Working with Local Schools

Young imaginations. New skills. A shared heritage.

One of the most rewarding parts of Ar Ymyl y Tir 2026 On Land’s Edge was seeing the extraordinary creativity of our local young people come to life.

Working in partnership with Small World Theatre in Cardigan, more than 100 pupils from Ysgol Bro Gwaun, Holy Name School and Ysgol Glannau Gwaun took part in a series of creative workshops to help bring our spectacular Moby Dick Lantern Parade to life.

Inspired by the remarkable story of Hollywood coming to Fishguard and Goodwick in 1956 to film Moby Dick, the workshops offered pupils an opportunity to discover an important chapter in their town’s history while becoming part of a new one themselves.

Under the guidance of professional artists and sculptors, pupils explored traditional lantern-making techniques, learning how to bend and shape willow, construct three-dimensional frameworks and transform simple materials into beautiful illuminated sea creatures.

But the workshops were about so much more than making lanterns.

Through creativity and collaboration, young people developed practical artistic skills, learned to solve problems, worked together as teams and discovered the satisfaction of contributing to a shared community project.

And then came their moment to shine.

On Friday 25 September, the children joined their families, teachers and neighbours for our spectacular Lantern Parade, proudly carrying their creations through the streets of Fishguard and Goodwick alongside our magnificent 18-foot Moby Dick.

What had begun in school classrooms became part of an unforgettable community celebration, watched by more than 800 people.

For these young people, the festival was not simply something to attend. It was something they had helped create.

And perhaps the most wonderful legacy of all is that, through the experience, a new generation has discovered something of the extraordinary history, heritage and creative spirit of the place they call home.

A little imagination. A lot of teamwork. Memories to last a lifetime.