustainable Wales ‘Better Porthcawl Partnership’ will use this series of films to organise public discussions. These should reinforce the need to act, thus:

·      challenging ourselves, local politicians and government to drive action in response to the climate and ecological emergency, energy security and the cost-of-living crisis.

·      helping people come together, sharing ideas and planning positive actions to make change.

The films will also be available on our YouTube channel and be distributed via community groups, local schools, social and print media in Bridgend across Wales.

Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/@sustainablewales


draft outline of the three films

Episode 1: Conversations - with the public, students, and scientists, regarding the climate crisis and the why we need to act now. 

Episode 2: What's happening? - Discovering the people and organisations responding locally with a focus on local energy. 

Episode 3: Community leadership - Is the climate challenge too big and what can we do as a community?

 

Contact us:  please use the usual contact form

 Conversations: **

Politicians: Sarah Murphy Member of the Senedd

Cllr Huw David, Leader Bridgend Borough Council

Cllr Jonathon Pratt Porthcawl Town Council

Supported by: