Student Activities
New e-Newsletter now available
Music Technology learners from Bethesda launch first Album
Since
winning the battle of the bands competition at Betheda's rock festival in the
summer Rhyd Radio, who were members of the Coleg Harlech WEA Music Technology
course in Bethesda, have gone from strength to strength and are now launching
their first Album.
The courses were run in conjunction with Menter Iaith and were led by Aled Hughes (Cowbois) and Huw Owen (Mr Huw). There was an emphasis on recording and also included elements of performing, arranging, history of Welsh rock music and the importance to the Bethesda community. The courses were part of Bethesda's Rock Festival in late August and the Battle of the Bands was held at Neuadd Ogwen.
Since then they have gained considerable recognition. On March 21 they were in Cardiff launching their first album on the label Unhealthy before setting out to promote it. Their music is described as bilingual punk and hip-hop. The band made a big impression on the producers and White Maffia Gai Toms and were supported in their recording studios in Llanerfyl and Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Band members are Antony Roberts (who studied on the full time music technology course at Coleg Harlech), Rhys Bowen Harris and Cai and Callum O'Mara.
Comic Relief
Well done to staff and students in Harlech raising money for Comic Relief, especially
to learners from Cil who designed the t-shirts.
Photos of staff in fancy dress available on request!
'Smile' is a winnr at Zoom Young Filmmakers Awards
Congratulations
to Katrin Dallimore who won in the 'Best Direction' category at the Zoom Young
Filmmakers Awards, fantastic news and recognition of the contributions made
by all the members who took part in the Reach the Heightts project in Conwy.
Steven Swindon of TAPE who delivered the project for Coleg Harlech WEA through Conwy CAMHS, said "The young people had not met or done any filmmaking before but despite this, they very quickly developed the ideas, storyboard and dialogue for the film. Over the course of the project, the group worked very closely to develop and shoot all their ideas, with an attention to detail which was very impressive. This precise development of their ideas continued through the edit process and I believe can be seen in the finished film. All the ideas on screen and in the soundtrack belong to the young people in the group".
Follow this link to view the video
'Sam the Dog' is inspiring welsh learners
Dafydd Rhys, learning manager explained “We recently had the pleasure of working with Emyr Llywelyn and Aberystwyth University to develop a unique course 'Do and Tell' (Sam the Dog) which was piloted in primary schools in Merioneth. The success of this pilot has been the relationship between the children, their parents and the school".
Delyth Jones, Head Teacher commented “The resource 'Sam the Dog' is engaging, fun. After the workshops parents have shown much greater interest in their children's early reading skills.Sessions were presented to the children initially, then parents were invited into school for 10 minutes before the end the day to see them have fun while learning welsh. Parents were then given the opportunity to attend ‘Welsh without Stress’ sessions using the same methods and vocabulary".
A parent on the pilot said “I really enjoyed the course which was especially
aimed at things children will talk about. I can now support what they are learning
at school from home.”
For more information
(in welsh) or contact Dafydd Rhys 01766 515298.
Learner Imogen gives something back as a teacher
A
Young Flintshire woman fought her way back from the depths of depression to
gain the qualifications she needed to help others in the same situation.
Her debilitating condition meant that 28-year-old Imogen Garbett, from Cadole, near Mold, would spend weeks locked up her bedroom because she couldn’t face talking to anyone.
But then she enrolled on an Open College Network (OCN) course in volunteering at Flintshire Mind, which was run by Coleg Harlech WEA’s Open Minds project and funded by the Lottery.
From her strong start, Imogen went on to complete a further Open Minds course
in peer mentoring at a community venue in Mold, and it was while she was on
this course that she became a support worker on an Open Minds cookery course
with Flintshire Mind.
More
Superstar Lyndsey's reversal of fortune
A
young Wrexham woman who was homeless for two years has spoken of how the ground-breaking
Open Minds project helped turn her life around.
Lyndsey Phillipps, 24, lived a nomadic existence after a relationship break-up before finding accommodation at Clwyd Alyn Wrexham Foyer.
It was while she was there that she enrolled on an accredited cookery and life skills course which was part of the Open Minds project. Designed and delivered since June 2009 by Coleg Harlech WEA and funded by the lottery, this gives learning opportunities to people who have or are at risk of developing mental health issues.
Diane Roberts, who was the tutor on the Open Minds course Lyndsey took while
at Wrexham Foyer, said: “I call her my superstar. “She did an excellent
job on the course and then later when she returned as a volunteer support worker".
More...
New community choir on song
A
new community choir in Gwynedd is in a class of its own.
They are receiving formal singing lessons as part of a special 30-week course
in choral singing at Coleg Harlech.
The college came to the rescue when to local women, Mary Evans, from Harlech,
and Nikki-Orinda Dudley, from Trawsfynydd, needed help in forming the Cambrian
Coastal Community Choir otherwise known as The 4Cs.
The new course will be led by tutor Joanna Melville-Richards who has a doctorate
in Medieval Music as well as being a trained singer and pianist.
Students will be involved in choosing the songs they sing and are learning a
range of skills including breathing techniques, vocal exercises and how to interpret
musical direction. Self employed gardener, Phil Andrews, of Trawsfynydd, is
looking forward to stretching his singing ability.
He said: “I have been a singer most of my life, mainly singing in folk
clubs and at festivals around the Reading area which is where I am originally
from.
“I saw Mary and Nikki's advert for the choir and the Coleg Harlech course
and thought it was a great idea.
“Coleg Harlech works really hard to include the whole community and help
people express themselves while learning something new. The tutors certainly
go that extra mile to make best use of the facilities here at the college.”
More..
The Thief - short film by Reach the Heights learners
This short film was written, performed and filmed by students who took part
in a two day OCN Complete Video Production course with Camalz Media. Part of
the Reach The Heights project by Coleg Harlech WEA.
Reach the Heights is funded by Arts Council Wales. The project is designed to
encourage young people who are not in Education Employment or training, or at
risk of this, to develop through performing arts activities. The programme at
Coleg Harlech WEA includes a wide range of help for recording, dance, music,
acting sound and lighting, and set design.
Reach the Heights Learners produced this video, vocals by Anya Spencer-Turner
Reach the Heights is funded by Arts Council Wales. The project is designed
to encourage young people who are not in Education Employment or training, or
at risk of this, to develop through performing arts activities. The programme
at Coleg Harlech WEA includes a wide range of help for recording, dance, music,
acting sound and lighting, and set design.
Drama students given new voice by timeless classic
A
famous Dylan Thomas play for voices is been given a new twist by a group of
budding thespians.
Drama students have been working on a version of Thomas’s best known
and most popular work, Under Milk Wood.
It's being put on thanks to a collaboration between adult education specialists
Coleg Harlech WEA, Holywell Communities First and the Flintshire-based Trap
Door Theatre Productions,
The cast of 22 mainly Holywell-based actors are all students on a course in
performing arts and have been drawn from all sections of the community.
They brought the timeless masterpiece, celebrating a day in the life of a small
Welsh fishing village, Llareggub, to life at the Stiwt Theatre, Rhos, near Wrexham
Cecilia stirs Mid-Wales melting pot
An
adult education college is helping an international workforce make their home
in Mid Wales.
Coleg Harlech WEA is teaching people from Russia, Slovakia and Poland who have
settled in Welshpool and Newtown to speak English.
Adding to the multi-cultural melting pot is the tutor - a Spanish speaking lecturer, born in Argentina.
Cecilia Forsythe is also teaching some of her students Spanish, which is now
the most commonly used language in the World.
And she is taking a party of 30 students to Madrid to immerse themselves in
Spanish culture.
Caring Robin looks to future thanks to pioneering Coleg Harlech scheme
After
a lifetime in industry a special job programme for the long term unemployed
has opened Robin Hughes’ eyes to a new career in caring for others.
The 54-year-old father-of-two has not worked full-time since 2008 after illness cost him his job at Anglesey Aluminium.
Job applications which never even got a response disheartened him, but then he was introduced to Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) scheme run by Coleg Harlech WEA.
The scheme pays wages to long term unemployed people on specially created temporary
jobs.Robin has spent three months working at the Tyddyn Môn farm visitor
centre at Brynrefail, Dulas, near Amlwch.
Tyddyn Mon manager Linda Walne said: “He got on so well with all our service
users. He did everything we asked of him and I think it really boosted his confidence."
Congratulations to our Gardeners in Powys!
To
the Powys area office and all the hard work done by horticultural learners in
north Powys WEA who were supported by funding from a variety of projects.
They were invited to exhibit a garden to the Royal Welsh Spring Festival in Builth Wells and came away with a well deserved Highly Commended.
The show is a major atttaction drawing crowds in excess of 24,000 over the weekend. Many visitors to the show stopped to sit down in the garden and comment on the clever design, using reclaimed and recycled materials such as plastic bottles and an old car battery.
Along with the low cost aspect, the other idea for the garden is that it should be wildlife friendly and as such many of the plants chosen are attractive to insects. The small pond should also bring in insects, amphibians and birds and the raised beds provide nooks and crannies between the bottles for creatures to hide and over winter.
Tutor Dave Burridge who supported the learners said the aim was to prove that you can create a beautiful, peaceful garden on a small budget, and this was recognised by all who voted.
Colourful career beckons for Colin thanks to Coleg Harlech project
At
52, with two redundancies behind him, Colin Williams would not have thought
a colourful new career was on the horizon.
But Colin, from Bangor, is now hoping to set up his own business working with
stained glass thanks to an employment project run by Coleg Harlech WEA.
The Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) project pays wages to unemployed people while they learn new skills,
He’s just about to complete placement with top stained glass maker Mike Lees, who’s based at Talwrn near Llangefni on Anglesey.
Father-of-two Colin, of Vaynol Park, Bangor, said: “It’s been very good for me, a very positive experience and helped focus my thinking on self-employment as the way forward for me.”
Llanrwst drama class wins Award at Conwy One Act Play competition
Learners
from a Coleg Harlech WEA drama class were thrilled to pick up the Adjudicators
Choice Award at the One Act Play competition in Conwy last weekend.
The play, called Chavenue, was the culmination of a drama course run in Llanrwst. The learners not only performed but also devised and wrote the play under the guidance of their tutor, West End actor and native of Llanrwst, Craig Ryder.
Craig explained that the class only started in October, they didn’t know each other at that time and most had no prior experience of acting. He said “I am so proud of their achievement, they have progressed so quickly in a short period of time, it has been wonderful to see their confidence grow every week and to get this award is incredible. The course is called ‘Stars of the Community’ and they have certainly lived up to it!”
Learner Yvonne Townley explained that Chavenue evolved out of a series of improvisation sessions so everyone had a role in writing the play. It is located on a council estate and follows a couple who are getting married however the bride’s sister has had a child with the groom, a fact the bride is unaware of – many complications and comic situations emerge as the drama develops.
Anglesey quilters get into Olympic spirit
Olympic
and Paralympic athletes at London 2012 will be presented with pennants lovingly
made be a team of quilters from Anglesey.The pennants were designed and sewn
by members of the group which meets at Beaumaris Leisure Centre.
The Quilts4Olympics project on Anglesey was masterminded by their tutor, Alison Chapman, who runs the weekly classes for Coleg Harlech WEA.According to Alison, she saw an article in Patchwork Magazine to say that the tradition of giving pennants at sporting occasions was going to be extended to the Olympics.
Each hand-made pennant will be brought together and used to decorate the Olympic
venues, providing a colourful backdrop to the myriad sporting events on show
After the Games, the aim is to give one to each of the 14,000 athletes taking
part, regardless of whether they win anything, as a memento of their time at
the biggest show on earth.
Coleg Harlech create a safe haven
A
new garden in Porthmadog is providing an oasis of calm for people with mental
health problems.
It's been created over the past five weeks by a team from Coleg Harlech WEA as part of an Intermediate Labour Market project to help participants escape the dole queue.
They have transformed the rundown land which belongs to Hafal, a charity working with people with mental health issues. The organisation could not afford to turn the messy and overgrown space into a place for service users to relax but Coleg Harlech came to the rescue.
According to Chris Eastwood, the Vice Chair of Hafal, everyone is overjoyed
with the new garden.
Mr Eastwood said: “Coleg Harlech have been kind enough to send in some
work placement people who have transformed our garden from what was a pretty
unsightly mess into a low maintenance and very enjoyable space.
Ground-breaking project that helps people grow
Mature
students on a pioneering gardening course in Mid-Wales are making history -
as well as growing fruit and veg.
The "life-changing" Open Minds project in Newtown has been designed to help people who have or who are at risk of suffering mental health problems.
It's being run in partnership with the mental health charity, the Ponthafren
Association, in Longbridge Street.
The green-fingered students are in the process of investigating setting up a
social enterprise to sell produce and possibly even offer garden design and
landscaping services in the future.
Five of them are also studying for qualifications in horticulture based ‘Progression’
and ‘Employability’ with Diplomas accredited by Agored Cymru.
It's believed they are the first in Wales to study for such demanding diplomas
through a mental health centre.
Their achievements impressed two Mid and West Wales AMs, Rebecca Evans and
Joyce Watson, who came on a visit.
Rebecca Evans said: "It's fantastic, I don't think a single inch has gone
unused and their plans to develop further are very ambitious."
Joyce Watson, a keen gardener herself, added: "I understand how people
can learn skills in a relaxed way and how they can literally see the fruits
of their labour and how that will give them confidence in itself."
Quilters keep Wales Air Ambulance flying high
A
team of talented quilters from Anglesey are helping to keep the Wales Air Ambulance
flying.
The group who meet at Beaumaris Leisure Centre raised more than £400 by
raffling a special quilt they made.
Meanwhile, their tutor, Alison Chapman, is in the running for a top award.
She has been nominated for one of the prestigious Niace Inspire Awards for her
work with Coleg Harlech WEA.
Alison runs a total of seven weekly quilting classes for Coleg Harlech, six
of them on Anglesey and the other one in Bangor.
She said: "Some of the students here have been with me for about 10 years so I keep having to find new things for them to do. “The Air Ambulance quilt was project we did in partnership with a local artist, Jayne Huskisson, who's now become a patch-worker herself.
The money was accepted on behalf of the Wales Air Ambulance by Eifion Jones, perhaps better known as Jonsi from his days as a Radio Cymru presenter.
Bright Future in Military for Young Actor who was made Homeless
A
young man from Gwynedd who is looking forward to a bright future in the military
after being made homeless two years ago had one of the starring roles in a hard-hitting
play organised by the Caernarfon based charity, GISDA. The play, which was staged
at Coleg Harlech’s theatre, tackled hard hitting subjects such as self
harm, bullying, and housing issues for young people, something which Anthony,
who now shares a house in Dolgellau, has his own very personal experience of.
Taking the lead role of Jessie in the GISDA performance was Seren Cynfal, 17, of Llan Ffestiniog, who has formed her own links with Coleg Harlech by signing up for a special scheme called the Intermediate Labour Market (ILM).
Seren said: “Jessie is quite a challenging part to play because she has a lot of things on her mind and her life is very mixed up because she is facing a lot of issues.
“The good thing about being at Coleg Harlech is that I have had a chance to use some of their facilities – like the recording studio - so I am getting a really well rounded look at performing arts from all different sides, both being on the stage and being behind it too.”
The production has been funded with help from a joint initiative by the Welsh Government and Arts Council for Wales via a project known as Reach the Heights which is aimed at reducing the number of young people in Wales who are not in education, employment or training.
College is just the job for Seren and Gran
Seventeen
year old Seren Cynfal is getting plenty of support after starting work in college
- from her grandmother!
Both Seren and her nain, Anwen Jones, 56, have signed up for ILM projects at
Coleg Harlech WEA, the second chance organisation.
They're taking part in the Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) project which provides short term employment whilst helping unemployed people find work.It is being run in conjunction with the Wales Council for Voluntary Action.
Seren, who lives in Llan Ffestiniog, said: “Not many people get to go
work with their nain! I’m really enjoying the project and learning new
skills all the time.
“Since being here I have had tests and discovered I’m dyslexic,
something I was unaware of at school.
Students put Flintshire in focus
A
group of talented mature students have captured the visual beauty of Flintshire
in a stunning photographic exhibition.Their work has earned rave reviews after
going on show at the Holywell Art and Craft Mill.
The pictures are the culmination of an artistic collaboration between Coleg Harlech Workers’ Educational Association and Holywell Communities First.
The students got to grips with a fully accredited beginners' course in digital photographer and editing at the Art and Craft Mill.
Coleg Harlech course tutor Keith Stanley was extremely proud after casting his critical eye over their work and said: “It has been a pleasure to lead a wonderful group of highly talented students. We set them the task of taking pictures on the theme of Flintshire Scenes for this exhibition of their work.
Top gallery showcases work of artistic friends
The
work of two friends whose artistic talents have, in the past, been seen only
by friends and family is currently on display in one of North Wales’s
top galleries. Ann Harrison and Angela Brown could hardly disguise their pride
as they viewed their efforts among the exhibits at Plas Glyn y Weddw in Llanbedrog.
The exhibition, which runs until Christmas, was made possible only because the pair from Trefor, near Caernarfon, became involved in a pioneering scheme run by Coleg Harlech WEA.
Two years ago the college launched the Open Minds project, working in partnership with other groups which support people with mental health problems or at risk of developing such problems.Under the scheme, which is funded by the National Lottery and which operates across North Wales and into Powys, a range of courses is held which can be tailored to suit the needs of different groups.
Ann and Angela have both been regular attenders at the Felin Fach Drop-in Centre in Pwllheli which offers various activities and resources for those with mental health issues, and they were delighted when the Open Minds art course began in May.
Artistic Caz brushes up on her talent
A
Holywell woman has discovered her talent as a painter thanks to a pioneering
art project.
Caz Hughes is among patients attending the renal and diabetes unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital, in Bodelwyddan.
According to Caz, the dialysis sessions are now a fulfilling way of relaxing under the guidance of art tutor Jan Gardner.Her work is now on show at an exhibition.
The ground-breaking project was launched by Coleg Harlech WEA to offer opportunities
to people who would not otherwise find it easy to access courses, and the scheme
was set up in conjunction with the active Friends of the Renal Unit.
More...
From Bulgaria with love for the Welsh language
A
nurse from Bulgaria is so passionate about her adopted homeland after settling
in Flintshire that she and her family are learning Welsh.
Tanya Trotter has signed up for a ground-breaking new course which was launched
today (Sunday, July 31) by the Coleg Harlech Workers’ Educational Association
at the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham.
Tanya, 47, said: “Living in Wales, I felt it was good for us to learn
more about Wales, and the language and everything related to the country. It
was a combined decision.
The Welsh for the Family course provided her with the “perfect opportunity”
to learn the language while continuing her job, she said.
And she is already reaping the benefits of her new ability to speak in Welsh
at work.
“There are Welsh speaking patients and sometimes they are excited if I
say something in Welsh to them. It's good. It's fun,” she said.
“It helps me to get to know them better. I can already see benefits.”
More information
David is Highly Commended
Tutor
Alison Whitehead presents David Donachie with the Niace Adult Learners Inspire
Award. This award celebrates the achievements of outstanding learners who have
shown exceptional passion, drive and commitment to learning.
David, orgionally a learner has since completed a PTTLS course and is a now a Coleg Harlech WEA tutor.
David said "After being unemployed for over 12 months, climbing the walls and being diagnosed with depression I decided to take the plunge back into learning. This was a big step for me and a daunting experience. I decided to enrol on a course with Coleg Harlech learning digital photography, computer skills and photoshop. I found a new leash of life, met new people, learnt a new skill, but most of all gained my confidence back.
I went on to complete four other courses with Coleg Harlech, during this time
I got to know the tutors well. I have a technical background and so started
to help tutors with technical support, this led me to attend courses voluntarily
which I wasn’t enrolled on, helping the learners as well as keeping the
computer equipment running.
With the experience that I had gained I decided to enrol on a teacher training
course with Coleg Llandrillo. Up to now I have now completed the first part
of the course and have a teaching qualification.
I have always been encouraged and supported by my peer tutors and office staff
at Coleg Harlech, I have now started to teach my own courses at Rhyl Community
Fire Station, teaching people of all ages and personalities technical computer
skills.
With my new found career my life has changed dramatically. I would recommend
to anyone wanting to learn new skills and meet new people that joining a college
course is the way to go about it. Since completing my teacher training I have
learnt a new word, “Differentiation”, in short it means that it’s
a tutor’s responsibility to ensure that every learner has the in- class
support needed to achieve.