U3A

FOR their June meeting, Anne Shrosbree and Sam Vicary presented an unexpected and magical history of Cardigan’s Small World Theatre. The roots of the theatre began in 1979, when an adapted ecology puppet theatre was crafted, especially for children, aged four, at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth. This Environmental Theatre led to work all over the world. From the very first project in remote villages in the Sudan, the puppet theatre spread the message of the importance of environment and energy, through stories that taught, for ex-ample, the local people how best to plant trees. There were challenges of working in a segregated society, where the puppet theatres proved their worth in helping communication and action across these divides. The United Nations asked for these shows to be repeated several times. Over the years, working for various world organisations, such as Save the Children, travelling between the UK, and places such as Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Syria and even Vietnamese refugee camps in Hong Kong, the puppet theatres reached out to educate communities about the principles of communication and working for, and with, children.Nowadays, the Small World Theatre is concentrating on work here in their home base of Cardigan. Two giant puppets (12 feet tall, or over), Lord Rhys at Cardigan Castle, and Lady Augusta, a scientific educational vehicle, can be seen round the area, during events. Regular inspirational classes and meetings are held in the sedum-roofed building near the Mwldan. Music, writing, and short film showcases are on the menu, and are aimed at community participation, and interaction, for everyone of any age, young and older.There is so much more on offer, and volunteers are needed, the speaker said. Cardigan U3A’s next meeting will be held on Thursday, 28 July, at 2pm in the Catholic Church Hall, North Road. The speakers will be Pat and Sue O’Reilly, talking about the flora and fauna of west Wales. New members are always welcome.

Amnesty

MEMBERS of Cardigan Amnesty International group were urging members of the public to sign a letter to Pembrokeshire Country Council asking them to do more to help refugees in the county on Saturday.

As part of World Refugees Week, the group held a stall outside Cardigan Guildhall, where shoppers and passers-by were also reminded of the work of the late MP Jo Cox.

“Around the world thousands of refugees are fleeing war and persecution,” said spokesman Mark Franchi. “We are asking that the UK be even more generous than they have been in helping these desperate people. “There is a campaign by leading MPs across all parties asking that the government admits into the UK 3,000 unaccompanied children. We at Amnesty International support this important issue. “The late Jo Cox MP was one of the leaders of this campaign. Jo Cox fought hard and passionately for people who urgently need our support, wherever they are. She knew that behind the daily headlines about refugees are millions of real people – people who have had to flee violence and conflict.

“The best way to remember the late Jo Cox is to admit more refugees into the United Kingdom.”

Pictured, above: Mark Franchi, Kate Sherringer and Celia Lang, of Cardigan Amnesty International group, are pictured outside Cardigan Guildhall on Saturday morning.