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Musical Stage Show, Featuring Disney Classics, comes to Wales

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FANS of the songs of the Oscar-winning brothers, Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman including classics from Disney films such as Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Bedknobs & Broomsticks, Winnie the Pooh and The Aristocats, as well as other classics such as Charlotte’s Web and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be delighted to know that a fantastic show, A Spoonful of Sherman will be arriving at the Swansea Grand Theatre this April.

A Spoonful of Sherman is a new musical stage show currently on a UK tour to celebrate 100 years of Sherman family history, and lands in Wales next month. Al Sherman, the father of the famous Sherman brothers, began his career in 1918, and went on to write songs for the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra. The cast of five tell the story of the Sherman family legacy and sing through well-known songs from the Sherman brothers’ impressive repertoire.

This exhilarating new show stars a wealth of musical talent – the cast are; musician/songwriter Mark Read, member of the smash hit number one boyband A1; Olivier Award nominated Sophie-Louise Dann, whose West End credits include: Celia in The Girls; Bend it Like Beckham, Made In Dagenham, Lend Me a Tenor, 42nd Street, and Jolson; recent graduates Glen Facey and Jenna Innes; and musical director and performer Ben Stock, who has numerous West End credits to his name.

The double Oscar-winning Sherman Brothers – Richard M Sherman & Robert B Sherman – remain one of the most formidable songwriting teams in family entertainment history. From 1964 onwards their unparalleled partnership produced music, songs and scores for dozens of films, particularly many of Disney’s best loved titles including Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Jungle Book, Bedknobs & Broomsticks, Charlotte’s Web, and The Aristocats. The highly prolific brothers were the sons of the great Al Sherman, who wrote songs for the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and many singers of the golden American Songbook period of the 1930s-1950s.

Robert J Sherman, son of Robert B. Sherman and a successful composer in his own right, brings the compelling story of one family’s century-long, award-winning musical journey to UK audiences in 2018. Three generations of Sherman songwriters are brought to life in this delightful show, which includes songs from Robert J. Sherman’s own charming musical, Love Birds, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2015.

A SPOONFUL OF SHERMAN tour dates:

  • March 8th-10th – Inverness Eden Court
  • March 12th-14th – Darlington Hippodrome
  • March 16th-17th – East Grinstead, Chequer Mead
  • March 20th-21st – Guildford, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre
  • March 22nd-24th – Windsor Theatre Royal
  • March 26th-30th – London Greenwich Theatre (PRESS NIGHT: March 27th)
  • April 2nd – Buxton Opera House
  • April 5th-7th – Swansea Grand Theatre
  • April 10th-11th – Harrogate Theatre
  • April 12th-13th – Southport Atkinson Theatre
  • April 15th-17th – Hornchurch Essex, Queen’s Theatre
  • April 18th-20th – Isle of Wight, Shanklin Theatre
  • April 23rd-24th – Newport Riverfront Theatre
  • April 25th-26th – Yeovil Somerset, Octagon Theatre
  • April 30th-May 1st – Swindon, Wyvern Theatre
  • May 7th-9th – Lincoln Theatre Royal
  • May 14th-15th – Weston Super Mare, Playhouse Theatre
  • May 16th-18th – Exeter Northcott Theatre
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Rugby Weekly – Tenby’s promotion push continues

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It’s crunch time for all rugby clubs around the county, whether promotion is their aim or fighting relegation or even just trying to improve their league position, it’s now or never. 

Last weekend saw an important win for Fishguard in division two west which should put any relegation fears to bed completely. James Griffiths added an impressive 18 points for the Seagulls as they defeated Nantgaredig 33-19. 

Elsewhere in the second division, Milford were beaten 32-8 by a good Lampeter outfit. The Mariners are still a little too close for comfort with the drop zone but should have enough quality to see them safe. 

At the other end of the table Tenby sit in second place and have played fewer games than leaders St Clears and third place Lampeter. They won impressively again last weekend, beating Pontyberem 64-19 at Haywood Lane. Fletcher Broadhurst impressed with two tries as did Hywel Baker who also grabbed himself a brace. Another excellent performance in an outstanding season so far in which promotion would be the absolute icing on the cake. 

In Division Three West, Pembroke were well beaten by Laugharne 74-15 in which the outstanding Liam Price and Nico Setaro both crossed the whitewash 4 teams a piece. The latter also added 7 successful conversions. 

There was a local derby at Pill Parks where Llangwm hosted Pembroke Dock Quins and it was an exciting clash. The visitors won narrowly 28-23, Craig Barnett and Gethin Bradney both scored two tries for the Quins. The Wasps battled hard and will be proud of their performance, Gethin Thomas impressed for the hosts with two tries of his own but it wasn’t enough to secure the points. 

St David’s hosted the high flying Cardigan outfit and were unable to score in reply to the visitors 20 points, with it ending 20-0. The Saints however won’t be losing too much sleep over it as they have had a great season so far. 

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Stephen Crabb leads inquiry on retaining community bank services  

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PRESELI Pembrokeshire MP, and Chair of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee Stephen Crabb is leading an inquiry in Parliament that will investigate the closure of high street banks in Wales, as well as access to cash.

In November 2023, Pembrokeshire saw the closure of Lloyds Bank in St Davids, and in the coming months both Barclays Bank and Halifax in Haverfordwest are set to close. In recent years, Wales has experienced a rapid decline in the number of high street banking services available to the public. Already in 2024, 23 high street bank closures have been announced in Wales, while automated teller machines (ATMs) declined by nearly a quarter between 2018 and 2023.

The Committee willconsider how declining high street banking services are impacting vulnerable people and small businesses across Wales, who are often more reliant on cash than digital banking. It will also examine how Wales is being affected by the loss of high street bank services, and whether the problem is worse in Wales than other parts of the UK.

Mr Crabb is a staunch advocate for retaining community banking facilities, especially in rural communities like Pembrokeshire where many local branches remain the only source of face-to-face banking provision for miles.

Recently Mr Crabb challenged Barclays Bank senior management on their decision to close the bank branch in Haverfordwest– a move that will see Barclays not only pull out of the county town, but means they won’t have a branch left anywhere in Pembrokeshire. He has also engaged with LINK – the UK’s largest cash machine network – and continues to campaign on the basis that a Banking Hub is established and that ATM machines should be retained or installed, especially in areas worst affected by the closures.  

Following the launch of the inquiry, MP Crabb added: “It is really sad to see so many banks across Wales closing as online banking grows in popularity. Despite the advantages of online banking, for a rural community with an ageing population like Pembrokeshire, bank branches hold huge importance as they offer face-to-face customer service.”

“I am acutely aware of the inconvenience that the bank closures locally have already caused following hundreds of replies from constituents to my ‘online banking survey’ ”

“I am looking forward to gathering further evidence on this subject through the committee’s inquiry, and will continue to put pressure on the relevant stakeholders to ensure that adequate alternative provisions are made through the establishment of banking hubs as well as the instalment of ATM machines where necessary.”

“In this inquiry, we are particularly keen to hear from those likely to be directly affected by the shift away from cash and physical banks. I encourage anyone with first-hand experience of losing banking services to give evidence to the Committee”

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Trains resume between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock as works end

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TRAIN services resumed this morning (Thursday 28 March) after ten days of essential round-the-clock work to upgrade track and drainage between Carmarthen and Pembroke Dock.

The railway was closed from Monday 18 March to Wednesday 27 March to allow Network Rail teams to replace more than 200 metres of track and 300 tonnes of ballast (track stones) between Pembroke station and Pembroke Dock.

Work to improve the drainage between Narbeth and Kilgetty stations was also completed at the same time.

Nick Millington, Network Rail Wales and Borders route director, said: “This essential work in Pembrokeshire demonstrates our commitment to improving the reliability of the service we provide to passengers along our route.

“We know that replacing the track can be disruptive and very noisy, so I would like to thank the residents of Pembroke for their patience while our team carried out this crucial work.”

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at Transport for Wales said: “We’re pleased that our colleagues in Network Rail have completed this essential work and that Transport for Wales rail services resumed today.

“We’d like to thank passengers for their patience while this work has progressed and look forward to welcoming passengers back in time for the Easter weekend.”

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