News
The Torch Theatre is temporarily closed ‘until May’ due to coronavirus
THE TORCH THEATRE has announced that it will close until May due to the coronavirus.
Management have said that this puts the venue in a “very precarious financial situation”.
As the theatre is reliant on the income from tickets to operate as a business, the closure is likely to have a “devastating impact on the organisation”, the official statement said:
The full statement from the Torch Theatre management is as follows:
“In response to the to the Government announcement that people should avoid public spaces such as pubs, clubs and theatres, and under advice from UK Theatre (the UK’s professional performing arts membership organisation), we regret to inform you that we have temporarily closed the Torch Theatre to the public. This takes place with immediate effect and whilst the advice for closure is currently undefined, we anticipate being closed until at least Thursday, 30th April 2020.
“Public health is the first priority
“This has been a very difficult decision to make but the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic is now at heightened levels and the health and safety of our audiences, customers, staff, volunteers and performers is the number one priority. We believe that to temporarily close to the public is the best decision based on the advice at hand.
“Please do not contact box office
“A number of touring companies have already asked to postpone their performance date(s) here. We are now in the process of contacting the performers and production companies who are due to perform at the Torch Theatre during this period of closure, with the intention of rescheduling the shows to a date later in the year. If you have a ticket(s) for a forthcoming performance our Box Office team will be in contact with you. Please be patient and bear with us, there are a high number of customers to contact and our team are working at full capacity under difficult circumstances.
“Help protect and secure the future of the Torch Theatre
“As a registered charity, this closure and the decline in business over previous weeks has placed the Torch Theatre in a very precarious financial situation. We are reliant on the income from tickets to operate as a business and this closure is likely to have a devastating impact on the organisation. We really need your help to secure the future of the theatre and all the work we do in the community. We ask that if you can afford to do so, that you donate the value of your ticket(s) to the Torch Theatre. Those who are unable to donate their tickets will be offered credit to be used at a later date.
“Stay well and we look forward to welcoming you back
“We appreciate that these are very difficult and uncertain times. The news is changing daily on COVID-19, and we will keep you updated on any further news and developments through our social media channels and website. For the meantime, we urge you to remain safe and look after one another. We are determined to be back delivering an exceptional experience to our patrons as soon as is safe and look forward to welcoming you back to the theatre then.
News
Closure of Tata Steel’s coke ovens sparks political and union backlash
THE recent announcement by Tata Steel to close the coke ovens at its Port Talbot plant in South Wales has ignited a firestorm of political and industrial action, highlighting the deepening crisis within the British steel industry and the challenges facing the transition to green steel.
Jo Stevens MP, the Shadow Welsh Secretary, expressed her concerns over the impact of the closure on the Welsh steel industry and the workers affected. Stevens emphasized the need for assurances about the workers’ immediate future and pledged that a UK Labour government would invest in the steel industry to support the transition to green steel, harnessing the skills, talent, and ambition of Welsh steelworkers.
The closure, slated for Wednesday due to concerns over the ovens’ “operational stability,” has been criticized by regional Senedd Members for South Wales West, Tom Giffard MS, and Dr. Altaf Hussain MS. They accused the Labour Welsh Government of neglecting its support for the Tata Steelworks in Port Talbot, highlighting a lack of financial assistance since 2019 and calling for a change in response to the current developments.
Unite, the UK’s leading union, has been vocal in its opposition to Tata’s decision, describing it as a shock and a “result of years of betrayal.” The union criticized Tata for not disclosing the imminent risk of closure during recent consultations and announced a ballot for industrial action among 1,500 Tata workers. Unite insists there should be no job losses at Port Talbot or Llanwern and that a blast furnace should remain operational.
Peter Hughes, Unite’s regional secretary for Wales, called for Tata to halt its closure plans in anticipation of Labour’s promised £3 billion investment to rejuvenate the UK steel industry. He accused Tata of managing the decline of UK steel while accepting government subsidies, describing the company’s actions as “deliberate industrial vandalism.”
The closure has not only raised concerns about the future of steel production in the UK but also spotlighted the political and economic strategies required to ensure the industry’s survival and transition towards more sustainable practices. The unfolding situation underscores the need for a collaborative approach between the government, industry stakeholders, and the workforce to navigate the complex challenges ahead.
News
Firefighters tackle blaze at block of garages in Monkton
ONE person was injured as a result of a sunday afternoon garage fire in a block of garages in Monkton.
A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service told The Pembrokeshire Herald said: “At 1.31pm on March 17, Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven crews were called to extinguish a fire in an alight central garage and were forced to use two breathing apparatus and two hose reels.
“The firefighters reportedly left the scene at 3.02pm after continuing to dampen the fire and check for fire spread.
“The casualty was treated by ambulance service personnel also in attendance.”
The police confirmed that a garage fire had been dealt with by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Welsh Ambulance Service attended.
News
Air ambulance called following incident at Aldi Pembroke Dock
THE WALES AIR AMBULANCE, along with the Welsh Ambulance Service and police were called on Monday morning to an incident at the Aldi supermarket car park in Pembroke Dock.
The Herald understands that the alarm was raised after a car hit a person in the car park after 9am.
We have been told that the incident involved a local taxi.
The emergency services have been asked for a comment.
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