Tenby Library has recently undergone a facelift with new shelving, carpet and a lower counter to assist people in wheelchairs; it has a cheery, welcoming atmosphere. Many people are still unaware of the many services on offer at their local library. Did you know that as well as borrowing books you can hire DVD's, CD's or Surf the Internet? The 'Tenby Observer collection' is housed here, so if you wanted to see what was going on in Tenby in days gone by, this is the place to look it up. But the library also looks to the future and the next generation of readers. The cheery children's area is inviting and every Friday morning at 11 am there is Story-time for the under fives. Being based in the same building, the library and community learning staff work closely to promote adult learning and there is now in the library, an area dedicated to Quick Reads. Quick reads are short exciting books by best- selling authors and celebrities for those who are new to reading or have lost the reading habit or prefer a quick read. With names such as Gordon Ramsay, Colin Jackson, Scott Quinnell, Vanessa Feltz and Maeve Binchley amongst the list of authors, it is no wonder they are proving a success with readers.
Adult Learners' Week
Adult Learners' Week is the largest festival of learning in the UK and it is co-ordinated by NIACE (National Institute of Adult Continuing Education). It is a time when thousands of people consider a return to learning and begin a journey that can completely transform their lives for the better. Adult Learners' Week is all about celebrating and raising awareness of the fact that we all learn every day often without realising it and that going on a course need not be like going back to school. Whether you want to gain new skills or qualifications to get promotion at work or want to learn more about a subject you are interested in, learning could be the ideal solution. Every year, Adult Learners' Week helps inspire thousands of people to see what learning could do for them, offering them the chance to catch up on skills missed out on in the past, or develop themselves for the future. Adult learning develops skills and increases knowledge; research shows that learning is good for your health and mind. Now in its 17th year, Adult Learners' Week is a wonderful celebration of energy and inspiration that adults bring to their learning. It seeks to use the achievements of learners to inspire others to have a go. Thanks to a grant from Niace dysgu Cymru and the European Social Fund, Tenby Community Learning Centre is able to celebrate Adult Learners' Week by offering FREE classes and workshops to anyone who would like to try their hands at learning a new skill. There will be an exhibition of student work from today (Friday) - in the hall at the centre - and classes and workshops will be taking place throughout the week - anyone can join in. This is a chance to talk to tutors and students as well as 'having a go'. There will be watercolours and mixed media art classes and traditional stained glass, jewellery and scrapbooking workshops. The jewellery and scrapbooking will also be taking place at Pembroke Dock Community Learning Centre. Please see the advert for dates. For further details or to book a place, ring Tenby 843297. The exhibition will be open daily from 10 am - 4.30 pm (except Saturday and Sunday) and it will run until Thursday, May 22. If you've wanted to learn to Surf the Internet this could be your chance to try it out for FREE. There will be classes at Narberth and Tenby Community Learning Centre. For dates, please see the advertisement. For further details, please ring 01834 861712.
Seniors invited to open morning in Narberth during Adult Learning Week
As part of Adult Learning Week, the Narberth U3A, funded by NIACE Dysgu Cymru, is holding an Open Morning for retired and semi-retired people at the Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth, on Monday, May 19, from 10 am to 1pm. The Narberth U3A is a group affiliated to the University of the Third Age, an organisation devoted to enabling life-long, informal learning for retired people. "We want to give local people the opportunity of finding out more about the Narberth U3A and what it can offer them," said secretary Tudor Thomas. "Each activity group will have a display and a leader present to discuss their programme with visitors. We also plan to have taster sessions of the Music Appreciation Group and a continuous Powerpoint presentation showing the scope of the Art Appreciation Group." The Narberth U3A started two years ago and has grown to 50 members who range from under 60 to over 85 years of age. Activities currently include reading, history, music appreciation, art appreciation, poetry, gardening, bridge, Tai Chi, walking, natural history and a discussion group. For further information, 'phone (01834) 861187 or (01834) 860434.